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Cordless drills are essential for any respectable home workshop, but that doesn’t mean you need to overspend on a drill designed for pros. There are plenty of quality cordless drills under $100 that will handle a DIYer’s demands.
Having completed dozens of projects on various homes throughout the years, I’m very familiar with how to use a drill and what specs one needs to pay attention to when shopping for one of these power tools. I used my own experience, along with hours of research, to select the six best cordless drills under $100. I then put these bargain-priced cordless drills to the test in my own workshop to find out which ones were the best of the best. Check out our cordless drill reviews below to find the right one for your next project.
- BEST OVERALL: Bosch 18V Compact Brushless ½-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Craftsman V20 ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
- BEST POWER: Ridgid 18V ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
- BEST COMPACT: Skil PwrCore 20 Brushless 20V ½-Inch Drill Driver Kit
- BEST HAMMER: Craftsman V20 ½-Inch Cordless Hammer Drill Kit
- ALSO CONSIDER: Ryobi 18V One+ ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
How We Tested the Best Cordless Drills Under $100
I put each cordless drill through a series of tests to evaluate how well it handled various types of jobs. I began by drilling smaller holes through 2×6 pieces of dimensional lumber using ¼-inch bits before progressing up to a 1-inch paddle bit. I then switched drill bits for a Phillips head screwdriver bit and tested each cordless drill’s ability to drive a 1¼-inch screw into a 2×6. I then stacked two 2x6s on top of each other and used each cordless power drill to drive in longer 2½- inch screws, again evaluating how easily and quickly the drill was able to handle each fastener. Along with performance, I also assessed how easy each cordless drill is to use by considering its weight and size.
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 6
- Hours spent testing: 6 hours
- Tests performed: 6
- Price range: $69 to $99
Our Top Picks
The six cordless drills below represent some of the best you can buy for under $100. Keep in mind that this list only includes models that are at or below $100 at their regular price. Sale-priced cordless drills selling for under $100 that are typically over this price point were not included.
Best Overall
Bosch 18V Compact Brushless ½-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
Product Specs
- Max speed: 1,900 RPM (revolutions per minute)
- Max torque: 400 in-lbs (inch pounds)
- Weight (with battery): 2.8 pounds
- Head length: 6.3 inches
Pros
- Lightweight and compact, making it easy to wield and fit into tight spots
- Produces ample power and speed for driving large fasteners and drilling holes
- Excellent build quality with an all-metal chuck
Cons
- Its 400 in-lbs of torque makes it less powerful than other cordless drills under $100
Bosch manages to keep its 18-volt cordless drill compact and lightweight yet still capable of delivering tremendous drilling and driving power. This is why it’s my top pick for the best cordless drill for home use.
This compact drill weighs just 2.8 pounds, including its 2 Ah (amp hour) battery, making it the lightest of the drills I tested. It’s compact, too, with a head that measures just 6.3 inches long and a streamlined profile. Overall, this drill felt very nimble compared to some of the much bulkier drills I tested.
The Bosch also bested the rest in build quality, as it was the only drill of the bunch with an all-metal chuck.
Despite its small size, it didn’t lack power during testing. It had no problems sinking 2½-inch screws into two stacked 2x6s with ease. And while it wasn’t the fastest when it came to drilling with a large 1-inch paddle bit, it wasn’t far behind the mightiest drills on this list. If you’re looking to get the most out of a $100 drill, this Bosch cordless drill is the one.
Read our full review: Bosch 18V Compact Brushless ½-Inch Drill/Driver Kit
Get the Bosch cordless drill at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman V20 ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Product Specs
- Max speed: 1,500 RPM
- Max torque: N/A
- Weight (with battery): 3.45 pounds
- Head length: 8.25 inches
Pros
- Can handle driving longer fasteners into thick dimensional lumber
- Offers excellent bang for the buck at a price well under $100
- Comes equipped with multiple speed options and numerous torque settings
Cons
- Very long head makes it more awkward to use and hard to fit in small spaces
Craftsman’s cordless drill isn’t the fastest or most powerful of the cordless drills I tested, but it’s also significantly less expensive, falling well below the $100 price point. This cheap cordless drill is a great choice for those looking for an affordable cordless drill that can handle light- to medium-duty jobs.
