8 Best Cordless Drills Under $150

There are all kinds of reasons to buy a cordless drill: adding shelving in a closet, assembling mail-order furniture, or simply making holes and driving screws with speed and minimal effort. How much to spend depends largely on the intended use. Bigger holes or screws need bigger bits, which require more torque -- in other words, a more powerful and costly drill. That said, Cheapism.com's research into cordless drills under $150 found that the best ones have enough power to handle most home and DIY tasks. Here are eight worth considering.

Good Cordless Drill Under $150
Price: $73 | Buy it from Lowe's

Pros:
- Enough power for household tasks.
- Award-winning design accommodates 2 bits at a time and switches from drill to driver with a push of a button.
- 2 speeds.
- LED work light.
- Comes with 2 batteries, 2 drill bits, and 1 screwdriver bit.
- Batteries fit other Worx DIY power and yard tools.

Cons:
- Removing the battery can be tricky, according to online reviews.
- Bits occasionally slip out of the chuck.
- Not enough torque, some users say.
- No battery-level indicator.

Takeaway: The 20-volt Worx WX176L is the most innovative drill on our list, with its dual-chuck design. Reviewers laud this convenience, saying it makes the drill a snap to use. It isn't as powerful as many of the other drills we picked, but a vast majority of users give it an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Good Cordless Drill Under $150
Price: $50 | Buy it on Amazon

Pros:
- Very budget-friendly price.
- Suitable for simple home tasks.
- Battery recharges in less than 2 hours and holds a charge for up to 18 months.
- Built-in LED work light.
- Comes with a double-ended bit.

Cons:
- Torque is not sufficient for heavier jobs.
- Only 1 speed and fewer clutch settings than the competition.
- Tightening the chuck can be a challenge.
- Comes with only 1 battery.

Takeaway: The 20-volt Black & Decker LDX120C isn't especially powerful, but the long battery life and low price make this model a decent choice for infrequent use. Lightweight and straightforward, this drill is easy for non-DIY types to master.

Good Cordless Drill Under $150
Price: $89 | Buy it from Lowe's

Pros:
- Works well for small and large projects, according to reviews.
- Battery recharges quickly.
- 2 speeds.
- Built-in battery-level indicator and LED work light.
- Comes with 2 batteries, screwdriving bit, and a bag for storage and transport.
- 3-year limited warranty plus 1 year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Cons:
- Handle is uncomfortable, users report.
- Trigger can be a little too touchy, reviews say.

Takeaway: The 20-volt Porter-Cable PCC601LB is good for nearly any task thrown at it, from repairing fencing to building a metal shed. This powerful drill is tough enough for professional use but compact enough for DIYers. Quick recharge and dual speeds make it user-friendly, although the ergonomics garner some complaints.

Best 20-Volt Cordless Drill Under $150
Price: $99 | Buy it on Amazon

Pros:
- Sufficient torque for just about every task.
- Batteries recharge quickly, in about 30 minutes.
- 2 speeds.
- LED work light.
- Comes with 2 batteries and a bag.
- No. 1 best seller on Amazon with an average of 4.6 stars from more than 2,600 reviews.
- 3-year limited warranty plus 1 year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Cons:
- Some users report that the chuck gets loose when the trigger is released, causing the bit to fall out.

Takeaway: Dewalt enjoys an excellent reputation for power tools, and the DCD771C2 cordless drill is no exception. It's solid yet lightweight, and its raw power earns kudos from users. This 20-volt model is big on overall value.

Best 18-Volt Cordless Drill Under $150
Price: $99 | Buy it on Amazon

Pros:
- Well balanced and easy to use.
- Strong battery life.
- 2 speeds.
- LED work light.
- Comes with 2 batteries, screwdriving bit, and bag.

Cons:
- Several reviewers say it wore out in a year or so with steady use.
- Not quite enough power for every task.

Takeaway: Reviewers like the compact, lightweight design of the 18-volt Bosch DDB181-02, which is small enough to use inside a computer case. The long-running battery also merits praise. It's a solid choice for DIY and light professional projects.

Best 12-Volt Cordless Drill Under $150
Price: $141 | Buy it on Amazon

Pros:
- Impressive performance, especially considering the compact and lightweight design.
- Impressive battery life; 1-hour recharge.
- Auto-lock chuck, battery-charge indicator, LED light, and belt hook.
- Comes with 2 batteries and a case.

Cons:
- Uncomfortable grip, some users report.
- Optional bit holder attaches to an awkward spot on the drill and catches on clothing, reviews say.

Takeaway: The 12-volt Bosch PS32-02 costs quite a bit more than most drills we looked at, but it packs a lot of power in a very small package and its performance doesn't falter. Users laud the torque, battery, and light weight.

More Power for the Price
Price: $89 | Buy it on Amazon

Pros:
- Powerful performance and very good battery life.
- 2 speeds.
- LED work light.
- Lightweight but sturdy.
- Comes with a bag, screwdriving bit, and built-in bit holder.

Cons:
- Unusually long recharge (several hours).
- Chuck doesn't always stay tight, users warn.
- Comes with only 1 battery.

Takeaway: With more than 400 in-lbs of torque, the 20-volt Black & Decker BDCDHP220SB-2 is a powerful drill and a good choice for nearly any household job. Make sure the batteries are fully charged beforehand, though, as users report it takes quite a while to juice them up.

Best for Battery Sharing
Price: $99 | Buy it from Home Depot

Pros:
- Sufficient power for most home tasks.
- 2 speeds.
- LED work light.
- Lightweight and comfortable to hold and operate.
- Comes with 2 batteries compatible with other Ryobi One+ tools, plus a bag and magnetic holder for bits and screws.

Cons:
- Could use more torque, reviewers say.
- Mixed reviews for battery life.
- No battery-level indicator.

Takeaway: Part of Ryobi's One+ series of tools that can share batteries, the user-friendly P1811 is a good choice for DIYers. They jump at the chance to get an 18-volt cordless drill and two batteries for about the same price as replacement batteries alone.