Black and Decker 1 2 Inch Corded Drill

Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best corded drill 2021. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best corded drills can help you power through a wide range of jobs with ease, while also being durable enough to warrant a place in your toolbox for years to come.

They're more powerful than their cordless drill counterparts and their versatility means they're often one of the most important power tools to have under your belt, whereas slightly more specialist tools, like impact wrenches, are nice additions too.

Best Corded Drill 2021 — Good corded drills are the kings of any toolbox

Image credit: Shutterstock/Zivica Kerkez

Below, we've rounded up the best corded drills available in 2021 with an electric drill to suit everyone, from simpler budget corded drills to feature-filled options. It depends on what matters to the user too, whether that be a variable speed trigger, a high amp motor, a keyless chuck, or a tool that can take a specified drill bit.

Even if you know a DeWALT corded drill is exactly what you need, or you're browsing for an electric drill that can get the job done without breaking the bank, our roundup of corded drills will help you find a great one.

Thomas' Top Picks for the Best Corded Drill 2021

Pick from the best corded drills from our selection of the 10 top models available on the market. Featuring well-known brands like DeWALT, Makita, and BLACK+DECKER, we've made sure there are excellent electric corded drills for any job on our list.

Best Budget Corded Drill: BLACK+DECKER DR260C 5.5-Amp 3/8-inch Drill/Driver

Best Pistol-Grip Corded Drill: PORTER-CABLE Corded Drill

Best Durable Corded Drill: DeWALT DWD115k 8.0-Amp Corded Drill

Best Spade-Handle Corded Drill: DeWALT DW130V Corded Drill

Best Corded Drill for Home Use: Genesis GD38B Corded Drill

Best Corded Drill for Control: Metabo HPT D13VF Corded Drill

Best Powerful Corded Drill: DeWALT DWD220 Corded Drill

Best Lightweight Corded Drill: Metabo HPT D10VH2 Corded Drill

Best Quiet Corded Drills: Makita 6407 Corded Drill

Best Heavy-Duty Corded Drills: Bosch 11255VSR Bulldog Xtreme Corded Drill

1. Best Budget Corded Drill—BLACK+DECKER Variable Speed Corded Drill

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The variable speed BLACK+DECKER DR260C corded drill is a great electric drill for a wide range of jobs that manages to offer great performance without being expensive. The 5.5-amp motor is powerful enough to allow this corded drill to work its way through a wide range of applications, while variable speed functionality provides extra control.

This corded drill also comes with a 42-piece bit set of common sizes and geometries making it a tool that's suitable for frequent use projects. One happier buyer summed up their purchase, "I would highly recommend this product if you're looking for a low-cost drill that is still reliable and works as advertised."

BUY NOW: $47.62, Amazon

2. Best Pistol-Grip Corded Drill—PORTER-CABLE Variable Speed Trigger Corded Drill

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The PORTER-CABLE corded drill provides both high-power, thanks to a 6.5-amp motor, as well as comfort, making it a great option for long or repetitive jobs. It has a ½-inch keyless chuck too, making bit changes a breeze. This corded drill has been designed with demanding job sites in mind, so it comes equipped with features that you won't find on corded drills designed for home use.

This ⅜-inch variable speed trigger corded drill has a high-torque gear design that allows it to power through metal and wood fabrication, while the LED light is useful when drilling in dark spots. The cast metal housing does mean it's a little on the heavy side, but as a tool designed for heavy use, durability is key, which this housing helps to provide. Users seem to love it, and one review noted, "This drill is seriously heavy-duty commercial grade."

BUY NOW: $41.01 (Was $42.99), Amazon

3. Best Durable Corded Drill—DeWALT Keyless Chuck Corded Drill

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Powerful corded drills tend to be more expensive, but you don't want to splash out on a tool that won't last for years to come, so the durability of the DeWALT DWD115K corded drill makes it a great investment. With an 8-amp motor, you can rest assured that this variable speed corded drill can power through even the toughest jobs with ease. This tool has an all-metal, ratcheting keyless chuck to make sure drill bits are firmly secured but easy to change too.

Handling becomes ever more important in a powerful drill, and the mid-handle grip on this thing that has been designed with ease-of-use in mind is particularly helpful. It can handle the trials of a job site and, while it might be a bit of a pricey extra, you can opt for the version that includes DeWALT's Tough System Case that will keep your drill safe while it's not in use too. Some user reviews note it can struggle as a driver drill, but overall feedback is positive, with one reviewer commenting that "it is powerful, drills quickly, and makes quick work of jobs."

BUY NOW: $70.80, Amazon

4. Best Spade-Handle Corded Drill—DeWALT 1/2-Inch Corded Drill

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If a high-torque solution is what you need, then take a look at the DeWALT DW130V corded drill. This ½-inch corded drill with a spade handle is a great mixer drill designed to handle drilling applications that require downward pressure.

The 9-amp motor can produce up to 550 RPM of torque, easily and efficiently handling a wide range of drilling applications as well as mixing paint and drywall mud. It even has a variable speed reversible switch, which is great for getting rid of air bubbles when mixing mud and can also offer greater control when drilling.

