10 Best Budget Cordless Drills under $100 – Top Picks & Reviews in 2024
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Did you know that over half of Americans own at least five power tools? While that might sound all well and good, you might also wonder how they manage to collect so many awesome tools without breaking the bank.
The answer is budget-friendly power tools, like some of the best budget cordless drills under $100. Not only are these affordable, but they’re oftentimes just as good as their more expensive counterparts.
Our in-depth reviews will showcase a handful of top cordless drills that are functional, versatile, and affordable, even for those on a tight budget. Let’s dive in.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024:
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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BLACK+DECKER LDX120C MAX Cordless Drill |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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DEWALT DCD771C2 MAX Cordless Drill |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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BLACK+DECKER LD120VA MAX Cordless Drill |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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KIMO Cordless Drill Driver Kit |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Avid Power MW316 MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Budget Cordless Drills under $100:
1. BLACK+DECKER LDX120C Cordless Drill – Best Overall
Few cordless drills provide the versatility and ease of use as the BLACK+DECKER LDX120C. Take the clutch, which comes with 11 positions, and you’ll be able to drill into any material you can imagine, including wood and metal. More importantly, the varied clutch will ensure you don’t accidentally strip screws. The drill also comes with a variable speed setting that gives you the fine control you need to accomplish precise construction tasks.
We also like that the drill can be purchased with various accessories, like a stick vacuum or a screwdriver set with a whopping 109 pieces! This is valuable since it allows you to spend money only on what you need instead of buying a full kit with tools you’ll never use.
Other advantages bring it up even higher to our number one spot, including a long-lasting lithium-ion battery. This will allow you to use the cordless drill for longer sessions without having to recharge it. All in all, it’s affordable, versatile, and lightweight enough at just 3.15 pounds that we think it’ll serve as an ideal cordless drill for just about everyone.
- Very easy to handle
- Variable speeds and clutch settings
- Good battery
- Multiple accessories available for purchase
- Power is too low for some jobs
- Chuck quality could be better
2. DEWALT DCD771C2 MAX Cordless Drill
The Dewalt DCD771C2 MAX Cordless Drill just sneaks in under $100, but it comes with a lot in the purchase. The drill has a great motor and a high-speed transmission that can oscillate between 450 and 1500 RPM, depending on your needs. Furthermore, it comes with a comfortable and ergonomic handle, plus a relatively high-performance motor that can produce up to 300W of power. It is easy to use and comfortable for home hobbies or small-scale construction.
Beyond the drill, the Dewalt comes with two lithium-ion batteries instead of one, plus the requisite charging station to keep things powered up at all times. This means you can always have a battery charging while the other is in use. When you run out of power with one battery, swap them out, and you can keep drilling. This is very convenient.
You’ll also get a carrying bag for the drill. The biggest downside here is that the chuck, which is ostensibly supposed to provide good gripping strength, weakens over time. Still, it’s one of the best budget cordless drills under $100 for the money when you consider the accessories you get and the general ergonomics of the drill.
- Very comfortable to hold thanks to the ergonomic handle
- Comes with two batteries and charging station, plus a bag
- Good motor power for small jobs
- Lightweight at just over 3 pounds
- Chuck weakens consistently
- Each battery lasts about 30-45 minutes
3. BLACK+DECKER LD120VA MAX Cordless Drill
Another product from BLACK+DECKER, the LD120VA MAX Cordless Drill is incredibly affordable and ideal for many home maintenance tasks. It falls just short of the top two slots because of its power, or lack thereof; users may find it difficult to use this drill to force screws into anything harder than drywall.
However, the drill is a perfect choice for softer wood, some types of plastic, and similar materials. It comes with a long-lasting lithium-ion battery, plus 30 included accessories; there are enough bits and drivers for most maintenance or repair tasks you can imagine. The drill is also equipped with a magnetic bit holder that makes slotting new ones into place quick and easy.
The drill also comes with 24 clutch settings, so tasks requiring extra care to prevent stripping of the screws should be more than manageable. Variable speed settings of up to 750 RPM mean you can go as fast or carefully as the current job requires. Altogether, it’s the cordless drill with the most value for money, as long as you don’t need to drill into anything too tough.
