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Best Cordless Drills Under $150

Tools · DIY · Updated May 28, 2026

Best Cordless Drills Under $150

Nine cordless drill kits tested across furniture builds, deck repairs, and concrete anchors. Three earned a spot in our weekend kit for different reasons.

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By Sara Klein, Lead Editor

Under $150, the cordless drill category is dominated by the big four: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Skil. For the homeowner or weekend DIY-er — not the contractor — the "kit" matters more than raw torque. You want at least one battery, a charger, a chuck that holds bits without slipping, and ideally a soft case. Spec-sheet specs (max torque, max RPM) start to matter less once you're past the basic threshold most jobs need.

We tested nine drills over six weeks doing real homeowner work: hanging shelves, building flat-pack furniture, driving deck screws into pressure-treated lumber, and drilling 1/4" anchor holes into concrete. Three drills clearly earned their spot. One is the dollar-for-dollar value pick, one is the right choice for tight-space work, and one is the smart bet if you'll eventually own more cordless tools. Below are the picks plus a buying guide on the brushless-vs-brushed and 12V-vs-20V decisions that confuse most first-time buyers.

What to look for in a cordless drill

Five decisions separate a useful kit from a frustrating one — and the marketing on most drill listings buries all of them:

1. Brushless motor — yes, even at this price pointBrushless motors are more efficient, run cooler, last 2–3x longer, and deliver more torque per amp than brushed motors. Five years ago, brushless added $50 to a kit price. Today, kits like the DeWalt DCD777C2 and Skil PWRCore 12 brushless fit under $150 on sale. Always pick brushless when you can — brushed motors are only acceptable at sub-$80 entry points.
2. 12V vs. 20V (or 18V) — match to your work12V drills are lighter, more compact, and easier to maneuver in tight spaces. 20V (also marketed as 18V — same battery voltage) drills have more torque and runtime for sustained heavy work like deck building or anchor drilling. For most homeowners, 20V is the right default; for cabinet installers, electricians, or anyone working in close quarters, 12V is genuinely better.
3. Chuck size and qualityA 1/2" chuck accommodates more drill bits and accessories than a 3/8" chuck. All three of our picks have 1/2" chucks. More important is grip — cheap chucks slip on smooth round bits like spade bits and hole saws. A keyless ratcheting chuck (which clicks as it tightens) is the standard we'd look for.
4. Battery platform commitmentA cordless drill is the gateway to a brand's broader tool ecosystem. Ryobi's One+ platform has 280+ tools sharing the same 18V battery. DeWalt 20V MAX has 200+. If you'll eventually buy an impact driver, circular saw, or string trimmer, picking the right platform now saves you from buying redundant batteries later. Skil is the smaller ecosystem but well-priced; Black+Decker and other budget brands have very limited platforms.
5. Kit contents matter more than the drill itselfA drill alone isn't useful. Look for kits that include: at least one battery (two is better), a charger, and a soft or hard case. Bare-tool listings are cheaper but you need batteries you might not own. The DCD777C2 ("C2" = with 2 batteries) is a much better starting point than the DCD777B bare tool, even if the bare is $40 less.

Our three picks

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Best Overall

1. DeWalt DCD777C2 20V MAX Brushless

★★★★★ 4.8 · 42,118 reviews
Voltage: 20V MAX · Motor: Brushless · Chuck: 1/2" · Kit: 2 batteries + charger + soft case

The dollar-for-dollar best cordless tool on Amazon under $150 (on sale). The brushless motor matters: more torque, longer runtime, and significantly longer drill life than brushed alternatives at the same price. The "C2" kit comes with two 1.3 Ah batteries — enough that you can have one charging while you use the other, no waiting. 20V MAX expands into DeWalt's broader platform when you're ready for more tools.

Pros: Brushless motor at this price tier is genuinely uncommon. Two batteries included (most competitors ship with one). The 20V MAX battery platform has hundreds of compatible tools. DeWalt's repair/warranty network is the best in the industry — any DeWalt service center will repair under warranty for free. 1.3 Ah batteries are small enough for tight spaces.

