Even though we go cordless much of the time, especially for everyday jobs, several experts suggest keeping a corded drill around — even if sometimes lives at the bottom of your toolbox.
While a cordless one is in my utility vehicle for when I fix fences or do other far-away tasks, I still use the corded one I got from my grandfather a couple decades ago while I’m working in my shop. I still see a lot of value in it, and I’m not alone. The site Toolguyd offers five reasons why you should keep your corded drill:
- Higher Top Speeds
- Always Ready and Infinite Power
- Ergonomics
- Keyed Chucks
- Long-Term Economy
So if you want to keep a new corded drill handy, or simply need to update the one you have, here are some of the best corded drills (for a reasonable price) we’ve come across:
$119 — DEWALT VSR Pistol Grip Corded Electric Drill
- 1,250 RPM motor with overload protection
- Metal gear housing
- Soft-grip handle and two-finger trigger for comfort and versatility
- Spade bit drilling applications in wood up to 1 1/2in.
- Self-feed bit drilling applications in wood up to 2 9/16in.
- Hole saw drilling applications in wood up to 3 5/8in.
- Auger bit drilling applications in wood up to 1 1/2in.
- Twist bit drilling applications in steel up to 1/2in.
- Hole saw drilling applications in steel up to 2in.
One review to rule them all: i needed a new drill and decided that i wanted to upgrade to one that has more power. this drill has all the power i need and then some. i do a bit of metal work and found my old drill lacking in torque, not this one. if you need a drill in your workshop then this is the one for you. if plan on hooking up an extension cord and carrying/using this thing around the house all day than i would go for something smaller or cordless. i do notice the weight if i have been using it for awhile but i knew that it was heavier than the others i looked at when i bought it. to me it’s is a small price to pay to only have one drill in my work area.
$209.99 — Milwaukee Corded Electric Drill
- 7.0 Amp, 1,000 RPM
- 1/2in. capacity in steel
- Trigger speed control and reversing
- Double-gear reduction
- Includes chuck key and rubber flex holder
One review to rule them all: I do a lot of new electrical construction and this drill has the power to bore some large hole. Squeeze the trigger and hang on.
$140.98 — Makita 6302H 1/2-Inch Drill, Variable Speed, Reversible
- Powerful 6.5 AMP motor for heavy duty continuous work
- Variable speed (0-550 RPM) for drilling in a wide variety of materials
- Heavy duty 1/2″” drill chuck
- Compact with less weight (4.8 lbs.)
- Large and conveniently located reversing switch and lock-on button
- Large 2-position side handle for increased operator comfort and control
- Convenient belt clip
One review to rule them all: My previous Makita drill of similar model died after about 15 years of frequent use. I did not hesitate to buy this one. This one seems just as strong and solid as the older model, something that can’t always be said for tools these days. One little improvement is that this one can hold on to a 1/16th” bit. Plenty of power for big jobs. I always preferred drills with 1/2″ capacity and the power that comes with them.
$39.98 — SKIL 6445-04 7.0 Amp 1/2 In. Hammer Drill
- Powerful 7.0 amp motor for tough applications
- Affordable price point
- 1/2 in. keyed chuck to accept large diameter bits designed for woodworking and cutting
- Side assist handle for controlled, accurate drilling
- Variable Speed trigger for controlled drilling speed
One review to rule them all: For the price I expected a low build quality suitable for light duty masonry drilling. But I was pleasantly surprised. The gearbox cover and depth guage were both metal when I expected plastic. The drill cord features an integrated chuck keeper, an unexpected organizing feature. Now the handle has raised plastic squares that fit into metal slots on the drill to hold it in the user selected position. This interface, with a soft part mating with such a hard channel, is an obvious area to watch for future failure. But I still expect to get a long useful life from the handle. It is certainly better than a friction only handle mount. Additionally the handle screws together in a tool free way, so adjusting the position is convenient.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