- Long but balanced grip makes it easy to hold
- Comes with 30 accessories
- Has good speed and clutch settings
- Comes with magnetic bit tip holder for ease-of-use
- Power is lacking for harder materials
4. KIMO Cordless Drill Driver Kit
The KIMO Cordless Drill Driver Kit is a more advanced pick than the last drill and a little pricier. Of particular note are the built-in LED lights at the front of the drill that will help you see screws in dark or cramped spots. It comes with an all-copper motor as well that can provide up to 330 inch-pounds of torque, so it’s suitable for drilling through or screwing through most materials except for the hardest wood and metal.
It has two-speed settings between 350 and 1350 RPM, plus a variable clutch for added user precision and safety. The drill is quite compact and only weighs 2.2 pounds, making it one of the lightest and easiest cordless drills to use on the market.
With all these positives, the downsides are also notable. The KIMO suffers from a sparking motor that’s impossible to ignore every time you turn it on. Furthermore, the battery’s maximum capacity can deplete quickly after 6 months, necessitating a replacement. Still, it’s an overall solid tool with a lot of value for those who hate handling flashlights and drills simultaneously.
- Comes with 46 accessories, including bits, a charger, and a carrying bag
- Very lightweight
- Has LED lights on the front for illumination in dark environments
- Good torque for most drilling tasks
- Battery may not last beyond 6 months
- Motor sometimes sparks when starting
5. Avid Power MW316 MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill
The Avid Power MW316 is another LED-light-equipped drill featuring a shining spotlight at the end of the drill’s nose to illuminate any dark working areas. It’s not the fastest drill on the market, with speeds between 0 and 550 RPM. But more importantly, the drill comes with an electric brake that can help you avoid stripping screws or drilling them too tightly.
It’s an altogether ergonomic drill with a rubber-covered handle that’s comfortable, and that makes the drill difficult to drop, even if you get sweaty palms. An adjustable clutch with 16 positions is also included, adding more precision functionality to its design. The lithium-ion battery is also notable since it comes with a USB port; you can use this to charge your mobile phone or another device. It’s an odd inclusion, but certainly welcome in a pinch.
Beyond these aspects, it comes with 22 excellent accessories, including several bits and screws. The most important of these is the flexible shaft that will let you drill (albeit slowly) into hard-to-reach places, like corners. But the flexible shaft is quite vulnerable to being broken, and many attachments are similarly cheap. Perhaps it’s to be expected for the low asking price. All in all, it’s a solid budget-friendly choice as long as you don’t expect it to last for years.
- Good rubber grip
- Has flexible shaft for hard-to-reach places
- Has LED lights for illumination
- Battery comes with USB port for charging phones
- Attachments are fragile
- Power could be a bit better
6. Bosch PS31-2A Power Tools Cordless Drill Kit
The Bosch PS31-2A weighs just over 2 pounds, so it’s one of the lightest drills on the market. Even with this small size, it can drill between 350 and 1300 RPM and has over 20 clutch settings. Versatility and customizability are hallmarks of the Bosch drill, and it’s a great pick for precise home maintenance or light construction jobs.
The drill also comes with a pair of 12V lithium-ion batteries and a charger. This lets you keep using the drill by swapping between the batteries as they run out, lowering your potential downtime.
Even though it’s one of the smaller drills you can find, it can provide decent torque in part thanks to the automatically locking chuck that stops bits from falling out too easily. It’s also a pretty easy drill to use, with the variable speed settings operating based on how hard you pull the trigger. The biggest downside we noticed was that swapping out the batteries could be tricky. The drill’s battery slot is a bit too tight for comfort. Other than that, it’s a quality piece of hardware with a well-made carrying case included in the purchase.
- Very small, ideal for smaller hands
- Easy to control speed settings
- Has locking chuck to secure bits
- Comes with two batteries and a carrying case
- Swapping batteries is often difficult
7. WORX WX176L Switchdriver 2-in-1 Cordless Drill
The WORX WX176L is one of the most innovative devices on the market. The head has two noses, so you can swap between two different bits instantly. This multiuse functionality makes it a perfect all-in-one tool for home repair specialists. Swapping between the heads is as simple as pressing a button on the drill’s handle.