Cons: Soft case is genuinely cheap — most pros throw it away and use a hard case. 1.3 Ah batteries are smaller than the 2.0 Ah many users end up wanting; consider upgrading later. Not a hammer drill (no concrete drilling without a separate masonry bit, and even then it's slow).

Who it's for: Most homeowners and DIY-ers. Anyone starting their first cordless tool collection. People who want the security of DeWalt's nationwide service network. Buyers who'll eventually own multiple cordless tools.

View on Amazon →
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Best for Tight Spaces

2. Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless

★★★★☆ 4.6 · 8,891 reviews
Voltage: 12V · Motor: Brushless · Chuck: 1/2" · Kit: Battery + charger + PWRJump cable

The compact 12V form factor is genuinely useful in tight spaces — installing cabinet hinges, working inside a stud bay, electrical boxes, under-sink work. Almost a pound lighter than the DeWalt 20V, fits in spots where the larger drill can't reach. The PWRJUMP cable is a nice touch: plug a depleted battery into a USB-C port for a 5-minute top-off that gives you enough juice to finish the immediate job.

Pros: Genuinely compact — best fit for tight spaces of any drill we tested. PWRJUMP USB-C charging is a real-world useful feature. Brushless motor at a sub-$130 price point. Lightweight enough for ceiling work without arm fatigue. Skil's customer support has improved significantly in the past few years.

Cons: 12V means less torque for heavy work — fine for furniture and shelves, struggles with deck framing or large hole saws. The Skil ecosystem is smaller than DeWalt or Ryobi (about 30 tools). Only one battery included; spare batteries are expensive relative to the drill cost.

Who it's for: Apartment dwellers and condo owners who mostly do small projects. People assembling furniture, hanging art, mounting TVs, doing kitchen/bath work. Anyone with chronic shoulder or wrist issues who can't comfortably use a heavier 20V tool.

View on Amazon →
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Best Ecosystem

3. Ryobi One+ HP Brushless Kit

★★★★★ 4.7 · 22,402 reviews
Voltage: 18V · Motor: Brushless (HP) · Chuck: 1/2" · Kit: Battery + charger + bag

Ryobi One+ has 280+ tools sharing the same 18V battery — leaf blowers, circular saws, weed eaters, even kitchen mixers. The HP-series brushless drill is the one to buy in the lineup; the non-HP entry-level drill is noticeably weaker and not worth the savings. If you'll eventually add more cordless tools, the One+ platform saves real money over time because every new tool can run on batteries you already own.

Pros: Largest cordless tool ecosystem on the market — 280+ compatible One+ tools. HP-series brushless motor is competitive with DeWalt at the same price. Strong torque (750 in-lbs class) for deck and framing work. Widely available at Home Depot for in-person pickup and warranty service.

Cons: Bag instead of case in most kits (less protective). Only one battery typically included. Build quality is half a step below DeWalt — slightly looser feel, plastic feels less premium. Ryobi's lower-end "Hyper-Lithium" batteries underperform; pay attention to which battery the kit ships with.

Who it's for: Anyone planning to build out a cordless tool collection over time. Home Depot loyalists. Buyers who care about long-term battery economics. People who want a strong drill plus the option to add string trimmers, leaf blowers, and other yard tools later.

View on Amazon →

Also considered (but didn't make the cut)

Six other drills went through the same six-week test. Three deserve mention:

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Drill Driver — premium pick (over budget)Excellent drill — arguably the best 12V option on the market. But the bare tool is typically $130+ and a complete kit pushes over $200. If money is no object and you want the most refined 12V experience, this is it. Out of our under-$150 scope.
Black+Decker LDX120C — too entry-levelOften recommended as the cheap option. Brushed motor, very limited battery platform, and torque insufficient for anything beyond hanging shelves. If you genuinely only need a screwdriver, fine. For real DIY work the difference between $50 and $130 is huge in capability.
Makita XFD11 — strong drill, wrong price tierA bare-tool Makita 18V brushless is a great drill but you're looking at $90 for the drill alone, then another $60–80 for a battery and charger. Total kit price puts it well over $150. Worth considering if you already own Makita batteries; otherwise the DeWalt kit is the better starting point.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature
DeWalt 777
Skil PWRCore
Ryobi One+ HP
Voltage
20V MAX
12V
18V
Motor
Brushless
Brushless
Brushless
Batteries included
2
1
1
Weight (w/ battery)
3.6 lbs
2.6 lbs
3.5 lbs
Torque (in-lbs)
500
400
750
Ecosystem size
200+ tools
~30 tools
280+ tools
Case included
Soft
None (bare)
Bag
Warranty
3 years
5 years
3 years

