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The 7 best cordless drill kits for homeowners, by what is in the box
Updated
Short version: for most homes I'd pick the DEWALT DCD771C2. It has a 1/2 inch chuck, two batteries and a big battery family behind it. If you want brushless and the most battery in the box, look at the Makita XFD131. For light jobs and a light tool, the 12 V class BOSCH PS31-2A carries more battery energy than two of the 20V MAX kits here. For masonry anchors you need the CRAFTSMAN hammer drill, and for decks the DEWALT combo kit.
Not sure which type you need? Run the drill kit checker first.
Quick comparison
| Kit | Tool type | Label | Nominal | Batteries | In the box | Chuck | Brushless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCD771C2 | Drill/driver | 20V MAX | 18 V | 2 x 1.3 Ah | 46.8 Wh | 1/2 in | No |
| Makita XFD131 | Drill/driver | 18 V | 18 V | 1 x 3.0 Ah | 54 Wh | 1/2 in | Yes |
| BOSCH PS31-2A | Drill/driver | 12V MAX | 10.8 V | 2 x 2.0 Ah | 43.2 Wh | 3/8 in | No |
| DEWALT DCD777D1 | Drill/driver | 20V MAX | 18 V | 1 x 2.0 Ah | 36 Wh | 1/2 in | Yes |
| BLACK+DECKER LD120VA | Drill/driver | 20V MAX | 18 V | 1 x 1.5 Ah | 27 Wh | 3/8 in | No |
| CRAFTSMAN CMCD711C2 | Hammer drill | 20V MAX | 18 V | 2 x 1.3 Ah | 46.8 Wh | 1/2 in | No |
| DEWALT DCK240C2 | Drill/driver plus impact driver | 20V MAX | 18 V | 2 x 1.3 Ah | 46.8 Wh | 1/2 in | No |
"In the box" is our math: nominal volts x amp-hours x number of batteries. DEWALT and CRAFTSMAN state on their own pages that a 20V MAX battery is 20 volts at most with no load and 18 volts nominal. Makita simply labels its tools 18 V. For 12V MAX we use 10.8 V, which is what DEWALT states for its own 12V MAX packs.
- DEWALT DCD771C246.8 Wh
- Makita XFD13154 Wh
- BOSCH PS31-2A43.2 Wh
- DEWALT DCD777D136 Wh
- BLACK+DECKER LD120VA27 Wh
- CRAFTSMAN CMCD711C246.8 Wh
- DEWALT DCK240C246.8 Wh
Why there is no power column
Because the listings do not use one unit. Here is the power figure on each listing, copied as written:
| Kit | Power as the listing gives it |
|---|---|
| DEWALT DCD771C2 | 300 UWO in the bullets. The spec table also shows 650 and 530 in-lb |
| Makita XFD131 | 440 in-lb |
| BOSCH PS31-2A | 265 in-lb |
| DEWALT DCD777D1 | 53.1 N m |
| BLACK+DECKER LD120VA | 300 in-lb |
| CRAFTSMAN CMCD711C2 | 280 UWO |
| DEWALT DCK240C2 | 1700 in-lb in the spec table, with no word on which of the two tools it means |
DEWALT's support site says it rates drills in unit watts out and does not disclose torque. So treat the in-lb lines in the DCD771C2 spec table with care. See torque units explained for what converts and what does not.
The picks
Specs and owner feedback checked on Amazon September 19, 2026. We have not used these tools. Maker claims are labeled as claims.
DEWALT DCD771C2 20V MAX Drill/Driver Kit
Get this if you want one drill for shelves, furniture, hinges and general repairs, and you want two batteries so one is always charged. Skip it if you need to drill brick or concrete: the listing itself says it is not suitable for masonry. The label says 20V MAX, and DEWALT's own page says the nominal voltage is 18. Two 1.3 Ah batteries come to 46.8 Wh in the box.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 20V MAX label, 18 V nominal per DEWALT. Two 1.3 Ah batteries: 46.8 Wh in the box
- 1/2 in single sleeve ratcheting chuck
- Two speeds: 0 to 450 and 0 to 1,500 rpm
- Power per the listing: 300 unit watts out (UWO). The spec table also shows 650 in-lb and 530 in-lb on two different lines
- Brushed motor. Charger and contractor bag included
- 3.64 pounds listed. 3 year limited warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners praise its power and its light weight. Several say it is not tiring to hold for long stretches.
