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The Best Power Drills of 2022

Elina Blom

The most important thing to have in any toolbox is a sturdy and versatile power drill. The Bosch Advanced Impact 18 Quicksnap gives you a lot of power for your money without compromising on ergonomics or expert build quality, and consequently, we named it as the best drill in our 2021 test.

Top Best 8 Power Drills of 2022

How we did the drill test

Our tests are independently conducted and reflect the test editor's honest and objective opinions. Selection of products and test results are in no way influenced by manufacturers, retailers or other internal or external parties.

We carry out all of our tests ourselves and tested all drills in real conditions. The drills have been used over a long time in a number of different construction projects and reviewed in detail by exposing them to a number of strength tests. For example, they have been used to screw substantial screws into both thick oak edging strips and double 45 mm studs. We have looked closely at the following aspects of each drill:

  • Performance: How powerful is the drill? How does it cope with the different materials? How quickly does it respond? How good is it at removing screws? Is it easy to use? How loud or quiet is the drill?

  • Build quality: How straightforward and comprehensive do the buttons and settings feel? How noisy is the drill under different loads? Is it at all wobbly?

  • Functions: What expert functions does the power drill include? Is there space to store bits on it? Does it have a light?

In our scoring of the drills, we have taken into account the choice of material, user-friendliness and ergonomics. Finally, we have examined all of these factors in light of the drill's price to determine its value for money. We thus have higher expectations of an expensive drill than a cheaper one - and vice versa.

1. Dewalt DCD791

Compact drill that still performs with both power and persistence

Price class: Premium Dimensions: 173 x 63 x 203 mm Weight: 1.2 kg Battery: 18 V Li-Ion Measured noise level: 84.4 dB (average value) RPM: 0-550 rpm and 0-2000 rpm Torque: 70 Nm Gears: 2 LED lighting: Yes (3 step) Chuck: 1.5-13 mm quick chuck Accessories included: 2 x 5 Ah batteries, charger, T-STAK kit box

Dewalt DCD791D2 (2x2.0Ah)

The Dewalt DCD791 is a competent and impressive drill that gives you a lot of power for your money in a compact and handy format which feels well-balanced in your hands. It has no problem screwing through double studs with thick, long screws or penetrating hardwood such as oak. As long as you have the wrist strength and good drill bits, the drill can cope with the work. In dusty environments it has a disadvantage that it stirs up the dust and blows it towards your face, but you have to be standing in a very enclosed environment or very close to the drill for this to be a major problem. The battery included with the machine has a high charge capacity and means that you can work for a long time without having to charge it, but the major benefit is the charger, which is able to recharge the battery while you eat lunch or use the second included battery. The charger is silent, compact and clear in terms of graphics.

The gear button on the top of the DCD791 is sluggish, but all the other functions work smoothly. The integrated holder for the drill means that you can easily suspend it from your tool belt when you need both hands free and don’t have any surface nearby to put it on. The lamp that illuminates the screw head in dark environments can be set to three different strengths, the strongest of which is extremely powerful. Unfortunately, it can’t be completely switched off. On the side of the drill there is a magnet to hold screws and bits, which can’t hold much but is an excellent complement, for example when you have two different screw sizes and quickly need to change between different bits. Overall this is a very powerful but compact drill, with few downsides.

Compactstrongwell-balancedlots of functions
Fan power (blows dust towards you in dusty environments)

Price Comparison

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DeWalt DCD791D2 18v XR Brushless Compact Drill Driver Inc 2x 2.0Ah Batts In TSTAK Case

£146.95

DEWALT DCD791D2-QW 18V XR Drill/Screwdriver Compact Carbon Brushless with 2x2.0 Ah Batteries

£179.98

DeWalt DCD791D2-GB 18V XR Brushless Compact Drill Driver 2 x 2.0Ah Rubber/Steel

£245.69

2. Ryobi RDD18C

Flexible screwdriver for homeowners who like to do DIY around the house

Weight: 1.7 kg (incl. Battery (722 g) Battery: 18V, tested with: 4 Ah Li-Ion Measured sound level: 85.8 dB Number of revolutions: 0-450 rpm and 0-1700 rpm Torque: 54 Nm Gears: 2 LED light: Yes Chuck: 13 mm

Ryobi RDD18C-0 Solo

The Ryobi RDD18C is a brushless screwdriver with the weight in its foot and a very compact head. The construction makes it feel light and flexible to work with. You can easily access tight spaces, and Ryobi has not been stingy on its performance. The feeling is that this drill screwdriverdriver is strong despite being so small.

