The short answerMost homes should buy an 18V or 20V Max brushless drill kit with a 1/2 in chuck and two 2.0 Ah batteries. That costs $100 to $180. Pick the battery brand with care, because your next tools will share it.
What to buy
Tight budget
18V or 20V Max brushed drill kit, 1 battery
Hangs shelves, builds furniture and drills wood and drywall without complaint. One small battery means waiting on the charger during long jobs.
$50 to $90
See options on Amazon →Light jobs and tight spots
12V drill kit, 3/8 in chuck, 2 batteries
Small and light, so it's kind to your wrist and fits inside cabinets. It runs out of muscle on big holes and long screws.
$70 to $130
See options on Amazon →Most homes
18V or 20V Max brushless drill kit, 1/2 in chuck, two 2.0 Ah batteries
Enough power for anything around the house, with a spare battery always charged. It's heavier than a 12V and costs a bit more than brushed.
$100 to $180
See options on Amazon →Brick and block
18V or 20V Max brushless hammer drill kit
Adds a hammering action for holes in brick, block and mortar, and works as a normal drill too. It's heavier, and poured concrete is slow going.
$130 to $220
See options on Amazon →Decks and lots of screws
Brushless drill and impact driver combo kit
The drill makes the holes and the impact driver sinks long screws without wearing out your wrist. The impact driver is loud, so wear ear protection.
$150 to $300
See options on Amazon →Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Drilling a few holes in a concrete slab or wall? Rent a rotary hammer for the day. It does in seconds what a hammer drill fights through.
What the numbers mean
- Voltage
- 12V tools are lighter, and 18V tools have more muscle. 20V Max and 18V are the same battery, measured two different ways.
- Brushless
- A motor with no carbon brushes to wear out. It runs longer per charge and lasts longer, for about $30 to $60 more.
- Amp-hours (Ah)
- The size of the battery's fuel tank. 2.0 Ah keeps the drill light, and 4.0 or 5.0 Ah runs longer and weighs more.
- Chuck size
- The biggest bit shank the drill grips, either 3/8 or 1/2 in. A 1/2 in chuck takes larger bits and hole saws.
- Clutch
- The numbered ring behind the chuck. It stops the drill turning at a set force, so screws don't strip or sink too deep.
What not to pay for
- Bare tool listings
Bare tool means no battery and no charger. Your first drill should be a kit.
- Picking the brand at random
Batteries fit only their own brand's tools. Choose a platform you'd be happy buying a saw and a sander from later.
- Chasing torque numbers
Any 18V drill has plenty for household work. Weight and how it feels in your hand matter more.
Wear safety glasses, and check for wires and pipes before you drill into a wall. Clamp small pieces instead of holding them. Big bits can bind and twist the drill, so use the side handle if yours came with one.
Questions
What's the difference between a drill and an impact driver?
A drill makes holes and drives screws with a clutch for control. An impact driver adds rapid twisting blows that sink long screws and lag bolts. Buy the drill first.
Is a 12V drill enough for home use?
For furniture, shelves, curtain rods and small holes, yes. It struggles with hole saws, long deck screws and masonry. If you plan bigger projects, start with 18V.
Is brushless worth the extra money?
For most people, yes. You get more work per charge and a motor with less to wear out. If the drill comes out twice a year, brushed is fine.
Written by the DIY Project team. We recommend by type and spec, cheapest option that does the job first. How we check
Updated October 3, 2026. Prices are estimates.