Best Cordless Drills for under $100 – Top Pick & Reviews 2024

Disclaimer: None of our reviews are sponsored. We earn a commission when you purchase items through our links.


There are certain tools that every household should own, a cordless drill is one of those!

The ability to work cord-free from anywhere is priceless and opens up endless possible projects for you to take on. What’s even better is that you don’t have to fork out a load of money to have one!

We have gathered the 5 best cordless drills for under $100 right here for you to check out for yourself, which the features, pros and cons listed for each.


Quick Picks

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

Best Budget Pick
Dewalt DCD771C2
Dewalt have managed to deliver a high-quality drill with a full set of features in budget form. Without a doubt the best cordless drill you can find for under $100.
Best Value
CRAFTSMAN CMCD701C2
The CRAFTSMAN CMCD701C2 is powered by 20v max lithium battery high-performance cells for generous runtime and optimal performance. It would make a fine addition to anyone's arsenal of tools.
Want it cheaper?
SKIL DL527502
This is the drill for those on the tightest of budgets who still demand quality. It offers consistent performance and is super easy to use and is well-reviewed by many users.

Best Budget Cordless Drills under $100

Here is a list of the best budget cordless drills for under $100 we found:

1. Dewalt DCD771C2 20V MAX Cordless Compact Drill

  • 20V motor delivers 300-unit watts out (UWO)
  • Two speed transmission delivering 0 – 450 & 0 – 1,500 RPM
  • ½’’ single sleeve ratcheting chuck
  • LED work light
  • Weighs 3.64lbs

Pros

  • 3-year limited warranty
  • Compact & lightweight
  • 90-minute recharge time

Cons

  • Recharge time is dependent on temperature
  • Base power of 12V

Overview

Our best pick goes to the Dewalt DCD771C2. It sports a 20V max lithium-ion powered motor that can deliver 300-unit watts out. The high-speed transmission offers two-speed settings of 0 – 450 and 0 – 1,500 RPM to suit a variety of drillings and fasting applications.

Forward and reverse direction control with 16 clutch power settings. A ½’’ single sleeve ratcheting chuck with spindle lock mechanism allows for easy bit changes. The LED lighting is positioned above the trigger to provide suitable work area visibility.

Comes with 2 x 20v max compact lithium-ion battery packs, charger and a durable contractor bag. Battery recharge time is advertised at 90 minutes but is dependent on temperature. Base power is 12v, not the advertised 20v.

The Dewalt DCD771C2 lives up to the name and in our opinion is the best household cordless drill for under $100 you can find.


2. CRAFTSMAN CMCD701C2 V20 Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

  • High-performance motor delivering 320 UWO
  • Two speed gearbox with speeds of 0 – 500 & 0 – 1,800 RPM
  • ½’’ ratcheting chuck
  • LED light
  • Weighs 5.85lbs

Pros

  • Ample run time
  • 60 minute or less charge time
  • Charge indicator on each battery

Cons

  • Isn’t the lightest of drills
  • Not designed for professional use

Overview

The cordless CRAFTSMAN CMCD701C2 is powered by its high-performance 20v motor which is capable of producing 320 UWO. Two-speed gearbox with speed options of 0 – 500 and 0 – 1,800 RPM to open up a range of fastening options.

The ½’’ ratcheting chuck offers great bit retention and security. Automatic LED lighting function to improve visibility in dark work conditions.

Included with the drill are 2 x 20V max lithium-ion batteries and a 20V max lithium-ion charger. Could benefit from being lighter and isn’t intended for contractor use.

The CRAFTSMAN CMCD701C2is a sturdy and powerful cordless drill ideal for projects around the house.


3. SKIL DL527502 20V 1/2 Inch Cordless Drill Driver

  • Powered by a 20v brushless motor
  • High / low speed control (0 – 480 & 0 – 1,800 RPM)
  • Metal ½’’ keyless chuck with auto spindle lock
  • Smart LED lighting
  • Weighs 3.98lbs

Pros

  • The battery has an LED fuel gauge
  • Excellent low price
  • Long run time and battery life
  • Handy belt hook

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a battery
  • Not intended for heavy-duty use

Overview

The SKIL DL527502is powered by the efficient 20v brushless motor. A two-speed transmission provides both high and low-speed settings of 0 – 480 and 0 – 1,800 RPM depending on the task at hand.

