7 Best Cordless Drills in Australia (2024)

It used to be that cordless drills were underpowered and heavy. But they are now multifaceted, lightweight tools efficient for many home improvement jobs. In this guide, we have researched and compiled a list of the best cordless drills you can buy in Australia for all your DIY tasks.

Some of the items on our list include batteries, whereas others do not. All of them, however, can drill holes and drive screws, earning them the colloquial term 'drill drivers' among some users. We also include drills equipped for impact driving. Let's delve into the details.

Our Top Picks

Here are our top three cordless drills. If you're in a hurry, you can decide which meets your needs and project.

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Top 7 Cordless Drills for Aussie Professionals and DIY Enthusiasts

In our evaluation of the best cordless drills in Australia, we evaluated each product's performance, battery life, durability, ergonomics, and additional features to provide comprehensive insights for consumers seeking reliable and efficient cordless drills.

1. Bosch AdvancedImpact 18 Drill

Best Impact Drill for Home Owners

Bosch won the Readers Digest Most Trusted DIY Power Tools brand in Australia from 2013 to 2021. So it's no surprise the Bosch AdvancedImpact 18 tops our best cordless drill guide. It's a highly powerful 2-speed lithium ion cordless drill, ideal for any drilling or screw-driving work. It has an excellent weight-to-power ratio that gives it incredible handling and control. The drill is lightweight and ergonomic, with a soft grip handle for comfort and control.

The Bosch AdvancedImpact 18 drill has three attachments that are useful for hard-to-reach areas and different materials. You get an angle attachment, an eccentric attachment to screw close to edges and walls, and an impact attachment to drill into masonry and concrete. With a magnetic cap and a 13-mm chuck, you can easily switch between screwdriving and drilling applications. You also get an intuitive mode selection that automatically adjusts the gears accordingly.

Bosch's AdvancedImpact charger charges the battery while it's still connected. It's fast and reliable, with a battery status indicator showing the charging progress. It also features no self-discharge or memory effect. The drill's 18V 2.5 Ah battery has a long life span and runs for about an hour. Like the other drills in Bosch’s range, the AdvancedImpact features the Syneon chip that manages power transfer between the battery pack and the gearbox.

Pros

• Good efficiency and performance
• Variable speed trigger and two speeds for precise control
• Integrated LED light for improved visibility
• Lightweight design for easy portability
• Ideal for narrow spaces for screw driving
• Fast and reliable charger with a battery status indicator

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Impact mode can be noisy
• Overheats over prolonged use

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2. Ryobi 18V ONE+ Starter Kit

Best Value Cordless Drill

The Ryobi ONE+ Drill Driver is our best value pick if you need to handle an array of DIY tasks. With its 18V power, you get ample torque (50Nm) for most household drilling and screw-driving needs. Plus, it comes with Ryobi’s signature interchangeable ONE+ battery, so if you have other tools from the brand, you can power them without buying separate batteries.

Unlike the Bosch AdvancedImpact 18 above, which can handle tougher masonry and concrete, the Ryobi 18V ONE+ is ideal for lighter tasks—think wood, metal, and plastic. It has 24 clutch settings to fine-tune the torque, which is a big advantage for controlled, precise work. However, it’s not a pro-grade drill and doesn’t have the same power as the Milwaukee or Festool.

The tool comes with useful extras like an LED work light, magnetic screw tray, 13mm tool-free chuck, and a 1.5Ah battery with a fuel gauge—features also found in other models like the Bosch UniversalImpact. So, while it may not be as specialised or powerful, its two-speed setting makes it more than capable for most household and DIY projects. It is lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, user-friendly, and backed by a 6-year warranty.

Pros

• Great value for home use
• 24 clutch settings for control
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Two-speed modes for versatility
• LED light for dark spaces
• Long warranty coverage

Cons

• Limited power for tough materials
• Not as durable as premium models
• Moderate runtime

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3. Bosch UniversalImpact Cordless Drill

Best Lightweight Cordless Drill

Bosch's UniversalImpact Cordless Drill wins our best lightweight drill category. Compared to the AdvancedImpact model, the UniversalImpact cordless drill lacks the RPMs or engineering of their AdvancedImpact. You also get a 10 mm chuck compared to AdvancedImpact's 13 mm. However, it does have one advantage—weight. Likewise, it features the Syneon chip available to the AdvancedImpact cordless drill for optimum power and performance.

The drill has a brushless motor and a two-speed gearbox that allows me to adjust the speed and 20 torque settings according to the task and material. You can shift between the two gears and torque settings with a button. It also has a keyless chuck that makes it easy to change the bits and accessories. You get a kickback control feature that prevents the drill from rotating around its axis in case of a sudden blockage. This makes the drill safer and more comfortable to use.

Like the AdvancedImpact, the drill includes a durable and spacious case for the drill, battery, charger, and accessories. The accessories include various drill bits, screwdriver bits, nut setters, hole saws, and a depth stop. You cannot drill concrete using this UniversalImpact. However, the second gear can be used for drilling into masonry with the impact mode on.

