Email
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by George Vondriska
by David Getts
The comparison reviews at Tools of the Trade are thorough, based on both objective tests and practical jobsite use. The latest review tests and compares 17 drill/drivers: eight compact drill/drivers plus… nine subcompact drill/drivers in the 10.8-volt to 12-volt range (sometimes called pocket drivers). A May 2008 review by Gary Katz tests 12 more powerful impact drivers ranging from 14.4 to 20 volts, and reviews in 2007 covers right-angle drills, Li-ion tools and 15 full-size drill/drivers.
by Dave Northup
Reviews at the Journal of Light Construction are aimed at construction crews, often putting tools through harsh tests, including extreme cold -- which sometimes turns out to be the crucial factor. The… latest review compares six subcompact lithium-powered cordless drill/drivers based on objective tests. An October 2008 review by Chris Kennel compares nine 18-volt cordless impact drivers, and Andy Beasley's 2007 review covers Li-ion cordless tool kits and drills. A May 2007 update covers two Panasonic Li-ion cordless tools.
by Roy Berendsohn
Popular Mechanics compares 10 lithium-powered cordless drills ranging from 18 volts to 19.2 volts, rating each on a five-point scale. Tests include drilling 24 holes with a one-inch spade bit and driving… 12.2-inch lag screws into pilot holes bored in a pressure-treated beam. The review is especially useful because it compares two Ryobi budget drills. Also, specific drawbacks are noted even for the top-ranked drills.
by Editors of Popular Woodworking
The April 2008 issue of Popular Woodworking includes a head-to-head comparison of eight 18-volt Li-ion cordless drills. Tests include the number of holes drilled per battery charge, the number of lag screws… set and how hot the motor and battery are at the end of runtime (which affects battery life). The rankings also take weight, comfort and ease of use into account, along with the cost of replacement batteries.
by Michael Maines
by Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
This J.D. Power and Associates' customer-satisfaction survey rates 10 cordless drill brands based on six factors, with drill performance most important, followed by ease of use, battery performance, price,… versatility of battery system and warranty. Craftsman cordless drills far outrank other budget brands, while Bosch is the lowest-ranked pro brand. Unfortunately, Panasonic isn't included in the study.
by Roy Berendsohn
by Editors of Practical Woodworking
This article at GetWoodworking.com compares eight cordless screwdrivers, testing them by driving 2-inch No. 10 screws into soft wood without pilot holes. The voltage of the models tested covers a large… range, from 3.6 to 12 volts. Editors pick two cordless screwdrivers -- the Bosch GSR (available in the U.S. as the Bosch PS20-2 10.8-volt Pocket Driver) and the Metabo Powermaxx -- as best, but describe all the models in detail.
by Doug Hicks
Tester Doug Hicks recommends the 12-volt Hitachi DS12DVF3 as the best value in cordless drills, but notes that upgrading to the Li-ion Makita BDF452HW brings more power, faster charges and an LED light. The… 18-volt Makita also accepts larger bits. We'd rank this review higher if the original testing were documented here. The same is true of the 2009 Editors' Choice picks: two auto-shift drill/drivers from Ryobi and Ridgid. Earlier reviews in this publication test Li-ion cordless palm drivers, separate tests of full-size cordless impact drivers and a 2005 roundup review of 20 drills, all with 14.4-volt batteries.
by Editors of Workbench Magazine
Reviews of cordless drills and drivers in Workbench Magazine include several small comparison reviews, the latest covering the two auto-shift drill/drivers from Ridgid and Ryobi. An earlier roundup review… compares seven 14.4-volt cordless impact drivers, testing their capacity to drive large fasteners and drill holes, as well as rating their battery life and noise level. Editors also test a 12-volt, 15.6-volt and 18-volt impact driver. Some of these reviews have a unique point of view -- for example, one review specifically uses female testers.
