We bet you heard of DEWALT drills before. But did you know that DEWALT has been around since 1924? Yep, almost a century of experience goes into every one of their products – including their bestselling drills.
We’ve tested 14 products and selected the 6 best DEWALT drills out of them. While all of the drills on our list are great, the DEWALT DCD780B is, by far, our favorite. During our research, we first looked at the different speed and clutch settings, as these show how powerful each drill is. Next, we looked at the chuck size of each drill, since this will determine the drills and drivers that can be used in the tool. So, if you are ready to find your next drill, keep reading.
More features: belt hook; on-board bit holder
Picking the best overall drill from a company like DEWALT is not an easy task. All of their models, regardless of their price point, are excellent tools that are built to last. After lots of careful research, however, we have decided that this model is the best of the best that DEWALT has to offer. For starters, it is one of the most comfortable drills on the market today. Its ergonomic handle and lightweight design help to relieve any hand fatigue, which makes it easier to work for a longer amount of time in comfort.
The lightweight design also makes this drill extremely portable. Even if you are on your feet all day moving from place to place, this drill won’t feel too heavy. The fact that its cordless only helps to add to this maneuverability. The attached belt clips also help in this regard as well.
The only real issue with this otherwise fantastic drill is that, although it can be very helpful for seeing your marks to drill correctly, the attached LED light stays on for too long. While this might not seem like too big of a deal, it does make the battery drain a bit faster. Thankfully, the batteries recharge very quickly on this model, which helps to keep you working.
This drill also has an on-board bit holder. This bit holder makes it much easier to move from worksite to worksite without having to carry a lot of tools with you since the bits you need will be right on the drill.
More features: all ball-bearing construction
If you are looking for a powerful drill, then this just might be the right model for you. Since it is corded, it should come as no surprise that this drill has the power to spare. In fact, while it only has one-speed mode, it has an extremely wide range. This drill can go from 0 to 2,500 RPM very easily, which makes it one of the faster drills available today.
This drill is also very easy to use. The forward and reverse switch is easy to manage and in a convenient location. This helps to make switching bits a whole lot easier since you don’t need to go searching for the proper directional switch to open or close the chuck. The long cord also makes this a relatively maneuverable drill, as far as corded models are concerned.
Not only is this one of the faster drills you can buy, but it is also one of the most durable. The body is nice and thick, which makes it a bit on the heavier side. Of course, this also helps to protect it from any drops or bumps that might occur.
The only real issue that you need to watch out for with this otherwise wonderful model is its trigger. Since there is only one-speed mode with this drill, the different speeds are selected with the trigger. Unfortunately, this trigger is very sensitive, which makes it easy to go from 100 RPM to 2,500 RPM unexpectedly if you press too hard. Luckily, this will get better with practice, so it shouldn’t be a lingering issue.
More features: fast charger and two lithium-ion battery packs included; comes with a contractor bag
Whenever you are getting a new tool, it is always a good idea to look for a great value. You should try and balance out your expectations for the tool with how much money you are willing to spend so that you are happy with both the tool’s performance and how much money you saved. If this sounds like you, then this just might be the right purchase.
The drill, in this case, is a solid cordless model that is up to pretty much any household task. It has two different speed settings that provide you with the option to have more power or more speed based on your drilling need at any given moment. This model also uses a 3/8 chuck, which is used more often than ½ version, which makes it much easier to find the right bits.
The reason that this drill is such a great value is thanks to all of the gear that you get along with it. Not only do you get a battery and a charger, but you also get an additional battery and a contractor bag. This extra gear makes this an amazing value.
Having an extra battery is extremely beneficial, especially if you are going to be using your drill heavily. This extra battery will allow you to keep working all day long since you can charge one battery while using the other and then switching them whenever you need to.
Like many drills today, this model comes with an LED light. Unfortunately, the light on this drill is ineffective due to its placement on the drill. The battery blocks the light from shining out very much, rendering the light somewhat useless.
More features: brushless motor for added efficiency; belt clip
Any tools break down over time. If you are someone that is looking to replace an old drill with a newer model, then this DEWALT one is a great option. If you have used DEWALT drills in the past, then you know just how durable they can be saving you lots of money in the long run.
