As a contractor, I’ve owned a variety of different cordless drills and had to deal with many issues regarding these tools, such as:
- Bulky and heavy materials that make the tool uncomfortable and inconvenient to use
- Low-potency motors that don’t output the drilling power contractors need
- Low-quality materials that make the corded drill last only a few months of heavy use
- Lousy batteries that provide a short autonomy
As I know you guys don’t have the time to go experimenting with hundreds of cordless drills, I took the time to research and test various cordless drills to arrive at a list of those that took care of the needs of a contractor in the best way possible.
The 5 Best Cordless Drills for Contractors
This is the list of the best cordless drills for contractors I’ve arrived at after careful research and extensive testing:
- 1) Hitachi DS18DGL 18-Volt Cordless Drill for Contractors
- 2) SKIL PWRCore Cordless Drill for Contractors
- 3) Bosch PS31-2A Cordless Drill for Contractors
- 4) DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill for Contractors
- 5) Kobalt 24-Volt Max Cordless Drill for Contractors
1) Hitachi DS18DGL 18-Volt Cordless Drill for Contractors
Adaptable Power and Torque
This Hitachi cordless drill comes with a multi-speed motor (0-1500 RPM) that delivers up to 400-in-lbs of max torque which is more than enough for the needs of a contractor.
It also comes with over 22 clutch settings that allow the contractor to adjust it to match the specific task at hand. Thus, saving a lot of battery in the process.
Comfortable and Convenient
During the testing period, the tool’s grip was very comfortable as it was ergonomically designed.
On top of that, it weighed 3.7 lb as the manufacturer used very light materials in its design. Thanks to this, I had the chance of working with this tool for extended periods of time without feeling any type of fatigue.
To top things up, the tool came with a secure hard case that kept the tool stored and protected at all times.
Pros
- Variable-speed reversible motor (0-1,500-RPM) delivers up to 400-in-lbs max torque
- 1/2-in chuck accepts a wide variety of bits
- 22 clutch settings let you adjust the torque to match the task at hand
- Hard case stores the drill and accessories when not in use
- Two 18-volt lithium-ion batteries with 1.3-Ah and 30-min charge time
- Lightweight 3.7-lb design
2) SKIL PWRCore Cordless Drill for Contractors
Power
The hard surfaces on which contractors have to drill on with their cordless drills require a high level of drilling power that not many tools have.
Luckily, this SKIL cordless drill has features such as:
- Brushless motor
- 17+ torque settings
that give contractors the torque they need to drill on whatever surface they have to without many issues. Moreover, they even have the chance to adapt the torque to the task at hand, thus, saving lots of energy.
Convenience
Knowing that you spent your hard-earned money on a tool that isn’t only powerful but also very convenient, is a great feeling most contractors would like to enjoy.
In that sense, this cordless drill comes with attributes such as its keyless metal ratcheting chuck that allow easy and fast bit change which saves lots of headaches.
Additionally, this tool has a PWR core 20 Lithium battery technology which wraps each cell with a cooling material that keeps the temperature low even when outputting its max torque. This, not only saves battery runtime but also its lifespan.
Pros
- Keyless metal ratcheting chuck allows for easy bit changes
- Brushless motor
- 17+ torque settings
- PWR core 20 Lithium battery technology wraps Each cell with cooling material
- Plugin To the battery’s USB port wherever, whenever with PWR assist mobile charging
3) Bosch PS31-2A Cordless Drill for Contractors
Flexible Power and Torque
This Bosch’s cordless drill is a multi-speed gem that adapts to the necessities of most contractors.
It boasts the best performance-to-size ratio in its class, making it more powerful and convenient.
Moreover, the no-load speed for this tool is 0-1300 RPMs which is a very good “range” for a contractor that’s used to require various torque levels.
To conclude, the tool has a powerful 265-in-lbs torque output which allows it to drill on most surfaces without any problems.
Battery Performance and Convenience
This drill comes with lithium-Ion batteries that offer a longer tool run-time and enhanced durability, something critical for contractors.
On top of that, this drill is really lightweight and compact which made my work in tight spaces really easy and comfortable during the testing period.
