Cordless Drills : Ratings of Sources

Our AssessmentThese two excellent comparison reviews of compact lithium-ion (Li-ion) cordless drills and of full-size Li-ion hammer drills are based on objective tests done earlier in Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. This issue of the tool guide adds the results of a survey of readers of both publications. Editors also recommend other compact drills and kits elsewhere in this issue.

Our AssessmentThis review compares six 12-volt subcompact drills with conventional 3/8-inch chucks (as more convenient than chucks that take only bits with hex shanks) -- with the Milwaukee 2410-22 earning top ranking. Tests are the same as those used in November 2009 to compare larger lithium-powered drills: drilling 1-inch holes to test run time, and driving lag screws to test power.

Our AssessmentCalling light, compact 18-volt models the new "do it all" drills, tool reviewer Tom Begnal tests 10 drills for power, battery life and control. Torque is measured by driving six 3/8-inch lag bolts into hard maple to see how far they could be driven -- run time by boring 1.5-inch holes through inch-thick red oak. The Makita BDF452HW excels on all counts and earns both the Best Overall and Best Value designations.

Our AssessmentThe comparison reviews at Tools of the Trade are thorough, based on both objective tests and practical job site use. The latest reviews test and compare 14 full-size impact drivers, 10 subcompact impact drivers and 10 subcompact drill/drivers.

Our AssessmentIn this recent test, This Old House magazine takes 10 popular 12-volt drills on the market and subjects them to precise screwing, drilling and torque tests. Sal Vaglica also takes comfort and run time into account. Vaglica doesn't pick a favorite, but each drill gets a star rating for torque performance and results for recharge time and the number of screws driven and holes drilled. The Milwaukee 2410-22 and DeWalt DCD710S2 finish at the top (the Milwaukee drills a few more holes, while the DeWalt drives a few more screws). Among cheaper drills, the Porter-Cable PCL120DDC-2 does the best job. In a separate review, Vaglica also tests 16 impact drivers. Test results are presented in detail, but Vaglica doesn't pick any favorites.

Our AssessmentWired magazine rounds up four 18-volt drills and puts them through a few tests, including a battery-drain test and "driving a finger-thick half-inch lag bolt to the hilt in a solid slab of cedar." The Milwaukee drill wins easily, lasting more than an hour on a single charge (almost twice as long as the runner-up).

Our AssessmentLowes.com publishes owners' comments as well as their detailed ratings for design, features, quality, value and ease of use. Lists of models show the average rating plus the number of reviews on which it's based, making it easy to find the top-ranked drills and drivers. However, only a few brands are carried, and many models haven't been reviewed yet. Furthermore, the average rating is shown on the main list as a graphic, and the numerical rating doesn't always correspond; a 4.9-star rating may look like a 4.5, for example -- or a 3.6 rating like a 4.

Our AssessmentRetailer site NorthernTool.com is a good place to see owners' ratings and reviews of pro-level cordless drills, impact drivers and combo kits across a wide range of prices and sizes, including subcompact models. The site adds a nice touch, asking how many owners would recommend the model to a friend. DeWalt and Milwaukee are the favorite brands here.

Our AssessmentThis 2007 survey of 3,428 builders and contractors compares 17 brands of power tools for quality. Of the companies that make cordless drills, Milwaukee takes first rank. DeWalt, Hitachi and Makita follow in that order -- even though the survey respondents have used DeWalt and Makita tools more than Milwaukee. Panasonic and Ryobi rank toward the bottom.

Our AssessmentThis forum discussion among professional contractors compares tool brands for their customer service and warranty fulfillment -- with Festool topping the list.