EmailBest Reviewed
Cordless Drills
- Best cordless drill for homeowners Makita DF030DW *Est. $150
- Cordless drill for construction projects Makita BDF452HW *Est. $200
- Budget cordless drill Hitachi DS12DVF3 *Est. $75
- Best cordless screwdriver Hitachi DB3DL *Est. $65
- Best cordless impact driver Panasonic EY7540LN2L *Est. $315
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Best cordless drill for homeowners
- Two speeds
- Small, light
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Three-year warranty
- Not for big construction projects
- 3/8-inch chuck
- Long charging time
Reviewers recommend the 10.8-volt Makita DF030DW as one of the best subcompact lithium-ion (Li-ion) drill/drivers. Most subcompact drill/drivers are designed for driving screws and fasteners, not drilling, with a single speed and low maximum rpms -- but the Makita's two speeds and 1,300-rpm maximum make it useful as an all-around household drill as well as driver. It weighs just 2.2 pounds, and testers say it's very comfortable to use. The Makita's Li-ion batteries keep their charge well between uses. Reviews praise the three-year warranty plus the way the Makita DF030DW's LED light stays on a few seconds after you release the trigger. For big construction jobs, however, critics recommend the more powerful 18-volt Li-ion Makita LXT BDF452 (*Est. $200), which also includes a much faster charger.
We found the most objective tests of the Makita DF030DW at Tools of the Trade, where it's compared against eight other subcompact Li-ion drill/drivers, and at the Journal of Light Construction, which compares it with five. The Makita brand is compared with nine others in the June 2008 survey by J.D. Power and Associates, and a handful of owners review this specific Makita drill/driver at Amazon.com. A video review of the Makita DF030DW at YouTube by retailer TylerTool.com is basically an advertisement, but it still shows some useful details.
Makita DF030DW 10.8-Volt Ultra Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill Kit |
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In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
Tools of the Trade compares nine subcompact Li-ion cordless drill/drivers based on objective tests plus jobsite use, ranking the Makita DF030DW second only to the Milwaukee 2401-22, which has a self-locking bit holder plus a battery meter. The Makita earns kudos as "the first and only subcompact driver with two speed ranges for added versatility," outstanding comfort, and an excellent LED light plus a holster.
Review: Tool Test: Compact & Subcompact Drill/Drivers, David Getts, Feb. 2009
2. Journal of Light Construction
The Makita DF030DW shares top ranking with the Hitachi DB10DL in this review of six Li-ion subcompact drill/drivers. The review reports on rugged tests, including subjection to extreme cold. The reviewer says the Makita's two speeds mean it "can occasionally fill in for an 18-volt tool."
Review: Tool Test: Subcompact Drill/Drivers, Dave Northup, Feb. 2009
Makita ranks fifth in J.D. Power and Associates' customer-satisfaction survey of 10 cordless drill brands, though it still ranks above the industry average. The rankings are based on six factors, with drill performance most important, followed by ease of use, battery performance, price, versatility of battery system and warranty.
Review: Cordless Drill Owners Particularly Pleased with Lithium Ion Battery Technology, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, June 2008
4. Amazon.com
The handful of owners reviewing the Makita DF030DW cordless drill at Amazon.com say they're very pleased with its compact size and light weight. One owner says it drives 3-inch deck screws; another notes that runtime is short but irrelevant since it has two batteries.
Review: Makita DF030DW 10.8-Volt Ultra Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill Kit, Contributors to Amazon.com
This YouTube video is basically an advertisement, but it does demonstrate the features of the Makita DF030DW, and shows that it can drill through a two-by-six board with a 5/8-inch spade bit.
Review: Makita DF030DW 1/4" Drill/Driver Review, TylerTool.com, Aug. 25, 2008
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