Ryobi HJP001K

Reviewers recommend the lithium-ion (Li-ion) Ryobi HJP001K cordless drill for household use, saying its 3/8-inch chuck and 12-volt power give it enough capacity for ordinary drilling and driving tasks. Its 2.3-pound weight and compact size make it especially comfortable to use, and a convenient magnetic holder keeps bits and screws handy. The Li-ion batteries keep their charge between uses much longer than other types, and run the drill at full power even as the charge fades. Additionally, the kit includes a work light. Tests in one review find the "one-hour charger" actually charges the batteries in about 40 minutes, but we found mixed reviews on runtime between charges. The best reviews in this price range go to the Hitachi DS12DVF3 (*Est. $75).

ConsumerReports.org includes the Ryobi HJP001K in its comparison review of cordless drills, and briefly discusses it in a 2009 blog article. However, the tests were done in 2007 and all but one of the other drills evaluated are bigger and heavier, with higher-voltage batteries. The February 2009 review at Tools of the Trade is more useful, because it compares the Ryobi against eight other subcompact Li-ion drill/drivers -- not only with objective tests but at actual jobsites as well. Hands-on tests at ConsumerGuide.com provide more detail, and Ryobi as a cordless-drill brand is also included in the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates customer survey. We found a few owner-written reviews of this Ryobi drill at HomeDepot.com, and an informal blog review at The Power Tool Geek focuses on comfort for women with small hands.