Are Brushless Drills Better Than Brushed?

On this page (10 sections)

1. What actually changes between a brushless and a brushed motor?
2. Why do brushless drills run longer on a single charge?
3. How much longer does a brushless motor last?
4. When is a brushed drill still the better buy?
5. Which motor type fits which kind of work?
6. What should you check besides the motor type?
7. Which brushless and brushed drills show the difference?
8. Do brushless drills need less upkeep?
9. How to Use a Hammer Drill at Home Without the Wrong Tool
10. So, are brushless drills better than brushed for your next drill?

Yes, brushless drills are better than brushed drills for most buyers. A brushless motor uses electronic switching instead of carbon brushes, so it runs longer per charge, lasts longer and needs no brush changes.

Brushed drills still make sense when the lowest price matters more than runtime.

The short version of "are brushless drills better than brushed" is that brushless wins on efficiency and life. The long version is about how each motor turns battery power into spin, and where that gap actually shows up in your work.

What actually changes between a brushless and a brushed motor?

A brushed motor passes current through carbon brushes that rub on a spinning commutator, while a brushless motor switches current electronically. That single design difference drives almost every practical advantage.

In a brushed drill, the brushes press against the commutator to feed the rotor. Friction and sparking at that contact waste some of the battery's energy as heat.

The brushes also wear down over time, which is why older brushed tools sometimes needed brush replacements.

A brushless motor moves the switching to a circuit board and uses sensors or timing logic to fire the coils. There is no rubbing contact in the motor.

Less energy turns into heat and more turns into rotation, and there are no brushes to wear out.

That's why makers can promise longer tool life and more work per charge from a brushless design. The gains are real, but they're about efficiency and durability, not raw speed alone.

Why do brushless drills run longer on a single charge?

Because less battery energy is lost to brush friction and sparking, more of each charge reaches the bit. In practice you get more holes or screws from the same battery.

The size of the gain depends on the motor, the battery and the job. A brushless drill doing light driving sees a modest bump.

A brushless drill running a 2-inch hole saw or a long deck screw under load sees a bigger one, because heat loss at the brushes grows as the motor works harder.

Makers design around this. Skil fits its digital brushless motor in the PWR CORE 20 kit and rates it at up to 400 inch-pounds of torque.

DeWalt's brushed DCD771C2 kit delivers 300 unit watts out and two speeds. Those are different motor types and different claims, but the pattern holds: brushless designs are tuned to squeeze more work from each charge.

How much longer does a brushless motor last?

Brushless motors outlast brushed motors in normal use because there are no carbon brushes to wear down. The main wear parts in a brushed motor are the brushes themselves.

In a brushed drill, the brushes slowly shorten as they rub the commutator. When they wear too far, the motor weakens or stops, and on some tools you replace them.

A brushless motor has no brushes, so that failure path doesn't exist. Bearings and the electronics become the long-term limits instead.

For a homeowner who drills a few times a month, the difference may take years to notice. For anyone using a drill on a jobsite or in a workshop most days, the brushless motor's longer service life is a strong reason to pay more up front.

Cordless Drills Pro weighs specs and features like motor type when scoring tools.

When is a brushed drill still the better buy?

A brushed drill wins when price and simplicity matter more than runtime and motor life. It's the sensible pick for light, occasional use.

Brushed drills are usually cheaper than brushless models of similar size. They're common in budget kits and starter sets, which suits a first drill for small repairs, furniture assembly or hanging shelves.

For a few holes a month, the efficiency gap rarely costs you real time.

They also suit buyers who already own a brushed drill and a spare battery, and who don't want to switch battery platforms for a marginal gain. If your current drill does the jobs you give it, a brushless upgrade is a nice-to-have, not an emergency.

The brushed case weakens as the work gets heavier. Long hole saw runs, repeated deck screws and all-day projects push a brushed motor harder and drain batteries faster.

That's where the brushless advantage pays for itself.

Which motor type fits which kind of work?

Match the motor to how often and how hard you drill. Light use favors brushed; steady or heavy use favors brushless.

The table is a starting point, not a rule. A brushed drill with a good battery can handle plenty of home jobs.

A brushless drill used only for picture hooks won't show its full benefit.

What should you check besides the motor type?

