If there is a single tool that must be present in every toolbox, it’s an 18V cordless drill. This particular piece of equipment is extremely versatile and can be implemented for the vast majority of DIY repairs. The best cordless drill 18V is also irreplaceable for woodworking, and every contractor definitely needs to have it on hand. To understand just how useful the best 18V cordless drills can be, check out the list of things you can do with it:
- Drilling holes (big and small).
Of course, small holes come from the standard drill bits that come with the best 18V cordless drills, but there are a few extra useful bits available on the market. There are specialty bits that imitate jigsaws but produce higher quality cuts. You can use them to create keyholes or something similar. - Driving everything.
Every cordless drill is a driver in disguise. With the right bits, you can use it to drive any kind of screw or bolt into any material. The reverse speed feature also allows you to unscrew them. - Mixing various substances.
Buy a specialty mixing bit and you’ll be able to effectively mix paint, grount, and even concrete with little effort. However, I wouldn’t advise using even the best cordless drill 18V to mix cocktails. - Sanding curved surfaces.
Mount a sanding drum on your cordless drill and you’ll be able to sand any elaborately curved surface quickly and easily. - Removing rust.
There is a special brush bit that will allow you to remove rust from any metal surface. - Twisting/straightening wires.
Place a bunch of wires into the drill chunk and you’ll have them safely and neatly twisted in a few moments. Similarly, you can use the tool to straighten curved and bent wires.
This list definitely isn’t complete, but it’s enough to prove that the best cordless drill 18V is a must-have tool for every home.
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Why 18V?
The power is the first consideration you will need to make when choosing a drill and there are quite a few options available. These tools range from measly 7V to 24V, but which is the best?
Through research and some practical experimentation I came to the conclusion that 18V is the perfect power for this kind of tool. The main reasons for this are:
- The best 18V cordless drills aren’t heavy.
In the vast majority of cases, bigger voltage implied a larger and/or heavier battery. 18V is the perfect combination of enough power to work efficiently and not enough weight to make the tool uncomfortable to hold. - Perfect efficiency.
An 18V battery holds enough charge to keep you through the vast majority of simple repairs and other common tasks. The best cordless drill 18V has enough power to perform any work these tools are generally capable of. - Reasonable price.
The best 18V cordless drills offer great value for their price.
Of course, power isn’t the only factor you will need to consider when buying a drill. Other important features you’ll need to take into account include speed, gears, additional lights, etc. There are so many characteristics that shopping for the best cordless drill 18V can get very confusing. To make this easier on you, I offer the top of 6 best 18V cordless drills available on the market today. Hopefully, it will help you pick the perfect drill/driver for you.
Comparison List Of Best 18V Cordless Drills
| Picture | Name | Battery type | Origin | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | DEWALT DC970K-2 | NiCAD | USA | $$ | 4.9 |
 | Black & Decker GCO18SFB | NiCAD | China | $ | 4.8 |
 | Hitachi DS18DGL | Lithium-Ion | Not listed | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Makita XPH012 | Lithium-Ion | China | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Hitachi DS18DSAL | Lithium-Ion | China | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | Bosch DDB181-02 | Lithium-Ion | China | $$$ | 4.4 |
Detailed Review Of Best 18V Cordless Drills
1. Dewalt DC970K-2
The DC970K-2 definitely is the best cordless drill 18V on the market. This drill/driver kit contains everything you will need to make a good use of the tool. It’s also very compact and the ergonomic design makes it easy to handle. The tool’s high-performance motor ensures that you will be able to drill/drive through any material. The DC970K-2 features two speed settings (0-450 and 0-1,500 RPM) which allows the user more flexibility when working with different materials and helps increase accuracy.
The reviews of the DC970K-2 prove that it’s one of the best 18V cordless drills one can find today. It’s durable and efficient. The quality of the tool is beyond reproach and there is a great variety of compatible specialty bits you can use to make it even more versatile.
Check out the DC970K-2 Amazon’s price.
2. Black & Decker GCO18SFB
The GCO18SFB is the best cordless drill 18V for those who value convenience and comfort. It’s lightweight and very easy to use. The keyless chuck allows you to change bits quickly and effortlessly. This drill/driver features a 24-position clutch that provides better control of the tool. The variable speed reversing trigger allows you to find the perfect match for any material.
The vast majority of the GCO18SFB reviews are full of praise. People who used it say that it’s a fantastic drill/driver that will meet all your needs as far as DIY repairs go. Using this drill and the best stud finder you can make sure to get the right size hole at the right location.
Take a look at more specs and Amazon’s price for the GCO18SFB.
3. Hitachi DS18DGL
This model from Hitachi is a powerful and efficient tool that will handle anything you can throw at it. The DS18DGL offers 22 torque settings and 2 speeds. This allows you to find the best combination for different jobs and materials. The tool also features a LED light, which makes drilling/driving in hard-to-reach areas much easier. It’s high quality and durability prove that the DS18DGL deserves its place in the list of the best 18V cordless drills.
The reviewers seem to be extremely happy with this tool. The general consensus is that the DS18DGL is the best cordless drill 18V for all types of home repairs, including roofing as it drills/drives through wood and metal with equal efficiency.
Check out more detailed information about the DS18DGL and its price on Amazon.
4. Makita XPH012
The XPH012 is a powerful drill/driver that weighs only 4 pounds. It offers 2 speed settings (0-400 and 0-1,500 RPM) and 480 inch-lbs. of max torque. Therefore, you can use it to drill holes in or drive screws through different types of materials. The XPH012 can boast an ergonomic design that makes it really comfortable to hold the tool.
There can be no doubt that the XPH012 is one of the best 18V cordless drills available today. At least this is what people say about it. There are hundreds of glowing reviews on the tool’s performance and durability.
Take a look at more info and Amazon’s price for the XPH012.
5. Hitachi DS18DSAL
The DS18DSAL is the best cordless drill 18V for those who want to have a reliable and efficient tool in their arsenal. It comes with two high-quality Li-Ion batteries, which hold the charge exceptionally well. Therefore, even the people who need to use the tool often for several hours in a row won’t have to worry about recharging it. The 22-position clutch and 2-speed trigger allow for great accuracy.
According to the vast majority of the reviews, the DS18DSAL is one of the best 18V cordless drills due to its high quality and versatility.
Check out more info and the price for the DS18DSAL on Amazon.
6. Bosch DDB181-02
As far as these tools go, the DDB181-02 is the best cordless drill 18V for simple home repairs. It’s powerful, efficient, and designed with the user’s comfort in mind. It’s one of the most compact drills/drivers you can find today.
The reviews of the DDB181-02 are full of compliments about the quality of this drill/drive. The abundance of positive reviews definitely proves that this tool deserves its place on the best 18V cordless drills list.