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Best cordless drills in Australia

We’ve read hundreds of reviews and found the 9 best cordless drills for a variety of budgets and uses.

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Ericka Pingol

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Tim Falk
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The best cordless drills in Australia

How did we pick this list?

For this list, we picked cordless drills based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and key product features. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Bosch Cordless Brushless Drill Driver AdvancedDrill 18

Best overall cordless drill

Bosch Cordless Brushless Drill Driver AdvancedDrill 18
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Automatic gear changes
  • Suitable for DIY home uses

Cons

  • Subpar battery life
  • A bit heavier than other models according to customers

Why we chose it

Bosch's Cordless Brushless Drill Driver AdvancedDrill 18 is our pick for the best overall cordless drill. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

The Bosch cordless drill features intuitive selection modes and automatic gear changes and is perfect for both heavy-duty works and DIY tasks around the house. You can easily switch between a magnetic cap for screwdriving and a drill chuck for drilling. It has 18V of power and a max torque of 36Nm, allowing you to drill through wood, plastic or metal walls.

Customers gave positive feedback on the drill's ease of use, durability and performance. It drills through various types of walls effortlessly, which makes tasks around the house a lot easier. Its switch system provides a 1-direction change with an LED light, perfect for drilling through hard-to-reach areas and other dark corners. The drill is powered by 1 lithium battery, but customers said its battery life pales in comparison to other models.

Bosch Cordless Hammer Impact Drill UniversalImpact 18

Best 18V cordless drill

Bosch Cordless Hammer Impact Drill UniversalImpact 18
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Won't break the bank

Cons

  • May be too weak for professional use
  • Not suitable for masonry drilling

Why we chose it

For the best 18V option, we recommend the Bosch Cordless Hammer Impact Drill UniversalImpact 18, which has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon

Bosch's Cordless Hammer Impact Drill UniversalImpact 18 is a 3-in-1 tool featuring an 18V of power, suitable for DIYs and small home tasks. It can be used for screwing, drilling and impact drilling. Additionally, it has 20 torque settings for screwing various materials. It has a 10mm shank and a single-sleeve drill for easy drill bit changes as well.

Numerous buyers were impressed by the product's value for money and durability. Bosch is a trusted brand when it comes to tools, and this cordless drill exhibits the qualities that made the brand popular. It is quite affordable but comparable to pricier options. Users said it is easy to use, allowing them to do small home improvement projects. It's great for hobbyists as well. However, several others found that it's not suitable for masonry drilling and other heavy-duty tasks.

DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

Best 20V cordless drill

DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Heavy duty

Cons

  • Only 2 speed settings
  • Battery sold separately

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, our team chose the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Driver as the best 20V option.

DeWalt's 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Driver is designed to fit into tight areas. It has a 20V of power and high-speed transmission with 2 speeds – 600 & 2,000rpm to suit any of your fastening and drilling needs. Apart from a 0.5-inch ratcheting chuck, it has an ergonomic handle for comfort and control.

This cordless drill is a lightweight and powerful option at an affordable price. It suits both home tasks and heavy-duty applications, perfect for professionals. The design is quite compact, allowing you to carry it around with ease. While it only has 2 speed settings, users said these are enough for a wide range of needs. However, this doesn't come with a battery or charger.

BLACK+DECKER 18V Lithium-Ion Drill Driver Kit

Best lightweight cordless drill

BLACK+DECKER 18V Lithium-Ion Drill Driver Kit
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Comfortable to grip
  • Affordable

Cons

  • One full charge lasts for just about 60 minutes
  • Not as powerful as other higher-end models

Why we chose it

BLACK+DECKER's 18V Lithium-Ion Drill Driver Kit is our pick for the best lightweight cordless drill. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

This 18V cordless drill has the right amount of power and speed to drill into wood, plastic and metal. It's powerful enough for all screwdriving tasks around the house. The drill features an 11 position clutch that provides precise control for any application. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the brand claims it holds over 80% of its charge for more than 90 days while idle. This means you won't need to charge the tool before each use.

Customers praised the product's portability, durable build and value for money. It's a great option for minor drilling and screwdriving tasks around the house but might be too weak for heavier-duty applications. People found the handle easy to control and comfy to grip, even for extended periods. However, some buyers said its battery isn't long-lasting. 1 critic added that a full charge only lasts for less than an hour.

Worx 12V Cordless Drill Driver

Best cheap cordless drill

Worx 12V Cordless Drill Driver
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Has a LED light for ease of use in dark areas
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • 12 volts
  • Not for trade jobs

Why we chose it

For the best cheap cordless drill, we recommend the Worx 12V Cordless Drill Driver, which has a rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Worx's 12V Cordless Drill Driver is powered by a lithium-ion battery, so you can do small drilling tasks for your home projects. It features forward and reverse fit rotation for control and an LED light for visibility in dark areas. Apart from a 10mm keyless chuck, it comes with 10 drill bits each 25mm, hex key wrench, flexible shaft and sleeve tie.

