Top 5 Cordless Drills
on Amazon
Our #1 pick is the DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2. Hanging shelves, building furniture or starting a tool collection? We compared the 5 best cordless drill kits on Amazon, from a budget starter to a pro combo kit.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 9, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most homeowners, the DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2 is the cordless drill to buy. It is one of the most-reviewed power tools on Amazon, it comes with two batteries and a charger, and its two-speed gearbox handles everything from hanging curtain rods to drilling into studs. It also puts you on the DeWalt 20V battery platform, which has hundreds of tools if you want a saw or leaf blower later.
If you want a lighter, longer-running brushless drill, the Makita XFD131 is the upgrade: more torque, a faster top speed and a bigger 3.0Ah battery. If you also drive lots of long screws (decks, fences, framing), the Milwaukee M18 2892-22CT combo adds an impact driver to the kit. The Bosch GSR18V-400B22 is the compact pick for tight cabinets, and the Black+Decker BCD702C1 is the cheap starter for light jobs around the house.
Skip the DeWalt if you only build flat-pack furniture and hang the odd picture. A budget Black+Decker or even a powered screwdriver does those jobs fine. Also skip it if you already own batteries from another brand: batteries are the expensive part, so it usually makes sense to stay on the platform you have. And if you drill into concrete or brick often, you need a hammer drill, which none of the plain drill/drivers here are.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2 1/2" drill/driver kit |  Best Brushless Upgrade Makita XFD131 Brushless 1/2" drill kit |  Best Combo Kit Milwaukee M18 2892-22CT Drill + impact driver combo |  Best Compact Bosch GSR18V-400B22 Compact brushless drill kit |  Best Budget Black+Decker BCD702C1 20V MAX drill kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 91 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Homeowners and first-time buyers | Regular DIYers who want a pro-grade drill | Decks, fences and big projects | Tight spaces and smaller hands | Renters and light jobs |
| Typical price (checked October 9, 2026) | $80–$140 | $150–$190 | $280–$320 | $130–$160 | $50–$70 |
| Max torque | See listing (300 UWO power) | 440 in.lbs | See listing | 400 in.lbs | See listing |
| Speeds (RPM) | 0–450 / 0–1,500 | 0–500 / 0–1,900 | See listing | See listing | See listing |
| Motor | Brushed | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless | Brushed |
| In the box | Drill, 2 batteries, charger, bag | Drill, 3.0Ah battery, charger, case | Drill, impact driver, 2 batteries, charger, bag | Drill, 2 x 2Ah batteries, charger | Drill, battery, charger, double-ended bit |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $80–$140 on Amazon (checked October 9, 2026)The DCD771C2 is the default drill for a reason: it is one of the most-reviewed tools on Amazon, and owners report it keeps going for years. The listing gives two speeds (0–450 and 0–1,500 rpm), so you can drive screws slowly and drill holes fast, and a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck that grips bits firmly. The kit includes two batteries, a charger and a bag, so one can charge while you work. It also locks you into DeWalt’s 20V system, one of the biggest on the market. The catch: it has a brushed motor, so it runs shorter per charge than brushless rivals.
Pros- Two batteries, charger and bag in the box
- Huge DeWalt 20V platform for adding tools later
- Proven over years by a massive owner base
Cons- Brushed motor: less runtime than brushless drills
- Price swings a lot between sales
- No LED fuel gauge on the basic batteries
- 2. Best Brushless Upgrade
Makita XFD131
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $150–$190 on Amazon (checked October 9, 2026)The XFD131 is the step up from the DeWalt. Its brushless motor is electronically controlled, and Makita says it runs up to 50% longer per charge than a brushed motor. The listing gives 440 in.lbs of max torque and two speeds up to 1,900 rpm, both clearly above the DCD771C2. The 3.0Ah battery is bigger than the ones in most starter kits, and the drill feels well balanced in the hand, by owner accounts. Makita’s 18V LXT range is also huge. The trade-off is a single battery in the kit, so you wait for it to charge on long jobs.
Pros- Brushless motor runs longer and stays cooler
- 440 in.lbs of torque and up to 1,900 rpm
- Large Makita 18V LXT tool range
Cons- Only one battery in the kit
- Costs more than the DeWalt kit
- Not a hammer drill, so weak in masonry
- 3. Best Combo Kit
Milwaukee M18 2892-22CT
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $280–$320 on Amazon (checked October 9, 2026)If your projects involve long screws, this is the kit to get. You get Milwaukee’s compact brushless drill driver and an impact driver, plus two batteries. The impact driver is made for long deck and framing screws without twisting your wrist, while the drill handles holes and small fasteners, so you can keep a bit in each and stop swapping. Milwaukee says both are built for tight and overhead spaces, and the M18 platform has more than 175 tools. Owners and tradespeople rate the M18 line highly. It costs about twice the DeWalt, which is overkill for light home use.