On that same note, its LED light was essential for letting me drill on dark sports without having to drill with one hand and hold a flashlight with the other (which is what I had to do MANY times with other cordless drills).
Pros
- Best performance to size ratio
- Lithium-Ion batteries
- Battery Voltage of 12V
- No Load RPM 0-1,300
- 265 Torque (in. lbs.)
- Equipped with 3/8 In. single sleeve chuck
- LED light
4) DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill for Contractors
Smart Power
Having enough drilling power is essential for contractors.
This is why I listed this DEWALT cordless drill here, as it has great features such as:
- Brushless motor
- 619.55 in-lb of max torque (calculated)
- up to 2000 RPMs of drilling speed
All these attributes make a tool that’s solid enough to drill through any surface without any issues.
Incredible Convenience
In terms of convenience, this drill surpassed my expectations as it comes with a compact and lightweight design capable of fitting in tight spaces and 3-mode led lights that bring light to the surroundings when drilling in dark places.
Durability is a must-have feature in power tools. I mean, you won’t wanna be spending hundreds of dollars on a tool that’s only gonna last less than a year right?
Well, in that sense, this Dewalt cordless drill comes with a brushless motor known for not only being powerful but very durable and with li-ion batteries which is one of the most advanced technologies available for batteries in current times.
Pros
- Brushless motor
- Li-Ion batteries with fuel gauge
- Compact & lightweight design
- High-speed transmission with 2-speed settings
- 3-Mode LED lights
- up to 2000 RPM
- 619.55 in-lb of max torque (calculated)
5) Kobalt 24-Volt Max Cordless Drill for Contractors
No contractor wants to spend more than a hundred bucks on a corded drill that’s not powerful enough, right?
Well, in that sense, this Kobalt cordless drill comes with a brushless motor that’s not only known for being highly efficient but also for outputting 650 in/lbs of max torque and a max speed of 2,000 RPM.
Durability-wise, this cordless drill did not lack behind as it comes with a li-ion battery that’s famous in the industry for being one of the most advanced technologies that guarantee extended battery runtime.
Pros
- 2.0Ah Li-ion battery
- Brushless motor
- 650-in-lbs of torque
- Run time2-speed gearbox allows for drilling and driving at 2 variable-speed ranges (0-550 and 0-2,000-RPM)
My Verdict: And The Best Cordless Drill For Contractors Is…
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill
Would you like to know why I chose this exact drill model from DEWALT as the best cordless drill for a contractor? Then you should check out its review by clicking the button down below!
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How Did I Test The Best Cordless Drills for Contractors?
How many different types of drills are in the market? I’ve no idea, but I do know it’s a lot.
I conducted various tests at a construction site where I work. I tested each drill’s power attributes on different surfaces such as:
- concrete
- plywood
- wood, etc.
Moreover, I paid close attention to how comfortable and convenient they were. Were the lightweight and portable? Did they have multiple speed settings? Did they come with led lights?
Finally, I made sure that each drill was durable enough to be safely recommended. With this, I mean that each one should have a solid battery runtime and strong construction to survive beatings.
3 Must-Have Features In The Best Cordless Drills For Contractors
Durability
Most contractors use cordless drills for their projects. But, the problem is that these tools are built with low-quality components which surely reduce their lifespans. This situation force contractors to waste money on tools that aren’t durable at all.
That’s why it’s a good idea to look for drills especially designed for demanding workers. Some of those features should be:
- Brushless motors
- Top-quality materials
- Li-ion batteries
- Strong constructions
Battery Performance
After you find a cordless drill that’s durable, you must consider its battery performance. Why? Well because a good battery saves contractors a lot of time.
The problem with drills nowadays is that most of them are very low-quality, with batteries that don’t last long which forces contractors to waste money on new batteries or time in recharging these lousy tools.
In my experience, going for drills made by the best manufacturers that use li-ion batteries will give contractors the guarantee their tools will run for much longer and last many years.
Power and Torque
You can have durability and good battery performance, but without power and torque, your cordless drill is useless.
Contractors need a drill that can handle heavy drilling jobs while also being able to adapt to small tasks.
The best solution to this issue is looking for cordless drills with enough torque and power made with variable speed settings.