Otherwise, it has a customary design with two gears, a well-rubberised grip, and a battery with a battery indicator. Unfortunately, the indicator is at the front, so you have to turn the screwdriver over to see how much time you have left.

When unloaded, the battery lasts for 1 hour and 34 minutes.

The chuck gives the impression of being made of metal but, after closer examination, it made of hard plastic. However, this doesn't affect the user experience. The overall construction quality feels good, and there are no strange noises or loose parts.

Because the chuck is a little larger, 13 millimetres instead of the usual 10 mm, you can fit e.g. a frame screw key. This is great for homeowners who do a lot of DIY.

The RDD18C is also a fast and quite powerful screwdriver. It easily screws thicker, longer screws into either hard wood, such as oak, or softer wood like pine. In second gear and with maximum torque, we could hear a sound that indicated that the screwdriver was slightly struggling to screw in a 5x90 screw. But this was not noticeable in pine.

We also tested mixing plaster and concrete, drilling, and other tasks that DIY enthusiasts might want to do – and it was always time-efficient.

Not the strongest option but very versatile

The RDD18C is equipped with a small light above the battery section that lights up in bulky environments. The LED lighting provides good visibility. This is especially important on a compact screwdriver like this, as you want to be able to use it in corners and angles that often lack good lighting.

Unfortunately, this screwdriver does not have a belt clip or space for bits/bit holders.

The Ryobi RDD18C is suitable for the average homeowner who wants a versatile screwdriver with a well-built design that fits the price. Especially if you are looking for a compact, well-balanced and quite light screwdriver, and if you are not primarily looking for maximum performance.

Really flexible designgenerous chuck size
Lacks a belt clip & bit holder

3. Einhell TE-CD 18/2 Li Kit

Neat, good value for money drill with slightly sluggish buttons

Price class: Budget Battery: 18 V Li-Ion Measured noise level: 76.1 dB (average value) RPM: 0-350 rpm and 0-1250 rpm Torque: 44 Nm Gears: 2 LED lighting: Yes Chuck: 10 mm quick chuck Accessories included: 2 x 18V 1.5 Ah battery

Einhell TE-CD 18-2 Li-i Kit (2x1.5Ah)

The Einhell TE-CD 18/2 Li Kit is a battery-driven drill/driver that suits a wide range of tasks despite the fact that it belongs to the upper end of the budget class. The battery time is among the best in our test, and it can cope with screwing hefty screws into soft fir wood without complaining. It’s only when we push it in terms of power on a thick oak edging strip that we can see it’s not an elite machine. However, it doesn’t completely fail at any of the test tasks. One thing we did note which can be slightly irritating is that it’s quite slow in reverse. This means that it takes longer than you’d want to unscrew a screw. The quick chuck makes it easy to change between drill and bit holders. The battery holds its charge well between uses and charging takes a mere 40 minutes for the 1.5 Ah battery included in our test kit, which is hard to scoff at.

The TE-CD 18/2 is relatively light and compact, which makes it easy to gain access even in restricted spaces. The rubberised grip makes it feel stable in your hands, and the balance of the drill is good, contributing to the positive impression. However, the button to change between first and second gear is extremely sluggish, and it’s tough to get the last step of torque. The intelligent belt clip on the side saves time because you can easily hang the drill from your belt while you carry out other tasks. This came in handy several times when we were standing on a ladder and had to put the drill down to measure something. Another practical function is the LED lighting, which makes it easy to see the screw head even in dark conditions. However, you can’t turn off the light. Something the drill lacks, but which would have been useful, is integrated space for drill and drill bits on the body of the machine. But overall, this is a really good and versatile drill for its price class.

