Is DeWalt's Cordless Drill Kit Worth Buying? Here's What Reviews Are Saying

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Whether you're thinking about a cordless drill as one of the must-have power tools for first-time homeowners or you're upgrading from an old corded model, the DeWalt name will almost certainly be included among potential choices. The company has an outstanding reputation for quality and durability and is among the most reliable power tool brands to buy from, according to users.

While many of DeWalt's tools come with a premium price tag, there are often deals to be had, and buying kits can be among the more affordable options. DeWalt's latest version of their high-performance 20V XR Cordless Drill Driver is one example. It comes with two batteries, a charger, and a tough contractor bag to carry everything. Right now it's available at Amazon for $165.15. To give some context, the closest comparable rival in quality and performance terms is probably the Milwaukee 20V Cordless Drill/Driver Kit. That also comes with a charger and bag but includes only one battery and costs $199.00. Okay, price is one thing, but is DeWalt's cordless drill kit worth buying? The vast majority of reviews would suggest it is, but let's look at the specification and what reviews are saying in more detail.

DeWalt offers several drill kits, so to clarify, we're focusing on model number DCD800D2. It features their latest Max XR drill driver. Some people wonder what the XR stands for on DeWalt power tools, and whether it makes them better. In a nutshell, they have brushless motors that are more powerful and more efficient than earlier models. In this case, there is a two-speed gearbox with a maximum of 2,000 rpm and 300 watts of power. There's a hard-wearing ½-inch metal chuck and 15 torque settings for adjusting power when driving screws. One neat feature is the three-position LED to direct light exactly where it's needed.

So the figures are impressive, but what about the reviews? Judging by an average rating of 4.8 stars, people like it. A lot. In fact, no other power drill brand can match that number. Comments like, "Quality drill. Compact and great value for the money" and "Best drill I have ever owned!" are common. One review had the perfect answer for those who might be undecided: "If you're on the fence just hit the buy button, you won't regret it."

No drill is ever perfect, but only 2% of reviews gave negative comments, and most of those were about packaging or delivery issues. A couple of people found the torque collar would not rotate. It's undoubtedly frustrating, but any DeWalt drill with a fault like that should be replaced under warranty.

There is another DeWalt cordless drill kit that, according to reviews, is worth buying, and it's among the four top-rated drills to tackle any home project. This one is the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver Kit, the predecessor of the XR with the older brush-style motor. It doesn't quite hit the same high performance but costs only $99.00 and still includes two batteries, charger, and bag. It has a remarkable 49,000 reviews on Amazon, again averaging 4.8 stars. One review said, "Lots of power and good quality. Not too heavy. Easy to use." Another underlined DeWalt's reputation when he said, "I highly recommend it for its durability, versatility, and reliability!"

For those on a tighter budget, there's another option that comes from DeWalt's sister company, Craftsman. The Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill Driver Kit includes a battery and charger for only $59.00. It has a two-speed gearbox with a maximum of 1,500 rpm and 280 watts of power. Very nearly 5,000 reviews give it an average of 4.7 stars. One buyer said, "If you're looking for a great quality drill at a great price this is the drill for you." While it doesn't deliver the same performance as a DeWalt, comments like "better than expected" also reflect the value for money. Only 3% complained, with a few drills not working on arrival. Again, it's something that should be covered by the warranty.