Pros- Two brushless tools: drill plus impact driver
- Two batteries so one is always charging
- M18 is one of the largest pro tool platforms
Cons- About twice the price of a single-drill kit
- More tool than most apartment owners need
- Torque and speed figures aren’t on the listing
- 4. Best Compact
Bosch GSR18V-400B22
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $130–$160 on Amazon (checked October 9, 2026)The Bosch is the drill for cabinets, closets and anyone who finds full-size drills tiring. The listing says the head is only 6.3 inches long and the tool weighs under 2 lbs while still delivering 400 in.lbs of torque, close to the Makita. It has a brushless motor, 20 clutch settings for driving screws without stripping them, and an all-metal chuck that grips better than plastic ones. The kit includes two 2Ah batteries. Owners like how light it is for overhead work. The catches: Bosch’s 18V range is smaller in US stores, and small batteries mean shorter runs.
Pros- Very compact and light: under 2 lbs bare
- Brushless motor with 400 in.lbs of torque
- Two batteries and an all-metal chuck
Cons- Bosch 18V range is smaller than DeWalt or Milwaukee in the US
- 2Ah batteries run out faster on big jobs
- Smaller owner base than the big three
- 5. Best Budget
Black+Decker BCD702C1
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $50–$70 on Amazon (checked October 9, 2026)For flat-pack furniture, picture hooks and the odd curtain rail, the BCD702C1 is all the drill you need. It runs on Black+Decker’s 20V MAX batteries, has an 11-position clutch so you don’t strip screws, a built-in LED work light and an on-board bit holder. The kit is basic: the drill, one battery, a charger and a double-ended bit. Owners like how light and easy it is for beginners. Just know its limits: it is a basic brushed drill with much less power than the DeWalt or Makita, and it struggles with big holes in hardwood or long screws.
Pros- Cheapest real-brand kit here
- Light and simple for beginners
- 11-position clutch and LED light
Cons- Much less power than the DeWalt or Makita
- One battery and a basic charger
- Not built for daily or heavy use
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- PowerMilwaukee M18 2892-22CT · 9.4/10
- RuntimeMakita XFD131 · 9.2/10
- Light weightBosch GSR18V-400B22 · 9.4/10
- Kit contentsMilwaukee M18 2892-22CT · 9.6/10
- Battery platformDeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2 · 9.6/10
- ValueBlack+Decker BCD702C1 · 9.6/10
DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2
Two batteries, two speeds and the biggest battery platform for the money.
- 2 batteries included
- 0–1,500 rpm
- DeWalt 20V platform
Quick tips before you buy
Batteries are the costly part. Choose the brand whose other tools you will want later, then stick with it.
Brushless motors run longer per charge and last longer. For a few jobs a year, brushed is fine.
Set a low clutch number for small screws so the drill stops before it strips the head or cracks the wood.
A drill makes holes and drives small screws. An impact driver drives long screws. Combo kits give you both.
Quick answers
What is the best cordless drill for home use?+
The DeWalt 20V MAX DCD771C2. It has two speeds, two batteries and a charger in the box, and it handles everything a homeowner usually needs, from furniture to drilling into wall studs.
DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Makita: which is best?+
All three make excellent drills. DeWalt is the best value for homeowners, Milwaukee is the favorite of many tradespeople and has a huge M18 range, and Makita brushless drills are light and well balanced. The bigger choice is the battery platform, since you will likely buy more tools from the same brand.
Do I need a brushless drill?+
Not for occasional jobs. Brushless motors give more runtime, more power and a longer life, which matters if you drill often or work on big projects. For a few shelves a year, a brushed drill like the DCD771C2 is fine.
Can a cordless drill go into concrete?+
Not well. Plain drill/drivers like the ones here can handle a few small holes in soft brick with a masonry bit, but for concrete you need a hammer drill, which adds a hammering action.
How much torque do I need?+
About 300 in.lbs covers furniture, shelves and curtain rods. 400 in.lbs and up helps with large holes, hole saws and long screws. For decks and framing, add an impact driver instead of buying a bigger drill.
Is a combo kit worth it?+
If you drive lots of long screws, yes. An impact driver does that job much faster and with less wrist strain than a drill. Combo kits like the Milwaukee 2892-22CT also include two batteries, which costs less than buying the tools separately.
