Decent power drill

hikenbike

hikenbike

New member
Happy New Year all and the best to you and yours!

I’m looking for a decent value power drill for really no more than $100 for light to medium duty work around the house. Nothing hardcore at all.

Been looking at some of the DeWalt, Bosch, and Ridgid models at HD or on Amazon. All seem reasonable enough for $80 to $100 and most have 2 batteries.

Is Brushless really essential? 12v vs 18v vs 20v? Does voltage or brush/brushless really matter much at that price point?

Anyone try one of the Harbor Freight (Warrior?) models they sell pretty cheap?

Would love to hear some recommendations. Thanks in advance!
 
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I got a set of the Milwaukee 18v compact drill and impact driver for Christmas. Love them. Much nicer than the DeWalt's I've been using for the past 10 years. Plenty of torque, I love the LED light and they're very ergonomic. The set was $179, so just the drill should be around $100.
 
I generally despise HF; but check what their warranty is for the drill, if it’s lifetime replace it every year reguardless. I personally use Milwaukee 18v brushless. Dewalt has decent drills now too. I wouldn’t mess with 12v. and get the brushless if your willing to invest; better power and better battery life.
 
in 2018 I bought the Ridgid 12v drill and impact combo for my V-day present from wifey. Reason for that purchase, I was wanting a smaller drill just for easy and small things around the house. The lifetime Service Agreement is what sold me on Ridgid. I have used to heck out of it since, from redoing a bathroom completely, taking everything out of kitchen to put new tile down. Mixing mortar etc. Now during that time, there were times a stronger one would have helped move faster, but 12v got it done.

Fast forward to Sept, my dad and I built my son a large playset. The 12v would have done it, but my dads 18v dewalt, really made a difference. so we used 18v to complete that job.

For my B-day this month, i bought the Ridgid 18v hammer drill and impact set with a free tool at HD. (Needed hammer drill for some projects) Got a circular saw as the free tool. all items have the "LSA" lifetime agreement. Batteries/tools etc! tools are an investment, so spend a little more money. Get what you may use in the future.

I am happy having 12v and 18v. Seems like a lot but I have used them all and really at the same time with one project.

Far as brands, what do you like? colors? etc. To get the lifetime warranty on ridgid, you have to buy at HD. And lifetime batteries only come in a kit.

Ryobi, has really stepped their game up, you can get a simple drill with 18v battery now, and buy tons of tools later that work with that battery. HD has a 18v hammer drill for $149 now and get a free tool. tons to choose from.

Milwaukee is the best power tool you can buy. Tons of options 12v and 18v.

Brushless, more power, battery lasts longer

Harbor Freight is great for some tools. Power tools would not be what I choose there!

Summing it all up! Everything depends on you. If you pay people to do everything and just need to hang a picture or fix a kids toy, install car speakers. Then a 12v will do, get a decent brand. If you do those things, and plan to fix the deck, build storage box, remodel house etc. Get a 18v, decent brand. If you want other power tools later. Go 18v and see what other accessories they have.

There, I am done!
 
I’ve had all the battery drills through the years. I have a makita 18vdrill&impact that are awesome. Then I got the Milwaukee 12v frill&impact, trust me it’s plenty for around the house. My 12v is just as torquee as the 18 plus lighter. Brushless is the wayyyy better option. I use it at work and know several trades that use them daily and they’re the guy that got me to step down in voltage. Plus the ability to get the 12v ratchet. Certainly if I was still in heavy construction or doing lots lags, drilling 50+ holes a day 18v, but around the house 12v is going take you95% of the way. If I had to pick between an impact and a drill, I’m getting the 1/4impact. With hex drive bits you can drill too, never again will I chuck up a screw bit in a drill.
 
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i have had great luck with the Ryobi 18v drills. I have 3 of them along with the vacuum, grinder, saw, sawzall, rotozip, radio, flashlight and a couple other tools.
It is nice having batteries that fit several tools.
Home Depot usually has a deal around memorial day where you can buy one ryobi tool and get one for free with purchase
 
I've been using a Dewalt 20v Li-Ion brushless drill and impact driver for the last three years for everything from automotive work to home improvement/construction. Coming from a 12v Porter Cable set that was one of the last sets to be made in the US, the Dewalt has been quite the torquey miracle to me. How quickly the batteries recharge has been another bonus!
 
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hikenbike said:
Thanks all for all the great feedback.

I’m leaning toward this.....

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...eries-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-R860052K/205690161

Or this

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...1-3Ah-Charger-and-Tool-Bag-DCD777C2/207105622

DeWalt is 20v and brushless for only $10 more
Click to expand...

Both great choices! Ridgid has a lifetime warranty on batteries and drill, that’s a plus. You can upgrade $10 and get the hammer drill (if still there, holiday package) that’s a plus.

Dewalt is a top brand as well! Go to store and feel them and see what you like!
 
Makita or Milwaukee. Rigid after that.

I’ve had nothing but issues with everything dewalt.

Milwaukee has the best guarantee in the industry. No questions no BS just replace the broken shit for you no cost.
 
Spend the extra $50 and get the brushless version of the Rigid for $139. Plus the Rigid has a better chuck than the Dewalt, having had lots of experience with the latter.
 
hikenbike said:
They have this today for $79. What’s he difference between a hammer drill vs a regular drill ?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...VhCNpCh1a0gZbEAQYASABEgIOXPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Click to expand...

A hammer drill has an impact mechanism that creates a slight hammering forward of the chuck to help drill through hard/dense materials.

Typically hammer drills have a drill/hammer drill setting so you get both functions. Set to drill it just pins the chuck. Set to hammer it spins the chuck and hammers it forward as well.

The hammer drill is great for drilling into concrete, brick, etc.
 
Gunslinger-13 said:
A hammer drill has an impact mechanism that creates a slight hammering forward of the chuck to help drill through hard/dense materials.

Typically hammer drills have a drill/hammer drill setting so you get both functions. Set to drill it just pins the chuck. Set to hammer it spins the chuck and hammers it forward as well.

The hammer drill is great for drilling into concrete, brick, etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I did look it up and understand now but I've always been wary of a device or tool or anything really that tries to be too many things and multi-functional and ends up being good at none. I took a pass even though in hand it felt like a quality tool.

You agree?
 
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hikenbike said:
Thanks. I did look it up and understand now but I've always been wary of a device or tool or anything really that tries to be too many things and multi-functional and ends up being good at none. I took a pass even though in hand it felt like a quality tool.

You agree?
Click to expand...

Actually, just saw and read some reviews of this exact model and it seems like a very high quality tool ........ and at a steal of a price at $79. In store its $99 but the tool manager at HD said he'd honor the online price.
 
hikenbike said:
Thanks. I did look it up and understand now but I've always been wary of a device or tool or anything really that tries to be too many things and multi-functional and ends up being good at none. I took a pass even though in hand it felt like a quality tool.

You agree?
Click to expand...

I use tools often for work and at home. So I buy dedicated tools. I’ve got a drill, a hammer drill and an impact drill- and every other tool under the sun.

That being said; I’d trust a quality hammer drill to function as both, but they are heavier and larger so that is something to consider as well.

It really comes down to your intended use and budget.
 
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