Balancedcompactincludes a belt clip
Tough to setslow unscrewing

4. Bosch GSR 18V-60 C Professional

Compact, good grip and app functionality

Price class: Premium Dimensions: 173xBx248 mm Weight: 1.8 kg Battery: 18 V, 5 Ah Measured noise level: 85 dB Speed: 0-600 rpm or 0-1900 rpm Torque: 31 Nm Gears: 2 LED lighting: Yes Chuck: 13 mm quick chuck Accessories included: Double-ended bit

Bosch GSR 18V-60 C Professional (2x5.0Ah)

The Bosch GSR 18V-60 C Professional is a stable and tall drill with a compact front that means you can easily get into even narrow spaces. For a tool belonging to the Bosch blue range - which is aimed at professionals - it isn't particularly powerful. But it's perfectly acceptable for a DIYer. For example, the drill is fine for screwing anchor screws into a supporting stud, but you need to use maximum strength to stop it protesting. And you can simply forget about putting thick screws in solid hardwood. But the GSR 18V-60 C has other advantages. For example, you can link it with an app to remember the settings you've used. This can be useful if you're doing fine carpentry. But for the majority of private users this type of memory setting isn't really necessary. The app does give you high speed access to the manual, however, and you can also control the sensitivity of different functions. Unfortunately, our test examples didn't include any chips so we couldn't test how well this works in practice.

The primary strength of the Bosch GSR 18V-60 C Professional is in its format, combined with the stable design. The drill has good work lighting, a clear battery indicator and a high speed charger that means you're working again from a flat battery in about 40 minutes. The belt clip included with the drill is also very useful. But if you're looking for sheer raw strength, this isn't the drill for you. Particularly not at this price level. But for a perfectionist who wants a drill in a compact format that will cope with domestic DIY - everything from building a patio to installing a kitchen - the GSR 18V-60 C is a reasonable choice. It's comprehensive, compact, well balanced and remembers your settings.

Well balancedcompact & stable designhigh build qualityapp functionality
Weak for the price class

Price Comparison

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5. Black+Decker BCD001

Simple screwdriver for small jobs

Weight: 1.2 kg (incl. battery (369 g) Battery: 18V, tested with: 2 Ah Li-Ion Measured sound level: 77.8 dB Number of revolutions: 0-600 rpm Torque: 37 Nm Gears: 1 LED light: Yes Chuck: 10 mm

Black & Decker BCD001C1-QW (1x1.5Ah)

Black+Decker BCD001 is a very light drill screwdriver that runs quite quietly. It has eleven positions on the torque setting that rotate smoothly when you want to change position.

The screwdriver’s machine body has a bit holder with space for two bits, and the whole bit holder can also be attached there. It also has LED lighting.

How the screwdriver performs

The construction quality isn't impressive. The battery is a bit tricky to remove or insert, and it feels like it doesn't fit 100%. The screwdriver is also quite plastic. But on the other hand, it costs very little in comparison to many others, and it was interesting to conduct a thorough analysis when it came to target group adaptation.

So what can the BCD001 do? For example, it can easily tighten screws in soft wood, as well as larger screws. It does not have any problems in mixing lime mortar. When it comes to screwing in hard wood, it depends a little on how powerful the screw is and which type of wood you are dealing with. In general, it can handle the majority of tasks, but it is very slow when you want to screw into e.g. oak. It’s like using an average screwdriver in first gear, the task takes time.

Black+Decker BCD001 has only one gear and, as mentioned, does not spin very quickly. If you’re in a hurry when screwing, this is not the right model for you. But if you can live with a screwdriver that takes a little longer, then this one is great for DIY.

Black+Decker BCD001 is suitable for those who are looking for a cheap screwdriver for simple tasks around the house.

Lightquite silent
Slowpoor construction quality

6. GreenWorks GD24DD35

24 volt screwdriver for easier work

Price class: Medium Weight: 1.49 kg (1.2 kg excluding battery) Battery: 24 V, tested with: 2 Ah Li-Ion, Battery life unloaded: 1hr 37 min (measured) Noise level: 76.5 dB (measured) Speed: 0-3000 rpm Torque: 35 Nm Gears: 2 LED lighting: Yes Chuck: 10 mm Manual: User manual

GD24DD35 Solo

The GreenWorks GD24DD35 is a relatively quiet 24-volt screwdriver. Quite compact in size, the rubberised grip is nice to hold. A lamp at the front provides good illumination for working in nooks and crannies.

But the performance of the GD24DD35 leaves a bit to be desired. Compared to other screwdrivers in the same price range, this one is rather limited. It handles simpler situations, such as driving large screws into soft wood and the like. But when it comes to heavier work it really isn’t powerful enough. Unlike most of its competitors.

If you already have products from Greenwork's 24-volt range, you can share a battery between the machines.

What do you get?

The GreenWorks GD24DD35 comes with a belt clip but nothing extra. The belt clip is the kind you screw on, and you decide yourself whether it should be on the right or left side.