The motor is one part of the drill, so check the chuck, torque settings, speeds and battery platform too. A brushless motor in a weak tool still feels weak.

Start with the chuck. A 1/2-inch keyless chuck, as on the Skil DL6280B and the DeWalt DCD771C2, takes a wide range of bits and lets you change them by hand.

Then look at torque settings: the Skil kit offers 17 stages plus drill mode, while the Craftsman V20 kit uses a two-speed transmission and a variable speed trigger up to 1,900 rpm.

Speed control matters for driving screws without stripping heads. Weight matters for overhead work.

And the battery platform decides what else you can add later. Our guide to is a 20V drill better than 18V explains how to read voltage claims without overpaying.

If you're deciding between a drill and a smaller driver, read cordless drill vs electric screwdriver before you buy either.

Which brushless and brushed drills show the difference?

The three drills here cover the range: two brushless kits and one popular brushed kit. Each one shows where its motor type makes sense.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 is a brushed 20V MAX kit with a high-performance motor rated at 300 unit watts out. It's lightweight and has a two-speed transmission, so it handles light drilling and driving comfortably.

It's the sensible brushed pick for occasional jobs and a first drill.

The Skil PWR CORE 20 DL6280B is a brushless 20V kit rated at up to 400 inch-pounds of torque. It includes a 2.0 Ah battery, a charger and a double-ended bit.

Its 17 torque settings plus drill mode and LED worklight make it a good step up for regular use.

The Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCD714D1 is a compact brushless drill with a short tool head. Craftsman rates it up to 40% more power than its CMCD700 and up to 1,900 rpm no-load.

It suits tight spaces and buyers who want a small brushless tool.

Compare all the brushless options in our guide to the best brushless cordless drills.

Do brushless drills need less upkeep?

Yes. There are no carbon brushes to wear or replace, so routine care is mostly about the chuck and the vents.

A brushed drill adds one more wear part to watch.

On a brushed tool, worn brushes show up as a weak or stalling motor, and some models let you swap them. A brushless tool skips that job.

Wipe dust from the vents, keep the chuck clean and store the battery at a sensible temperature, and the motor needs little else.

Brushless electronics can be more costly to repair if they fail, so treat the tool well. Avoid dropping it and don't run it in heavy dust without clearing the vents.

Those habits help both motor types.

How to Use a Hammer Drill at Home Without the Wrong Tool

A hammer drill adds a pounding action for masonry, and brushless versions keep that action going longer. If your projects include brick or concrete, the motor type matters even more.

Hammer drilling puts the motor under repeated shock and load. A brushless motor wastes less energy as heat and holds speed better through long runs.

That makes a brushless hammer drill the better fit for repeated anchor holes. Read our guide to how to use a hammer drill for bit choice, mode settings and safe technique.

So, are brushless drills better than brushed for your next drill?

For most people, yes: buy brushless if you drill regularly or tackle heavy cuts. Pick brushed only when the lowest price is the deciding factor and the work is light.

The decision rule is simple. Choose brushless for longer runtime, longer motor life and no brush changes.

Choose brushed for a cheap first drill or a backup for occasional tasks. Either way, match the chuck, torque settings and battery platform to the jobs you actually do.

If you're weighing a hammer drill against a plain one for masonry work, read how to use a hammer drill before you commit. And if you're ready to compare brushless models side by side, start with the best brushless cordless drills and check 20V vs 18V drill voltage so the battery you buy fits the tools you'll add later.

Frequently asked questions

Do brushless drills need less maintenance?

Yes. Brushed motors use carbon brushes that wear down and are sometimes replaced.

Brushless motors switch electronically, so there are no brushes to wear or change.

Keep the chuck clean and the vents clear and the motor needs little beyond that.

Are brushed drills still worth buying?

They can be, if you drill and drive only now and then and want the lowest price. Brushed drills also remain common in bargain kits.

If you use a drill regularly or run long hole saws and auger bits, the brushless runtime and life advantage is worth the extra cost.

Is brushless better for heavy jobs like hole saws?

Usually, yes. Heavy cuts keep the motor under load for long stretches, and a brushless motor wastes less energy as heat under that load.

It holds speed better and drains the battery more slowly, which matters when you cut several holes in a row.