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Top 7 Best 18V Cordless Drills

All you need to know about 18V cordless drills
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Modern drills are the backbone of contractors. Therefore, every contractor knows the value of investing in the best 18v cordless drills that they can find. Moreover, the rechargeable & cordless drill is the best investment that you can make to improve your toolkit. Therefore, in this article, I have included some of the best 18V cordless drills available in the market.

An 18V cordless drill makes your work easy by allowing you to move around freely on the site while carrying a powerful cordless drill in your belt. In short, every successful contactor needs to have at least one cordless drill for reaching those tight spots without depending on a power outlet.

Best 18V Cordless Drills

Features of 18v Cordless Drill

The 18V cordless drills are one of the most advanced hardware packed with many beneficial features. If you are a field operative, you would certainly recognize the importance of having a cordless drill on your belt. As a matter of fact, every component of the modern 18V cordless drill is directed towards making your work easier and much more efficient.

Grip

The grip of a cordless drill is the most important part because your comfort level depends on the design of this grip.  Some 18V drills have a metallic grip which may increase the durability but can cause slipping of drill more often. 

On the contrary, a plastic grip remains in your hold, but the hard material causes fatigue to your hand and arms if used for a longer time. Therefore, the best 18v cordless drills have a metal handle covered with a rubber-like plastic.


Moreover, there are two shapes of the grip of the drill. The gun handle makes your hand more efficient by increasing your drill precision, but the drill may slip due to sweating. In contrast, the T-shaped grip is effective against sweat slippage but may be challenging to use in tight spots.

Clutch

A clutch is the most effective component of the 18V cordless drill. Usually, it is your job to know when the screw or bolt is fully tightened so you can stop. However, in some cases, it is not possible due to a lack of visual contact with the screw. 

You may end up over-tightening the screw or even overturning your drill leading to damage. Therefore, a clutch is an intelligent sensor that detects when enough resistance is offered by the subject material. The clutch automatically stops the motor from turning anymore and makes a click sound to let you know that the screw is fully tight and will not turn anymore.

LED & Laser

Some modern drills come with a pre-installed led as well as a laser light. The led light provides bright white light to ensure suitable lighting is provided even in dark conditions. If you have ever worked during a night shift, you may know the difficulty of adjusting the light’s angle according to your angle of operation. 

Therefore, the LED light is usually located next to the trigger to ensure that the focus of the light moves with your hand at all times. Furthermore, some drills even have a laser guidance system to improve your precision and accuracy.


What to look at in an 18V Cordless Drill?

The cordless drills are a piece of portable machinery that you can hang from your work belt. The best feature of any portable drill is that it doesn’t require an active power connection for its operation. There is a long-lasting battery installed in almost every 18V power tool that ensures consistent performance throughout work hours. 

However, there are some aspects of the performance that you need to consider before buying any drill from the market. These features ensure that you get optimum performance according to your work requirements.


What Doubts Arise When Purchasing 18V Drills?

Is 18v Cordless Drill Good?

The 18V cordless drills are better than any other drills because it has the perfect balance between power and size. The 18V power tools have a compact size and a portable battery mechanism that makes these drills useful for site operation. 

On the other hand, the 18V brushless motors of these drills provide just enough power, speed, and torque to drill through almost any material using suitable bits. Overall, the 18V cordless drills are a must-have for every contractor to make it work in tight spots.

Is 18v Better than 20v?

Many people get stuck when deciding between a 20V drill and an 18V cordless drill. Though it may sound wrong, the 18V drills virtually provide the same power and speed as a 20V drill. Furthermore, the 18V drills are based on brushless motors that provide 30-50% more torque while consuming very little battery. 

Finally, the 18V drills are enclosed in a compact casing and are therefore suitable for tight spots. The 18V drills are very lightweight, and you can even carry around an 18V drill buckled to your work belt.  Overall, the 18V is similar to the 20V in every aspect and comes at a reasonable price.

Greatest Brand 18v Drill on the market?