First off, it is extremely durable. This drill, unlike many others, is not built entirely out of plastic. Instead, it has a metal gear housing that gives it a solid look and feel. This metal casing also makes it that much more durable, which is always a big plus.
Another selling point for this drill, especially for returning customers, is the fact that this model doesn’t come with a battery or charger. While this is somewhat limiting to a new customer, returning customers can save a bit of money getting this drill. Of course, that all depends on whether or not you still have your old battery from your last drill and if it still works. If that is not the case for you, then you will need to buy an additional battery for this model to be used at all, which, unfortunately, will add to the overall cost.
Something else that adds to the overall convenience of this drill is its belt clip. This clip will allow you to quickly attach the drill to your belt when you are not using it. Not only does this free up your hands, but it also keeps your drill within arms reach so that you can grab it again when you are ready.
More features: 2-position side handle; metal gear housing
Even though DEWALT is a company that tries to keep their prices down and still offer high-quality tools, there are still several drills in their lineup that are a bit more on the expensive side. This drill is a good example of this.
It is designed with heavy-duty jobs in mind and is perfect for professionals that demand the best from their tools. For starters, this model is extremely powerful. Even though it can be used at two different speed ranges, it does not achieve terribly high speeds. Instead, this model is focused on power. Its oversized motor is perfect for drilling large holes through thick wood, which makes it a great option for carpenters or plumbers.
This is also a very heavy model. While this extra weight is necessary to make sure that you have enough stability while you are drilling, it can get to be a bit much if you have a lot of work to accomplish. Thankfully, this model comes with an adjustable side handle and top handle to help you manage this beast of a drill effectively.
As you would expect with such a heavy-duty drill, this model is also built to last. It has a metal casing on the outside to increase its durability and also has additional cooling vents to keep it from overheating. Even if you intend to use this drill very heavily, it will definitely be up to the task.
More features: 1-hour charger and two lithium-ion batteries included; LED light
Hammer drills are not needed as often as their standard drill counterparts, but it is always a good idea to have one around. Of course, you might think that it is a waste of money to have buy a hammer drill only to never use it, which is a valid concern.
This model should help to sway you, however. It can be used in three different speed settings. One is for heavy-duty hammer drilling. Another is for tougher drilling in wood. The last setting is for standard, everyday drilling. This versatility helps to make this an excellent value since you can use this drill for everyday tasks, while still having it hammer function as a backup in case you need it someday.
Something else that helps to make this such a versatile tool is the fact that it comes with two batteries. As we have stated before, we are big fans of dual battery setups, since it will allow you to keep working all day long. Not only does it come with two batteries, however. The charger for this model is very quick. In fact, it can fully charge one of the batteries in about an hour, which is really convenient.
Something that isn’t so convenient, however, is the forward and reverse switch on this drill. This switch is somewhat out of the way, which makes it harder to use than some other drills. Of course, it does, in the end, only take a few extra seconds to locate the switch and reverse direction, but it does take some getting used to.
In this section, we will go through everything that you need to know to find the right model for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions as well, so be sure to check those out as well if you need any further information.
DEWALT has been a leader in the world of tools ever since they burst onto the scene in the 1920s. Like most companies, they started out small, but rapidly expanded thanks to their knowledge, hard work, and quality products. They have long been known for not taking any shortcuts in the production of their tools, and it shows in the quality of their overall product.
Not only that, but DEWALT has long been a pioneer in the tool industry. They were among the first to introduce powerful, easy to use, and durable battery-operated tools to the world. These tools helped to make tools a whole lot more affordable and accessible for home use, which has led to more and more folks working on their own home. Plain and simple, if you want consistent, high-quality, easy to use, and durable tools, DEWALT is the way to go.
As you can imagine, there are plenty of features you need to consider when you are looking for a new drill. In this section, we will go through all of the important factors that you need to consider before you make your final decision.
One of the first things that you are going to want to figure out before you buy your new drill is whether you want a corded or cordless model. Both of these different types of drills offer different pros and cons that are good to take into account before you make your final decision.