Pros

• Lightweight build
• Good efficiency and performance
• Variable speed trigger and two speeds for precise control
• LED light for increased visibility
• Ergonomic handle for comfortable use

Cons

• Short runtime at high speed
• Not for heavy-duty tasks and materials

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4. WORX WX102.9 Cordless Drill

Best Budget Cordless Drill

The WORX WX102.9 Brushless Drill/Driver is affordable if you're working on a tight budget. The cordless drill also has a heavy-duty 13 mm keyless chuck made of metal and protected by the safety lock. It uses brushless motor technology, which offers good performance and delivers longer runtime with a clutch that can be positioned over 18 ways for excellent torque management.

One of the main advantages of the WORX WX175 20V Brushless Compact 13 mm Drill is its impressive 60 Nm of torque, making it ideal for working in tight areas with reduced fatigue over long periods. The drill also has a mechanical variable 2-speed transmission that covers a wide range of drilling, fastening, and hammer drilling applications.

The drill features a full metal 13 mm ratcheting chuck that ensures solid bit gripping force and all-metal gears for increased durability. On the downside, WORX's WX102.9 Cordless Drill doesn’t come with a battery and charger, you have to purchase them separately. Fortunately, it is compatible with the 4.0 Ah,2.0 Ah, and 6.0 Ah batteries.

Pros

• Brushless motor technology
• Easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces
• Full metal 13 mm ratcheting chuck
• Mechanical variable 2-speed transmission
• Includes various accessories and drill bits

Cons

• Low-powered hammer setting
• Doesn't include batteries

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5. Festool TPC 18V 4-Speed Drill

Best Professional Cordless Drill

The Festool TPC 18V Cordless 4-Speed Hammer Drill has quite impressive performance. The drill’s four gears and brushless motor technology make it suitable for a wide range of drilling, fastening, and hammer drilling use cases. We found it particularly useful when working on wood, metal, and masonry. Festool’s 75 Nm of torque in low gear and 3600 RPM in high gear means it can easily handle the toughest jobs and DIY tasks.

The drill's FastFix feature makes using any of Festool's FastFix attachments easy, which also makes the Festool TPC 18V 4-Speed Drill a flexible tool that can be used for many different tasks. It's well-balanced and easy to control, reducing fatigue over prolonged use. Albeit, it's 2 kg weight is a little heavier. Festool offers many useful accessories, including different sizes of auger bits and three types of chuck attachments, all of which are sold separately.

What you get along with Festool TPC 18V Cordless 4 Speed Hammer Drill are a soft grip handle, a BH 60 CE magnetic bit holder, a tool chuck, a FastFix keyless chuck KC 13-1/2-MMFP, a belt clip, a PZ 2 Bit, a TCL 6 rapid charger, 2 x 18 V Li-Ion airstream batteries, and a Systainer³ SYS 2 M 187 storage box.

Pros

• Suitable for various use cases
• Four gears and brushless motor technology
• Axial hammer feature for masonry
• FastFix interchangeable chucks
• Includes a number of accessories

Cons

• Pricey accessories
• Heavy for some users

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6. Black+Decker BDCDD186B-XE Drill

Best Low Price Branded Drill

The Black+Decker Lithium-ion Drill Driver is cheap and has good performance and versatility. It has a 2-speed gearbox that provides power, speed, and controlled drilling and driving into wood, metal, and all screw-driving tasks, and an 11-position clutch that provides precise control. Black+Decker also includes an LED work light that illuminates the work area when the drill is in use, which is a great feature when working in dimly lit areas.

The lithium-ion battery holds over 80% of its charger over 90 days while idle, so there is no need to charge the unit before each use. Likewise, its spring-loaded battery system allows quick and simple battery changes and a more secure fit. Both features make the drill driver ideal for any DIY drilling and screw-driving jobs around the home.

Black+Decker's variable speed feature provides ultimate fingertip control. With a maximum torque of 155 Nm (and 10 torque settings), it can drill up to 25 mm of wood. The anti-slip soft grip provides comfort when using the drill for long periods. On purchase, you get a 400 mA charger with the package and a 2-year warranty.

Pros

• LED work light
• Anti-slip soft grip
• Variable speed for fingertip control
• Quick and simple battery change
• 11-position clutch for precise control
• 10-torque settings and 2-gear variable speed

Cons

• Ideal for basic tasks only
• Not powerful for heavy-duty tasks

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7. Milwaukee M18FPD30 Hammer Drill

Best Cordless Drill for Tough Tasks

The Milwaukee 18V Fuel Hammer Drill M18FPD30 is equipped with a 13 mm chuck and a brushless motor that delivers up to 158 Nm of torque. This makes it ideal for drilling through tough materials such as concrete, metal, and wood. The drill is lightweight, compact, easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. We found it powerful enough to handle the toughest jobs.

Milwaukee's brushless motor is very efficient and provides a lot of power while still being energy-efficient. It features an intelligence system that protects the drill from overheating, over-discharge, and overloading. Thanks to the all-metal ratcheting chuck, you also need not worry about drill corrosion. The cordless drill also includes an AutoStop mode, a great safety feature that helps prevent over-rotation bind-ups, a common problem with other drills.