At just $99, you get a durable cordless drill, perfect for home use. You get tons of accessories for a wide range of tasks. Users said the tool is quite compact and lightweight, while others found it easy to control. The handle is ergonomic and comfortable to grip as well. But if you're looking for a workhorse, this cordless drill might not fit the bill as it is only 12V.

Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver

Best heavy-duty cordless dril

Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Suitable for bigger jobs
  • Quality product

Cons

  • One customer noted the initial driver speed is very quick and it takes a minute to get the hang of
  • A more costly option

Why we chose it

If you're looking for a heavy-duty option, we chose Milwaukee's M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

The M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver is a heavy-duty yet compact cordless driver that packs a punch. Weighing just 2kg including battery, this tool is still user-friendly and suitable for both smaller spaces and heavier tasks. It has a long-life 5Ah battery that produces 57Nm of torque. It features a standard LED light to illuminate your work area, an onboard fuel gauge and individual battery cell monitoring.

People were impressed by this tool's durable design and heavy-duty performance. It's a great workhorse for simple DIY tasks and daily trade jobs. The handle is ergonomically constructed so you get better control and comfort even for extended periods. While the price is steep, this kit comes with 2 Li-ion batteries, an 80-minute charger and a substantial case to store your tool and other accessories.

Makita Lithium-Ion 18V Brushless Cordless Impact Driver

Best cordless impact driver

Makita Lithium-Ion 18V Brushless Cordless Impact Driver
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Features a tightening mode for self-drilling screws
  • Suitable for tight spaces

Cons

  • One reviewer said the drill stopped working after a minor drop
  • Bulky design

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we picked the Makita Lithium-Ion 18V Brushless Cordless Impact Driver as the best cordless impact driver.

This Maita cordless impact driver is the perfect tool for tight spaces. Powered by an 18V lithium-ion battery, it has a brushless motor that delivers 3,6000 max rpm and 1,500lbs of max torque. The brand says the motor is electronically controlled to optimise battery energy use. Apart from a Quick-Shift mode, this has a tightening mode for faster tightening of self-drilling screws.

Customers gave positive feedback on the tool's power, performance and versatility. It has a 3-speed power selection for precise control in various applications, suitable for DIY projects and heavy-duty tasks out in the field. The design looks a bit bulky, but users said it is still comfortable to hold and lightweight enough to carry around. Its battery life is superb, lasting for over an hour of extended use, according to buyers. However, there were issues with its durability. 1 customer mentioned that their unit stopped working after a minor drop of at least 5ft.

BLACK+DECKER Lithium-Ion Compact Cordless Drill

Best portable cordless drill

BLACK+DECKER Lithium-Ion Compact Cordless Drill
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Great for minor drilling tasks

Cons

  • Not heavy duty
  • Subpar battery life

Why we chose it

When it comes to portability, we recommend BLACK+DECKER's Lithium-Ion Compact Cordless Drill as the best. It has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

This BLACK+DECKER cordless drill features a compact and lightweight design for easy portability. It is powered by a 7.2V lithium-ion battery, ideal for light drilling and screw driving tasks. It comes with a micro-USB charger which loads up the tool with a full charge in just 2.5 hours.

Apart from its portable design, customers loved the tool's value for money, performance and durability. It's the ideal option for small jobs around the house and garden if you're on a budget. The drill is easy to control and comfortable to grip as well. Several users said it is powerful enough to drill through wood and plastic. However, it's not the best choice for heavy-duty tasks.

DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

Best cordless drill with long battery life

DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Heavy duty

Cons

  • Only 2 speed settings
  • Battery sold separately

Why we chose it

DeWalt's 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless Drill and Driver is our pick for the best cordless drill with long battery life. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

This cordless drill has a brushless motor and variable speed trigger to cater to any drilling application. It has 3 speed settings for versatility and a Precision Driver for extra control. Additionally, it features 3 LED lights with a 20-second delay after trigger release to illuminate your work area.

This tool doesn't come with an included battery or charger, but once loaded with a lithium-ion battery from the brand, customers said it's the perfect all-rounder. It works extremely well for extended periods, with the battery lasting up to 2.5 hours. Several users added that it is suitable for tight spaces and other hard-to-reach areas, thanks to its sleek design and LED lights. It's a bit heavier than competitors, but its power and durability make up for it.

Amazon prices last updated on 29 June, 2022 at 06:23 pm
eBay prices last updated on 29 June, 2022 at 03:52 am

Methodology

14
Brands considered
57
Products compared
9
Best products chosen
  • We compared over 50 cordless drills from 14 brands.
  • We then assessed hundreds of customer reviews and ratings on Amazon.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Best Cordless Drill

Best Rated Cordless Drill Brand 2020: Bosch

If "safety first" is a motto you live by, then you should consider a Bosch cordless drill. It also topped the list for performance.

Quick facts about cordless drills

  • A cordless drill can help make a lot of household DIY jobs quicker and easier.
  • The most important factors to consider when choosing a cordless drill are the type of work you'll be doing, battery life and charging time, and the price.
  • Most cordless drill driver kits are priced between $50 and $300.

Types of cordless drills

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer array of choices on offer in the power tools section of your local hardware store. Not only will you find products from brands like AEG, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Ozito and Ryobi, but there are also several different types of drills to choose from.

