If you’re looking to tackle a new home improvement project, or maybe just want an alternative drill that can handle light-duty tasks like hanging pictures and assembling furniture with ease, look no further than a 12v cordless drill.
With today’s advances in Lithium-Ion battery technology paired up with sleek design features like the compact size and weight reduction from previous models of drills, it is easier than ever before to find the perfect lightweight yet powerful tool for all your needs!
Buying a drill is never an easy task. There are so many options to choose from, and you’ll need one that suits your lifestyle perfectly!
If you’re in a hurry to find the best 12v drill, be sure to check out the DEWALT DCD710S2 Drill Driver Kit.
But don’t worry; we’re here to help with some tips on what you should be looking for before buying a new tool. You will also find out about the different types of drills available in today’s market so you can make the right decision when it comes time to invest in this handy device.
Let’s get started.
Contents
How to Choose the Perfect Drill
In order to ensure that you choose the best 12v drill, you should take the following factors into consideration as you compare and contrast models.
- Size. Despite what you might think, expensive and powerful drills aren’t bulky or unwieldy – it’s often quite the opposite. Top-of-the-line drills offer small profiles with plenty of power, and lower-priced drills are generally made from more inexpensive parts, so they’re generally not built with ergonomics, low weight, or small size in mind.
- Weight. As with size, this is mainly determined by the price of the drill. More expensive drills are more condensed, and despite large battery packs, can weigh in at as little as 2lbs, while cheaper drills usually tip the scales towards 5lbs.
- Power. Chances are, if you’re just using your drill for day-to-day tasks, power won’t be much of a factor for you, but if you’re taking on heavier-duty projects, you may want to consider how much power your drill can develop. This is measured for drill drivers in “Inch Pounds” (in-lb) and usually ranges from 100-250 in drill drivers. As a rule, more expensive drills deliver more torque, and vice-versa.
Top 10 12v Drills Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Max Inch-Lbs Torque | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. DEWALT DCD710S2 12-Volt Max 3/8-Inch Drill Driver Kit | 220 | $ | 4.7 |
  | 2. Makita CT232 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit | 250 | $$ | 4.8 |
| 3. Bosch PS31-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion 3/8-Inch 2-Speed Drill/Driver Kit | 264 | $$$$ | 4.8 |
| 4. Makita FD07R1 12V MAX CXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Driver-Drill Kit | 280 | $$$ | 4.7 |
| 5. BLACK+DECKER 12V MAX Drill & Home Tool Kit | 144 | $$$ | 4.6 |
| 6. WORKPRO 12V Pink Cordless Drill and Home Tool Kit | 220 | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 7. Bosch CLPK27-120 12V Max 2-Tool Combo Kit | 265 | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 8. SKIL PWRCore 12 Brushless 12V 1/2 Inch Cordless Drill Driver | 350 | $ | 4.7 |
 | 9. Milwaukee 2494-22 M12 Cordless Combination 3/8" Drill / Driver and 1/4" Hex Impact Driver Dual Power Tool Kit | 275 | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 10. SKIL 5-Tool ComboKit: PWRCore 12 Brushless 12V Drill Driver, Impact Driver, Oscillating MultiTool, Area Light and Bluetooth Speaker | 350 | $$$$ | 4.6 |
The Differences Between Voltages – Why Choose 12v?
- All of the products listed above are 12v drills, but you may be curious about the difference between voltages. Basically, it comes down to a tradeoff between power and size/weight.
- There are lighter, smaller drills on the market – usually clocking in at 8 volts or less in power – but these are suitable only for smaller household tasks, and often fall short of developing the power necessary to take on bigger challenges.
- Large, 18v and 20v drills are also available, but these drills are extremely powerful, expensive, and are usually overkill for anybody but a skilled builder, carpenter, or hobbyist.
- 12v drills are the most popular drills on the market because they’re the most diverse, and cover a wide range of applications while still remaining lightweight and convenient to use, as well as remaining relatively inexpensive.
Top 3 Best 12v Drill Reviews
1. DEWALT DCD710S2 Drill Driver Kit
Specifications:
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 7.28 x 1.97 x 7.68 inches
- Weight: 2.43 pounds
- Battery: 2 Lithium-ion batteries
- Warranty: 3 years
While it’s not the most powerful drill on our list, it’s darn close, and the DeWalt DCD710S2 packs many other useful features into a slim, lightweight profile (2.2lbs with battery) that’s easy to use and operate.
Many buyers of this tool note its easy one-handed operation compared to other drills, especially for women, children, and those with smaller hands.
These features include a two-speed transmission for easy torque control, front-facing LED lights for shadow-less operation and high visibility in dark areas, and a built-in belt hook for easy portability and transportation.
This kit comes with a carrying case, two batteries, and a charger – bits will need to be purchased separately, but you can also use any bits you’ve got lying around the house, with the universal 3/8in chuck accepting bits up to 1 inch in diameter.
For all those reasons, it may just be the best 12v drill on the market today.
2. Makita CT232 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit
Specifications:
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 10.95 x 16.46 x 5.98 inches
- Weight: 9.25 pounds
- Battery: 2 Lithium-ion batteries
- Warranty: 3 years
If you need serious power and performance, this 2-piece set from Makita is of great value. It includes both a drill driver and a more powerful impact driver, at a great price.
It also comes with two Lithium-Ion batteries, a carrying case, and a charger.
It includes not only a standard drill driver but also an impact driver – a specialized type of drill meant for only driving screws.
Impact drivers are generally 2-3x more powerful than drill drivers and are handy to have if you’re tackling tough projects.
The drill itself is lightweight, compact, and a pleasure to use, with a keyless chuck design, a lightweight, 2.3lb design, and a comfort grip handle that’s soft and easy to hold and maneuver with only one hand, and performs at a peak of over 250in-lbs of torque.
The impact driver is a similar size and shape but delivers 4 times the amount of torque the drill/driver does – 970lb-in of torque. This makes it appropriate for heavy-duty jobs, like drilling deck screws and driving screws deeply into tough wood.
Because you get both of these devices for a great price, this drill kit earns top marks for us, and it’s a great choice if you’re transitioning into some more heavy-duty tasks, and need a great deal on some top-notch tools.
3. Bosch PS31-2A Lithium-Ion 2-Speed Drill/Driver Kit
Specifications:
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 12.8 inches x 9.8 inches x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 4.73 pounds
- Battery: 2 Lithium-ion batteries
- Warranty: 1 year
The main draw of this Bosch drill/driver over our other choices is its incredible torque based on the size of the drill (it’s small).
Only 7 inches long, and weighing in at 2.14 lbs – the lightest out of our top 3 drills – this drill/driver manages to develop 264 lb-in of torque, which is more than any other driver on our list.
The easy-to-use variable speed setting allows total control over the power, too, with a low-torque and high-torque option, so you never have to worry about applying more power than you need to.
The included kit comes with the drill/driver, a carrying case, two batteries, and a battery charger – bits are not included.
If you need an ultra-compact, high-quality, powerful drill/driver, this is the choice for you. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny.
Conclusion
We hope this quick article has helped you learn a bit more about power drills, what they’re used for, and how to choose the best 12v drill for your specific needs.
By reading our reviews, buying information, and taking a look at our table of products above, we’re sure you’ll be able to pick out a great drill, perfect for your purposes – whether you’re improving your home, starting a new hobby, or just need a drill for everyday tasks.
