Ranking of the best cordless drills for 2020

A screwdriver, in essence, is a substitute for a conventional screwdriver with the only difference that it works without the use of human force to rotate. With its help, they perform the same functionality, only now its work in the process of unscrewing / tightening bolts and screws is much more efficient, and it happens faster. This tool will be indispensable when it is necessary to screw / unscrew dozens or even hundreds of bolts. However, the scope of the screwdriver is not limited to one screw-in of bolts. By inserting a special drill into it, they can drill holes in wooden surfaces, plastic and even thin metal. Professional devices of this type of tools will also master bricks and concrete. In recent years, the most widespread are screwdrivers powered by mobile batteries, and they have almost supplanted devices that operate on the mains.

The main advantages of battery models

Unlike network devices, they are more maneuverable in operation and convenient for transportation. All this is due to the fact that they are not "tied" with a cord to an electrical outlet.

Their other advantages include:

• Mobility - the device and the electric battery are enclosed in one case, no other elements are needed for the full functioning of the instrument. It is enough to take the tool in hand - and it is already ready to work. You can transfer it to any desired distance.
• Compactness - usually, household screwdrivers have small dimensions, so they can be used in the most inaccessible places.
• Versatility - the functions of both drills and screwdrivers are immediately included in one device.
• The only drawback of battery models is their dependence on battery power. Thus, you should always count on a certain amount of time with the tool. However, this problem is not so insoluble - professionals use two sets of batteries: when one is in operation, at this time the second is being recharged. Then their mutual replacement takes place.

Basic tech. parameters of the cordless screwdriver

An ordinary user hardly needs to know all the technological principles of the operation of this tool, one has only to be aware of its main parameters.

Used voltage

• Household appliances use a voltage in the range of 10 - 14 V;
• Professional - from 25 to 35 V;
• Special - up to 80 V.

Batteries

Battery for them are:

• Lithium-ion - they never self-discharge, they can withstand 3000 recharge cycles (and at any level of battery charge). They are the most expensive.
• Nickel-cadmium - they perfectly tolerate low temperatures, but are susceptible to self-discharge. They need to be stored only in a completely discharged state (as well as put on charge), otherwise the battery capacity will decrease. They are located in the middle price segment.
• Nickel-metal hydride batteries are the most widely used and cheapest batteries. They need to be handled in the same way as with the previous ones, however, their main difference is that they have larger dimensions.

Moment of force (aka torque)

This parameter shows how hard the tool is to tighten the bolt, or how much force is required when drilling in order to overcome the load. This indicator is measured in Newton Meters (Nm). Knowing the moment of force, you can calculate the length and diameter of the bolt that the screwdriver can screw in. The higher this parameter, the longer and thicker the bolt can be. For example, a professional tool with an indicator of 40 Nm will freely drive a 10-centimeter self-tapping screw into the wood.

Solid home models are equipped with a special stop, which is installed immediately behind the chuck. The operator can coordinate the force of the tool by twisting this ring. In addition, it also protects the device from premature wear.

Rotation frequency

It is expressed in the number of revolutions per minute produced by the equipment. Usually, the adjustment is set electronically, that is, the harder you press the trigger, the more speed the device will operate. Thus, the denser the material into which you want to screw the self-tapping screw, the more you need to press on the hook.

In the apparatus, this parameter is characterized by the technical speed:

• 1st speed (at 500 rpm) - screwing in / out process;
• 2nd speed (at 1200-1500 rpm) - drilling process;
• 3rd speed (over 1500 rpm) - in general, any work with any hard surfaces.

Use of cartridges

The chuck is the element that holds the drill or screwdriver. They are of the following types:

• Key (cam) - the holding device looks a little like a kind of "cams", they are connected in the center by the fastening sides and thus the tool is held. A nut is put on the cartridge itself, which is tightened with a special wrench. It takes a certain amount of time to open the "cams", but this method of fastening is the most reliable and is suitable for working with hard surfaces.
• Quick-clamping cartridges - to change the tool, press the cartridge, remove the tool, insert a new one, press the cartridge again. Quick-release ones are two-sleeve and one-sleeve, respectively, in the first case, the operator uses both hands to open, and in the second one.
• Hexagonal - any model of a screwdriver is equipped with it. The tool of the correct size is simply inserted into the hexagonal slot.

Additional features

Brand models are usually equipped with such capabilities. These include:

• Convenient carrying case. It has special compartments for tools (drills, hexagons, screwdrivers), compartments for batteries and a charger, the container itself is made of lightweight, waterproof, durable materials.
• Equipping the housing with a battery capacity indicator. Usually this role is performed by a simple LED - the brighter it glows, the more charge remains in the battery. In more advanced models, an LCD display can be installed.
• Special blockers - it is advisable to use them when you often have to change the type of drilling tool.They significantly increase the durability of the apparatus.
• Forced speed switches - no extra effort required to increase RPM - by selecting the current speed, the tool will evenly maintain the set RPM for the implement. This function will not allow a person to inadvertently increase / decrease the speed.