There are reliable brands for every product in the market. These manufacturers are highly trusted by their consumers for meeting their demand of quality, features, price, and quantity. If you are a trend follower, then I would personally recommend you get your 18V drill from Makita

Makita is the largest manufacturer of cordless drills, circular saws, and other crafting machinery for your DIY or work-related projects. Moreover, their products are rich in features and provide the best performance, which is second to none. 

However, the only drawback to choosing Makita is that their products are slightly expensive as compared to other manufacturers. If you compare the features and value for price aspects, you’ll notice that the price difference is due to using high-quality components in the Makita 18v cordless drills.

Which 18V battery drill is the right one for you?

There are many different models of 18V battery drills available in the market. However, the different products come with a different set of specifications suitable for a unique range of people. 

For instance, the DIY kits are less expensive and focus only on the seldom home uses of a drill. On the other hand, a professional-grade 18V drill is designed to serve as the secondary and, in some cases, the primary drilling equipment on the site. 

Therefore, it is recommended first to acknowledge your workload, then compare your requirements with 18-volt drill reviews. For instance, the best cordless 18V drill has the best speed, lightweight, supports more accessories, has a longer battery life, and provides optimum torque


Best Impact Driver for Automotive Use


Top Recommendations:

Are you in a hurry? I have selected the top 3 best cordless 18V drills for you. These products have the best price for value and unique features that set them apart from the others. Furthermore, these top 3 18volt drills have positive expert reviews and are available at a discounted price.

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Makita XFD131 18V LXT Makita XFD131 18V LXT
  • Variable speed
  • Torque: 440lb.in
  • Brushless motor
  • Weight: 7.25lb
9.7
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Metabo HPT Cordless Drill Metabo HPT Cordless Drill
  • Complete package
  • Sub-compact size
  • Torque: 485lb.in
  • Speed: 1700 RPM
9.5
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MILWAUKEE'S M18 MILWAUKEE’S M18
  • Weight: 2.5lb
  • Torque: 500 lb.in
  • Speed: 1800 RPM
  • Brushless motor
9.1
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Genesis GCD18BK 18 Volt Genesis GCD18BK 18 Volt
  • Variable speed
  • 13-Bit assortment
  • Speed: 550 RPM
  • Weight: 4lb
8.8
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Hi-Spec 58 Piece 18V Pink Drill Hi-Spec 58 Piece 18V Pink Drill
  • S2-steel bit included
  • LED light
  • Weight: 2.6lb
8.6
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Ryobi Drill Kit Bundle Ryobi Drill Kit Bundle
  • Speed: 600 RPM
  • 24-position clutch
  • Weight: 4.6lb
  • Torque: 600 ln.in
8.2
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Bosch 18V Compact 1/2” Drill Bosch 18V Compact 1/2” Drill
  • Complete kit
  • Weight: 2.75lb
  • Variable speed
  • Speed: 700 RPM
8
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1. Makita XFD131 18V LXT

Suppose you are working on a heavy project, you are going to need suitable hardware to get the job done. Moreover, you are going to need longer battery life to get you through a whole day on a single charge. 

That’s where the Makita brushless drill becomes handy. It is a multipurpose tool that can look to your drilling as well as driving needs. In short, if you are looking for heavy-duty yet portable 18V power tools, the Makita XFD131 is your best choice.

Specifications

First things first, a heavy-duty power drill needs to be fast, efficient, and multifunctional. So, by using the XFD131, you will get more than enough power to work with for everyday workplace applications. For instance, the variable speed feature of the drill allows you to go as fast as 900 rounds per minute in no time. Therefore, It is capable of reaching impressive speeds and is great for making heavy-duty applications at high workloads.

Secondly, the perfect work drill needs to be lightweight, compact, and easy to work with. The entire XFD131 tool only weighs 7.25 pounds which is easy to manage with a single hand. Moreover, the compact yet ergonomic design of this drill will provide you effective working with a comfortable grip. The grip of this product is covered with a comfortable plastic material that ensures fatigue-free working for longer periods of time.

