Are more expensive drills really worth it?

I get a lot of pushback because of the fact that I use entry-level (inexpensive) drills. You’ll either see me using a Ryobi drill or a Craftsman drill, and frankly I’m happy with them. They do the job I need them to do, and they didn’t break the bank. I didn’t choose these drills because I’m cheap. I invest in plenty of tools when I think the added features are worth the cost. But when it comes to drills, I just don’t believe that more expensive is better. Am I wrong? Well, today I’m putting some of the most popular brands to the test to find out (Milwaukee, DeWalt, Festool, Ridgid, Ryobi and Craftsman). And I can tell you know, you’ll be surprised to find out which one is the best cordless drill of 2023!

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►CHAPTERS
0:00 Are more expensive drills really worth it?
0:38 How I chose which drills to test
2:57 Drill models and price points
5:01 How I’ll test the drills
6:29 Tool specs comparison
9:04 Test #1 - Speed drilling
13:36 Test #2 - Driving screws until the battery runs out
19:11 Test #3 - Timed lag screw test
22:26 And the winner is…

►Written article

►MUSIC

[curbowman]

Wow! She bought every one with her money and spent countless hours doing a thorough test not seen since the heydays of Popular Mechanics magazine. Bravo!

[CarlosGlatzos]

I bought a 18V Ryobi drill (brushed) 13 years ago and did a full renovation of our house with it and every woodworking project since then. The 18V Lipo battery is still the first and going strong. Since then I added several Makita brushless drills and they are quicker, stronger and the battery lasts longer (for twice the price), but I love my RYOBI and did not expect to get this lifespan out of it.

[garymoon]

First timer here, just for curiosity, no particular need for deep dive into woodworking tools. But have to say that your test was exceedingly well presented. You were clear, crisp, upbeat, and you speak with authority from your experience. Thank you!

[InuranusBrokoff]

Somebody admiting that they realize why tradesmen use red and yellow. I'm impressed at the honesty.

I have mostly Milwaukee tools, but run DeWalt drills because their chucks are superior to Milwaukee's. I Plan to buy a select few DeWalt tools in the future that are also better than their Milwaukee counterparts.

The work I do demands tools that have the guts and the longevity that only Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita offer. (RIGID to an extent) Some of these less popular brands have a handful of tools that are just now starting to outperform the big three, but its too little too late, and they're tearing themselves apart to do it.

I've no problem with DIY'rs choosing whatever they can afford or need/want, but don't compare your tools to ours and wonder why you recieve the backlash you do.

This test served its purpose well, and I hope many more people gain a better understanding of the differences between pro tools and light duty tools through it.

P.S. You were so mean to that craftsman...😂

[kevenc]

One of the biggest keys to figuring out which drill to get (as you said at the end) is to look at the full line of tools that brand sells. You're not just buying a drill, you're buying into an ecosystem of tools because the batteries will serve them all (and they're not cheap). If you like DeWalt's tool lineup, buy a DeWalt drill, etc. I would also say, don't buy a 12V drill (they are plenty powerful) if you think later you'll want other tools that only use 18V batteries. Makita would have been another great contender.

[Tishers]

I once used Craftsman power tools for personal use but experienced the Milwaukee tools through work. A few years ago I 'bought in to' the entire Milwaukee product line and have not had many regrets. It is a high(er) price but I know that if I use the saw, drill, impact wrench or Sawzall that it will get the job done. I even have the little Milwaukee AC power inverter, it ended up being neat on a camping trip to power an AC device for an hour or so.

[marcusb.]

In test #3 the Festool drill was set to screw mode which massively limits the torque output. For full torque you must switch it to drill mode.

[jeffmcdonald]

The reason the magic smoke came out of the Craftsman brushed motor drill is that you were covering both vents! If you need two hands, your hand should be on the back of the drill, not hugging it.

[carpandrei]

After watching the video: props for having the patience to perform all these tests! I like comparisons like these because they give the user and idea what to expect.

[noyopacific]

Thanks for the video. My buddy was a cabinet maker (retired now.) He used to use Makita drills back when Makita dominated the market for cordless drills. He had at least 12 cordless drills to save him time changing bits. When the batteries (ni-cads) started failing he tried some Harbor Freight cordless drills. Eventually that was all he used. They did the job okay and cost about 20% of the price of Makitas. He didn't think that Makita was good enough to be justify the higher cost.

[RonCovell]

Just discovering your channel for the first time. What a wonderful presentation! Briskly paced, beautifully filmed, with comprehensive coverage of the topic, and very well articulated! You deserve a million subscribers - and I think you are likely to hit that magical target!

[bigburlymikesmswoodworking]

I started with a Ryobi combo kit a number of years ago because of the price point, and I've stuck with them since. I've added a couple of other tools from Makita, but mostly I stick with Ryobi for the drills and nailers. I do occasional DIY around the house and make other woodworking projects, so that's all I've ever needed. On top of that, I have too much invested in the batteries to start over with someone else's platform. Great vid, as usual.

[sdyoungii]

What dedication! Thanks for doing the tests, really appreciate your insights!

[CraigularjJoeWoodworks]

I don’t buy cheap tools, they are less enjoyable to use … which is the whole point of wood working . I don’t want to save 50 dollars to hate doing something. I have the latest Milwaukee, and I’m not disappointed with anything about it

[avenheavner]

I love how detailed the video was and how you actually shows you driving the screw so we could see and hear how the drills responded. Great work keep it up.

[nickwalters]

I love my Festool t18, its no better at drilling holes but... The fast change chucks, 90 degree and off set chucks and its electronic torque control work for me as a traditional boat builder. I mainly use old school slotted screws when they're going to be on display and want all the slots aligned to look right, the low speed control is worth every penny

[anthonvanderneut]

Nice comparison. I would have chosen torx screws for the test (and for any real work), those give you far less problems with skipping whent he battery runs out. The more expensive drills tend to be more rigid as well and survive dropping from the 2nd floor on a job site, where the cheaper fall apart. As you indicated, it is all about what you intend to use the drill for.
The battery incompatibility between brands is a PITA, and since they all use the same Li-ION cells underneath, just an artificial way to lock you into one brand. I chose Bosch Blue/Professional and the batteries are not even compatible with their low-end Bosch Green machines or their battery operated garden tools. Since then I bought a few less frequenctly used Ryobi devices that Bosch didn't provide (nailgun, tile-cutter) and operate those with Bosch batteries and an adapter.

[theonlybuzz]

Another factor to bear in mind is warranty, some people abuse their tools (not me) and with the range of warranty they have a major influence on which one to buy. Great show. Phil. 🇬🇧

[TheSilmarillian]

Have used Ryobi for years not just drills but the battery packs and charge units are interchangeable whether it be grinder, drill ect , yes know not top of line but after years of use the Ryobi's I never have 2 worry about they keep on keeping on, DIY work shop here am happy with that level. Hello from remote rural off grid Australia here .

[jameskleist]

I own a Ryobi drill, and I am very happy. My 1st Ryobi was in 2006 and "ran it hard and put it away wet." It was my 1st job in a profession, and when I thought I needed a better drill, I would have moved up to a Milwaukee, but that never happened. The job ended. And as for the problems that you had I never had with either of the 2 drills made by Ryobi, I ever failed.