There’s no doubt DeWalt is one of the most popular brands available. If you’re ready to jump on board, getting DeWalt’s best cordless drill is a great place to start. With so many different needs and priorities, the best is somewhat subjective, though. I’ll walk you through the models that stand out the most and help you decide which model hits the right balance of performance, features, and value for your needs.
Considering other brands? Check out our recommendations for the best cordless drills!
Best DeWalt Drills – Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: 20V Max XR DCD1007
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Compact: 20V Max XR DCD801
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best 12V: Xtreme 12V Max DCD706
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best for the Money: 20V Max Atomic DCD794
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best for DIY and Home Use: 20V Max Brushless DCD777
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Combo Kit: FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill Combo DCK2100
Jump to this Drill ↓
Also In This Article
- More DeWalt Cordless Drill Reviews
- What to Look For When You’re Buying a DeWalt Drill
- Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Best DeWalt Drill Overall
20V Max XR Hammer Drill DCD1007
- Top Speed: 2000 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 38,250 BPM
- Max Power: 1530 MWO
- Bare Weight: 4.1 lbs
- Working Weight: 6.3 lbs w/8.0 PowerPack
- Head Length: 7.5 in
- Price: $249 bare, $349 kit
Pros
- Most powerful drill in DeWalt’s lineup
- Best overall performance in DeWalt’s lineup
- Three speeds
- Kickback control
- LED light controls
Cons
- Heavy
- Most expensive in DeWalt’s lineup
Highlighted Features
- Kickback Control: Shuts the motor off when the drill senses a bind-up to reduce the risk of injury
- LED Light Controls: Control the brightness and duration of the light and pivot where you need it
- Tool Connect Ready: Add the Tool Connect chip to add tracking and management options
If you’re looking for the highest possible performance, the DeWalt DCD1007 is the best drill for you. Often, high performance requires a very bulky build. While this one doesn’t fit in the compact category, it’s nearly an inch shorter than DeWalt’s previous performance champion. It’s still on the heavy side, though, especially since you’ll get the best performance from a high-capacity PowerPack battery.
You also get the best of DeWalt’s drill features with kickback control and LED light controls. Plus, you can add Tool Connect if you’d like to grab the chip separately.
Best DeWalt Compact Cordless Drill
20V Max XR Drill DCD801
- Top Speed: 2000 RPM
- Max Power: 1050 MWO
- Bare Weight: 2.8 lbs
- Working Weight: 4.1 lbs w/4.0Ah PowerPack
- Head Length: 6.5 in
- Price: $179 bare, $269 kit
Pros
- Kickback control
- LED light controls
- Compact size
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Highlighted Features
- Kickback Control: Shuts the motor off when the drill senses a bind-up to reduce the risk of injury
- LED Light Controls: Control the brightness and duration of the light and pivot where you need it
- Tool Connect Ready: Add the Tool Connect chip to add tracking and management options
DeWalt’s DCD801 likely has the widest overall appeal. Even though it’s well short of the power you get from the larger DCD1007, it actually has higher performance than the DCD996 that led DeWalt’s drill lineup for several years. Many Pros made a living with that drill, so don’t assume you’re handicapped just because it doesn’t have the best overall performance.
What you gain by trading off some power is a much more compact build—a full inch shorter. And since you can get the full performance using a smaller 4.0Ah PowerPack battery, your working weight is more than 2 pounds lighter.
What sells it for me is that you still get the best of DeWalt’s drill features with kickback control and LED light controls. You don’t get that middle gear since it’s a two-speed drill, but for the smaller size and lower price tag, I don’t mind a bit.
Best DeWalt 12V Max Cordless Drill
Xtreme 12V Max Hammer Drill DCD706
- Top Speed: 1500 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 25,500 BPM
- Max Power: 250 MWO
- Bare Weight: 2.3 lbs
- Working Weight: 2.9 lbs w/2.0Ah battery
- Head Length: 6.6 in
- Price: $149 bare, $189 kit
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lower performance
- Battery platform is limited
Highlighted Features
- Nothing notable
DeWalt breathed new life into its 12V Max line a few years ago, introducing a few new brushless tools, including the DCD706 hammer drill. The line has been slow to expand, and that model is still the best in the line.
On the positive side, it’s super-lightweight compared to what’s available on the 20V Max system. However, it’s not the most compact that’s available. there are more compact models available on the 20V Max platform, and you’ll get a serious performance boost at the same time. Unless you just need the lightest possible drill, you”ll get better performance and have an even more compact drill by considering the Atomic DCD794 on the 20V Max system.
Best DeWalt Cordless Drill for the Money
20V Max Atomic Drill DCD794
- Top Speed: 1650 RPM
- Max Power: 404 MWO
- Bare Weight: 2.4 lbs
- Working Weight: 3.3 lbs w/2.0Ah battery
- Head Length: 5.9 in
- Price: $99 kit
Pros
- Super-compact
- Lightweight
- Outstanding value
Cons
- Lower performance
Highlighted Features
- Nothing notable
The DCD794 checks off several priority boxes for DeWalt fans. It’s the most compact, coming in under 6 inches long. It’s also a lightweight option for those of you who prefer to stay on the 20V Max battery system instead of the 12V Max platform. In fact, I’d recommend this model over the 12V Max DCD706 because you’ll get noticeably better performance with less than 1/2 a pound of extra weight.
This is also the way to go if you’re looking for the best value. With a $99 price tag for the kit that includes a battery and charger, it’s an easy choice over DeWalt’s other models with the same price. It looks like this model may be on its way out, though. We only found it at a couple of retailers, so pull the trigger while there’s still time. While the DCD777 and DCD771 can get the job done at the same price, the DCD794 is a much nicer drill to use.