Applications

The Makita XPH102 is one of the most powerful 18V cordless drills that you can find on the market. The XFD131 is made from the perfect combination of steel with durable plastic. For instance, the steel body ensures that the machinery remains encased from the harsh environment. 

Moreover, it also supports the drill’s structure by preventing impact damage in case the drill is dropped. On the other hand, the plastic covering protects the steel from rusting and also makes the machine water and dust resistant. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your drill being exposed to moisture or dust during the work.

Remarks

Finally, the XFD131 provides the best performance that you can find in any compact drill. For instance, the high-quality brushless motor can drive this drill efficiently with a maximum of 440 lb. in torque at up to 900RPM. 

Moreover, a single Makita kit is compatible with up to 50 drilling and driving attachments to make this drill even more effective. Furthermore, the high-capacity battery ensures that your compact 18V drill makes it through the whole workday on a single charge. Overall, the Makita XFD131 has a great design, performance and therefore, it is one of the best investments you could make.

Makita XFD131 18V LXT
BrandMakita
Power SourceBattery Powered
Maximum Rotational Speed1900 RPM
Voltage18
Amperage3 Amps
Pros
  • Durable material
  • Easy to operate
  • 50% longer battery life
  • Fast charging
  • Multifunctional
  • Ergonomic
  • All metal gears
  • LED light
Cons
  • Slightly on the heavy side
  • Some people reported that the charger is not durable.

2. Metabo HPT Cordless Drill

Modern drills are a very handy piece of equipment because they can make your work very easy. There are numerous attachments available that you can include in your cordless drill. However, these attachments are very expensive if you need to buy them separately.

Therefore, HPT cordless drill comes with a complete package that includes everything that you need for your hefty workload. Moreover, it is an extremely lightweight cordless drill. This drill will help you minimize the fatigue you normally incur while working at a job site while helping to raise your productivity.

Performance

Firstly, this drill provides very impressive performance for such a compact size. As a matter of fact, some experts claim that the HPT drill has the same power as a heavy-duty drill but in a compact size. The compact size of the drill along with powerful motors ensure precise drilling every time.

For instance, this compact drill is not only ergonomic but has a number of applications thank to the package. It comes with two batteries, one charger, and a kit box. The design and the construction of this drill have been made such as to reduce the consumer’s fatigue.

Design

Secondly, the most impressive feature of the HPT cordless drill is the compact design and extremely lightweight. The drill weighs less than 2 pounds, 1.9lbs to be accurate. Moreover, due to the handy design and compact size, this drill is capable of fitting into tight and hard-to-reach places.

For instance, you’ll be able to use this tool even in spots that other comparable drills are unable to reach. The keyless chuck has a ½ size and therefore ensures a perfectly tight grip on the attachment bits for a reliable turning.

Remarks

Finally, this drill is made of very durable yet lightweight hardened PU material. This material is not only rustproof but also saves your device from water and dust to some extent.

However, it is advised to prevent moisture contact as much as possible because the device is not certified waterproof. Another feature of the plastic build is that you can get a tight yet comfortable grip on this best compact cordless drill.

Metabo HPT Cordless Drill
BrandMetabo HPT
Power SourceBattery Powered
Maximum Rotational Speed1700 RPM
Voltage18 Volts
Amperage1.5 Amps
Pros
  • Extremely lightweight
  • SUB-COMPACT
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Durable plastic
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Includes the whole package
  • LED light 
  • 21% extra torque
  • Variable speed trigger
  • High speed
Cons
  • Not true waterproof
  • No power indicator
  • Slow charging

3. MILWAUKEE’S M18

Are you a fan of the need for speed? Because the M18 is surely as fast as you can get with an 18V cordless drill. The Milwaukee cordless drill 18v is one of the best compact drills that you can get at such a reasonable price

You’ll be able to use it for a large number of different applications, thanks to the many features that come with it. Moreover, it is a multifunction power tool that you can use for both home DIY projects as well as professional site contracts.

