WikiCompare live prices on drill across Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, AliExpress, and curated Awin partner merchants. Battery-platform compatibility matters more than the drill itself — pick a brand and stick to it. DeWalt 20V MAX, Milwaukee M18, and Makita LXT are the three serious tradesman platforms; Ryobi One+ is the budget homeowner pick (largest tool catalogue at the lowest price). A drill + impact driver combo kit ($150-250) is the right starter. Brushless motors last 2-3x longer than brushed. For most homeowner work, a 12V Milwaukee Fuel or DeWalt Atomic is lighter and fits tighter spaces. Add a hammer-drill option if you mount things in concrete. Click any card to open the seller's product page; we earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions about drill
What drill do I need for home projects?
Cordless 18V/20V combo (drill + impact driver) — DeWalt 20V MAX, Milwaukee M18, Makita LXT, Ryobi One+ all excellent. Combo kits with 2 batteries + charger: $150-250. Add brushless motor option (longer life, more power). Drill: drilling holes. Impact driver: driving screws. Both needed for serious DIY.
Cordless vs corded drill?
Cordless: portability, no extension cords, modern lithium batteries last hours. Corded: continuous power, no battery to charge, for sustained heavy work (mixing concrete). Most homeowners need cordless only. Pros own both. Skip cheap corded drills under $40 — cordless of same quality cheaper long-term.
DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Makita?
All three are top professional brands with 15+ year battery platforms. DeWalt (yellow): most accessible, broadest tool catalog. Milwaukee (red): pro-favored, slightly more expensive, highest performance. Makita (teal): Japanese precision + quality. Once you pick a brand, batteries lock you in — make initial choice carefully.
Brushless vs brushed drill — what's the difference?
Brushless: more efficient (longer battery life), less heat, longer motor life (2-3x), more compact, more powerful. Brushed: cheaper upfront. For frequent use, brushless is worth the premium. Modern professional tools are predominantly brushless. Skip brushed tools for serious work.
What drill bits do I need?
Basic kit: 1/16" to 3/8" twist bits (DeWalt 21-Piece Black Oxide). Add: spade bits (large holes), Forstner bits (clean holes), masonry bits (concrete/brick), countersink bits. Quality bits (DeWalt, Bosch, Makita) last 10x longer than Harbor Freight. Sharp bits drill faster + safer.
How do I drill into concrete?
Use hammer drill (most modern cordless drills have hammer mode) + masonry bit. Mark drill spot, hold drill perpendicular to surface, apply firm pressure. Bit will work its way in slowly — don't force. Use water for cooling on long drills. Pre-drill smaller pilot hole for larger fasteners. Concrete anchors (Tapcons) hold most loads.