Best Corded Drill on the Market [2022 Review]

Cordless drills are certainly in style thanks to their versatility and overall mobility. Plenty of craftsmen and handymen enjoy being able to take their electric drill around with them and use it at the drop of a hat.

But those cordless drills miss out on a lot of value since they rely on a portable battery pack and a weaker motor more often than not. Corded drills don’t suffer from either of those downsides and can provide consistent service at high speeds and torque settings whenever you need them to do heavy-duty work.

Down below, you can read our top recommendations for the top drills with a cord. We’ll also go over some things to keep an eye on when researching to ensure that you get a good tool instead of a mediocre one.

Our Top Corded Drill Reviews

These are the best corded drills you can find online. Some of them are best for a certain shopper requirements, while others are all around great and will be optimal choices for most craftsmen.

DeWalt DWD210G Pistol-Grip

The DeWalt DWD210G Pistol-Grip is versatile corded drill can tackle an astounding array of different construction or repair jobs without issue. For starters, it has a reasonable 1250 RPM for its maximum speed. This is enough to handle most of the typical construction materials that most craftsmen or handymen will encounter in their day-to-day activities.

It’s not quite enough to handle drill bits that require much faster high rpm’s, but it is enough for tackling thicker materials like concrete so long as you have the appropriate drill bit. Speaking of drill bits, this drill can accept bids ranging from about 1 to 1.5 inches in size.

However, this drill can be combined with a hole saw and use bits of a 3-5/8-inch capacity for wood drilling, or bits with a 2-inch capacity for drilling through steel.

It uses a metal gear housing. What does this mean for you? Essentially, it translates to long-term durability and reliability. Lowering the number of plastic parts and housing on a given drill improves its overall lifespan. The metal parts will be able to take stress much more easily without breaking or buckling.

The rest of the drill is just as durable and its DeWalt motor generates excellent power without becoming exceptionally heavy. The handle is soft when gripped and uses a two-finger trigger to improve. The handle isn’t really ergonomic by most standards but is not necessarily uncomfortable, either.

It does also have a reversal function, so you get a little added versatility there. In addition, it has a 360° locking side handle. This gives you even more control and precision and can help keep the drill steady even when drilling into difficult materials. This side handle is easy to grip securely and is fairly comfortable so it’s fine for long-term work.

Long-term work is also supported since the corded drill weighs less than 5 pounds in total. You should be able to maintain precision and ability even over long working hours thanks to these aspects.

This corded drill comes with a three-year limited warranty and a one-year free service contract. The limited warranty covers part malfunction and the service contract is a great resource to draw upon if your drill needs repairs due to job malfunctions.

Key Features:

• Pistol grip
• ​Reversal function
• ​360-degree locking side handle

Specs:

• ​10 Amps
• ​1-1.5” bit capacity
• ​1250 Max RPM

Meterk 7 Amp ½-inch Corded

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The No products found. is so jampacked with features that it’s surprising that it’s so affordable. The drill comes with a phenomenal max RPM of 3000. This easily allows you to use virtually any kind of drill bit no matter how small and no matter how fast it requires the drill to be spinning to be used effectively.

This drill can make use of the reverse switch for unscrewing or removing a drill bit from any material. This is accomplished by a simple switch located right on the handle. In addition, this drill has a hammer function that can also be initialized from a click button near the handle.

This allows you to tackle thicker materials like concrete just as easily as you can complete jobs on wood surfaces. Combined with the right drill bits, your options are virtually limitless given all of the variable modes included as part of this drill’s design.

There’s a variable speed function that is used with both a speed setting knob and the variable speed trigger. Essentially, you can set the maximum speed using the knob and then use the trigger to fine-tune exactly how fast or slow you want the drilling process to proceed. It’s perfect for precision work or for speeding through task if you need to get your work done soon.

There’s a lock button included as well. This allows you to freeze the speed without having to maintain the perfect pressure on the trigger for the entire time. It’s a great design feature that many craftsmen will appreciate since it can be difficult to work with the pressure trigger over the long term.

