Cordless Drill Reviews & Impact Drivers

We spent hundreds of man-hours on cordless drill reviews and impact drivers with hands-on objective testing. We also rated the most powerful cordless drills through head-to-head comparative testing. All 12V, 18V (20V), and 36V models go through our testing rig, and we rank them for their respective categories. When Pros want to upgrade their systems it’s often difficult to know where to go. While you may have your favorite “color” or brand, we seek to help you understand the competition. We understand the tendency for Pros to choose favorites. Our cordless drill reviews and our impact driver reviews seek to avoid bias by using standardized testing methods. Without an objective testing source, you may find yourself purchasing a tool that can’t get the job done. Pros Can Trust Our Cordless Drill Reviews We not only test power, we look at run-time, vibration, and ergonomics. The best cordless drill for one may not be the same for another. Our drill and driver reviews take that into account, testing various torque and speed scenarios. Our individual cordless drill reviews are thorough, and break down the build quality, features, feel, and performance of each tool.

Hitachi DV18DBL Brushless Hammer Drill Preview

Hitachi DV18DBL Brushless Hammer Drill Preview

First it was Milwaukee’s Brushless FUEL Drills, then Makita got into the game. Hitachi Power Tools wasn’t far behind that (and really, the orders get confusing, but let’s just congratulate all of the manufacturers for innovating here). Now, the company is announcing new additions to its line of 18V Brushless tools. In particular, they are adding a new DV18DBL Brushless Hammer Drill. The new DV18DBL ramps up the power from the DS18DBL, which had 593 in-lbs of torque, to an impressive 654 in-lbs of turning torque. It comes with a 1/2″ ratcheting keyless all-metal chuck which feature carbide inserts for secure bit retention. This is a great addition for a tool designed to hammer into concrete. The clutch is designed to actually deliver 22 different torque settings, plus a hammer setting and drill mode for maximum torque. The tool is a compact 8.1″ in length, which is about a 1/10″ shorter than Milwaukee’s new Hammer Drill. It’s also fairly lightweight for a hammer drill at 4.8 lbs. The DV18DBL is sold as a kit and comes with two 3.0Ah Lithium-ion Slide Type batteries, a quick charger, side handle, carrying case and double sided Phillips driver bit.

Kobalt KT200A 18V Compact Drill Driver Review

Kobalt KT200A 18V Compact Drill Driver Review

When we went to Kobalt’s Press Event in New York where they debuted the new line of 18V Li-ion tools, one of the things we were most impressed with was the Compact Drill Driver. This was a tool that, while not perfect, took a lot of cues from successful products that had come before it. Kobalt’s first foray into the world of Cordless Power Tools didn’t appear to be so introductory as some other manufacturers’ have been. They more or less leapt right into the second generation tools, making themselves more competitive than if they had debuted a product lacking many of the features and qualities we now come to expect.

DeWalt DW059HK-2 18V Cordless XRP Impact Wrench Preview

DeWalt DW059HK-2 18V XRP Impact Wrench Preview

DeWalt has some pretty powerful impact drivers and wrenches, but their new DW059HK-2 18V XRP NiCd Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil is nearly twice as strong as their existing DC821KA 1/2″ Impact Wrench. The DW059HK-2 was designed from the ground up as a brand new tool that could hold up to (and thrive in) extremely high-torque applications. We’re talking the stuff undertaken by real pros, be they mechanics, contractors, plumbers, or maintenance professionals. The wrench can also be purchased as a standalone tool (model number DW059HB) for those who don’t need a battery or charger.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8" Ratchet 2457-21 Preview

Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 Cordless 3/8 in Ratchet Preview

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand the versatility of their M12 Li-ion system with the introduction of the M12 Cordless 1/4″ and 3/8″ Ratchets. At only 10-3/4″ long and 1.9 lbs, these new tools are the most compact and powerful ratchets in their class, providing an ideal fastening solution for automotive mechanics and maintenance-repair professionals desiring maximum performance, portability and productivity.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 1/4" Ratchet 2456-21 Preview

Milwaukee 2456-21 M12 Cordless 1/4 in Ratchet Preview

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand the versatility of their M12 Li-ion system with the introduction of the M12 Cordless 1/4″ and 3/8″ Ratchets. At only 10-3/4″ long and 1.9 lbs, these new tools are the most compact and powerful ratchets in their class, providing an ideal fastening solution for automotive mechanics and maintenance-repair professionals desiring maximum performance, portability and productivity.

Porter-Cable PCC520B 18V Close Quarters Drill Review

Porter-Cable PCC520B 18V Close Quarters Drill Review

We’ve certainly had our experiences with attempting to drill in tight spaces. When we saw the new PCC520B 18V Two-Speed Close Quarters Drill from Porter-Cable, the unusual-looking tool struck us as something that made a lot of sense. This is a tool that Porter-Cable needed to add to its line-up, and one that we were excited to finally be testing on the jobsite. The PCC520B bills itself as a truly compact drilling solution, measuring 5.5″ in length and weighing only 2.4 pounds. It’s so short, in fact, that it measures less than a competitor’s 12V Pocket Driver that uses a less flexible hex chuck. Even though the tool looks a bit odd, with its double-stacked chuck-over-motor configuration, it’s actually very well-balanced.

Porter-Cable PC180CHDK-2 18V NiCd Hammer Drill Preview

Porter-Cable PC180CHDK-2 18V NiCd Hammer Drill Preview

Porter-Cable today launched the NiCd-based PC180CHDK-2 18V Hammer Drill. While not based on the new Li-ion platform, the new drill is designed to give general contractors, plumbers, electricians, woodworkers, etc, more power and performance over Porter-Cable’s current line of hammer drills. The PC180CHDK-2 18 Volt NiCd Hammer Drill is more compact and delivers greater beats per minute than the older model it replaces (the PC180HDK-2). The new tool uses 1.5 Ah, 18V NiCd batteries and is a 2-speed model, running at 0-350 and 0-1,500 RPMs. The hammer drill anvil mechanism delivers up to 25,500 blows per minute (bpm) and the tool delivers a full 424 in-lbs of torque at max potential. This hammer drill seems perfectly suited for heavy-duty applications like concrete, brick and mortar block drilling. The tool includes an all- metal chuck and weighs just over 5 pounds. From tip to back it measures 9″ in length which, for a hammer drill, means that you’ll be able to insert it into some pretty compact areas.

Porter-Cable PCL180CDK-2 18V Li-ion Drill Kit Review

Porter-Cable PCL180CDK-2 18V Li-ion Drill Kit Review

Porter-Cable has been upgrading its initial line of 18V tools that are both forward and backwards compatible with their entire line of 18V NiCad and Li-ion batteries. The new PCL180CDK is Porter-Cable’s second-generation 18V drill, this time compact in nature and making use of their latest Li-ion batteries. We tested it on a variety of products and really liked how Porter-Cable seems to be bringing a lot of innovation from some of its sister companies to bear in its more affordable models. The result seems to be less expensive tools that have a high degree of build quality and features. While we were surprised to find it still missing some of the more common features like battery-level indicators, yet the PCL180CDK remains a very well-engineered, lightweight tool that is a great addition to the Porter-Cable 18V lineup.