The Best 12v Cordless Drill – Reviews & Guide 2024

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Advancement in motor and battery technology have made quality cordless drills accessible to everybody.

12v drills benefit from a smaller footprint which makes them cheaper, lighter ideal for using in tight workspaces. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t pack some great power for a wide range of applications.

Below we have brought together the five best 12v cordless drills, listing each of their key features, pro’s and con’s and an overview to make your decision hassle-free.


Quick Picks

Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...

Best Pick
Bosch PS32-02
The very popular Bosch PS32-02 redefines the limits of a 12v cordless drill. Refined speed control with an almost weightless design makes it the best and well-reviewed option on the market for consumers.
Best Value
Makita FD07R1
Backed by strong user feedback, the feature-rich Makita FD07R1 offers incredible value money to consumers.
Best Budget
BLACK+DECKER BDCDD12C
Searching for your first 12v cordless drill but tight on funds? The BDCDD12C is a great option. With its user-friendly design, even the most inexperienced user can pick it up and get straight to work.

The Best 12V Cordless Drills with Reviews 2024

Here is a list of the best 12v cordless drills we found:

1. Bosch PS32-02 12V Cordless Brushless Drill

  • 12v cordless drill driver with EC brushless motor
  • Two speed transmission (0 – 400 & 0 – 1,300 RPM)
  • 3/8’’ auto-lock chuck
  • LED work light
  • Weighs 2lbs

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Durable, drop-resistant housing
  • Comes with many useful accessories
  • Highly rated & very well-reviewed

Cons

  • Clutch vibration can loosen the chuck
  • Don’t expect 18v levels of power

Overview

The Bosch PS32-02 is a 12V cordless drill driver with an EC brushless motor able to deliver up to 265 in-lbs of torque. It features a two-speed transmission with a high-speed setting rated at 1,300 RPM and low-speed high torque setting reaching 400 RPM. The PS32-02 also features a variable speed trigger and 20+1 clutch settings, making this drill great for a wide range of applications.

The drill is housed in Bosch’s flexible ABS/nylon composite that has been designed to withstand 10-foot drops. Weighing in at just 2lbs, you can work on long jobs with minimal fatigue. An LED work light is also included to illuminate your working environment. It can be turned on and off without having to run the motor.

3/8’’ auto-lock chuck. Battery charge light indicator on the side of the drill. Comes with 2 x 12v lithium-ion batteries, charger, magnetic bit holder, 4pc bit tip set, belt clip and a contractor bag. Clutch vibration can loosen the chuck.

The Bosch PS32-02 is the pinnacle of 12v cordless drills.Hands-free bit changes and a drop-resistant chassis make it great for any household task you throw its way.

2. Makita FD07R1 12V MAX CXT Brushless Cordless Drill

  • 12v MAX CXT lithium-ion brushless cordless driver drill
  • Two-speed transmission (0 – 450 & 0 – 1,500 RPM)
  • 3/8’’ keyless chuck
  • Built-in LED light
  • Weighs 2.3lbs

Pros

  • Batteries include LED charge level indicators
  • 3-year limited warranty on the drill, batteries and charger
  • Plenty of power

Cons

  • The LED light can occasionally be obstructed
  • The electric brake can cause the chuck to loosen

Overview

The Makita FD07R1 features an electronically controlled BL brushless motor for optimal battery output and 50% longer run-time per charge. Capable of up to 280 in-lbs of max torque the FD07R1 has a mechanical two-speed transmission with both high torque (0 – 450 RPM) and high speed (0 – 1,500 RPM) settings.

A 3/8’’ keyless chuck allows for quick and easy bit changes. The on-board LED light improves visibility while working. Included with the drill are 2 x 12v max CXT lithium-ion 2.0Ah batteries (including charge level indicator LEDs) charger and tool case.

Both the drill, battery and charger come with a 3-year limited warranty. The LED light can sometimes be obstructed by the tip of the drill and frequent use of the electric break may loosen the chuck.

From the moment you take the Makita FD07R1 out of the box, you will be struck by just how comfortable it is to hold. Of course, the FD07R1 is more than just nice to hold, boasting a feature set comparable to some 18v cordless drill options with a 2-speed gearbox, brushless motor and charge status indicators.

