Top tools
Cordless drills
A cordless 18V hammer drill/driver kit for drilling holes and driving screws in wood, chosen from independent tests and reviews.
Our picks
Cordless drill/driver kit for holes and screws
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver kit
Our pick for one drill that does it all: a brushless 18V drill/driver with a hammer mode for masonry, sold as a kit with two batteries, a charger and a case.
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Photo credits
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver kit: Image: Milwaukee product image
Each price is the one we saw at that store on the date beside it. Prices change, so check the store before you buy.
What to look for in a cordless drill
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Drill/driver or hammer drill. A drill/driver handles holes and screws in wood; a hammer mode adds a pounding action for drilling masonry (Popular Mechanics; Bob Vila).
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Brushless motor and torque. More torque helps drive big bits and long screws; the testers drove 3 in. screws and lag bolts (Popular Mechanics; Bob Vila).
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Size and weight. A shorter, lighter drill is easier to hold overhead and in tight spots (Popular Mechanics).
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A chuck that holds. Milwaukee says its 1/2 in. all-metal chuck adds grip and bit retention.
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Batteries. A kit with two batteries and a charger costs more than a bare tool; if you already own a maker’s batteries, a bare tool is cheaper.
How we picked
We didn't hands-on test these. We picked it by reading independent tests and reviews (Popular Mechanics, Bob Vila and Pro Tool Reviews), checking Milwaukee's spec page, and checking the price at Home Depot. The Popular Mechanics and Bob Vila tests were done by the same tester, so we count them as one independent tester; with Pro Tool Reviews, that makes two independent testers. They're all linked with the pick, along with what each one found. We also searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database on Oct 25, 2026 and found no recall for this drill. Prices, review counts and links were last checked on ; prices and stock change, so check the store before you buy.
No paid links. Every link on this page is a plain link: no affiliate codes or tracking, and no company paid or asked to be listed (disclosure). Links open in a new tab.
Some outlets we cite get review samples from tool makers; we don't use pieces a maker paid for or sponsored.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.