How Much Does a Cordless Drill Cost?

On this page (8 sections)

1. What does a cordless drill cost at each level?
2. Why do two cordless drills with the same voltage cost different amounts?
3. What do you get in a budget cordless drill set?
4. When is a mid-range kit the better buy?
5. Is a brushless drill worth the higher price?
6. Do you pay more for the drill or for the batteries?
7. Which cordless drill fits which budget?
8. How much does a cordless drill cost once you add bits and batteries?

A cordless drill costs about 40 dollars to 250 dollars, and most people land in the 80 dollars to 180 dollars band for a 20V kit with a battery and charger. What you pay follows the voltage, the motor type, the chuck size and what comes in the box.

Price alone won't tell you if a drill fits your jobs. The same "20V" label can sit on a light home drill and a tool built for steady work, so the next sections break down what each price tier actually buys.

What does a cordless drill cost at each level?

Budget drills run about 40 dollars to 90 dollars, mid-range kits about 90 dollars to 180 dollars, and premium tools 180 dollars to 250 dollars and up. Each step up adds torque, runtime or better parts rather than just a brand name.

The budget tier covers compact 12V and light 20V drills. You get a battery, a charger and often a small bit set, which suits furniture, drywall and light wood.

Mid-range is where most 18V and 20V kits sit. Torque climbs, chucks reach 1/2 in, and two-speed gearboxes and clutch settings become normal.

Premium money buys brushless motors, larger battery packs, metal chucks and kits with two batteries. That's the tier for people who drill most weeks.

Why do two cordless drills with the same voltage cost different amounts?

Voltage says how much battery the drill carries, not how strong or durable it is. A 20V label can sit on a low-priced set or a top-tier kit, and the gap comes from the parts inside.

Torque is the biggest driver. A drill rated near 400 in-lb costs more than one rated near 280 in-lb because the motor and gearbox handle heavier work.

The motor type matters too. A brushless motor runs longer per charge than a brushed one, and that adds to the price.

Chuck size works the same way: a 1/2 in keyless chuck takes bigger bits and costs more than a 3/8 in chuck.

Battery capacity and count are the last big swing. One small pack keeps the price down; two larger packs push a kit into the next tier.

What do you get in a budget cordless drill set?

A budget set usually includes the drill, one battery, a charger and a starter bit collection. It covers light drilling and driving around the house, and that's the honest limit of the tier.

The Avid Power 20V set is a clear example. It has 15+1 torque settings and 280 in-lb of torque, a 3/8 in keyless chuck and a 2.5 lb body.

Avid Power says the battery has a level display so you can see the charge left.

The box holds 10 drill bits, 10 driver bits, a flexible shaft and an extension bar. That saves a separate trip for bits if you're starting from nothing.

The limits matter as much as the extras. The 550 rpm top speed is modest, and Avid Power says the drill is not for concrete or masonry walls and not for bits over 25mm.

It's a home tool, priced like one.

When is a mid-range kit the better buy?

A mid-range kit is the better buy when you'll drill more than a few times a month. Better torque and speed control handle wood and metal without stalling, and the kit parts last longer.

The DeWalt DCD771C2 sits in this band. Its motor delivers 300 unit watts out, and the two-speed transmission runs 0-450 and 1,500 rpm.

The 1/2 in single-sleeve ratcheting chuck grips bits tightly, and the drill weighs 3.6 lb.

DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty. The kit includes two 20V MAX batteries, a charger and a storage bag, so one pack can charge while the other works.

That second battery is a real part of the value. One pack drills while the other charges, which matters on a weekend project.

The DeWalt's 1/2 in chuck also opens up larger bits than the budget set.

Is a brushless drill worth the higher price?

Yes if you drill regularly, because a brushless motor gets more work from each charge. For occasional jobs, a brushed drill at a lower price is the smarter spend.

The Skil PWR CORE 20 kit shows what the brushless premium buys. Its digital brushless motor delivers up to 400 in-lb of torque and a top speed of 1,700 rpm.

The 1/2 in keyless chuck changes bits fast.

Skil includes 17 torque settings plus drill mode and a variable speed trigger. That range helps when you drive screws into soft wood without stripping the heads.

