5 Best Right Angle Drills 2024 – Reviews & Buying Guide
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Not all right-angle drills are made the same. However, if you shop online, you might get the impression that they’re all made extremely well, which logic and experience dictate isn’t the case.
If you want to really understand right-angle drills before you buy, make sure you check out our reviews of the best right-angle drills on the market today. We cover the good and the bad on each model so that you can make a well-informed decision. We also give you some tips on finding the best value for your money, so that you walk away with a deal you can be happy with.
Comparison Table (Updated in 2024)
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
DEWALT DCD740C1 |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Best corded right angle drill
|
Makita DA3010F |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value
|
Bosch PS11BN |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
|
Ryobi P241 One+ |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
|
Neiko 10529A |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 5 Best Right Angle Drills
1. DEWALT DCD740C1 Right Angle Drill – Best Overall
The DEWALT DCD740C1 Cordless Right Angle Drill, our pick for the best right angle drill, is the model you want to get if you’re going to be working in a lot of tight spaces and need superior power. This model measures only four inches from front to back, making it one of the most compact right-angle drills you can find on the market today. It also weighs less than four pounds, making it a tool that won’t wear you out, even if you’re using it all day. The DEWALT 20V battery line is excellent, and you should get many hours of use out of this drill without having to recharge.
It also comes with two-speed settings. You can go with the low-torque, high-speed setting for simple tasks, or bear down with the high-torque, low-speed setting for when you need the extra power to get the job done. The only downside to this model is that it’s a bit pricey. You do get a case and a battery for the price, but it would be nice to see a second battery or another bonus included at its current price point. Still, if you’re willing to pay a premium for quality, this is the model you’ll want.
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Good battery life
- Two speeds
- Pricey
2. Makita DA3010F – Best Corded Right Angle Drill
The Makita DA3010F comes with a cord, which limits your mobility, but it works so well that it’s nothing short of the best corded right-angle drill on our list. It comes with a great LED light which does a great job of illuminating the area in which you’re trying to work. This can be invaluable in tight spaces, as you sometimes can’t get a good angle with an external flashlight. It also comes with a detachable handle, which you can use for superior control when you have a little extra space and will be working at a very high torque or speed.
This model includes a speed limiter, which keeps you from overtightening fasteners, and makes it easier to use this model with just one hand. As you may have guessed, this model has one of the most powerful motors on our list, making it a great choice for people who need a lot of power in their right-angle drills. If this model were cordless, it could easily rise to first, but the inconvenience of a cord in tight spaces is enough to drop this model to second. Still, many people will like using it despite the cord.
- LED light
- Includes detachable handle
- Speed limiter
- Great power
- Corded
3. Bosch PS11BN Right Angle Drill – Best Value
If you need good power, but don’t want to pay too much for a great right-angle drill, then the Bosch PS11BN is the best right angle drill for the money. It weighs less than three pounds, which is light enough that you might forget you’re carrying it around. It also comes with an adjustable head that you can set to one of five different points between 90 and 180 degrees, making it one of the most flexible drills in its class. It also comes with a variable-speed trigger, which gives you an added element of control for tough drilling jobs.
However, the best thing about this model is its price. You can get it for about half of what you’d pay for the top two models on our list, making it the “best for the money” drill on our list. However, it doesn’t come with a nice case or a battery. For some people, the lack of a case will be a deal-breaker. Others will already own a Bosch 12-Volt Max battery and will get a ton of extra value when they add this bare tool to their arsenal. Overall, this is a good tool available at a great price.
- Very lightweight
- Adjustable head
- Variable-speed trigger
- Great price
- Battery not included
4. Ryobi P241 One+ Drill (Right-Angled)
The Ryobi P241 One+ 18 Volt is a good choice for around-the-house work, and for people who already own at least one battery from the Ryobi 18 Volt line. This right-angle drill comes with a longer neck than most, giving more reach, which can be very useful in tight spaces. It also comes with a great LED light which does a good job of illuminating the area in which you’re working. Also included is a magnetic bit holder, which gives you a way to keep your extra bits handy without holding them or putting them in your pocket. Even though that sounds like a small feature, it’s one of those that you’ll find yourself using over and over.
However, this model lacks a battery. If you already own at least one from the Ryobi 18 Volt line, then you should be okay. If you don’t, the price goes up on this model significantly. This model also lacks a clutch. That means it’s not well suited to very tough jobs, as you won’t be able to increase the torque that this model puts out. For home use, that’s typically not a problem, but many people will need more power.
- Longer neck
- LED light
- Magnetic bit holder
- No battery included
- No clutch
5. Neiko 10529A Right-Angle Drill
The Neiko 10529A isn’t the most powerful right-angle drill on the market, but it has found a niche in which it can be useful, even if most people won’t have a use for it. The weird, 55-degree angle is going to throw most people off. However, the location of the trigger made possible by this angle makes many people feel like they have good control and creates a very comfortable grip. It also makes this model very good for sanding and provides a nice mix of power and precision in that capacity.
Unfortunately, this model uses a keyed chuck. That’s inconvenient and unnecessary. In this day and age, it’s a pretty inexcusable flaw and one that will slow you down if you ever have to change bits. This model is also corded, which offsets some of the usefulness that you gain from its compact size. You shouldn’t expect this model to have the best power on the market, but it does perform well in light-duty situations. For the price, it’s not a bad deal, but its keyed chuck, cord, and lack of high-end power mean that it can rise no higher than last place on our list.
- 55-degree angle
- Comfortable
- Good for sanding
- Keyed chuck
- Corded
In Conclusion
The DEWALT DCD740C1 Cordless Right Angle Drill is our pick for the best right angle drill, as it comes with a compact and lightweight frame, and a good battery life. The Makita DA3010F features an LED light and a detachable handle, but its cord costs it the top spot. The Bosch PS11BN is lightweight, comes with an adjustable head and a variable-speed trigger, and since you can get if, for a fraction of what you’d pay for the top models on our list, it’s the best right angle drill for the money. The Ryobi P241 One+ 18 Volt has a longer neck and an LED light, but its lack of battery and a clutch drop it to fourth place. The Neiko 10529A is comfortable and good for sanding, but its keyed chuck and cord mean it can rise no higher than last place.
We hope that our reviews have given you some insight into what makes for a great right angle drill and what makes for a model you should avoid.
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