There are a few main types of cordless drill available:

  • Drill drivers. These are the most widely available option and will satisfy most people's drilling needs. Easy and convenient to use, they can drill holes into wood, steel and plastic and drive screws into a wide range of surfaces. You can use a drill or driver to put up shelves, hang pictures, build furniture and perform the majority of drilling and screwdriving DIY tasks around your home.
  • Hammer drills. Designed for heavy-duty work that involves drilling into rock, concrete, bricks and mortar, these drills offer extra power and use a hammer function to blast through masonry. They can function as a regular drill, but are usually heavier than ordinary drill drivers.
  • Impact drivers. Impact drivers provide more torque, which allows you to apply more twisting force to an object, and rely on both rotational force and a hammering action. They're used to drive screws into and remove screws and bolts from denser materials than an ordinary drill driver can. They're handy for large jobs and driving in long screws, but cost extra.

However, you may come across several other tools designed for a range of specific tasks. These include:

  • Impact wrenches, which are socket wrench power tools for tightening and loosening sockets
  • Rotary hammers, which are similar to hammer drills but designed for use on tougher materials
  • Angle drills, which allow you to access tight spaces you wouldn't be able to get to with an ordinary drill
  • Cordless screwdrivers

How to compare cordless drills

There are several factors you'll need to consider when deciding on the best cordless drill for your needs:

Type of work

Think about the type of jobs you'll want to tackle with your new power tool. If you just want something versatile you can use for a host of odd jobs around the house, a drill driver should be more than enough to get the job done most of the time.

If you want to drill into masonry you'll need to consider a hammer drill. But, if you're looking to tackle specialist or heavy-duty tasks you may need to look into some other types of drills and wrenches available.

Battery

Most modern cordless drills use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Getting 2 batteries for your drill is generally a good idea if you want to be able to keep working when your first battery runs out of charge. You can check the amp hour (Ah) rating of the battery to find out how much use you'll get out of it before it needs to be recharged. A higher number means better battery life.

Another factor you'll need to consider is voltage. More voltage often means increased torque but also a heavier battery. Most cordless drills have between 12V and 20V.

Price

Most cordless drill driver kits (featuring a drill, battery charger, either 1 or 2 batteries and often a carry case) range in price from around $50 to $300, though there are some more expensive options available. If you already have a compatible battery from any your other power tools, cordless drill driver "skins" (just the drill with no battery or charger) range in price from $40 to $200.

As you'd expect, the price range for hammer drills and impact drivers starts higher and ends higher.

Feel

It's worth heading in-store to physically put your hands on a variety of drills and see how they feel. With the battery in place, are they comfortable to hold and easy to grip? Are they too heavy? Can you use them without discomfort at a variety of angles, held straight our or even while bending over with your arms above your head?

Torque settings

Variable torque settings allow you to tailor the power on offer to suit a wide range of tasks. More settings mean more versatility from your tool, allowing you to tackle jobs that require low or high torque. The clutch allows you to select the desired level of torque from the settings available, preventing you from driving screws in too deep or stripping them.

Chuck size

The chuck is the part of the drill that grips the drill bit and other accessories. Modern cordless drills come with keyless chucks so you can adjust their size using your hands. Older corded models required the use of a chuck key. For maximum versatility, look for a chuck size of 13mm (half an inch) so you've got enough room to insert larger drill bits when required.

Light

Some drills come with an in-built light to make it easier to see where you're drilling when working in dark areas.

Warranty

Check the length of the warranty the drill comes with and what is included in that cover. Warranties of around 5 or 6 years are common, but make sure you check the fine print before you buy.

Reversible direction

Most drills are able to reverse direction so that you can remove screws, but make sure to check how easy is it to change settings. while you're holding the drill.

Power tool kits

If you need more tools than just a single drill, most manufacturers offer "kits" with multiple power tools. You can think of these as a package deal often including a drill driver, charger and batteries as well as:

  • An impact driver
  • An angle grinder
  • A circular saw or reciprocating saw
  • A hammer drill or rotary hammer

These offer better value for money than buying multiple tools separately and can ensure that you have everything you need to complete your project. However, make sure you actually need and will regularly use all the items in the kit. If not, you'll simply be paying for unnecessary items that will do little more than take up space in your shed.

Three things to consider

Consider the following factors before buying a cordless drill:

  1. Powering other tools. For many homeowners, it's worth considering the entire range of tools a manufacturer offers rather than just basing your decision on 1 tool. You can use the battery that runs your cordless drill to power other tools from the same manufacturer, so make sure you think about what other tools you may need in your shed before deciding on the best cordless drill for your needs.
  2. Brushed vs brushless motor. Drills traditionally have brushed motors made with carbon. However, an increasing number of cordless drills on the market today offer brushless technology. While they're usually a little more expensive than drills with brushed motors, they're more durable, more powerful and offer longer running times.
  3. Safety first. Keep a few basic safety tips in mind when using a cordless drill. These include using eye and ear protection, wearing short sleeves and being wary of hot drill bits after use.

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