It is always worth remembering that the presence of additional functionality in a screwdriver will certainly affect its price upward.

Rules for choosing a battery screwdriver

Naturally, a screwdriver should be suitable for a potential buyer in terms of price, functionality, and sit comfortably in the hand. However, it is worth paying attention to the technical side of the matter, that is, the characteristics of the instrument itself.

The main criteria for special attention are:

• Tool drive. It can be brushed or brushless. The difference between them is that in the former, the current in the armature windings is switched with special brushes, and the latter are equipped with simple brushless motors. The first one is more expensive, because it excludes sparking in its design. And the second is cheaper, but more powerful.
• The material from which the gearbox is made. Cheap models are equipped with plastic gears, more expensive ones use metal gears.
• Various spindle speeds. For household needs, a 2-speed model is suitable: for screwing / unscrewing the bolts - 500 rpm, for drilling - from 1200 rpm. It is better if at the same time the device provides for electronic speed control due to the force of pressing the trigger.
• Reverse feed availability. It is required, because then it will not be a screwdriver, but a drill (how to unscrew the bolts?).
• Torque. For domestic needs, a torque in the range of 10 to 25 Nm is quite suitable. Devices of professional use have more than 30 Nm. However, there are also models with a torque of about 80 Nm, but they are used in extremely specific areas (for example, tightening huge bolts in shipbuilding or drilling technological holes in general construction work).
• Manufacturing company. Here everything will depend on personal preferences and financial capabilities. Western and Japanese samples are considered to be of the highest quality (Metabo, Hammer, Makita), Russian ones represent the middle segment (Interskol, Zubr), while Chinese ones occupy the lower level (there are a huge number of them, since it is extremely difficult to single out certain firms). Thus, having looked closely at a specific model, it is better to familiarize yourself with its review before buying, since there are many of them on the Internet now.
• Cartridge. It is preferable to buy a model with a quick clamp. Single-sleeve ones will be more convenient to use, but if you intend to use the drill function, then it is better to take a two-sleeve one. Naturally, for full-fledged operation, the tool must have two chucks - a cam and a quick-clamping (the first is necessary for drilling). The cheapest models come without a chuck at all and only have an adapter for a hexagon.
• Shock / shockless apparatus. It should be remembered that a household screwdriver will never replace a hammer drill. However, higher torque models can drill into fairly tight surfaces.
• Backlighting. Cordless tools are often used in hard-to-reach places in the absence of lighting. Thus, the presence of a flashlight on the device will be a big plus.
• Battery set. It is preferable to buy two rechargeable batteries at once in order to avoid unnecessary long interruptions in work due to battery recharging.

Once again about the manufacturers

Still, the brand in construction equipment plays an important role. Well-known and well-established brands offer a quality tool, have a reliable warranty service, but they are also not cheap. An analysis of the Russian market in this area suggests that Russians prefer to use foreign-made samples.

The top three for 2020 looks like this:

1. German Bosch. Most tools are equipped with a more durable lithium-ion battery, with a voltage of 10 to 18 V. The device is protected against overvoltage, and the battery may not be completely discharged before recharging. The charge is controlled by the brightness of the LED in the housing.
2. Japanese Makita. The brand focuses on the production of professional screwdrivers with a torque of 25 Nm. Most models are equipped with a backlight and a second set of batteries by default.
3. German Metabo. Provides a long warranty (3 years or more) for most instruments. Has a wide range of models - from budget to professional and special designs. It also uses various types of batteries: Li-Ion, Ni-Mh, and Ni-Cd.

Ranking of the best cordless drills for 2020

The lightest and most inexpensive models

3rd place: MILITARY CD10.8Li

One of the most popular Chinese-made models in Russia. Perfect for occasional use to solve small household issues. The weight of the device is only 1.1 kg. It does not have great performance, but the set comes with two lithium-ion batteries at once (this implies that "as it were" this tool can be used as a professional one).

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	10.8
Weight, kg	1.1
Torque, Nm	23
Maximum speed, rpm	1350
Number of speeds	2
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 1.5
Price, rubles	2500

• Easy to use (comfortable grip, rubberized handle);
• Refined alignment;
• Ergonomic design.

• Insufficient motor power.

2nd place: Bort BAB-10.8-P

Former German development, licensed to China. Currently, it is produced only there, but has a Russian localization. The weight of the tool is 1.1 kg. Like the previous sample, this model is suitable for infrequent household use, because it has only one speed.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	10.8
Weight, kg	1.1
Torque, Nm	18
Maximum revolutions, rpm	550
Number of speeds	1
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 1.8
Price, rubles	1950

• Compactness;
• Competent balancing;
• Sufficient torque.

• Low power.
• Problems with the purchase of "non-native" batteries due to their non-standard shape.