An LED light with pre-light and afterglow helps in dark cabinets.

The kit comes with the drill, a 2.0Ah battery, a charger and a 2 in double-end bit. One battery keeps the kit price lower than two-battery kits, so you trade runtime for a lower total.

Do you pay more for the drill or for the batteries?

Batteries drive a big share of the kit price. A bare tool without a battery looks inexpensive, but the pack and charger you need can cost as much as the drill.

That's why kits are the usual buy. A kit bundles a battery and charger in the same brand and voltage, so you know the parts work together.

Buying a bare tool only pays off if you already own batteries in that brand and voltage.

Think about the system, not just one drill. Once you own a brand's batteries, adding a second bare tool later costs less than starting over with another brand.

For anyone pricing a first drill, a kit with one battery is the lower entry point. A two-battery kit costs more up front but keeps you working without a charge break.

Which cordless drill fits which budget?

Spend the least that covers your jobs. A light home set at the budget end does the work for occasional fixes, and only regular drilling justifies the mid-range or brushless price.

Pick the Avid Power set if you assemble furniture and hang shelves a few times a month. Pick the DeWalt kit if you want two batteries and a 1/2 in chuck for weekend projects.

Pick the Skil brushless kit if you drill often and want more torque from each charge.

Check the drill against the material before you buy. If you plan to drill into brick or masonry, you need a hammer drill and masonry bits, and a basic drill won't do that job.

Our guide to how to drill into brick covers the setup.

For metal, a drill with steady speed control and the right bits matters more than raw voltage. See how to drill through metal for bit choices.

And whatever drill you buy, how to change a drill bit keeps bit swaps quick.

One specialty job pushes the budget up. A cordless drill for an ice auger needs more torque and a bigger battery, so expect to pay in the upper part of the range for that use.

How much does a cordless drill cost once you add bits and batteries?

Budget for the drill kit first, then a small amount for bits that match your jobs. Extra batteries are the main add-on, and they're worth buying only in the brand you already own.

The kit's starter bits cover most home work. Buy a separate set when you need masonry, metal or hole-saw bits for a specific project.

Those cost far less than another battery.

If your work runs long, a second battery beats a bigger single pack in most cases. It keeps one pack charging while the other drills, and the drill's runtime stops being the limit.

How much a cordless drill costs in the end depends on the jobs you plan. A budget set with a few extra bits stays well under a mid-range kit price.

A brushless kit with a spare battery sits near the top of the range for a home user.

If you only need to drive screws and drill light holes, the budget tier answers the question. If drilling is a regular part of your week, the mid-range and brushless prices buy fewer charge breaks.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I expect to pay for a decent cordless drill?

A decent 20V drill kit usually falls in the 80 dollars to 180 dollars range. That covers a drill, at least one battery and a charger.

Spending less often means a smaller battery or fewer accessories, and spending more buys brushless motors, bigger batteries or two-battery kits.

Is a brushless cordless drill worth the extra cost?

Yes for regular use. Brushless motors run more efficiently per charge, so the higher price pays back over years of projects.

For a few jobs a year, a brushed drill at a lower price does the work fine.

Do cordless drills come with batteries and a charger?

Most drills sold as kits include a battery and charger. Bare tools cost less but need a battery you already own in the same brand and voltage.

Check what's in the box before you compare two prices.

Why do two 20V drills cost very different amounts?

Voltage is only one number. Torque, chuck size, motor type, battery capacity, speed settings and included bits all move the price.

A 20V drill with 400 in-lb of torque and two batteries costs more than a 20V drill with a 3/8 in chuck and one small pack.

How much does a cordless drill cost for occasional home use?

Plan on 40 dollars to 90 dollars for a drill set aimed at light home tasks like furniture assembly and hanging shelves. These sets often include a battery, charger and a small bit collection, which is enough for a few jobs a month.

Can a cheap cordless drill handle drilling into brick or metal?

Most budget drills are not built for masonry. A drill rated for concrete and brick needs hammer mode and the right bits.

Metal is more forgiving, but a low-torque drill will struggle with thick plate.