We also have some doubts about the build quality. For example, this screwdriver rattles a good bit when you change gears. The gears jump out sometimes. By contrast the batteries are easy to insert and remove. In addition, the GD24DD35 has a battery indicator, which is a convenient way to see when it's time for a recharge.

The GreenWorks GD24DD35 is a handy screwdriver for anyone who has other tools in the GreenWorks 24-volt series and who wants to be able to swap the battery between them. But it’s a bit too expensive for us to be able to recommend it. In this price range, there is tough and better competition than the GD24DD35.

Very comfortable gripgood LED lamp
Problems with the gearsperformance doesn’t match the price

Everything about Screwdriver

Screwdrivers are the most frequently used electrical tool in most people’s toolboxes. So, if you know that you’re going to be doing a lot of DIY, it can be sensible to invest in a good value for money but slightly more powerful version. Meanwhile, those of you who will only use one sporadically for lighter work should perhaps instead invest in an affordable model in the budget segment.

Screwdrivers are available with different voltages and different primary functions. In our guide below you can read in more detail about what distinguishes them, but a standard drill should be an 18 V drill/driver – simply because it will suit a wide range of tasks.

When you're going to buy a new drill, you can also think about the other battery-powered tools you already have. The majority of manufacturers today have systems that mean the same battery fits a large number of their tools. So, for example, if you have an electric jigsaw of particular brand, it may be sensible to buy a drill of the same brand but without a battery for it. However, it’s always a good idea to have two batteries so that you can charge one while you’re using the other.

Buying drills

When you have chosen a model, it can be useful to check the kits it’s sold as part of. If you already have batteries to one electric tool from the same manufacturer, you can buy the drill without a battery. But if you don’t, you can often find affordable kits with double batteries and a tool case.

The big drill guide

What do you need to think about when you’re buying a drill? If you have a good understanding of how they work, what distinguishes the models and what functions and accessories are available, it’s easier to make a well-informed and efficient choice.

Drill types

There are a variety of different types of drill. For example, some are only intended for screwing with, while others are also intended for drilling.

Different types of drill is described below:

Mini drill

A small drill. Often quite weak, but handy for the odd simple task. For example, if you want to hang up a few pictures or renovate a couple of items of furniture.

Screwdriver drill

A machine intended for screwing in or removing screws. Sometimes it’s useful to have a nail puller for moving home or taking down furniture. The advantage of a simple drill is that they are often good at tightening screws in tough timber, unlike many combination machines.

Impact drill

A drill with a drill bit that strikes in the direction of rotation. It strikes the screw by having high torque. The function is similar to that in an impact wrench.

The advantage of an impact drill is that it can cope with tougher resistance. When a drill can't cope with a screw, that’s when you need an impact drill. The process will also be quicker and more ergonomic as you don’t have to push against it when screwing. But they aren’t intended for drilling in concrete, even though the name may make you think that. They have a drill bit but are only intended for screwing with.

Drill/driver

A drill that you can also drill with. This combination machine is equipped with a chuck so that you can choose between a drill or bit holder, and often also have a number of gears and torque settings.

There are also drill/drivers with an impact function. The idea with many of these is for them to also be able to cope with drilling in concrete. But not all of them are good in terms of performance on this last point. Make sure you do thorough research before buying.

Right angle impact driver

The shape makes it suitable for narrow spaces where normal drills won’t fit.

Plasterboard drill

A special drill equipped with a depth stop. This is intended for sheet material. When you use it, it drives in the screw extremely quickly but stops at exactly the right depth.

Strength & torque

The strength of the drill is what primarily determines its torque. Torque is stated in Newton metres (Nm), and the size of the torque determines how hard the screw is screwed in. The drill’s maximum torque is determined by the motor power and efficiency. And the power is in turn dependent on the voltage it is supplied with. To simplify slightly, the higher the voltage, the more powerful machine and the more it can cope with tough timber, substantial screws etc. The maximum torque can also be called the torque limit. As a rule, the torque limit can be adjusted and reduced several steps from maximum. This can be selected on the basis of how hard you want to screw in the screw.

For easier screwing work, such as assembling flat pack furniture (IKEA and similar), a torque of 3-5 Nm is often sufficient. For more difficult tasks, such as hex bolts, a torque of 40 Nm or more is recommended. In the case of extremely high torque there are models that jerk so much they can injure the user’s wrists if not used carefully. A drill with extremely high torque must therefore be well designed to avoid negative consequences.