1st place: Kolner KCD 10,8L

The lightest of the popular screwdrivers - this model weighs only 0.8 kg. Therefore, it is possible to work with it even with one hand. It is also an irreplaceable household assistant; it is poorly suited for long-term work. The model is equipped with a single keyless chuck.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	10.8
Weight, kg	0.8
Torque, Nm	16
Maximum revolutions, rpm	550
Number of speeds	1
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 2
Price, rubles	1650

• The turns are regulated quite smoothly;
• Has an LED charge indicator;
• Nice design.

• Extremely low power for drill mode.

Models of the middle price segment

3rd Place: Einhell TC-CD 18-2

This model is already more suitable for solving complex tasks, since it has a hammer mode to facilitate drilling. The kit includes a handy case and two batteries at once. The tool is equipped with an emergency stop function. It is better to use this screwdriver as a drill.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	18
Weight, kg	1.6
Torque, Nm	38
Maximum revolutions, rpm	1250
Number of speeds	2
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 4
Price, rubles	7500

• High-quality assembly;
• Impact drilling function;
• Compactness.

• Long-term work in the absence of breaks is not recommended.

2nd place: Stanley SBH20S2K

This model is an upgraded version of the previous one and is also equipped with a hammer mechanism to improve the drilling function. In addition, this tool uses a brushless motor, which means an increase in power of at least 20%. The device is designed to work with more than 20 types of different materials.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	18
Weight, kg	1.5
Torque, Nm	55
Maximum revolutions, rpm	1700
Number of speeds	2
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 3
Price, rubles	12000

• Reduced noise during operation;
• High-quality assembly;
• The presence of a powerful backlight.

• Not found.

1st place: Metabo BS 18 LT BL Q 602334550

Lightweight and easy-to-use device. Some of the available functions bring it closer to the category of professional equipment (for example, the use of Ultra-M power saving technology). The body of the tool is made of durable materials, is little susceptible to side vibrations during operation and is equipped with special brackets for fastening to a belt or on a special installation.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	18
Weight, kg	1.5
Torque, Nm	60
Maximum revolutions, rpm	2100
Number of speeds	2
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 2.4
Price, rubles	21000

• Professional grade model;
• Has an ergonomic design;
• Equally suitable for all tasks.

• High price.

Professional equipment

3rd place: BOSCH GSR 18 V-EC TE

The most inexpensive model in the segment of professional screwdrivers. It features powerful functionality and high reliability (the tool is able to work for more than 3 hours without interruption). The case is equipped with efficient ventilation holes, thanks to which it became possible for long-term operation without interruption. Its brushless motor provides durability and increases the power of the machine itself. The tape-type magazine allows you to automate the installation of fasteners. The best device for a professional in terms of price / quality ratio.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	18
Weight, kg	2
Torque, Nm	25
Maximum revolutions, rpm	4500
Number of speeds	1
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 3
Price, rubles	18000

• Adjustable limiter;
• Trigger fixation;
• ESD protection.

• The set does not include batteries.

2nd place: MAKITA DHP481RTE

This screwdriver is very technologically advanced - its shop design speaks for itself. The fast screw feed allows you to automate the fastener installation process. The device has a stop handle and additional body kits included. The body is made according to the system of moisture and dust protection, the cartridge is equipped with a special adjusting head, with the help of which the length of the screws supplied from the store is set.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	18
Weight, kg	3.7
Torque, Nm	115
Maximum revolutions, rpm	2100
Number of speeds	3
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 4.5
Price, rubles	34000

• Reduced noise during operation;
• Rigid fastening of fasteners in automatic mode;
• Smooth and synchronized rotation.

• Extremely heavy weight.

1st place: METABO BS 18 LTX Quick new 5.2

The device has a lot of weight, so it is equipped with a special stop handle, therefore, it is fixed in a high-quality position in the working position. It has quick-release and cam chucks, is equipped with an automatic engine brake, the replacement of tools in the chuck takes place in a very short time, thanks to well-assembled nozzles. Supplied complete with a convenient case and a set of attachments. The device is guaranteed for 36 months.

Specifications:

Name	Index
Battery voltage, V	18
Weight, kg	4.5
Torque, Nm	110
Maximum revolutions, rpm	1700
Number of speeds	3
Battery and its capacity, h	Li-Ion, 3.2
Price, rubles	38000

• Versatility;
• The basic equipment already includes all the necessary elements for work;
• Ease of handling.

• It is not recommended to work at low ambient temperatures.

Instead of an epilogue

The choice of a screwdriver will always depend on the purpose of its use (professional daily work or from case to case) and on the financial capabilities of the buyer. Most construction experts still recommend purchasing tools from retail stores, rather than trusting the pseudo-economy when shopping on the Internet. Retail purchase involves inspection and testing of equipment directly "without leaving the checkout", which will eliminate in the future issues of operability and functionality of the purchase. At the same time, professionals prefer to dwell on foreign-made tools, having little confidence in both domestic and Chinese manufacturers.