Five minutes on the charger gets you 30 minutes of drilling, basically always ready to go. A brushless motor at a budget price makes this the smartest buy for renters and occasional DIYers.
We found the Skil PWR CORE to be a great budget-friendly option for tackling small projects around the house, like taking apart and assembling furniture and hanging wall art through six months of use.
We found this drill performed well, even drilling through concrete without too much trouble, and you can always pick up another battery if you need one.
Pro-grade power in a shockingly compact 12V body. At 400 inch-pounds of torque, it matches many 18V drills while staying under 6 inches long, a beast in disguise.
CNET's top pick for 12V drills and a consistent expert favorite. Explosive performance in a small package, it topped performance scores across the board while staying under $100.
The tightest side clearance of any drill CNET has tested at 1-18/64 inches, ideal for cramped cabinets and awkward angles. Lowest price on the list at $50.
A modular 5-in-1 system that swaps between drill, driver, right-angle, offset, and flex-shaft heads, the only 12V tool that adapts to virtually any awkward angle or confined space.