Combi Drills
After testing three new drills in late 2020, we’ve added two new also-great picks in the compact 18/20-volt category. The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool. We work with more than two dozen professional contractors dewalt Hand tools around the United States who review products for us on real job sites. We consult with them extensively on testing methods, categories, and practical applications. Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.
It’s the lightest drill we tested, coming in at an even 2 pounds in our measurements (although the overall design makes it feel about the same as the DeWalt 12-volt, which is 7 ounces heavier). It performed well, but it typically costs more than the DeWalt, and given the excellent performance of the brushed motor version, we don’t think this drill and its so-so ergonomics are worth the investment. In our tests, the Bosch PS31-2A drilled five fewer holes than the DeWalt DCD701F2, lasting for 25 holes, but it sunk more screws.
Milwaukee’s drill comes with only one battery, but it has 1.5 amp-hours of runtime and features a fuel gauge. Milwaukee and DeWalt were founded in the United States in the 1920s. Since then, they’ve continuously innovated, expanded their product portfolios, and become leaders in the power tool industry. Milwaukee and DeWalt are two of the top power tool brands on the market. There is no administration fee charged for entering into a special payments plan. Each month during an equal payments plan you are required to pay in full by the due date that month’s equal payments plan instalment.
Your DEWALT cordless drill is guaranteed to be delivered in like-new condition, including accessories, instruction manuals, and packaging. That means you enjoy the same performance as someone who bought a drill right off the shelf, often at a considerable savings! Buyers get a 2-year warranty and free 30-day return/replacement policy that begins when you receive the product. Sellers are held to eBay’s highest standards of customer service and monitored to ensure they’re hitting our metrics. No matter the job, eBay’s Certified Refurbished program can outfit you with the right tool at an unbeatable value.
A top performer in the compact cordless drill class, the DeWalt Atomic 20V drill replaces the need for a 12V tool. You get a smaller footprint with less weight while getting better performance than you find in DeWalt’s 12V drill. For the absolute best bits, we recommend their Cobalt Drill Bit Set with Pilot Point. You want to keep these bits a good long time and even possibly sharpen them when they eventually get dull. They use a Pilot point and split tip design so they don’t “walk” or drift when you start drilling.
I also adjusted a few doors, swapped out some license plate lights, put up some mudroom hooks, and hung a heavy mirror. A screwdriver can handle household tasks such as tightening cabinet hinges, putting up hooks, or swapping out the batteries in a toy, but once you get beyond that level, a drill can make life a lot easier. Putting up baby gates or assembling knockdown furniture, for example, is just way easier with a drill. Then, once you get to full-on DIY projects like replacing a rotted deck board or fixing a sagging gutter, a drill is essential. To gain even more insight on drills, I spoke with Timothy Dahl, DIY editor at Popular Mechanics and founder and editor of the home-improvement site Charles & Hudson and the family DIY site Built by Kids. Dahl has written about tools since 2002 and has run Charles & Hudson since 2005.
Tools using lower-voltage batteries are generally lighter and more compact but less powerful than tools using higher-voltage batteries. Tools using lower-capacity batteries are less bulky but store less power than tools using higher-capacity batteries. Tool batteries can also power other dewalt Hand tools tools of the same brand, battery series, and voltage. If you’re a rabid DIYer with plans to build a deck, a doghouse, and a tree house, we recommend a stronger, 18- or 20-volt drill. They’re designed for constant heavy-duty use and might be seen hanging off a pro carpenter’s tool belt.
One thing we realized quickly is that there is very little difference between the twist bit speeds and auger bits speeds for most of these classes—sometimes just a few RPM. For the 18V classes, we only used the auger bit speeds in our internal scoring. Finally, DIY Homeowner drills tested with just a 1/2″ Milwaukee Shockwave Titanium twist bit to keep things simple.