Best Budget DeWalt Cordless Drill for Home Use
20V Max Brushless Drill DCD777
- Top Speed: 1600 RPM
- Max Power: 340 MWO
- Bare Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Working Weight: 3.5 lbs w/2.0Ah battery
- Head Length: 7.6 in
- Price: $99 kit
Pros
- Excellent value
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lower performance
- Large
Highlighted Features
- Nothing notable
Let me start by saying that the DeWalt DCD777 isn’t actually my first choice for homeowners. Its kit price is the same as the DCD794, and that’s a smaller, lighter, and more powerful drill. If you find the 794 in stock at the $99 price, snag it and don’t think twice.
If they’re sold out, though, the DCD777 is a solid choice for projects around the house or for budget Pro needs. With its brushless motor, it’s stronger, more efficient, and has a longer expected service life than the brushed DCD771 that’s so popular at the same price. It’s not going to wow you with a bunch of features, but it is going to handle most light and medium-duty jobs without complaint.
Best DeWalt Cordless Drill Combo
FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill Combo DCK2100
- Top Speed: 2000 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 38,250 BPM
- Max Power: 1219 MWO
- Bare Weight: 3.6 lbs
- Working Weight: 5.9 lbs w/6.0Ah FlexVolt
- Head Length: 8.4 in
- Price: $299 kit
Pros
- High-performance hammer drill
- Three speeds
- LED light controls
- Excellent combo value
Cons
- Large
- Heavy
- Does ‘t include DeWalt’s best drill or impact driver
Highlighted Features
- FlexVolt Advantage: Hammer drill performance gets a significant boost when you use a FlexVolt battery
- LED Light Controls: Control the brightness and duration of the light
- Tool Connect Ready: Add the Tool Connect chip to add tracking and management options
A drill and impact driver combo kit is a great way to get into a cordless system and save money over buying tools separately. DeWalt has a ton to choose from, and my top pick is the DCK299D1W1. However, it’s not as much of a slam dunk as it used to be.
DeWalt’s current best performance cordless drill is the DCD1007, and its top impact driver is the DCF860. Unlike most brands that put their top two in a combo kit, you won’t find either of these in a combo, much less together. So, if you’re wanting the top performance, you’re better off buying your drill and impact driver separately for the moment.
At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the value of the FlexVolt Advantage hammer drill kit. For $299, you get the hammer drill, the DCF887 impact driver, a FlexVolt 6.0Ah battery, a 20V Max 2.0Ah battery, and a charger. While both tools have been displaced by more advanced, compact, and higher-performing models, it was only a few years ago that these were the best in DeWalt’s lineup.
More DeWalt Cordless Drill Reviews
While the drills I recommended above are the best in my opinion, it’s no guarantee that one of them is the perfect fit for you. If that’s the case, here are some other models we’ve reviewed that you may be interested in.
DeWalt 20V Max Hammer Drill DCD805
Price: $199 bare, $289 kit
DeWalt 20V Max XR Power Detect Hammer Drill DCD998
Price: $239 bare, $329 kit
DeWalt 60V Max Mixer Drill DCD130
Price: $289 bare, $419 kit
DeWalt 60V In-Line Stud and Joist Drill DCD470
Price: $469 bare, $649 kit
DeWalt 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage Magnetic Drill Press DCD1623
Price: $2,309 bare, $2,749 kit
What to Look for When You’re Buying a DeWalt Drill
Performance: Speed, blow rate, and torque give you an idea of how fast and strong a drill or hammer drill will perform. They’re helpful stats when you’re comparing data during research, but it’s the motor’s ability to keep the RPMs high under load that separates their real-world performance. Look for a drill with a brushless motor to get the best performance, runtime, and service life.
Note that DeWalt doesn’t report torque values on drill. Instead, they use MWO—max watts out (AKA unit watts out). This is a measure of how much power the drill is generating. Generally, the higher the MWO, the more torque the drill has.
Size and Weight: Size and weight tend to go hand-in-hand, with larger drills weighing more. Ideally, we want the lightest and most compact tool that still does the job effectively. That keeps the fatigue to a minimum while maximizing access.
Ergonomics: Beyond the size and weight, how the weight is balanced and how the grip feels in your hand brings ergonomics full circle. As you narrow down your choices, there’s something to be said for a tool that feels right in your hands.
Features: As you move up from entry-level cordless drills, you should expect additional features that make working more convenient, in addition to higher performance. Below is what we expect to find on every Pro-grade hammer drill. Anything else is a bonus.
- 2-Speed Gearbox: The ability to work at high speed or drop down for more torque is essential
- Side Handle: Absolutely necessary on drills with higher torque
- All-Metal Keyless Chuck: Better durability and faster bit changes
- LED Light: Adds light where you’re drilling and driving
- Belt Hook: Usually reversible, they’re super-helpful when you have materials to carry or you’re climbing a ladder
More Drill Content You Might Enjoy
- How to Use a Drill
- How to Use Drill Clutch Settings
- How to Use a Keyless Chuck
- 20V Max vs 18V
- Hammer Drill vs Drill
- Impact Driver vs Drill
- Impact Driver vs Hammer Drill
- Rotary Hammer vs Hammer Drill
- Cordless vs Corded Drill
- Speed vs Torque
Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Ever check out a “review” site, and you can’t tell if they actually test products or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d use it ourselves, and we don’t care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.
Since 2008, Pro Tool Reviews has provided in-depth tool reviews, buying guides, how-to articles, and industry news in the construction and lawn care industries. We focus on professionals in the trades, and our writers have the skills and experience to know whether a tool or accessory will hold up on the jobsite.
Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Additionally, our team will put their hands on hundreds more tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year. When we recommend a drill, that means we’d use it ourselves.