- They complain about: Battery life and durability get split reports. Some owners say the batteries stopped holding a charge.
Good
- Two batteries in the box
- 1/2 in chuck takes larger bit shanks
- Battery fits the wide DEWALT 20V MAX tool family
Watch out for
- Small 1.3 Ah batteries
- Three different power numbers on one listing, and the maker only stands behind the UWO one
- Not for masonry, per the listing
Makita XFD131 18V LXT Brushless Driver-Drill Kit
Get this if you want a brushless drill with the most battery energy of any pick here: one 3.0 Ah pack at 18 V is 54 Wh. Skip it if you want a second battery to swap in, because the kit has one. Makita labels it 18 V, which is the same nominal voltage as the 20V MAX tools on this page. The listing gives torque in plain inch-pounds: 440.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 18 V label and nominal. One 3.0 Ah battery (BL1830B): 54 Wh in the box
- 1/2 in keyless chuck
- Two speeds: 0 to 500 and 0 to 1,900 rpm
- 440 in-lb maximum torque per the listing, 21 position clutch
- Brushless motor. Charger and tool bag included
- Makita says 3.6 pounds with battery. The 7.25 pounds on the listing looks like the whole kit. 3 year limited warranty on tool, battery and charger
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it has a lot of power for its size and holds up well. They like the compact build for home use.
- They complain about: Battery life gets mixed reports, and a few owners report a unit dying within five months.
Good
- Most watt-hours here
- Brushless
- Torque given in a unit you can compare
Watch out for
- One battery only
- Some owners report early failures
- The item weight on the listing is not the tool weight
BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max Drill/Driver Kit
Get this if your jobs are furniture, cabinet hardware, curtain rods and small repairs, and a light tool matters more than top power. Skip it if you drive long deck screws, use bits with a 1/2 in shank, or drill masonry. Here is the surprise: two 2.0 Ah packs at 10.8 V nominal come to 43.2 Wh, which is more battery than the BLACK+DECKER and the DEWALT DCD777D1 20V MAX kits on this page.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 12V Max label. We use 10.8 V nominal, as DEWALT states for its own 12V MAX packs. Two 2.0 Ah batteries: 43.2 Wh in the box
- 3/8 in single sleeve three-jaw chuck
- Two speeds: 0 to 350 and 0 to 1,300 rpm
- 265 in-lb maximum torque, 20+1 clutch settings
- Brushed motor. Charger, two screwdriver bits and carrying bag per Bosch
- Tool weight 1.8 pounds per Bosch and the listing. 3 year limited warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners like the compact size for household repairs and say bits are easy to change. One notes the clutch keeps screws from being over-tightened.
- They complain about: Durability is mixed. Some owners report the chuck breaking.
Good
- Lightest tool here
- Two batteries
- Plain in-lb torque number
Watch out for
- 3/8 in chuck
- Lowest torque number of the picks that give one
- Some owners report the chuck breaking
DEWALT DCD777D1 20V MAX Brushless Drill/Driver Kit
Get this if you want a brushless drill on the DEWALT 20V MAX battery family and one battery is enough for you. Skip it if you work long sessions with no time to recharge. This listing gives torque in newton meters: 53.1 N m, which converts to about 470 in-lb. DEWALT's own page gives only 340 UWO. One 2.0 Ah pack is 36 Wh.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 20V MAX label, 18 V nominal per DEWALT and per the listing. One 2.0 Ah battery (DCB203): 36 Wh in the box
- 1/2 in single sleeve ratcheting chuck
- Two speeds, up to 1,500 rpm
- 53.1 N m on the listing (about 470 in-lb). 340 UWO on DEWALT's page
- Brushless motor. 7.6 inches front to back. LED with 20 second delay
- 5.07 pounds item weight listed, which we read as the kit, not the bare tool. 3 year limited warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners call it a quality tool with more than enough power for small projects, and they like how light it feels.
- They complain about: Durability gets mixed feedback, with some owners reporting a unit that broke.