Craftsman’s 18-volt cordless drill is speedy. Despite only having a brushed motor, it felt nearly as fast at drilling in smaller fasteners as some of the brushless drills it went up against. It also performed well driving in larger 2½-inch screws into our stacked 2x6s. Drilling was a different story. While it’s more than capable of boring smaller diameter holes, it was markedly slower with our 1-inch paddle bit than the other drills I tested, though it still managed to complete the hole.
In terms of size, the Craftsman certainly isn’t small. Its longer-than-average head measures 8.25 inches long, which is nearly 2 inches longer than the heads of some of the other drills I tested. It’s heavy, too, at almost 3.5 lbs.
That said, if you don’t mind its large size and heavier weight, the Craftsman offers good speed and power for a drill well under $100.
Get the Craftsman cordless drill at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best Power
Ridgid 18V ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Product Specs
- Max speed: 1,800 RPM
- Max torque: 525 in-lbs
- Weight (with battery): 3.5 pounds
- Head length: 7.5 inches
Pros
- Capable of drilling large holes and driving in bigger structural screws
- High maximum revolutions per minute speeds up larger projects that require a lot of fasteners
- Ruggedly constructed with good build quality
Cons
- Large size and heavy overall weight make it more awkward to wield
While the Ridgid is one of the largest and heaviest drills I tested, it’s also the most powerful cordless drill on this list. It produces 525 in-lbs of torque with top speeds of 1,800 RPM, both of which were apparent during testing. The drill topped the others on this list when it came to driving in screws, and it had no problems driving longer structural screws into two stacked 2x6s. Of all the drills I tested, this one had the least trouble drilling a 1-inch hole with a paddle bit.
The Ridgid’s power is impressive for a drill at this price point; however, there is a notable trade-off when it comes to size and weight. At 3.5 pounds, the Ridgid cordless drill is the heaviest of the bunch. It’s also on the bulky side, thanks to a 7.5-inch-long head. While its weight and size can lead to arm fatigue and make it difficult to fit into tight spots, this drill offers impressive power at this price point.
Get the Ridgid cordless drill at The Home Depot.
Best Compact
Skil PwrCore 20 Brushless 20V ½-Inch Drill Driver Kit
Product Specs
- Max speed: 1,800 RPM
- Max torque: 450 in-lbs
- Weight (with battery): 3 pounds
- Head length: 6.25 inches
Pros
- Light overall weight causes less arm fatigue than larger models
- Compact size makes it capable of fitting into tight spaces
- Work light brightens up a large area and has a power switch
Cons
- Not powerful enough to handle larger drill bits efficiently
This drill’s compact size and mid-range power make it a great option for light- to medium-duty jobs around the house. With a head that measures just 6.25 inches long, it’s capable of fitting into tight spaces, such as between wall studs or inside a cabinet. While the Skil’s battery is noticeably large for a 2 Ah battery, the drill weighs just 3 pounds, making it one of the lightest models of the bunch.
During testing, the Skil proved to be a very capable driver. It had no problem driving 2½-inch screws into two stacked 2x6s. As a drill, results were mixed. While it shined when using smaller bits, it struggled with the large 1-inch paddle bit. I was forced to use its lower speed setting to improve torque to finish the hole.
Along with its small size, this lightweight cordless drill is also notable for its work light, which was by far the brightest of the drills I tested. It also has a battery you can charge on the included charger or via a USB charger, which is convenient if you are using it away from home.
If you want a drill that’s easy to handle and don’t mind some of its power limitations, the Skil PwrCore20 is a great pick.
Get the Skil cordless drill at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Lowe’s.
Best Hammer Drill
Craftsman V20 ½-Inch Cordless Hammer Drill Kit
Product Specs
- Max speed: 1,500 RPM
- Max torque: N/A
- Weight (with battery): 5.56 pounds
- Head length: 8.75 inches
Pros
- Can drill large diameter holes and bore through masonry with hammer drill function
- Much more affordably priced than other cordless hammer drills
- Comes equipped with 2 speed settings and numerous torque adjustments
Cons
- Longer head makes it harder to fit into small spaces and more awkward to hold
If you’re after raw drilling power, you won’t find a better deal than this Craftsman cordless hammer drill. It has a traditional drill function and a powerful hammer drill function, all for under $100.
When in hammer drill mode, the Craftsman produces 25,500 beats per minute (BPM), which allows it to bore holes more quickly. While it won’t rival pro-level hammer drills, it’s more than adequate for anything a DIYer will throw at it. It tore through my 1-inch paddle bit test, outperforming all other cordless drills on this list.