Frequently asked questions

Is brushless really worth the extra cost?Yes, almost always. Brushless motors run cooler, deliver 25–50% more runtime per battery charge, and typically last 2–3 times longer than brushed motors. The cost premium has dropped from $50–80 a few years ago to $20–40 today. The only time brushed makes sense is at sub-$80 entry tools where the price advantage is meaningful and you're certain the drill will be used lightly.
12V or 18V/20V — which is right for me?For most homeowners: 18V/20V. The extra torque handles deck building, anchor drilling, and large hole saws that 12V drills struggle with. For apartment dwellers, cabinet installers, or anyone with limited storage: 12V is lighter, more maneuverable, and sufficient for furniture, shelves, and most renovation tasks. Note that "18V" and "20V MAX" refer to the same nominal voltage — DeWalt markets the peak, Milwaukee markets the working voltage.
Do I need an impact driver too?A drill drives screws fine for most light work. An impact driver makes driving long screws (3"+) and lag bolts much easier — the rotational impact mechanism reduces wrist torque dramatically. If you're doing a deck, building furniture from scratch, or working with structural lumber, an impact driver is genuinely useful. For everything else, the drill alone is fine. Buy the drill first; add an impact driver when a specific project demands one.
Will my drill drill into concrete?A regular drill with a masonry bit can handle small concrete holes (1/4" or smaller) for things like anchor screws and light wall mounts. For anything larger or harder, you need a hammer drill (uses percussion in addition to rotation) or a dedicated rotary hammer. Our three picks aren't hammer drills. If your main project is concrete work, look at a hammer drill instead.
Should I stay in one battery ecosystem?Yes. Mixing brands means owning multiple charger types and battery chemistries that don't interoperate. Pick a platform based on the tools you'll eventually buy: DeWalt for premium pro tools, Ryobi for breadth and yard tools, Milwaukee for serious contractors, Skil for budget-conscious DIY. Switching later usually means selling off your existing batteries at a loss.
How long do cordless tool batteries last?3–5 years of regular use before noticeable capacity loss. Lithium-ion batteries degrade with charge cycles and exposure to heat. Store batteries at room temperature (not in a hot garage), don't leave them on the charger continuously, and use them at least every few months to keep the chemistry healthy. Replacement batteries typically cost $40–80 — usually cheaper than buying a whole new tool kit.

How we tested

Each drill ran a fixed three-task gauntlet on the same materials with the same operator:

  • 50 #8 × 3" deck screws into pressure-treated lumber, timed and counted for run-down before clutch slip.
  • 100 pilot holes through 3/4" plywood using a 1/8" bit, measured for consistency and bit hold.
  • 10 × 1/4" anchor holes into a concrete test block using a masonry bit, recorded for time and bit overheating.

We also weighed each drill with the supplied battery, measured peak temperature post-task with a thermal probe, graded chuck grip on smooth round bits over 25 cycles, and tracked battery runtime per charge over a sustained workload. Warranty terms and the Keepa 12-month price history were checked to ensure quoted prices reflect typical purchase prices, not promotional lows.

All tools purchased at retail. No PR samples. Sara has worked on residential renovation crews and writes about home improvement professionally.

Bottom line

If you want the best dollar-for-dollar drill: the DeWalt DCD777C2 brushless kit with two batteries is the right pick for most homeowners.

If you mostly work in tight spaces: the Skil PWRCore 12 Brushless is meaningfully lighter and more maneuverable.

If you'll buy more cordless tools over time: the Ryobi One+ HP Brushless Kit locks you into the largest tool ecosystem — long-term savings on batteries alone justify it.

FTC disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability shown above are auto-refreshed daily but can change without notice. We only feature products we'd buy ourselves — commission rates never influence our rankings. See our full affiliate disclosure.