Your First Cordless Drill: Voltage, Clutch Settings, and What You Actually Need

Hanging a shelf, putting together a bookcase, fixing a loose cabinet hinge. Most jobs around the house come down to making a hole or driving a screw, and a cordless drill does both faster than any hand tool. It is the one power tool most homes should own, and it is also one of the most confusing to shop for.

Spec sheets are full of volts, torque settings, and motor types. The truth is that most people do not need the most powerful model. They need one that is comfortable to hold, charges fast, and has enough control not to strip the next screw.

Top Cordless Drills

Drill driver, hammer drill, or impact driver

A drill driver is the standard cordless drill. It drills holes in wood, plastic, drywall, and light metal, and it drives screws. For most homes, this is the right tool.

A hammer drill adds a pounding action that helps it bore into brick, concrete, and masonry. If you plan to mount things on brick walls or concrete, you will want one. Otherwise, it adds weight and cost you will not use.

An impact driver is built for driving long screws and bolts with lots of force. It is great for decks and framing, but it uses a hex chuck and is not ideal for drilling precise holes. Many people add one later as a second tool.

Voltage and power

Cordless drills are usually sold as 8V, 12V, or 20V. Lower voltage models are lighter and smaller, and they are perfect for furniture assembly, picture hanging, and small repairs. 20V models have more power for larger holes, harder wood, and long screws, and they are the most common choice for a first all-around drill.

Brushless motors are another step up. They run cooler, last longer, and get more work out of each battery charge than brushed motors. They usually cost more, but for someone who drills often, the extra runtime is worth it.

The features that make a drill easy to use

Clutch settings. The numbered ring behind the chuck sets how much force the drill applies before it slips. Low numbers are for small screws in soft material, higher numbers for bigger screws. This is what keeps you from stripping screw heads or driving them too deep.

Two speeds. A low speed gives more control and force for driving screws. A high speed is better for drilling holes. Most 20V drills have a switch on top to choose.

Chuck size. A 3/8-inch chuck is common on lighter drills and handles most household bits. A 1/2-inch chuck holds larger bits and is standard on more powerful models.

LED light and weight. A light near the chuck helps inside cabinets and closets. And weight matters more than you would think, especially when you are working overhead.

All-around 20V drills

This DEWALT kit is the top seller in drill drivers. It is a compact 20V drill with two speeds (up to 450 and up to 1,500 rpm) and a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck. It is aimed at home repairs, DIY, and light construction in wood, plastic, and light metal. The maker notes that it is not meant for drilling into concrete or masonry.

The brushless version adds more runtime per charge. It is 7.6 inches from front to back, so it fits into tight spaces, and it has an LED light that stays on for 20 seconds after you release the trigger. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.

CRAFTSMAN's V20 drill driver is another solid first drill. It has a 1/2-inch keyless chuck, two speeds, an LED light, and a charger that the maker says fills the included battery in 60 minutes or less. It also comes with a three-year limited warranty.

Target carries a 24V option from Greenworks. It is a brushless drill driver with a 1/2-inch keyless ratcheting chuck, two speeds, up to 1,450 rpm and 400 in-lbs of torque, and 18 clutch settings plus a drill setting. It comes with a 2Ah battery and charger, and that battery also runs the other tools in the brand's 24V POWERALL line, from mowers to vacuums.

Kits for beginners

BLACK+DECKER's 20V kit is popular because it comes with 100 bits and accessories, so you have what you need right away. It has a 24-position clutch for control and a soft-grip handle. The battery also fits other tools in the same POWERCONNECT line, which saves money if you add a sander or trimmer later.

AVID POWER sells its 20V drill as a beginner set for people who use a drill a few times a month. The battery has a built-in charge display, and there are 15 clutch settings plus a drill setting. The maker recommends charging the battery fully when it arrives and topping it up every three months when it is stored.

If you like the idea of a kit but want a brushless motor, Home Depot sells a newer BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX drill driver and accessory kit. It comes with a 2.0Ah battery and charger, and the listing says the brushless motor gives 39% more power and 48% longer runtime, with about 92 holes per charge.

Batteries and bits

Batteries are where drill costs add up. Many brands sell tools bare, without a battery, for people who already own their battery system. If you are starting from scratch, buy a kit with a battery and charger included. Two batteries are a real upgrade, since you can keep working while one charges.

Lithium-ion batteries last longest when they are not stored empty or left in a hot car. Charge them before a long break and keep them indoors.

The bits that come in a starter kit are usually fine to start with. Over time, it is worth buying a good set of screwdriver bits, since cheap ones wear out and slip. Use wood bits for wood, twist bits for metal, and masonry bits only with a hammer drill.

Small drills for light jobs

For people who mostly assemble furniture and hang pictures, a small 8V drill may be all you need. This DEKOPRO drill has a 3/8-inch keyless chuck, a variable speed trigger up to 800 rpm, and a built-in LED, and comes with 42 accessories. It is made for wood, plastic, and screws, not for masonry or concrete.

A step up in voltage but still light on the wallet, Walmart's Hyper Tough 20V brushless drill driver comes with a 1.5Ah battery that charges from a USB-C cable. It is a single-speed drill with an LED light and a belt clip. The listing is upfront that it is meant for DIY projects and home repairs and may not be strong enough for masonry or thick metal.

Tips for your first projects

Start with a pilot hole when driving screws into hardwood or near the edge of a board. A pilot hole is a small hole, a bit narrower than the screw, that keeps the wood from splitting and makes the screw go in straight. For drywall, use wall anchors rated for the weight you are hanging, or better yet, find a stud.

Set the clutch low and work up. Drive a test screw into a scrap piece first. If the clutch clicks before the screw is flush, turn it up one or two numbers. If the screw sinks too deep, turn it down. After a few tries you will get a feel for it.

Mark your spot with a pencil, and start the drill slowly so the bit does not wander across the surface. A piece of painter's tape over the mark helps on tile and glossy surfaces.

Use it safely

Wear safety glasses. OSHA requires eye protection for workers using power tools, and the same habit makes sense at home, since chips and dust can fly into your eyes. Tie back long hair and avoid loose sleeves near the chuck.

Before drilling into a wall, check for wires and pipes. A stud finder with a wire detection mode helps. Clamp small pieces rather than holding them in your hand. Let the drill do the work instead of forcing it, and hold it firmly with both hands for large holes, since a bit that catches can twist the drill in your grip. Remove the battery before changing bits.

Which one to pick

For most homes, a 20V drill driver with two speeds, a clutch, and a battery included is the best choice. If you drill often, a brushless model is worth the extra money. For furniture and picture hanging only, an 8V or 12V drill is lighter and cheaper. And if you want a kit with everything in one box, pick one with a bit set included. Whatever you choose, a good drill will pay for itself the first time you avoid calling a handyman for a simple job.

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