Finding a good 18-volt cordless drill can be a challenge. There are so many options it can make your head spin. Hopefully, this article will help you narrow the selection.
Let’s get moving and look at the best 18V cordless drill options. We’ve got five excellent models for you to check out.
Best 18V Cordless Drill: Reviews
BLACK+DECKER 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Variable Speed (GCO18SFB)
This high-quality yet affordable 18-volt drill comes from a trusted brand. It has all the features you need for basic boat building and repair jobs.
Review
This is an 18-volt cordless drill that features a variable speed function for precise control. It can move at up to 750 RPM. It also has a reverse trigger design.
The battery and motor enable this drill to produce several hundred pounds of torque. It also features a 24-position clutch for accurate and precise torque control. It has excellent power for such a small and compact drill.
This Black+Decker drill weighs under 5 pounds and measures 14 inches long. It’s not the lightest or smallest drill, but it’s still small enough for tight spaces. It also comes with an ergonomic design and a soft rubber handle for comfort.
Moreover, this model has a stud sensor. It’s not integrated into the drill, but it is a bonus. You might appreciate the keyless chuck that doesn’t require any tools for bit changes.
The NICAD battery and charger are included in your purpose. The battery is relatively high quality and should last for about 40 minutes on a single charge. It’s not the longest runtime, but for its small size, it’s relatively impressive.
Pros
- Durable
- Relatively small and compact (all things considered)
- Good price
- Plenty of speed and power
- Variable speed design
- Precise torque control
- Stud finder included
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- No battery life indicator or charging status indicator
Makita XFD061 18V LXT
This Makita drill has a super-powerful battery and can deliver lots of torque and speed. It might not be the most affordable drill, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best.
Review
Although this is an 18-volt drill, it has a 3.0 Ah lithium-ion battery that should last for about 90 minutes with moderate use. You also get a high-speed charger included.
This drill can produce a whopping 530 inch/pounds of torque. It also features a multi-position clutch to ensure precise torque control.
Moreover, this model comes with a mechanical 2-speed transmission. First gear allows it to move at up to 400 RPM, and the second at up to 1,550 RPM; that’s a great deal of speed.
In addition, it measures 7.25 inches long and weighs only 3.8 pounds, making it relatively compact and lightweight. It is therefore ideal for pretty tight spaces.
This lightweight design should also make it easy to use for long periods without fatigue. It also features a rubberized soft-grip handle and an overall ergonomic design.
The brushless motor, all-metal gears, and all-metal gear housing make it one of the most durable drills.
Pros
- Superior durability
- Very fast – 2-speed transmission
- Excellent torque + precise clutch control
- Lightweight and compact
- Ergonomic design with soft grip
- Fantastic battery with fast charger
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Not exactly budget-friendly
- No bits included
Bosch 18V Compact 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit
Bosch is another trusted brand, and they haven’t failed to deliver a high-quality product here. It’s a small, compact drill perfect for boat building and repair jobs.
Review
This drill measures just 7.8 inches, making it one of our list’s shortest and most compact drills. In addition, it weighs just 2.75 pounds. It also has a very ergonomic shape and a soft grip handle for increased comfort.
Although it might be small, the 18-volt power level is more than enough for most jobs. In fact, this drill can produce 480 inch/pounds of torque, more than you’d expect. In addition, the 20 + 1 clutch settings allow for precise torque control.
Moreover, this model features 2 speed settings. The first allows it to move at up to 450 RPM. The second gear moves up to 1700 RPM.
You also get 2 high-quality 1.5 Ah batteries included and a charger; when one battery is in use, you can charge the other. This is beneficial because the batteries don’t last all that long individually.
This drill features a large 1/2-inch chuck for large bits. There’s also an auto-locking feature, making it easy to change bits.
Pros
- Very durable
- Dual batteries included
- Super small and compact
- Very ergonomic
- High speed and high power
- Precise speed and torque control
- Large 1/2” chuck
Cons
- Not the most budget-friendly
- Might have trouble holding it if you have large hands
Cordless Drill, 2 PACKS of Battery
This fairly basic yet effective drill comes at an affordable price. It’s nothing overly special, but it’s perfect for basic purposes.
Review
This 18-volt drill has a 2-speed gearbox that provides precise speed control. The first gear allows it to move up to 550 RPM, and the second gear up to 1,250 RPM.
This drill has a 19 + 1 position torque clutch adjustment system for precise control. It can put out up to 265 pounds of torque. For the relatively small size, it’s impressive.
Moreover, the most impressive feature is that this drill weighs just 1.5 pounds. It is also relatively compact, making it easy to use in tight spaces and more extended periods without fatigue. The LED work light is handy for working in dimly lit spaces.
The drill comes with two 1200 mAh batteries and a charger. The batteries are not the longest-lasting, but you get two of them, making up for the relatively poor runtime. However, they will take some time to charge.
Pros
- Two batteries included
- Good price
- Dual speed settings – high speed
- Precise torque control
- Decent maximum torque
- Compact
- Very lightweight
- Has an LED work light
Cons
- Not the most durable
- Poor battery life
Hi-Spec 18 V Pro Combo Cordless Drill Driver
This all-in-one drill set comes with a high-quality drill and many accessories. Moreover, it’s reasonably priced.
Review
This is a fairly basic drill that works well for small purposes. It features a variable speed motor that you can easily control and power at 500 RPM. It also features 15 + 1 clutch settings for precise torque control. It can put out just over 100 inch/pounds of torque.
It might not be the fastest or most powerful drill, but it should be fine for basic purposes, especially when softer materials are concerned.
However, this is a very small, lightweight, and compact drill. It’s under 9 inches long and weighs just over 2 pounds.
This makes it one of the smallest and lightest drills on our list. Therefore, it is ideal for small and tight spaces and comes with an LED light for working in dimly lit spaces.
You might also like how it comes with a 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery pack that should last for around 60 minutes on a single charge. However, it will take up to four or even five hours to charge.
Perhaps the most significant benefit is that it comes with so many accessories. For example, there are dozens of steel driver bits, drill bits, and other drill and driving accessories. In addition, you get a 1680D ballistic nylon fabric carrying case.
Pros
- Great price
- Many accessories
- Nice carrying case
- Has an LED work light
- Precise speed and torque control
- Lightweight and compact
- Good for small jobs
Cons
Not all that fast or powerful
Final Thoughts
The best 18V cordless drill on the list today is the Makita XFD061 18V LXT. It might not be cheap, but you get what you pay for, and what you get here is quality, durability, and functionality.