3. BLACK+DECKER BDCDD12C 12V MAX Cordless Drill

  • Variable speed trigger and 11 position clutch
  • Soft grip handle
  • 3/8’’ keyless chuck
  • LED light function
  • Weighs 2.8lbs

Pros

  • Excellent low price
  • 2-year limited warranty
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • Not designed for heavy drilling
  • LED light could be brighter

Overview

The 12v BLACK+DECKER BDCDD12C features a variable speed trigger and 11 position clutch for improved user control while drilling and driving. A compact and lightweight design make it easier to use in tight spaces and a soft-grip handle adds comfort while in use.

An LED lighting function ensures you never have to struggle with a poorly lit working environment. The drill comes with 1 x 12v MAX battery, charger, double-ended bit and a 2-year limited warranty. Not intended for heavy drilling and the LED light could be brighter.

The BLACK+DECKER BDCDD12Cis a good option for home projects and DIY tasks such as hanging up pictures and towel racks. Don’t expect to use it for heavy projects that require a lot of torque.

4. SKIL DL529002 PWRCore 12V Cordless Drill Driver

  • 12v digital brushless motor
  • Precise speed control up to 1,700 RPM
  • Hybrid single-sleeve keyless chuck (¼’’ & ½’’)
  • LED lighting
  • Weighs 2.9lbs

Pros

  • Quick charging feature
  • Comfortable handle and grip
  • High-speed motor with precise user control

Cons

  • Slightly larger than other 12v drills
  • Drill bits need to be purchased separately

Overview

The SKIL PWRCore DL529002 houses a 2-speed brushless motor able to produce speeds up to 1,700 RPM and 350 in-lbs of torque. 17+1 clutch settings provide optimal torque control while the LED helps to illuminate dark conditions.

The DL529002 alsofeatures a hybrid single-sleeve ½’’ keyless chuck with a ¼’’ hex inside.Included is a 2.0Ah battery, PWRJUMP charger with real-time indicator lights, PH2 bit and a belt clip.

The PWRJump charger will give you up to 25% charge in just 5 minutes and a full charge in just 45. It also features a USB charging port. Slightly larger footprint than other 12v drills and drill bits need to be purchased separately.

The SKIL PWRCore DL529002 is a great buy and one that will make sure you always have power on the go and never find yourself short of charge. The decision to add a ½’’ chuck over the typical 3/8’’ found on 12v drills is backed by the high maximum drill speed (1,700 RPM) and torque (250 in-lbs).

5. Bosch GSR12V-140FC 5-In-1 FlexiClick 12V Power Drill

  • 12v, 5 in 1 multi-head cordless drill
  • Two-speed transmission
  • Magnetic bit holder with one-click interface
  • LED light
  • Weighs 1.8lbs

Pros

  • Incredibly versatile
  • Lightweight
  • Highly reviewed

Cons

  • The battery can be awkward to remove
  • Not intended for professional use

Overview

The Bosch GSR12V-140FCB22is a 12v, 5 in 1 multi-head cordless drill with two speed settingscapable of delivering 265 in-lb of torque. The 3/8’’ locking hex-bit is designed to lock hex bits in place for powerful drilling.

An in-built LED light features an afterglow function which keeps the light on for 10 seconds after the drill powers off. Included components: keyless chuck attachment, locking bit holder attachment, right-angle attachment, offset angle attachment, 2 x 12v max lithium-ion batteries, charger and a carrying bag.

The right-angle attachment makes drilling in hard to reach spots super easy. It can be combined with any of the three other attachments, such as the offset angle attachment for precise work close to edges. Both rotate to 16 positions without having to be removed. The battery can be hard to remove and the drill is not designed for professional use.

When it comes to versatility, the Bosch GSR12V-140FCB22 stands head and shoulders above the rest of its 12v competitors. The 5 in 1 multi-head feature is sure to help you out in many a situation to finish jobs that could otherwise have been an issue. Incredible versatility alongside an ergonomic and lightweight packet make this drill worth every dollar.

Other drill guides

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Wrapping it up

After extensive research and careful consideration, these are the top 5 12v cordless drills you can purchase.

To be worthwhile, a cordless drill must offer the user total control over both speed and torque output. It should also stand up to general wear and tear and pack sufficient power to complete the tasks needed from it.

The Bosch PS32-02 is our pick for best 12v cordless drill because it ticks all the above criteria and more. From the two-speed gearbox, variable speed trigger and 20+1 clutch settings to the ABS/nylon composite drop resistant housing, the PS32-02 is a trustworthy cordless drill that is easy to use for a variety of applications.

About Jacob Hanson

Jacob is the Editor at Toolsfirst.com. He used to be the owner of a local construction company with over 20 years experience in the trade. He now enjoys thoroughly researching DIY tools as well as publishing guides to help readers.

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