In addition, you can make use of the safety switch to prevent the tool from being used while you’re not around. This can be particularly important if you work around children and don’t want them getting their hands on a tool that they’re not prepared to use safely.

The drill uses a robust metal gearbox that helps promote a long lifespan and prevent the drill from faltering over time.

The grip is relatively ergonomic and has been rubberized to promote a better hold on the tool and prevent it from slipping away even if your hand starts to sweat. All in all, this is one of the most complete corded drills you’ll find in terms of the sheer multitude of features that come out of the box. It’s definitely one of the most valuable tools you can find online.

Key Features:

• ​Adjustable speed
• ​Hammer Drill/Impact Drill switch
• ​Reverse function
  

Specs:

• ​7 Amp motor
• ​½” capacity
• ​3000 Max RPM

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Black+Decker Corded DR260C

The Black+Decker Corded DR260C drill offers a tons of versatile features and excellent specifications. Right off the bat, you can see that it has a great maximum RPM of 1500. This is pretty great for working for a variety of materials ranging from wood all the way to steel.

There’s a variable speed control included on the unit so you can precisely determine the rate of spin and use a variety of different bits with this corded drill. In fact, this drill is made for switching out bits and working on a variety of materials. That’s because it has an onboard storage compartment that specifically sized for keeping all of your drill bits in one convenient location.

This is phenomenal for any craftsman or handymen that has to do some drilling off the ground or in otherwise hard to reach locations. You won’t have to climb all the way down or go back to your toolbox just to switch out drill bits.

In addition, this corded drill comes with a double-ended screwdriving bit. That means that it’s already prepared for screwing in or unscrewing traditional screws in a variety of materials. It’s double-ended so that you can unscrew even without a reverse function.

The drill is lightweight and easy to handle and it’s particularly compact. In fact, it’s one of the lightest corded drills that you’ll find on any market. This is perfect for drilling holes in cramped locations or when space is at a premium.

We’re hard-pressed to recommend any other corded drill for craftsmen and handymen. This is a versatile and useful tool that can really pull its weight despite being super affordable.

Key Features:

• ​Includes a double-ended screwdriving bit
• ​On-board bit storage compartment
• ​Variable speed control

Specs:

• ​5.2 Amp motor
• ​3.8” capacity
• ​1500 Max RPM
  

​Tacklife Hammer Drill PID03A

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When it comes to needing a lot of speed switching for different drill bits, ​the No products found. stands above all of the rest of the competition. It has a 3000 RPM max speed that’s a great range for handling a multitude of different drill bit sizes and thicknesses. The motor is made with copper to offer a longer lifespan and greater overall durability, and the drill is even made with a metal head covering that’s more durable and which dissipates stress and motion more effectively than a similar plastic part.

But the real value comes from the variable speed control. It uses a knob with 12 different dial settings so you can precisely set your general speed range with just a flick of your fingers. Then, it uses the trigger and the pressure you put on it to control the exact speed that’s emitted by the drill. It combines precision with convenience at the same time.

You can switch between forward or reverse drilling at the touch of a button to help you tighten or loosen screws with ease. There’s a trigger lock included in the design so that you don’t have to keep holding the button at the precise level of pressure needed for your ideal speed. Simply find the right speed, then lock the trigger and you are good to go.

This corded drill also has a hammer function. It’s also controlled via a simple switch, so alternating between drilling materials can be as fast as you require. It’s sure to speed up any complicated drilling task.

There’s also a metal depth gauge included with the purchase that helps to measure your total drilling depth much more easily than reaching for an entirely separate tool. This metal gauge is a lot tougher than the plastic ones which may come with competing models.

The drill uses a metal rotating extended handle near the front of the nose. This is also made of metal, following the general durable philosophy seen in the rest of the tool. It’s rotating to offer flexibility and stability while allowing you to choose the angle that’s most comfortable for your hand.

The main handle itself is also fairly ergonomic, although it’s not the softest or most comfortable on its face. That being said, this minor flaw is not enough to overcome all of the excellent features packed into this corded drill. In terms of versatility and ease-of-use when it comes to switching functions are speed, there’s nothing better.