Material

Firstly, the product is made from highly durable plastic material that gives the feel of fiber material. It has the strength of steel during the weight of a plastic casing. Moreover, another extra coating of PU material provides the necessary grip on the machine while matching the impact resistance of the steel casing. Therefore, the M18 kit weighs only 2.5lb. Therefore, making it extremely easy to work with regardless of your expertise.

Performance

Secondly, the brushless motor of the M18 makes it as fast and furious as you can imagine. For instance, the chuck can move as fast as 1800 RPM at high settings to ensure quick tightening and loosening of material in a matter of milliseconds.

Furthermore, the most difficult angle of operation for any drill is overhead and in tight spots. It is because proper visuals of the site are not accessible, and the load of the drill is resisted by your wrist and arm.

Remarks

Therefore, the lightweight and special design of the M18 ensures that you get a full grip even in overhead conditions, while the fast speed ensures you get the job done as fast as possible.

MILWAUKEE’S M18
BrandMilwaukee
Power SourceBattery Powered
Maximum Rotational Speed1800 RPM
Voltage18 Volts
Maximum Chuck Size6.35 Inches
Pros
  • Fast turning
  • 50% longer runtime 
  • Brushless motor
  • Lightweight
  • Ergonomic design
  • Compact size
  • Waterproof
  • Metal chuck
  • Overload protection
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • A bit rough when using the first time

4. Genesis GCD18CP 18V Cordless Drill

Are you looking for a cordless replacement for your standard drill? Then the Genesis drill has got the potential to replace a fully functional heavy-duty drill. It has the most powerful motor mechanism as well as a sturdy casing to support such a piece of robust machinery. Overall, the genesis 18V cordless drill is the perfect example of the performance potential of small brushless motors.

Material

Firstly, this drill is composed of sturdy material which is lightweight and durable at the same time. The main case of the genesis drill is made from hardened plastic material that has the strong potential of a steel structure while the grip and resistance of PU material.

Such a lightweight drill ensures that you get to the tightest spots with a minimum visible area without any problem. Moreover, the pistol grip of the drill provides slip protection along with the ability to work efficiently even in overhead situations.

Performance

Secondly, the powerful bush-less motor of this drill provides the required power equal to a regular drill along with the benefit of portability. You can achieve a speed as fast as 550RPM  with the promise of 80% efficiency and anti-slip technology when driving screws.

It is a great choice for anyone who needs to make an investment that will last and provide quality work for any homeowner looking to make an intelligent investment.

Accessories

The Genesis GCD18BK cordless drill comes with a ⅜ inch keyless chuck that makes it easy to change out your bits quickly and efficiently. Moreover, the 18V drill comes with a complete package of battery charger, keyless chuck, and a 13-bit set of drilling and driving attachments. 

These attachments ensure that you have the right tools for every job. Moreover, these bits are tightly locked inside the chunk piece to ensure that you use the machine single-handedly.

Remarks

Finally, the clutch of the Genesis is uniquely designed to make use of the braking mechanism. When driving screws or drilling through hard material, the smart clutch sensor detects the amount of resistance offered by the subject.

As soon as the sensor detects that the subject has stopped turning, the motor is stopped using the electric brakes of the device. This clutch feature has numerous benefits regarding the safety of the user, the subject material, and also the drilling machinery.

genesis-GCD18BK-18-volt-cordless-variable-speed-drill
BrandPORTER-CABLE
Power SourceBattery Powered
Maximum Rotational Speed550 RPM
Voltage18 Volts
ColorMatte Black
Pros
  • Longevity
  • Durable metal bits
  • Affordable price
  • Nicad battery charger
  • Fast charging 
  • 13-bit assortment
  • Magnetic casing
Cons
  • Not waterproof 
  • Low speed means not for drilling large holes
  • Significant wobble makes precision drilling difficult

5. Hi-Spec 58 Piece 18V Pink Drill

If you need a tool to complete your home toolkit, then the Hi-Spec drill has no competitor. It is an all-in-one package especially engineered to meet your household requirements and DIY projects. 