The Milwaukee 18V M18FPD30 Drill provides a nice comfortable grip, which is essential when working with a powerful tool like this. Along with the hammer tool, the package also includes a bit holder, a side handle, and a belt clip. On the downside, the drill is a bit expensive.

Pros

• Good power for the toughest jobs
• Lightweight and compact
• All-metal ratcheting chuck
• Easy to handle and maneuver
• AutoStop safety mode

Cons

• Bit expensive

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BONUS: Bosch EasyImpact 550 Corded Drill

Recommended Corded Drill

The Bosch EasyImpact 550 Corded Drill is reliable with a powerful motor that delivers around 700 watts of power. It has three function modes: screw-driving, drilling, and impact drilling, which you can easily and quickly change using the function switch. It also has speed pre-selection and control using a setting wheel, so you can always gear it precisely for your working material.

Bosch's corded hammer drill allows you to easily change bits thanks to the Press + Lock chuck system that locks the spindle at the touch of a button. It is beautifully designed, features an adjustable ergonomic handle, and has an auxiliary handle to provide additional control while reducing fatigue. Its strength lies in its ability to control precise drilling easily.

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Corded vs. Cordless Electric Drills

When it comes to electric drills, carpenters, handypersons, and other tradies use cordless and corded models. While they both more or less do the same thing, each is best to use for specific projects. The key difference is power and convenience. Cordless drills are much more convenient for work in places where a power outlet may be tricky to find.

On the other hand, corded drills are suitable for easy-to-find power outlet environments and offer more power. Having one of each type at your disposal gives you the best of both worlds. Most professional tradies carry along corded and cordless drills.

Drill Drivers vs. Impact Drivers

Impact drivers are a typical drill when drilling a hole or pushing a screw. The key difference is when an impact driver senses resistance, it produces greater power in short bursts. This gets tough screws driving more quickly. Impact drivers can produce more torque than drills and direct the torque in quick bursts up to 50 times a second. They get their name from these bursts or “impacts.”

They also rotate their bits in a two-step-forward and one-step-back pattern to drive screws more effectively than normal drill drivers and with less slip and spin. Despite the extra torque, impact driver tools usually are lighter and smaller than drill drivers. And though they are not as versatile, they perform many similar functions.

Impact drivers can also be risky to use, as you can never be sure when they will sense resistance and kick in with extra torque, making it less ideal for specific jobs with very particular screw lengths.

What Is Chuck Size—And What Chuck Size Do I Need?

Chuck size refers to the maximum shank diameter the chuck will take. The larger your chuck size, the larger the shank diameter it will accept. Drill chucks only come in two sizes:

• 10 mm (3/8 inch)
• 13 mm (1/2 inch)

If you want to drill holes larger than 20 mm in diameter or drill into materials such as metal, get a drill with a 13 mm chuck and fit in larger bits.

4 Tips to Maintain a Cordless Drill Battery

Cordless drills are heavily reliant on the strength and health of their battery. To get the most out of your drill's battery, practice the following maintenance tips.

Tip #1 - Don't overcharge the battery

Once the charging is finished, be sure to remove the battery from the drill or unplug the charger, following the manufacturer's instructions. Overcharging can shorten and damage a battery's life span.

Tip #2 - Keep your drill clean

Remove the battery and clean it separately before cleaning your drill. After each day's work, be sure to remove the debris stuck to the tool. Most manufacturers have specific cleaning instructions for your tool on the packaging or in the user manual.

If the tool has external screws, you may unscrew them to clean the inside; however, always check to make sure that doing it won't void the warranty before doing this for the first time.

Tip #3 - Oil the drill regularly

The metal components of your drill may eventually grow dull and damaged if they are not oiled intermittently. This will reduce the life of worn parts such as the chuck.

The good news is that lubricating a cordless drill is simple. First, place a few drops of the lubricant into the chuck, then open and close it about five times to ensure the lubricant is spread evenly. That's it, now, take a soft cloth and wipe off any excess oil.

Tip #4 - Store the tools appropriately

Cordless drills should preferably be kept in a dry, clean place, away from regular temperature fluctuations. If you have a room, storing tools in carry cases or hanging them on hooks can help keep things organised while preventing damage. You may also keep them in large storage boxes or containers to reduce exposure to dust and humidity.

Safety Advice for Cordless Drills

Safety is a crucial component of every job. Thus, knowing how to use your cordless drill safely is imperative. Here are some safety tips you can keep in mind while using a cordless drill to reduce the risk of injury:

1. Wear appropriate safety equipment.
2. Always keep your batteries charged and use the right kind of charger.
3. Stay away from moving parts with loose clothing, hair, or jewellery.
4. Use the proper amount of pressure.
5. Use the appropriate tool for the right task.
6. Avoid reaching under or around the stock you're drilling.
7. Maintain proper footing and balance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the use and importance of cordless drills.

Closing Verdict

You should now have the tools at hand (pun intended) to make your choice. But as mentioned above, don't rule out a corded option depending on the nature of the work.

If you're going to use the drill fairly often, then the Bosch AdvancedImpact has the build quality, power, and combo functionality that make it the best cordless drill overall. Whether for DIY jobs, or big or small projects, we hope you found good value in this guide.