BUY NOW: $179 (Was $189), Amazon

5. Best Corded Drill for Home Use—Genesis 3/8-Inch Keyless Chuck Corded Drill

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The Genesis GD38B corded drill is a great option for home use as it's lightweight, easy to use, and inexpensive too. The ⅜-inch keyless chuck makes changing bits quick and easy, while the 4.2-amp motor is more than adequate for most home jobs. The rubberized grip and lock-on button help make this tool comfortable to use, especially over extended periods.

Users particularly liked how comfortable this corded drill was to use. One review reads, "It has good power which the small drills with batteries do not have... I do not have to push down as I drill like I had to do so with the drills with batteries."

BUY NOW: $33.95, Amazon

6. Best Corded Drill for Control—Metabo 1/2-Inch Corded Drill

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Corded drills with plenty of torque are great for jobs requiring a lot of power, but they can easily cause strain and muscle ache too, whilst also being trickier to control. The Metabo HPT D13VF corded drill not only offers a maximum torque of 416.6 inches–pounds, but also has a form-fit palm-grip that provides greater control, as well as minimal vibration, and it has a variable speed trigger.

This tool, however, is on the heavier side so may be tricky to use when working above your head. Overall, users love this drill, especially for its mixing capabilities. One reviewer wrote, "The best drill I've bought. I do tile for a living and this drill can mix mud all day and night with no problem."

BUY NOW: $58.01 (Was $89.97), Amazon

7. Best Powerful Corded Drill—DeWALT 10.5 Amp Motor Variable Speed Drill

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With a 10.5-amp motor, the DeWALT DWD220 corded drill is one of the most powerful corded drills we've reviewed. It's an excellent choice if you need something with high speed as well as a lot of power. The 10.5-amp motor is a patented design in this corded drill model. It's able to generate 50% more power and also has increased overload protection to help aid its durability.

With all that power, the added comfort features help make this tool a pleasure to use. It has a soft-grip handle and a two-finger trigger that aids both comfort and control. Users love how strong this corded drill is, and one reviewer noted that it's "very powerful and the clutch really works."

BUY NOW: $169.01, Amazon

8. Best Lightweight Corded Drill—Metabo 3/8-Inch Corded Drill

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This compact and lightweight corded drill from Metabo may not be as powerful as some of the other drills on this list (it contains a 7-amp motor), but it's still a great mid-range option with a keyless chuck that can help you work through a wide range of jobs comfortably. Weighing in at just 3.3 pounds, the HPT D10VH2 corded drill can help keep muscle ache and fatigue at bay and is also a good choice for overhead work too. The compact body of the tool means it can also work in tight spaces too.

Although not designed for heavy-duty tasks, it's a great fit for smaller and simpler jobs. Overall, it's a popular option with users, and one reviewer wrote, "I needed a lightweight electric reversible drill to secure and remove fence screws. It works well and is easy to use."

BUY NOW: $47.25, Amazon

9. Best Quiet Corded Drills—Makita ⅜-Inch Corded Drill

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The Makita 6407 is a top pick for anyone who knows a thing or two about the power and durability of Makita corded drills. As a well-known and respected power tool brand, Makita products are known for their reliability and this drill is no exception. It manages a fine balance between being both sturdy and lightweight, while the large trigger switch aids comfortable tool operation.

It also produces far less noise than many other corded drills available to buy. While its 4.9-amp motor certainly isn't the most powerful on the market, users were overall impressed with this drill, and one noted that the "long cord is a great plus. I would highly recommend this drill."

BUY NOW: $79, Amazon

10. Best Heavy-Duty Corded Drills—Bosch Bulldog Xtreme Variable Speed Drill

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This corded drill from Bosch is designed to handle any heavy-duty job you can throw at it thanks to its power and versatility. A multi-function selector allows you to choose from three modes of operation: rotation only, rotary hammer, and hammer only mode. It also has an ergonomic design and vibration control that makes using it less taxing—especially over long or repetitive jobs.

Users love the power this corded drill's 8-amp motor offers, especially in professional settings. "Great adjustable ergonomics, versatility, and plenty of power," noted one reviewer. "I've used these occasionally in the construction industry for 25+ years and recently purchased one for myself since I'm in need of one with much more frequency."

BUY NOW: $189, Amazon

Best Corded Drills 2021—Summary

While the best corded drill depends on the job, we think the BLACK+DECKER DR260C drill is a great all-rounder that's available at a good price.

For more power drills and other power tool suppliers, including suppliers of band saws, circular saws, power hammers, and cordless impact wrenches, consult our additional guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.

*Prices listed in this article were as shown on Amazon.com as of March, 2021.

Sources

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/tools/21014991/choosing-a-cordless-drill
https://powertoolbase.com/what-voltage-drill-do-i-need/
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a9517/how-to-drive-screws-like-a-pro-15985749
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/clutch-electric-drill-83829.html

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Black and Decker 1 2 Inch Corded Drill

Source: https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/machinery-tools-supplies/best-corded-drills/