If you are looking to expand your toolbox, where better to start than with a new brushless drill.
These tools are not only extremely powerful but also super helpful as they can be used in all manner of tasks, from hanging a new photo frame to putting together a flat-pack piece of furniture, the opportunities are endless and it’s always handy to keep an electric drill close by.
There are so many different types of drills on the market, and it can be confusing to pick the one that is perfect for you, but we’re here to help with this guide to the best brushless drills around.
We have put together a list of the 5 brushless drills we think are the best and have even included a buyer’s guide and FAQ section to further support you in your search for the perfect tool for you.
In a hurry?
If you are in a rush to get your hands on a brushless drill, why not consider our favorite? The DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill. This device is packed full with so many great features, and we’ve put together these quick points of why it may be perfect for you:
- Two XR Li-Ion batteries with a built-in fuel gauge to check battery life, with the added bonus of 33% higher capacity and 57% more runtime than brushed drills.
- Ergonomic grip handle for comfort and better balance and control when completing tasks.
- Lightweight design weighing only 3.4 pounds and perfect for tasks in tight spaces or awkward areas to reach.
- Two-speed transmission of 0-550 and 0-2000 RPM with over 600 inch-lbs of torque making it the perfect choice for both light and heavy tasks.
Top 5 Best Brushless Drills
OUR TOP PICK
Our favorite brushless drill currently on the market is the DEWALT 20V Max cordless drill.
This impressive machine delivers up to 57% more run time than its brushed drill competitors, and its two XR Li-Ion batteries provide 33% more capacity with a built-in fuel gauge which is a great feature that tells you the exact battery life left and when the battery needs to be charged.
Its compact and lightweight design accompanied with it being cordless makes it the perfect drill for tight spaces and reaching awkward areas as it only weighs 3.4 pounds. But do not let its weight mislead you, this drill is still extremely powerful with a high-speed transmission featuring 2-speed settings, including 0-550 and 0-2,000 RPM, and over 600 inch-lbs torque.
The device features 3-mode LED lights including a spotlight mode making it perfect for intricate tasks or when working in dimly lit areas. It also features an ergonomic handle for a comfortable grip and superior balance and control as well as a metal 0.5-inch ratcheting chuck for immaculate gripping strength in tasks.
With all these amazing features there is no question why this drill is so popular and why we have ranked it as the best brushless drill currently on the market.
Pros
- Brushless technology increases run time by 57%
- LED light with spotlight feature for intricate tasks
- 33% more battery capacity and battery gauge so that you know exactly when it needs to be recharged
- Belt hook for convenience when completing tasks
- Comfortable grip for superior balance and control
- Very lightweight and perfect for tight spaces and awkward tasks
- 2-speed transmission and powerful torque
Cons
- No magnetic bit holder
EDITORS CHOICE
The next best brushless drill on the market is the Makita XFD131 driver drill.
This drill features an efficient BL brushless motor that is electronically controlled for up to 50% longer run time by eliminating carbon brushes and allowing the motor to run cooler and more efficiently. The XFD131 is also a lightweight machine with a 6.5 x 8-inch compact design weighing only 3.8 pounds, with battery weight included, for superior power to weight ratio.
This device is designed for durability with all metal gears and build making it the perfect tool for home or work use, and a series of internal protective seals protecting the inner components from water, debris, and damage. The XFD131 has an LED light that can make intricate tasks a lot easier and allow higher precision and provides ample power for difficult tasks despite its small size.
It has a 2-speed mechanical transmission, including 0-500 and 0-1900 RPM, and a 440 inch-lbs max torque making it perfect for a wide range of drilling and fastening tasks and making it one of the best brushless drills available.
Pros
- Compact design makes it perfect for awkward jobs
- Ample power for difficult tasks despite its small appearance
- LED light for intricate tasks and precision
- 2-speed transmission with a 440 inch-lbs max torque
- Strong battery life with 50% longer run time
- Lightweight for superior power to weight ratio
Cons
- Can emit a slight noise when working with metal
BEST VALUE
Another excellent brushless drill on the market is the Milwaukee M18 brushless compact drill.
This device may be small, measuring at 6.8 x 8.8 inches and weighing 3.7 pounds, but it definitely packs a punch with 500 inch-lbs in torque and 2-speed transmission, including 0-450 and 0-1800 RPM. Its powerful red-lithium batteries provide extremely efficient battery life and require fewer charges than some of its competitors.
This device has an all-metal build making it extremely durable and has a variety of other features making it excellent value for money. It has a redlink overload protection feature that monitors the temperature of the device and protects against damage, defends against bad applications, and ensures maximum battery life.
Additionally, it has an onboard fuel gauge and individual battery cell monitoring feature which allows you to keep an eye on the life of the battery and know when a recharge is necessary. Similar to the previous two drills, the M18 also has an LED light that can be used to illuminate the area you are working in and offer more precision to your task.
On occasion, this device can be a bit tight and require breaking in when brand new but nevertheless, it is a well-rounded brushless drill and definitely one of the best money can buy.
Pros
- All metal build for durability
- The most compact 18V drill on the market
- Additional features like overload protection, fuel gauge, battery cell monitoring and LED light
- 2-speed transmission (0-450/0-1800 RPM) and 500 inch-lbs in torque
- Ergonomic grip and lightweight for ultimate control
Cons
- The device can be tight when brand new and sometimes requires breaking in
RUNNER UP
An alternative brushless drill on the market is the Porter-Cable 20V Max cordless drill.
Another lightweight and compact design, the 20V Max has a powerful motor with minimal stall function and 2-speed transmission (0-450/0-1800 RPM) providing 1400 inch-lbs of torque for large fastening applications and 360 MWO for heavy applications.
It has additional features including an LED light for specificity and battery gauge to monitor how much battery life your device has left. This 2.9-pound device is very powerful and can be used for a variety of tasks while preventing user-fatigue with its size and weight.
While this drill does not include some of the additional features that the other drills on this list has, it is still an excellent brushless drill and one of the best on the market.
Pros
- LED light for precise tasks
- Battery gauge to know when a recharge is needed
- Lightweight and compact for difficult tasks
- Contoured handle for easy grip
- 2-speed transmission (0-450/0-1800 RPM) providing 1400 inch-lbs for large fastening applications
Cons
- No magnetic bit holder
RUNNER UP
The final brushless drill on this list is the Popoman PPM-BHD3. Thisis a much lesser-known brand than the others on this list but the device itself is excellent and is definitely worthy of its place on this list.
Similar to all of its competitors on this list, the Popoman is also a lightweight and compact drill, weighing only 3.37 pounds with the battery included, making it perfect for compact and awkward tasks. It features a 3 LED fuel gauge system on its batteries giving real-time feedback on battery life and allowing you to plan when to charge the battery around the tasks you wish to complete.
Another excellent feature of this device is that the powerful 2PCs 20V lithium-ion batteries also charge extremely quickly with it only taking 60 minutes for a recharge so you no longer need to wait for multiple hours to be able to use your drill.
It has a variable speed trigger for force and control in different tasks and 2-speed transmission (0-400/0-1500 RPM) and 530 inch-lbs in torque making it perfect for a huge variety of tasks, and a great addition to your tool kit.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact for awkward tasks
- Fast charging battery (60-minute recharge)
- 2-speed transmission (0-400/0-1500 RPM) and 530 inch-lbs in torque
- 3 LED fuel gauge to measure battery life in real-time
- Trigger activated LED light for intricate tasks
Cons
- Lesser known brand
Best Brushless Drills Buying Guide
Brushless drills are an extremely helpful addition to your tool kit, they can aid in a variety of different tasks around the house and really are a lifesaver when it comes to building flatpacks with only poor instructions to help.
From drilling holes to put a photo frame up on the wall of your first house to putting together the crib in your first child’s nursery, brushless drills can reduce the stress and help you enjoy these special moments even more.
Are you considering buying a brushless drill but don’t know where to begin in your search?
Stress no more because this buyer’s guide is going to provide you with all the key information you need to know about brushless drills and what to look out for when making a purchase.
We will explain the difference between brushless and brushed drills, as well as looking at the technical specifications that are the most important and a variety of other important things to consider before you buy.
Brushed Vs Brushless
One thing to consider when purchasing a drill is whether to buy a brushed or brushless drill, in order to decide what is best it is important to know how drills work.
In both brushed and brushless drills, magnets are responsible for the rotating movements that ultimately make the drill work. Brushed drills use carbon brushes to make this movement whereas brushless drills use internal circuits to generate a magnetic field which removes the need for the brushes. There are benefits to both, but generally, brushless drills are considered superior as they require less power to function making them more efficient and more powerful than brushed drills.
Brushless drills also tend to have a longer life than brushed drills as they produce less friction and heat causing less damage to the mechanics of the drill, however, brushed drills tend to be cheaper so all options should be considered before making a purchase.
Torque and RPM
When comparing product specifications for brushless drills there are two very important things to consider:
RPM and torque. RPM stands for rotations per minute and basically measures the maximum speed that the drill will achieve, generally most products will offer two options: high speed and a low-speed option, but more advanced drills may offer additional options too.
Torque is also an important factor to consider when looking at speed as this works hand in hand with RPM. Torque is the way that the turning force of the drill is measured, and will be more or less important depending on the tasks you want to complete. For example, a high torque measurement is extremely important for drilling holes whereas it is less important if you only want to complete light tasks.
Ultimately the perfect drill will depend on the tasks you wish to complete, but it is always important to consider torque and RPM when making a purchase.
Safety
When planning on operating a brushless drill it is very important that you take safety precautions, as drills are heavy power tools.
Some drills will come with built-in safety features such as overload protection, or LED lights to help you see in dimly-lit areas. Some drills also include a fuel gauge which means you will never be left surprised when your drill runs out of battery, reducing the likelihood of sudden jolts that could cause injury.
It is also important to take additional precautions such as wearing goggles when drilling to prevent any debris from entering your eyes, or a face mask to protect your lungs when working in dusty environments or with materials that could put you at risk.
Battery
One final thing to consider when buying a brushless drill is the battery that powers it. This is extremely important when buying a cordless drill, and a lot of the drills on the market now are cordless, as the battery will dictate how long you can actively work for.
When buying a drill it is best to invest in one that has a battery that can hold its charge while also operating efficiently. This can seem offputting as drills which come ready with powerful batteries tend to be more expensive upfront, however, you will likely make back this money through the extra time you will be able to use the drill for as the device will spend less time charging and more time doing the job you bought it for.
When making this decision its important to think about the tasks you want to complete as if you only want to complete small tasks a powerful battery will be less important than if you want to complete big tasks. Another thing to watch out for is batteries with a quick charge feature as these will significantly reduce the charging time and give you more battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a brushless drill?
A brushless drill can be used to complete the same tasks as a brushed drill, except the way that it operates internally is different.
A brushed drill operates with a motor containing carbon brushes, whereas brushless drills use internal circuits to generate a magnetic field that allows the drill to operate more efficiently than brushed drills.
Do brushless motors wear out?
No, unlike their brushed counterparts, brushless motors will not wear out as they have no brushes to wear out and so the device is not exposed to no friction.
This allows brushless drills to operate more efficiently and perform better than if they were constructed with a brushed motor, generally it also means that brushless drills will have a much longer operating life than a brushed drill.
Are brushless motors quiet?
Yes, brushless motors are generally quieter than brushed motors as they require less power to operate. This makes brushless drills the perfect option if any of the tasks you want to complete with it are noise-sensitive.
However, all drills will generate some noise when operating with certain materials and so it is important to do your research.
