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Corded drills offer more power than their cordless counterparts, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks like drilling through metal, hardwood, and other tough materials. While they require access to an outlet, they eliminate the need for recharging, allowing for uninterrupted use on big projects. Whether you need a lightweight model for easy handling or a rugged, heavy-duty drill for demanding jobs, there’s a corded drill suited for every task.
If you’re looking to upgrade your tool collection with a high-performance electric drill, we’ve got you covered. The This Old House Team researched the best corded drills available on Amazon, considering factors like power, durability, and design. Keep reading for our top picks, including options with a convenient carrying case and a drill with a lightweight build, to help you find the right drill for your needs. You can read our buying guide for tools for more tips.
Top 3 Electric Drills
- Best Case: DEWALT DWD115K VSR Mid-Handle Grip Drill Kit
- Best Heavy-Duty: DEWALT Electric Drill
- Most Lightweight: Metabo HPT Drill
Best Case
DEWALT DWD115K VSR Mid-Handle Grip Drill Kit
- $89.37
- $113.48
- 21% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Eight-amp motor
- ⅜-inch chuck size
- Keyless chuck
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were happy with the quality of this product and said that the drill was made of durable, long-lasting materials and was powerful enough to perform a variety of tasks. Some customers said that the chuck wobbled a little during use, which caused some misdrilled holes.
Most Durable
DEWALT Electric Drill
- $163.16
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 10-amp motor
- ½-inch chuck size
- Keyed chuck
- Two handles
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this drill withstood heavy-duty tasks, with many saying they could drill through thick and hard materials like tree trunks and sheets of metal. However, a common complaint was that the drill started smoking when it was overloaded despite its claimed overload protection.
Most Lightweight
Metabo HPT Drill
- $65
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Seven-amp motor
- ⅜-inch chuck size
- Keyless chuck
- Five-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers complimented the trigger on this drill and liked that they could adjust the drill speed while the drill was still running. Customers also liked how the drill had a reverse function for pulling the bit or fastener back out. However, some customers received a defective drill that had a motor that made a rattling sound during use.
Buying Guide
Before buying an electric drill, consider how you plan on using the tool. Read our guide below to see how your planned usage will affect the features you need in a drill.
Ergonomics
This factor refers to how comfortable it is to use the drill. The handle should be rubberized to help with grip and the drill shouldn’t be so heavy that your hand and arm get tired during use.
Power
Corded drills are measured in amperes, known as amps. A drill with eight amps is usually sufficient for household projects. However, if you only need the drill to hang the occasional picture, a four-amp model may be a better option. If you plan to use the drill regularly, you may want a drill with 10 amps or more.
Speed
Electric drills will have two speeds—a low speed and a high speed—or a variable speed lever that allows you to choose your speed. Keep in mind that lower speeds are better for driving screws because of their higher torque, while higher speeds are better for drilling holes.
Cord
Corded drills are less mobile than cordless drills because their cord needs to reach an electrical outlet. If the outlet is too far from the site, you’ll need an extension cord to extend the drill’s reach. Make sure you don’t use a standard indoor extension cord for your drilling job because it isn’t durable or powerful enough to support the tool.
Note: Each cord will have lettering that designates what it can be used for. The cord you use for your electric drill should have a “W” in its lettering for outdoor use.
Chuck Size
The chuck is the tip of the drill that holds the bits. A chuck’s size indicates the maximum diameter a bit can have to fit into the tool.
- ¼-inch—This chuck size is best for light projects that require a lower amperage.
- ⅜-inch—This chuck size accommodates a wide range of bit sizes and is sufficient for your home improvement projects.
- ½-inch—This is the largest chuck size and is meant for heavy-duty tasks like those needed on a construction site.
Extra Features
Drills sometimes come with extra features that make them easier to use. Common built-in features include an LED light to help you see in poorly lit areas, a belt clip to free your hands, and a level to help you accurately install fasteners.
Frequently Asked Questions
When would I use a corded drill instead of a cordless one?
Here are some of the advantages of using a corded drill:
- Has a higher top speed
- Has a higher torque
- Is lighter because it doesn’t have a detachable battery pack
- Doesn’t need to charge its lithium-ion battery before each use
Who are some of the most trusted electric drill manufacturers?
All of the drills in this review are from trusted manufacturers. Some other electric drill manufacturers to consider include Bosch, PORTER-CABLE, Milwaukee, and Craftsman. These companies offer high-quality drills that last a long time.
What is the difference between a keyed and keyless chuck?
A keyed chuck requires a tool to remove the current drill bit and attach another one, while drill bits on a keyless chuck can be removed by hand. A keyed chuck does a better job of keeping the bit in place, but a keyless chuck may be a better option if you have to frequently switch between drill bits.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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