A cordless drill is one of the most versatile and multi-use tools one can have in a home toolbox. It can help you with anything from making a hole in a wall to hang a picture to tighten a screw to metalworking. However, not all of them are created equal – there is a wide variety of models present on the market, and when choosing one for your household you cannot afford just to grab one that looks all right. You may find out at the least opportune moment that it is not suited for the one task you had in mind when buying it. So what should you look out for when getting one? Let us find out!

1.Drill-driver or a combi-drill?

First, you have to decide what kind of tool you need. A drill-driver is your general use tool, designed specifically with drilling holes and driving screws in mind. Usually, it sports a keyless chuck to make it faster and easier to switch between different drill bits. In most cases, such a tool is more than enough for all your home improvement and DIY projects.

However, if you intend to work with extremely tough materials like concrete and steel, you are going to need a combi-drill. In addition to common modes for driving screws and making holes, these tools have a hammer mode, pushing the bit forward with additional force. Also if you are interested in getting cordless drill you can always check out precioushandyman. 

Of course, there are specialized hammer drills, but they are usually a little bit too powerful and heavy for everyday tasks around the house. If you are not going to need such a heavy-duty tool on an everyday basis, it is better to choose a more versatile combi-drill.

2. Is it appropriate for your needs?

There is no such thing as a universally ideal drill. A heavy-duty 18V tool will help you get through the toughest of materials but can weigh up to 10 Ibs, which is not the best choice if all you need is to put together flat-pack furniture.

3. What extra functions does it have?

These days, manufacturers often outfit their tools with extra functions that are not exactly necessary but can significantly improve your experience. Some examples include LED lighting (to better see what you are doing in dark and narrow spaces), magnetic tray (to store extra bits and fasteners on the tool for quick and easy access) and computer control system (it allows the tool and the battery to exchange data for keeping from overloading and overheating). According to CordlessDrillHub, many models have some of these and other options, but you may have to spend some time looking for a variant that would combine more than two of them.

4. How is it sold?

Cordless drills are sold in three ways:

• Bare – just a drill, you will have to buy a battery and a charger separately;
• Standalone – additionally equipped with a battery and a charger;
• Collection – in a set of other cordless tools by the same manufacturer.

When making a purchase, make sure you get everything you need. This way you will not realize too late that you are buying more or less than you want.

5. What is its battery capacity?

High battery capacity is a crucial feature because you should not be dependent on how long your battery is going to last when planning for a day’s work. Some people believe that battery life directly depends on how long it takes to charge it, but it is not true – some batteries have very short recharge time yet last longer than many slow-chargers. Before making a purchase, read the description, and compare a few reviews to find an optimal combination of charge time and life. Keep in mind that fast recharge is not always a good thing – it can lead to overheating and sometimes shorten the battery’s lifecycle. 

Ideally, one should have at least two cordless drills: a lightweight and easy-to-handle tool for everyday tasks, and a heavy-duty one for jobs that require a bit more power. However, it all depends on what your DIY projects usually entail – and we hope that this short guide will help you make a better-informed choice.

Check out different types of cordless drills on HealthyHandyman.