Key Features:

• Variable speed trigger
• ​Hammer function
• ​Reverse switch

Specs:

• ​7.1 Amp motor
• ​½” capacity
• ​3000 RPM Max speed

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Porter-Cable Corded PC600D

The Porter-Cable Corded PC600D drill is one of the most comfortable we’ve seen in any market. Its handle is rubberized and curved to allow for easy holding from a variety of different hand sizes. It’s also not too big or small and it’s attached to a lightweight drill that’s only around 4 pounds in total weight.

The trigger is fairly large, and this is an advantage when considering that the variable speed function contained within the drill is controlled entirely via this trigger. It does have a lock-on button included so that you can set the working speed without having to maintain perfect pressure. But the trigger as a whole is a greater size than many competing models’ and this makes it easier in many ways to squeeze, improving ergonomics even further.

The motor is nothing to sneeze at, as well. It can reach a maximum speed of 2500 RPM, which is perfect for many different types of drilling and driving. The drill is built with a keyless 3/8-inch chuck. This allows you to switch out bits in just seconds and with utter ease.

It comes with a 6-foot long power cord. This should be plenty of length for most drilling or screwdriving tasks. The court itself is also relatively durable and long-lasting so there isn’t much of a chance of it breaking or wearing down over time, which would necessitate drill replacement.

The drill also comes with a three-year limited warranty. This covers any defects that might be due to the construction of the tool from the date of purchase. In addition, you can take advantage of one-year free service contracts so that the manufacturer can replace the worn parts or perform any required maintenance services you might need.

Altogether, this is an affordable and comfortable corded drill that we recommend for any craftsman that is looking for a tool that they can use for a long time to come during their extended drilling sessions.

Key Features:

• ​Lock-on button for speed
• ​Variable speed trigger
• ​Keyless chuck

Specs:

• ​6 Amp motor
• ​⅜” capacity
• ​2500 Max RPM

Corded Drill Features and Considerations

Whenever you’re looking for a new corded drill, keep these key considerations in mind and you’ll be sure to find an excellent tool that can fulfill your needs for many years to come.

Drilling Speed

Of course, one of the top factors to keep in mind is the drilling speed offered by the corded drill in question. Most typical corded drills offer top speeds of about 1200 RPM. Since this is the standard, you should be wary of any corded drill that has a maximum speed of significantly less than this amount. It’s likely that the motor won’t be powerful enough to do a lot of the work you have in mind, in that case.

At the same time, you also want to look to see whether a given corded drill has variable speed controls. This is another fairly standard feature on advanced models, but not every choice will have it integrated into their designs.

Variable speed controls allow you to drill into different types of materials; this is because different material types need different rotation speeds to be effectively drilled into. For instance, wood requires a higher RPM than metal, which requires a lower RPM. If you plan to work with different types of surfaces or even material thicknesses, then variable speed control is practically a necessity.

Motor Power

The motor power is another important factor that directly impacts the effectiveness of your chosen drill. Motors that can bring higher amps to bear will be able to spin a drill bit faster or deliver more torque for getting through tougher surfaces.

A standard amp range is around 4-5 amps, but drills that you intend to get into concrete or metal with will likely need a motor that can surpass this number. Motors that reach 6-7 amps or more are ideal for thicker surfaces.

At the same time, more powerful motors usually come with a sizable rate increase. If you’re only going to use your corded drill for wood or other relatively thin materials, you can get away with having a motor that doesn’t reach this level. It all depends on what you’ll be using the corded drill for.

Does it Have a Reverse Mechanism?

You should check to see whether a given drill has a reverse mechanism. A reverse mechanism essentially makes the motor spin the drill bit in the opposite way. This is perfect for getting your drill bit unstuck from a wooden or concrete surface, but it’s also great for using your drill for screwing jobs.

For instance, getting screws removed from a surface requires that they turn counterclockwise. Some corded drills can be fitted with screwdriver attachments to quickly remove traditional screws from a workpiece. But corded drills that don’t have a reverse mechanism feature won’t be able to automatically spin counterclockwise and you’ll have to take screws out manually.