All metal ½’’ keyless chuck with auto spindle lock for quick and easy bit changes. 17+1 clutch settings. The smart LED lighting system activates before the drill and remains on 10 seconds after you turn it off so you can check your work.

Each cell in the PWRcore lithium battery is specially wrapped with cooling material for longer battery life and run times. Included with the drill is a 2.0Ah battery charger, 2’’ double-ended bit and a belt clip. No battery is included and it is not intended for heavy-duty use.

The SKIL DL527502isfor the average handyman to use around the home to complete everyday tasks and DIY projects without breaking the bank. Consistent and reliable performance for a fraction of the cost, you will not regret investing in this drill.


4. Bosch DDB181-02 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Set

  • 350 pounds of optimized torque
  • Two-speed transmission with speeds of 0 to 400 & 1,300 RPM
  • ½’’ auto-lock chuck
  • LED light
  • Weighs 3lbs

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Soft grip for reduced user fatigue
  • Comes with two batteries

Cons

  • Batteries could last longer
  • Not as powerful as some other drills on this list

Overview

The Bosch DDB181-02 is an 18v compact cordless drill that can produce 350 pounds of optimized torque for quick drilling and fastening. A two-speed gearbox provides optimized torque with speed settings of 0 – 400 and 0 – 1,300 RPM alongside 20 clutch settings and a variable speed trigger.

Also features a well-positioned LED light that doesn’t produce shadows, ideal for work area illumination. At just 3lbs this is an incredibly lightweight drill designed for easy use. The soft grip also leads to a much better user experience. Chuck size of ½’’

Includes 2 x 1.5Ah lithium-ion slim pack batteries, screwdriver bit, 18v charger and a soft carry contractor bag. Doesn’t pack massive power and the batteries could last a bit longer.

The Bosch DDB181-02 will suit you if you need an affordable lightweight cordless drill for light housework. The excellent control over power output it gives the user makes it perfect for those with little cordless drill experience.


5. PORTER-CABLE PCC608LB 20V MAX Cordless Drill

  • Brushless motor delivering 360 MWO
  • Two-speed transmission capable of speeds from 0 to 430 & 1,700 RPM
  • ½’’ chuck
  • Built-in LED
  • Weighs 3.2lbs

Pros

  • Powerful brushless motor
  • Great battery life
  • 3-year limited warranty

Cons

  • No battery life indicator
  • No belt hook

Overview

The brushless motor of the PORTER-CABLE PCC608LB delivers 293lb torque and 360 MWO of efficient power. It has a two-speed transmission offers speeds of 0 – 430 and 0 – 1,700 RPM, great for a variety of different applications.

Features built-in LEDs for increased visibility while drilling. Weighing in at just 3.2lbs this drill minimizes user fatigue making it ideal for extended periods of use. Chuck size of ½’’.

The drill comes with a charger, 2 x 20v batteries and a double-sided bit. 3-year limited warranty included. Doesn’t have a battery life indicator or belt hook function.

The PORTER-CABLE PCC608LB is convenient, reliable and all-round great pick as your go-to household drill. The good certainly outweighs the bad when it comes to the PCC608LB, and for the price, it is an absolute steal!


Other drill guides

Top rated cordless drills overall

Top rated 12V cordless drills

Top rated cordless drills under $50

Corded vs cordless drills

Wrapping it up

After thorough research, here are the top 5 budget cordless drills currently on the market. A good cordless drill must offer sufficient power to tackle a variety of tasks, be comfortable to use, well balanced and deliver ample charge times so you can work on projects without the worry of losing power.

We chose the Dewalt DCD771C2 as our top pick for its well-balanced lightweight design, quick recharge times and reliable performance. You also get the Dewalt brand name alongside a 3-year limited warranty for extra peace of mind.

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.

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *