Best Cordless Drill/Drivers: Size, Platform, Kit
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Prices were listed by the retailer as of Oct 30, 2026 and can change. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer's page before you buy.
The catalog lists 103 cordless drill/drivers, and they sort into a few clear groups. By type, 90 are drill/drivers and 13 are hammer drills. By brand, Milwaukee accounts for 60 listings, Makita 20, Hilti 10, DeWalt 6, Ridgid 5 and Ryobi 2. By platform, the largest groups are M12 with 27 models, M18 with 21, LXT 18V with 14 and M4 with 8.
The decision that shapes everything else is the battery platform. A platform is a family of batteries and chargers that fit a set of tools from one brand. Once you own batteries for one platform, other tools from that family are often sold as bare tools, which saves money. Voltage matters here too. It is a general measure of the battery's electrical pressure, and platforms are usually named after it, such as 18 V or 22 V. Check that the tool you want runs on the platform you plan to commit to.
Next, look at what is in the box. In the catalog, 71 models are listed as kits, 29 as bare tools and 3 do not state it. Only 48 percent of listings state kit contents at all. A bare tool is the tool only, with no battery or charger. Then check chuck size, which is the largest bit shank the drill can grip. The picks here are all listed at 1/2 in. A brushless motor is a motor design without carbon brushes, and 74 percent of models are listed as brushless. Finally, max torque is the twisting force the drill can deliver, usually in inch-pounds. Higher numbers suggest more force for driving large fasteners, but not every listing states it.
Buying checklist
- Decide which battery platform you will commit to before comparing models.
- Check whether you already own compatible batteries and a charger.
- Confirm the chuck size in the listing, such as 1/2 in.
- Read the in-the-box line to see if it is a kit or a bare tool.
- Look for a stated brushless motor if you want that feature.
- Compare max torque only where the listing states it.
- Choose between a drill/driver and a hammer drill for your work.
- Compare your total cost, including any batteries you must add.
How to choose
Battery platform and voltage
Pick the platform first. A platform is one brand's family of interchangeable batteries and chargers. The catalog groups models under M12, M18, LXT 18V, M4 and others. If you already own batteries, buy into that family. If you are starting fresh, think about which other tools you may want later on that same platform.
Chuck size
The chuck is the part that grips the bit. The picks in this guide are all listed with a 1/2 in. capacity, meaning the chuck opens to hold bits up to that shank width. Check the listing for this figure, because not every listing states a chuck size. Match the size to the bits and accessories you plan to use.
Brushless motor
A brushless motor is a motor design that does not use carbon brushes. In the catalog, 74 percent of models are listed as brushless. Treat it as a feature to confirm in the listing, not a promise of better results. Three of the four picks here state it in the listing, and the Makita kit does not.
Max torque
Torque is the twisting force a drill can apply, shown here in inch-pounds. It matters most for driving long screws or drilling large holes. Not every listing states a figure, so you may not be able to compare all models. Among these picks, the listed values are 450 in-lbs and 1,590 in-lbs, and two picks list none.
Kit contents
Read the box contents before the price. A kit lists items such as batteries, a charger and a case. A bare tool is only the drill. Because only 48 percent of listings state kit contents, an unclear listing may leave you guessing. A bare tool can be good value if you already own compatible batteries.
Our picks from the catalog
These picks come from what the listings state: prices, specifications and kit contents. Each says which listed facts it is based on.
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Compact 1/2 in. Drill/Driver w/ ONE+ 18V 4.0 Ah Lithium-Ion EDGE Battery & ONE+ 18V Charger
$282.97 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: ONE+ 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
This pick rests on the most listed specifications and kit items for the price, and its $282.97 sits within the middle half of prices in this group. The listing states 18 V, a brushless motor, the ONE+ 18V platform, a 1/2 in. size, a 4 Ah battery and 450 in-lbs of max torque. The listing says the box holds 1 battery and a charger. Keep in mind it states only one battery, so a second would be extra.
Hilti 22-Volt NURON SF 4H ATC Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill Driver (Tool Only)
$206.00 · · Voltage: 22 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: NURON 22V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in.
At $206.00, this is the lowest price among the 102 models whose listings state at least two specifications. The listing states 22 V, a brushless motor, the NURON 22V platform and a 1/2 in. size. It is a hammer drill and is listed as tool only, with no battery or charger stated. Keep in mind that you would need NURON-compatible batteries and a charger, which adds cost. No torque figure is listed.
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless 3 Speed 1/2 in. Hammer Driver-Drill, Tool Only
$259.00 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Max torque: 1,590 in-lbs
This pick has the highest listed max torque in the group at 1,590 in-lbs. The listing also states 40 V, a brushless motor, the XGT 40V platform, a 1/2 in. size and a max speed of 2,600 RPM. It costs $259.00. Keep in mind it is a bare tool, so no battery or charger is stated. You would need to buy XGT 40V batteries separately, which changes the total cost.
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Compact Cordless Hammer Driver Drill Kit with two Batteries (2.0 Ah), Charger and Hard Case
$279.14 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 2 Ah · Max speed: 1,900 RPM
This pick has the most complete kit contents stated. The listing states 2 batteries, a charger and a case or bag. It costs $279.14 and is listed at 18 V on the LXT 18V platform, with a 1/2 in. size, 2 Ah batteries, 1,900 RPM and a weight of 3.4 lb. Keep in mind the listing does not state a brushless motor or a max torque figure, so check those details if they matter to you.
Skip it if...
- Skip a bare tool if you do not already own batteries and a charger on the same platform, because the listing includes neither.
- Skip a model if its listing leaves out kit contents, since only 48 percent of listings state them and you cannot confirm what arrives.
- Skip a platform you do not plan to stay with, because batteries and chargers are tied to one brand's family.
- Skip any listing that states no max torque if driving large fasteners is your main job, since you cannot compare it.
Frequently asked questions
How many cordless drill/drivers are listed?
The catalog lists 103 models, all cordless. Of these, 90 are drill/drivers and 13 are hammer drills. Milwaukee has the most listings at 60, followed by Makita with 20 and Hilti with 10. DeWalt has 6, Ridgid has 5 and Ryobi has 2.
What is the price range?
The four picks in this guide range from $206.00 to $282.97, so they all sit well below the top of the catalog range.
What is a battery platform?
A platform is a family of batteries and chargers from one brand that work across several tools. The catalog groups models under M12 with 27 listings, M18 with 21, LXT 18V with 14 and M4 with 8. Choosing a platform links you to that brand's batteries for future tools.
What is the difference between a kit and a bare tool?
A kit is listed with extras such as batteries, a charger or a case. A bare tool is the drill only, with no battery or charger. The catalog shows 71 kits and 29 bare tools, while 3 do not state it. Only 48 percent of listings state kit contents.
How many models have a brushless motor?
The catalog shows 74 percent of models listed as brushless. A brushless motor is a design without carbon brushes. Among the four picks, the Ryobi, Hilti and Makita 40V models state a brushless motor in the listing, while the Makita 18V kit does not state one.