Overall, this feature isn’t an outright necessity but it’s definitely a great thing to have and any tool which possesses it gets higher marks in our books.

Another similar function to check for is hammer functionality. Corded drills use a hammer function to punch through concrete and other super tough materials. Don’t be confused by the name; a hammer function doesn’t make your drill suddenly turn into another tool entirely.

Instead, if a corded drill has a hammer function, you can count on its spindle to possess the torque required to drill through things like concrete. This is usually measured in blows per minute or BPM, and a higher BPM roughly translates to higher torque.

Again, this functionality is not strictly necessary on a good corded drill, but it does allow for more versatility and provides an overall better tool as a whole package. We’d recommend it as a necessity for any craftsmen planning to do concrete work in the near future.

Ergonomics/Weight

Don’t discount how a corded drill feels. After all, you’ll probably be using this tool for hours on end during your most complex and involved jobs. This is doubly true if you do drilling work for a living. It’s far better to invest in a corded drill that feels comfortable to handle and use over the long term than it is to get a lower end model that doesn’t feel right in your hand.

Ergonomics are important for allowing you to work long hours or keep your grip steady as you’re drilling. Maintaining a steady grip on your tool is critical when it comes to certain delicate drilling tasks.

Besides, no one wants to go home at the end of the day and have a cramped hand. To check for ergonomics, focus on things like a rubberized grip or grip that has a curved shape. The human hand is meant to hold perfectly straight objects or an extreme length of time, especially when the object is vibrating or humming intensely.

You should also check to see if the trigger size is large or small. Larger triggers are easier to squeeze, especially when you use them to control the speed of your drill, while smaller triggers require a little more exertion and fine muscle control, both of which can cramp your hand more quickly than a larger trigger.

Be sure to examine the handle and any present cushioning on the drill you’re eyeing before making a final purchase.

Corded Drill vs Cordless Drill

There are plenty of reasons that someone might choose a corded drill over the more mobile, cordless drills that starting to become extremely common.

Higher Speed and Torque

One of the biggest advantages that traditional corded drills have is higher top speed and average higher torque. This is because corded drills can afford a slightly more powerful motor on average than their cordless counterparts.

A better motor translates to more operating power; basically, corded drills have more juice and can do more powerful work than cordless drills.

This allows corded drills to use smaller drill bits without worry. Some small drill bits need a drill to operate at high speeds in order to be effective. There are definitely cordless models that can’t reach the optimal speed to allow for the use of these small drill bits.

No Battery Needed

Corded drills also have another advantage in that they are always ready to go so long as you can find a suitable outlet. Everyone who’s ever used a cordless drill has run into an unfortunate circumstance when they need to do some work but forgot to charge the battery.

That’s never an issue with corded drills; there’s no downtime, and the tool is always ready to go.

No Battery Degradation

Long-term concerns are also in effect. Cordless drills’ batteries will often degrade over time. You’ll eventually have to replace the battery, adding on to the overall lifetime payment of the tool as a whole. But corded drills don’t require that kind of expensive maintenance.

While you still have to take care of corded drills, like with all tools, you usually only need to pay once for the drill, and it’ll serve you loyally for the rest of its lifespan with no extra charge.

Lighter Weight

In addition, corded drills are often lighter in weight than cordless drills, even with larger motors. This is because cordless drills have to tack on a relatively heavy battery so they can operate away from a corded power source. This can make corded drills a little easier to use for extended periods. Less weight means less hand strain. Essentially, corded drills are oftentimes more ergonomic than cordless drills.

Better Value

When you compare similar features and specs, you’ll find that you get a lot more with a corded option. Cordless drills suffer from not having as much power and a tool with a cord, and you want a lot of power, you’ll be paying for it.

Conclusion

As you can see, corded drills are some of the best power tools to have in your repertoire. They’re extremely useful for a variety of construction and repair jobs. Corded drills are tools that you can rely on without having to worry about battery life. Thanks for reading!