After you have decided upon the type of drill you need, the next thing you have to figure out is the amount of speed and speed settings you need to use your drill effectively. Most drills either have one, or two speed ranges that they can operate within. Higher speed drills are better for softer materials, such as wood. Lower speed drills, like the DEWALT DCD710S2, work more effectively on harder materials, since they provide more power for each revolution, even though they are going at a slower speed.
If you are looking to use a drill for a lot of different things, then you will want to get a model with lots of speed levels, like the DEWALT DCD985M2 or the DEWALT DCD780B. That way, you will be able to find the right speed and power setting to meet your needs.
The chuck on any drill is the clamp that holds the drill bit or driver in place while you work. Most homeowners should probably get a 3/8-inch chuck. This chuck should provide you with plenty of power and is also the easiest to find bits for, which is always a good thing.
Larger chucks, such as a 1/2-inch chuck like the one on the DEWALT DWD450, will have larger bits. As such, these larger chucks are better for contractors, as they provide more power for heavier-duty jobs.
The clutch on a drill is very much like a clutch on a car. Some settings, or gears, are going to provide more power and less speed, while other settings will provide less power and more speed. It is best to look for a model that has a lot of different clutch settings so that you can find the one that works best in a variety of situations.
If you are looking for the widest range of clutches available, then the DEWALT DCD985M2 is going to be your best bet. While many models only have 15 different clutch settings, this drill has 22 different gears to choose from. This helps to make it a great option for someone that needs their drill for lots of different applications.
If you do decide to go with a cordless model, then you need to make sure that you look very carefully to see whether or not the drill you selected comes with the battery and charger that you need to use it correctly. While most models that require batteries do come with everything that you need, some others do not.
For instance, the DEWALT DCD791B does not come with a charger or battery. While this might make it seem unappealing, it is a great drill to purchase if you already have a DEWALT 20-volt battery and charger at home from a previous drill. This could help you to save a bit of money off of your purchase price. Of course, if you don’t have an old battery to utilize, you will need to buy a battery and charger, which will add a lot to the overall price.
The weight of your drill might not seem like something that you need to concern yourself with if you are going to be using it in your workshop. That is mostly true, since, if you are keeping it within your workshop, you won’t be moving around too much. On the other hand, if you are going to be moving from place to place using your drill, you are going to want to find the lightest model you can. That way, your hand won’t get too tired while you are working.
Whenever you are buying something new, it is always a good idea to look for a model that comes with a good warranty. That way, if something should go wrong, you will be able to replace the parts without having to shell out any additional money.
Even though DEWALT is an excellent company, it is still a good idea to make sure that you read through the fine print on all of the warranty information as carefully as possible. That way, you will be sure to understand what is, and what isn’t covered by the warranty, and what steps you need to follow to make sure that you don’t void the warranty.
Even though drills are mostly straightforward devices that don’t have a lot of extra features, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any type of cool extra that you shouldn’t keep in mind. One of the best features, especially if you are on the go a lot, is a belt clip. This clip will allow you to quickly hook your drill onto your belt so that you can have your hands free, while also keeping your drill within arm’s reach.
Something else to keep in mind when looking for a drill, especially if you are looking for the best hammer drill, is an adjustable side handle. These handles make it much easier to control the drill while you are working, which is always a plus when you are trying to be precise.
The best overall drill is usually the one that is the easiest to use and the most versatile. We have found that the DEWALT DCD780B is both of these things and more. This drill is light enough to carry anywhere, yet powerful enough for even the toughest jobs. Plain and simple, this is a wonderful drill that we highly recommend you consider.
If you are in the market for a corded drill, then the DEWALT DWD115K is a great option. This drill has plenty of power and is very durable. Its long cord and high RPM rating make it very easy to use, especially if you are doing lots of precision work.
Perhaps you are not only looking for the best DEWALT drill you can buy, but also the best value. If that is the case, then the DEWALT DCD710S2 is a great option. This model comes with two batteries, a charger, and a handy carrying case that make moving all of your gear very easy.