Today, 18 V is the most common voltage for battery-operated drills. One major advantage with this voltage is that you can often use batteries from the same brand on different types of machine. This where you can buy “bare” machines and save money by sharing the batteries between them.

However, 18 V is quite powerful, and for some consumers unnecessarily so. Weaker drills tend to be cheaper and weigh less.

For this reason there are also drills with lower voltages – everything from a couple of volts less to mini-drills of just 3-4 V. Screwdrivers with a voltage of around 10-12 V are generally more compact and weigh less than 18 V models.

Battery or mains power

he most common types available are battery-operated drills, because batteries have improved so much today in terms of the power you need for screwing. But there are also mains powered drills. The advantage of these is that you don’t have to change the battery. The disadvantage is that you are limited to the cable length and any extension cable.

Battery

The most common type of drill comes with a battery. Here there are three crucial points. Battery quality, battery life and how quickly you can recharge the drill after use. Battery capacity is stated in ampere hours (Ah) and together with the power (W) this determines the battery life. For example, a battery with a capacity of 4 Ah should be able to deliver a 4 ampere current for 1 hour, or alternatively 1 ampere for 4 hours. As a concrete example, a battery of 4 Ah should be able to screw in around 1800 screws.

The advantage of batteries with a higher capacity (more ampere hours) is that they can screw more screws before they have to be recharged. The disadvantage is that they are heavier and larger, which can be tiring on the arm muscles over time. Important aspects when buying a drill are the tasks you will be using it for, the number of batteries included and access to the nearest power outlet. For the DIYer there are usually plenty of nearby outlets. Then it can be worth investing in a drill with two batteries of around 1.5-2 Ah and changing between them.

There’s not much difference in terms of weight between a drill with a 3 Ah battery and one with a 1.5 Ah battery, but it’s still a couple of hundred grams. Over time that can be quite a difference if you’re going to do a lot of screwing. Particularly if you're using the drill overhead when installing a ceiling, for example. But if you want to recharge less often, a bigger battery is preferable. The actual charging time varies too. Partly as a result of battery capacity, and partly how good the charger is. A charging time of 2.5 hours isn’t unusual for the budget and medium price segments, while an hour or less is common for the professional segment.

Other than the ampere hours (Ah), the battery voltage (V) also plays a role. The higher the voltage the battery can supply to the motor, the greater the power it will have. But the higher the voltage the battery supplies, the more quickly it uses up its energy. It’s the drill voltage that determines the voltage of the battery that goes with it. Today the most common voltage for battery-operated drills is 18 V. These batteries can often be used for several types of machines from the same manufacturer, such as tiger saws or strimmers. As more manufacturers now sell battery-operated machines without batteries for a lower price, you can save money by having a number of machines that share the same battery. In some cases you can even use a battery with a significantly higher voltage (e.g. 48 V) with a lower voltage appliance. This means that you can share batteries between your drill and more powerful machines such as strimmers and motor saws.

Gears

The drill can also be equipped with gears. Lower gears give more power, and higher gears give more speed. The gear you should use is determined by the task. Easier screwing can be carried out in higher gear and vice versa.

Chuck/bit holder

There are drills without chucks, which just have a bit holder. But there are also drills with chucks, and these are the most common type today because many people use drills to drill with. The size of the chuck is important as it determines how large a drill bit you can use, and thus how big a hole you can drill.

Lighting

Many drills have built-in LED lighting. This is a very useful function which makes it easier to see the screw head even in dark environments

Guarantees

The average drill isn’t a cheap product. Good guarantees and good access to spare parts, such as new batteries, are therefore important aspects when it comes to choosing make and model.

Accessories

Bit holder: Bit holders are available in a range of variants. One of the more useful is the magnetic type that comes with bits in place using magnetism.

Bits: High-quality bits are essential for straightforward, no fuss work. They also last longer and damage fewer screw heads.

Extra batteries: When buying a battery-operated drill, it's usually sensible to buy an extra battery. Then you can carry on working while the discharged battery is recharging.

Chuck: Sometimes chucks wear out. If tightening the screw holding it in place doesn’t suffice, on the majority of models you can undo it and replace it with a new chuck. Remember that chucks are threaded anti-clockwise.

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