Hammer drills are larger than standard cordless drills, and the Craftsman is certainly no exception. Its head measures nearly 9 inches long, and it weighs a hefty 3.6 pounds without the battery, making it both heavier and longer than any of the cordless drills I tested. If you don’t need the power that a hammer drill offers, it’s probably best to look elsewhere, given its size and weight. However, if you’re after a drill that can handle large bits, bore through masonry, or drive in lag bolts, then this hammer drill is worth the weight and size compromise.
Get the Craftsman cordless hammer drill at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Also Consider
Ryobi 18V One+ ½-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
Product Specs
- Max speed: 1,750 RPM
- Max torque: 515 in-lbs
- Weight (with battery): 3.45 pounds
- Head length: 7.5 inches
Pros
- Great power and speed for driving in large fasteners
- High torque output is ideal for drilling large holes
- Numerous settings for fine-tuning torque and speed
Cons
- Large size makes it more awkward to use and harder to fit into tight spots
If you can look past its hefty weight and bulky size, then you’ll find the Ryobi to be one of the mightiest cordless drills at this price point. With its 515 in-lbs of torque and a max speed of 1,750 RPM, it blazed through smaller fasteners during testing. And while it doesn’t match the speed and might of higher-priced cordless drills, it easily drove 2½-inch screws in our stacked 2x6s and capably drilled a 1-inch hole in our test lumber with a paddle bit.
While I loved the power that this drill offers at the sub-$100 price point, it is bulky. At 3.45 pounds, it’s one of the heaviest drills we tested, and it has a head that measures some 7.5 inches long. Its large size and added weight make it difficult to fit into tighter spots and could certainly lead to more arm fatigue over longer efforts. That said, if you value power over size and weight, then the Ryobi is a great cordless drill for the money.
Get the Ryobi cordless drill at The Home Depot.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Cordless Drill Under $100
The main specs you’ll want to pay attention to when shopping for a good cordless drill include speed and torque for performance and size and weight for ease of use. Find out about these and other attributes of these power tools below.
Speed and Torque
Most manufacturers provide speed specs on their drills, which are given in revolutions per minute (RPM). Some, but not all, will also offer torque specifications, which are given in pounds per square inch. Drills that produce greater torque are better able to drill larger holes and drive in larger structural screws, while high-speed drills can drill small holes and drive in smaller fasteners at blazing speeds.
Most cordless drills also come with speed and torque controls, which allow you to make adjustments to suit the size of the fastener or drill bit. Keeping all this in mind, if you plan to spend a lot of time drilling larger holes or driving in larger fasteners, such as lag bolts or 3-inch screws, then it makes sense to prioritize torque over speed. If you expect to spend most of your time drilling hotels under a half inch in diameter and driving in 1- or 2-inch screws into softwoods, then go with a drill that produces more RPM.
Battery and Runtime
Cordless drills that cost $100 or less come in 12-volt, 18-volt, and 20-volt models. All the drills I tested use an 18-volt or 20-volt battery. It’s important to note that though a 20V battery sounds like it has more capacity, it uses the exact same amount of voltage as an 18V model. Some brands use 20 volts, which is the maximum voltage the tool hits when it first starts up, while others use 18 volts, which is the amount of voltage it consistently produces after start-up.
Cordless drill kits at the under $100 price point come with chargers and batteries ranging in size from 1.5 Ah to 2 Ah. The greater the amp hours, the more internal cells in the battery pack, hence the longer it can go before requiring a recharge.
Size and Weight
Cordless drills can vary significantly in weight and size. The most compact 18-volt models might weigh around 2.5 pounds with a head length (the measurement from the tip of the chuck to the back of the drill) of 6.5 inches. The largest models can weigh upward of 3.5 pounds with head lengths that are 8.5 inches or longer. Lighter cordless drills are easier to hold, resulting in less arm fatigue. Compact cordless drills can fit into tighter spaces, which is crucial if you’re working inside a cabinet or between two wall studs.
Additional Features
Many cordless drills come equipped with LED work lights that automatically turn on to illuminate the work area when you pull the trigger. Some cordless drills also double as hammer drills. The best cordless hammer drill will produce increased torque, allowing you to drill into dense materials such as masonry or drive in larger fasteners like lag bolts. Other additional features include belt hooks and keyless chucks.
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. His articles have been featured on such sites as Angi, Popular Science, Futurism, 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report, Domino, and more. Carrick has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from power tools to home security systems to backyard grills. With each review, his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or isn’t worth its price tag.