by Asa Christiana and John White
Based on objective tests, this Fine Woodworking review compares two cordless screwdrivers, the 10.8-volt Li-ion Bosch PS20-2 Pocket Driver and the 9.6-volt Ni-Cd Ridgid R81030 (which has since been… discontinued). The Bosch Pocket Driver is so much lighter that editors give it a top rating for workshop use. Other reviews cover the Skil iXO and the Bosch I-Driver PS10-2. The Winter 2007-08 Tools and Shops issue recommends the Bosch PS40-2 as the best basic cordless drill for most homeowners.
by Chuck Cage
by Bill Szydlo
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
by Sean O'Hara
This single-product review of the four-piece Ryobi lithium cordless tools (including a drill/driver) is detailed and well illustrated, covering a week of testing by several staff members. A June 2007 review… compares two cordless screwdrivers, and the site includes a useful cordless drill buyer's guide. Readers add comments on the reviews published here, with several complaints that the Milwaukee V18 is too heavy and that the 9.6-volt DeWalt DC750KA neither performs nor lasts well.
by Contributors to Amazon.com
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
HomeDepot.com publishes owner-written ratings and reviews of the cordless drills and impact drivers it sells, but doesn't show the average rating until you click on a specific product. Some of the… higher-priced models haven't accumulated enough reviews yet to make their average ratings significant, but several cordless drills, drivers, screwdrivers and combo kits stand out for high ratings from many owners.
by Contributors to Lowes.com
by Contributors to NorthernTool.com
by Contributors to Sears.com
Owner-written ratings and reviews of the cordless drills, drivers and kits sold at Sears are easy to browse once you figure out how. The site no longer lets you sort the dozens of models by average rating,… but you can use a filter in the left-hand bar to show only models that have gotten high ratings. A few cordless drills, drivers, combo kits and screwdrivers do stand out here, but the few 10- to 12-volt subcompact drivers listed here rank lower.
by Jude Herr
Tool expert Jude Herr reviews the Bosch 17618-01 hammer drill while building a deck, but doesn't compare it with similar 18-volt drills -- though several are covered at Toologic.com in separate reviews.… Other reviews at this site cover the subcompact 12-volt Bosch PS30 drill/driver, several Bosch 36-volt Li-ion tool kits, and the Bosch PS40-2. Readers weigh in with useful comments. For example, on the review of the Milwaukee 2601-22 compact drill, some readers prefer the similar but lighter Makita compact Li-ion drill. Readers also debate the merits of the Ryobi Li-ion tools.
by Editors of Popular Science
This brief review by Chuck Cage tests the 10.8-volt Bosch Pocket Driver, finding that it drives twice as many screws as a similar cordless driver using Ni-Cd batteries. Another Popular Science review,… written this time by Mark Clement, recommends the Festool C12 cordless drill because of its brushless motor, compact size, light weight and power. However, Clement documents no testing or comparisons.
by Editors of ToolSnob.com
The ToolSnob.com blog publishes news and single-product reviews of cordless drills and impact drivers, which are useful since they often cover pros and cons of new models. For example, the review of the… Ridgid compact Li-ion drill notes that although it weighs about the same as the equivalent Makita drill, the Ridgid feels lighter because it's better balanced. Editors also explain new models well. For example, they clarify that the Bosch 12-volt tools use exactly the same battery as the earlier 10.6-volt tools; it's just a matter of competing with other brands who describe their tools by the maximum rather than the nominal voltage.
by Editor of Rockler.com
by Contributors to ContractorTalk.com
by Contributors to TalkFestool.com
|
This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.
Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
|
||
Makita DF030DW 10.8-Volt Ultra Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill Kit
 from Amazon.com New: $106.06 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:   |
||
|
|
Makita BDF452HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Driver-Drill Kit
from Amazon.com New: $167.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Hitachi DS12DVF3 12-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
from Amazon.com New: $67.44 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Hitachi DB3DL 3.6-Volt Li-Ion Cordless Driver Drill
from Amazon.com New: $63.43 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Panasonic EY7540LN2L 14.4 Volt Li-ion Impact Driver Kit with Light
from Amazon.com New: $319.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