Moreover, it is also a good idea to keep the best 18V cordless drill for females as a secondary drill in your office or workshop. In short, if your target is to have a machine that can tight or drill anything without any experience, the Pink drill has got you covered.

Applications

First of all, it is not a professional drill, so you should not compare it with the other entries on the list. It is specially designed for home-based users who are usually beginners and have no experience in the field. 

Therefore, the manufacturer focuses on user safety rather than performance. However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot perform your DIY projects because this machine successfully creates a perfect balance between safety, performance, durability, and price.

Remarks

The product is made from highly durable plastic material that gives the feel of fiber material. It has the strength of steel during the weight of a plastic casing. Moreover, the lightweight, along with the suitable 58 bits piece, ensures that you don’t need any other tool once you get hold of the pink drill.

Overall, this product focuses on women empowerment and therefore has all the features that any beginner will find helpful when doing DIY projects

Hi-Spec 58 Piece 18V Pink Drill
BrandHi-Spec
Power SourceBattery Powered
Maximum Rotational Speed500 RPM
Voltage18 Volts
Amperage1500 Milliamps
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Ergonomic use
  • Best drill for females
  • 18N.m Torque
  • S2 steel bit set included
  • Very affordable 
  • Overhead use
  • Splash resistance
Cons
  • This tool Not for professionals and fieldwork
  • Not waterproof
  • Low battery backup

6. Ryobi Drill Kit Bundle

Are you afraid of using a drill around tight spots? If yes, then you need the Ryobi Drill kit to complete your professional as well as a home toolkit. The Ryobi 18V drill is designed specifically to be used as a secondary drill for tight spots and overhead usage.

Moreover, this drill is very lightweight and provides just enough performance for precise dill and driving experience under any conditions.

Remarks

This drill has a compact size along with a lightweight that ensures workability under all conditions. You’ll be able to work in a variety of job sites with little to no difficulty. It also comes with a LED light to illuminate those problematic spots and to help you out during night operations.

In short, the Ryobi Drill kit is perfect for handling situations where all other drills fail.

Ryobi Drill Kit Bundle
BrandRYOBI
Power SourceBattery Powered
Material‎Metal/Plastic/Rubber
Voltage18 Volts
Torque600 Inch Pounds
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Great for tight spots
  • Ergonomic 
  • LED light
  • Removable battery
  • 24 torque positions
  • Variable speed trigger
  • Clutch support
  • Complete kit
  • Supports many extended batteries
Cons
  • You shouldn’t use it as your primary drill
  • Slightly overpriced

7. Bosch 18V Compact 1/2” Drill

The final product on the list comes from a pioneer of electronic machinery. Their products are very durable, have a long service life, and are correctly advertised. If you are looking for the best cordless drill for smaller projects, both infield and at home. Then the Bosch 18V is the best compact drill that you can get in such a price range.

Remarks

Most secondary drills are usually underpowered and cannot perform heavy-duty tasks. On the contrary, this Bosch device is ideal for high-power applications that require a little extra power to complete. 

Moreover, the powerful brushless motor provides just enough RPM and workload that you will not miss your primary drill in case it stops working because this compact drill will gladly take its place.

Bosch 18V Compact 12 inch Drill
BrandBOSCH
Power SourceBattery Powered
Maximum Rotational Speed1700 RPM
Voltage18 Volts
Amperage1.5 Amps
Pros
  • Highly dependable
  • Very powerful secondary drill
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Easy to maintain
  • Fast charging
  • Waterproof to some extent
  • Lightweight
  • Durable material
  • T-shaped grip
Cons
  • No brushless motor

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The 18V cordless drills are multifunctional tools that can make you efficient and effective at your work. Moreover, a compact drill can also replace a screwdriver by using attachment bits. Therefore, if you are looking for a wise investment in your toolkit, the 18V cordless drill is the first thing you should buy.

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