It’s even great for preventing screws from being stripped, thanks to an automatic torque control that kicks in when things get dicey. Like practically all cordless drills, this model comes with two speeds. But it also comes with LED work lights that activate automatically as soon as you pull the trigger.
With all these positives, there are a few negatives. The charger doesn’t automatically stop charging when an inserted battery is full. So, remember to take it out promptly. Then we also discovered that the drill bits aren’t very high-quality and are susceptible to breaking. Still, this drill’s innovative design and easy controls make it a solid choice for many.
- Has flipping head that can hold two bits/screws at once
- LED lights turn on automatically when drilling
- Has auto-torque stop function to prevent stripping
- Included bits aren’t that great
- Charger can over-charge the battery
- Power isn’t good enough for harder woods/metal
- Nose swapping can make it hard to use in compact environments
See Also:
8. PORTER-CABLE PCC606LA Cordless Drill
This PORTER-CABLE PCC606LA 20V drill is designed like a high-powered tool in a compact frame. It can go up to 1600 RPM, but you’ll definitely feel it struggle a bit with harder types of wood. It comes with a 330W motor and a metal ratcheting chuck, which stops bits from falling out too easily.
It comes with a battery and a charger that takes about 4 hours to refill the battery from zero. But it also comes with a battery fuel gauge, so you’re never surprised about running out of battery, which is a nice added factor. An LED work light is included for added illumination in dark environments.
Aside from the issues mentioned above with power, the drill is also susceptible to overheating, which can cause a nasty burning smell to emanate from the motor. The battery also doesn’t last too long. But it’ll still be a great choice for those who need a functional drill for an affordable price, as well as one that doesn’t drop drill bits all that often.
- Has very secure ratcheting chuck
- Includes battery life indicator
- Decent speed settings for softer materials
- Motor isn’t powerful enough for harder materials
- Motor sometimes overheats
- Not very comfortable to hold
9. CRAFTSMAN CMCD700C1 Cordless Drill
This CRAFTSMAN CMCD700C1 Cordless Drill is functional and affordable but, for the asking price, doesn’t include as many accessories or extra bits as we’d expect. It only comes with a single bit that is admittedly not that great, so you’ll need to supplement from other kits or previous tools. It provides 20V of power while weighing 5.2 pounds, and it’s one of the heavier budget-friendly cordless drills on the market.
It comes with two-speed settings, with 1500 RPM as the max. An additional keyless chuck makes it easy to change bits, but it’s not very secure, and you may find yourself fumbling to replace dropped bits more often than not. The drill has a handy LED light to improve visibility and a hanging hook that makes storing the drill in your garage or even under a desk fairly easy.
The handle is rubberized to make it difficult to drop, which is more likely considering the fatigue your wrist might experience. Overall, it’s not a terrible cordless drill, but there are plenty of better choices above.
- Chuck allows for quick bit swapping
- Rubberized handle for better gripping
- Has LED light to improve illumination
- A little heavier than is comfortable
- Included bit isn’t very good
- Doesn’t come with extra accessories
- Chuck doesn’t hold bits very well
10. Skil DL527502 Cordless Drill Driver
The Skil DL527502 Cordless Drill Driver comes with a battery and charger, but that’s it, except for a basic bit, like the last pick. This is a bit of a downside since it’s also not the most affordable drill on this list. The chuck allows for fast bit changing but doesn’t grip them as well as we’d like.
The high or low-speed controls are functional, if not all that impressive. More interesting is the LED direction indicator that tells you whether you are screwing forward or backward. This feature is mostly useful for beginners that don’t have a lot of experience with power drills, but it’s not a bad thing to include for anyone. An additional LED light on the front activates whenever you press the trigger and stays active for 10 seconds after releasing the trigger.