Good
- Brushless. DEWALT claims more run time than brushed
- Compact length
- Same battery family as the DCD771C2 and the combo kit
Watch out for
- One battery only
- Torque unit differs from the other DEWALT listings
- Some owners report a unit breaking
BLACK+DECKER LD120VA 20V MAX Drill/Driver with 30 Accessories
Get this if you put together furniture a few times a year, hang pictures and want bits in the same box. Skip it if you expect to drill many holes in one go: its top speed is 750 rpm and the single 1.5 Ah battery is 27 Wh, the least here. The listing is upfront about volts. Its spec table shows 20 volts and, on the next line, a nominal voltage of 18.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 20V MAX label, 18 V nominal per the listing. One 1.5 Ah battery: 27 Wh in the box
- 3/8 in (10 mm) keyless chuck
- 750 rpm maximum per the listing
- 300 in-lb maximum torque, 24 position clutch
- Brushed motor. 30 accessories: 6 brad point bits, 19 screwdriving bits, 4 nut drivers, magnet
- 3.9 pounds listed. 2 year warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners find it easy to use and light. Flat-pack furniture and small home repairs come up most.
- They complain about: Battery life and durability are split. Some owners say the battery stopped charging or the drill quit after a few uses.
Good
- Bits and nut drivers in the box
- 24 position clutch helps avoid stripped screws
- Listing states the nominal voltage
Watch out for
- Least battery energy here
- Slow top speed for drilling
- Owners are split on battery life and lifespan
CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCD711C2 Hammer Drill Kit
Get this if your list includes masonry anchors: a mailbox on brick, shelves on a block wall, a hose reel on concrete. Skip it if you never drill masonry, since a plain drill/driver is lighter. The listing claims 25,500 blows per minute in hammer mode. Power is given only as 280 UWO, so you cannot line it up against the in-lb drills. Two 1.3 Ah batteries come to 46.8 Wh.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- V20 (20V MAX) label, 18 V nominal per CRAFTSMAN. Two 1.3 Ah batteries per the listing: 46.8 Wh in the box
- 1/2 in ratcheting chuck
- Two speeds: 0 to 350 and 0 to 1,500 rpm. 25,500 bpm hammer mode
- 280 unit watts out (UWO). No torque number on the listing
- Brushed motor. Charger claims 60 minutes or less
- 5.42 pounds item weight listed. 3 year limited warranty per CRAFTSMAN
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it is well built and not too heavy. Several say the hammer mode does its job.
- They complain about: Battery life and durability get mixed reviews. Some owners report weak batteries or a tool that died.
Good
- Hammer mode for masonry
- Two batteries
- 1/2 in chuck
Watch out for
- Heavier than the plain drills
- CRAFTSMAN's page title says 1.5 Ah while its parts list and the listing say 1.3 Ah
- Owners are split on the batteries
DEWALT DCK240C2 20V MAX Drill and Impact Driver Combo
Get this if you drive a lot of long screws: deck boards, fence pickets, framing a shed. The impact driver does the driving and the DCD771 drill makes the pilot holes. Skip it if you only hang shelves, because you will rarely pick up the second tool. The two 1.3 Ah batteries are shared by both tools, so the 46.8 Wh in the box is split between them.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 20V MAX label, 18 V nominal per DEWALT. Two 1.3 Ah batteries: 46.8 Wh in the box, shared by two tools
- DCD771 drill/driver with 1/2 in ratcheting chuck. DCF885 impact driver with 1/4 in hex chuck
- Impact driver is 5.55 inches long and 2.8 pounds. Drill is 7.5 inches and 3.6 pounds, per the listing
- Spec table shows 1700 in-lb and does not say which tool that is
- Brushed motors. Charger and contractor bag included
- 3 year limited warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners call the pair reliable and light, and they like the carrying bag. Everyday household jobs come up most.
- They complain about: Battery performance and lifespan get mixed reports.
Good
- Two tools, so no swapping between a drill bit and a driver bit
- Impact driver is short and light
- Two batteries
Watch out for
- Small batteries for two tools
- Impact driver takes 1/4 in hex bits only
- The one torque number on the listing is not tied to a tool
Before you buy any drill kit
- Read what is in the box. Count the batteries and find the amp-hours. A "tool only" listing has no battery or charger. See kit vs bare tool.
- Pick the battery family on purpose. Batteries from one brand do not fit another brand's tools, so your first kit steers your next tools.
- Match the tool type to the job. See drill vs hammer drill vs impact driver.
- Buy safety glasses with it. See battery and drilling safety.