The battery has decent life, and if you need to drill something quickly but forgot to recharge the battery beforehand, it only needs to sit in the charger for 5 minutes before it’s ready to go for a short session. Recharging the battery to full takes several hours, however. The drill also weighs over 4 pounds, which is not nearly as light as many other drills we’ve seen so far. As with the last pick, the Skil drill isn’t the worst drill on the market, but there are certainly better choices available.
- Has LED lights on front and for indicating direction
- Chuck lets you change bits fast
- Not as light as we’d like
- Battery takes a long time to recharge to full
- Bit included isn’t very good
Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Budget Cordless Drill under $100
Cheap cordless drills are fantastic power tools that are suitable for a variety of maintenance and construction tasks. Their smaller-than-average size and temporary power make them better for home repair or construction hobbies than as dedicated power tools at a construction site, though they can serve there as well, provided they have a powerful enough motor.
Are Cordless Drills Worth Your Time and Money?
Absolutely. Cordless drills provide versatility and ease of use that their corded counterparts can’t match. Cordless drills work by drawing power from portable batteries that are slotted into their handles. These batteries are almost universally lithium-ion varieties, meaning they should last for at least 6 months, even with repeated draining and recharging.
The portable battery design means that there are a few drawbacks to these drill types, however. Cordless drills aren’t usually as powerful as corded ones, and they must have their batteries recharged in between multiple sessions.
How Well Do Cordless Drills Work?
Because budget-friendly cordless drills under $100 don’t normally top power over 300-400W, such tools are best used for softer wood materials or certain types of plastic instead of metal. However, some cordless drills can drill through metal with the right bit and torque settings.
We think cordless drills are particularly good for home repairs, like fixing up a busted doorknob or cabinet. They’re also great for putting together furniture or making your own wooden furniture or accessories in a garage workshop. Again, softer wood is normally better since these drills can’t provide as much juice as corded ones in many cases.
What to Look For in a Great Cordless Drill under $100
Cordless drills feature various power and speed settings, which vary significantly between brands. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you browse before buying.
Power
Power plays a big role in a drill’s performance. More power means that a drill can screw a bit into a material with more force, so it’ll be better for harder materials like some types of metal. Keep in mind that more powerful drills take bigger batteries and may drain those batteries more quickly, as well as be heavier.
Speed/Torque Settings
Most electric corded drills come with variable speed and torque or “chuck” settings. Speed settings allow you to screw or unscrew things with more or less precision, while torque settings are important to prevent you from stripping screws or drilling things too roughly. More settings are almost always better since it offers you, the user, better control and precision.
LED Lights
The best cordless drills under $100 will often include LED lights on the front by the chuck. This illuminates your immediate environment and can help you see a screw or drill hole that’s otherwise shadowed. The lights activate as soon as you pull the trigger.
Weight and Ergonomics
Lighter drills with more comfortable handles will be better for longer drilling sessions. Lighter drills are also better if you have smaller hands or wrists. Heavier drills can quickly become a pain to use, so aim for cordless drills around 3 pounds or less for maximum comfort.
Battery Life
Most cordless drill batteries will last 30 minutes to an hour of consistent drilling. Anything less isn’t worth your time. Additionally, most cordless drills come with the chargers they need in the purchase. If you want to minimize your downtime during DIY projects, look at drills like the Dewalt DCD771C2 MAX, which includes two batteries in the purchase; this allows you to swap between charged batteries over and over without having to stop.
Included Accessories
Lastly, consider whether a drill comes with extra accessories like a carrying bag or, more importantly, extra drill bits and screws. You can tackle several projects when you have multiple bits at your disposal, and we prefer budget-friendly drills that come with more than just a standard low-quality bit.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, these budget cordless drill reviews emphasize one thing; you really can find quality without spending too much money. For instance, the BLACK+DECKER LDX120C MAX Cordless Drill is easily one of the best power drills on the market. The Dewalt DCD771C2 MAX Cordless Drill shows that, for less than $100, you can buy a cordless drill that will last for a long time and let you complete all your light construction or DIY home projects with ease.
Hopefully, at least one of the cordless drills has caught your eye. We think many of these models are powerful enough for everyday repairs and worth your time and money.
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