Toolbox Consensus

Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We don’t accept payment for rankings.

Looking for the best cordless drill under $100? You don’t need to spend $180 on a pro drill to hang shelves, build furniture or drive deck screws. We read the hands-on tests and lab results from Bob Vila, TechGearLab, ToolGuyd and Consumer Reports so you don’t have to, and found four drills that experts say do the job for a homeowner. Here’s where they agree, where they don’t, and what each one gives up to hit the price.

Quick picks

Award	Drill	Where to buy
Best overall	Bosch 18V GSR18V-400B12	Lowe’s · Ace Hardware
Best bang for the buck	Craftsman V20 CMCD700C1	Amazon
Most power	Ridgid 18V R86001K	Home Depot
Cheapest brushless	Skil PWR CORE 20 DL6280B-10	Ace Hardware

How we built this list

We started with Bob Vila’s 2026 test of six drills priced at or below $100, then looked for independent tests of the exact same model numbers: TechGearLab’s 17-drill lab test, ToolGuyd’s hands-on review, and Consumer Reports’ published lab results. A drill only gets a score once three experts have reviewed that exact model. Prices move all the time, and one pick below sells for more than $100 at some stores, so we say so where it applies. We left out the DeWalt DCD771C2 and the Ryobi PBLDD02B because both cost well over $100 at the stores we checked (about $129 and $139).

1. Bosch 18V GSR18V-400B12 — Best overall under $100

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila’s tester Tony Carrick named the Bosch compact brushless drill the best of the six drills he tried: at 2.8 pounds with the battery and a 6.3-inch head it was “noticeably more nimble” than the bulkier models, with an all-metal chuck and enough speed to drive 2½-inch screws into stacked 2x6s. TechGearLab gave it its Best Buy award for budget drills (68/100) and measured some of the best battery life in its test, and Consumer Reports’ published lab results call it fast and moderately powerful.

• Torque and speed: 400 in-lb, up to 1,900 RPM (Bob Vila)
• Chuck: 1/2 in., all metal
• Weight: 2.8 lb with the 2 Ah battery
• Typical price: TechGearLab lists it at $125; Lowe’s had it marked down to $59 (from $119) when we checked on October 20

What to watch for: At 400 in-lb it has the least torque of this group, so it’s not the one for big hole saws or long lag screws (TechGearLab scored its driving 4.9/10). The included charger is slow, about an hour, and testers noticed bits sometimes sit slightly off-center in the chuck. At the full $125 list price it’s over our $100 line, so wait for a sale. Lowe’s showed it out of stock at our local store when we checked, so check your own store or shipping.

2. Craftsman V20 CMCD700C1 — Best bang for the buck

Why reviewers love it: This is the drill with the most expert backing here. Bob Vila named it Best Bang for the Buck, saying it felt nearly as fast as the brushless drills on small fasteners and drove 2½-inch screws well. ToolGuyd scored it 15/20 and called it “the best budget drill” the reviewer had used at the time, driving all fasteners flush without pre-drilling. TechGearLab’s lab test (61/100) found good power for the price on small screws and thin steel, with a 16-gauge steel sheet drilled in about 1.5 seconds, and Consumer Reports rates it fast and moderately powerful.

• Motor: brushed, 280 unit watts out
• Speed: 0–350 / 0–1,500 RPM, 2-speed gearbox
• Weight: about 3.4 lb with the battery (TechGearLab)
• Typical price: $99 list (TechGearLab)

What to watch for: The weak spot is runtime: it comes with one small 1.3 Ah battery, and TechGearLab and Consumer Reports both flag short battery life. TechGearLab could not fully drive its biggest lag screw, Bob Vila found it markedly slower than the others with a 1-inch paddle bit, and ToolGuyd’s reviewer overheated the motor on a 3/4-inch spade bit. Its 8.25-inch head is long for tight spaces. Craftsman also has fewer compatible tools than DeWalt or Ryobi. We could only confirm it at Amazon.

3. Ridgid 18V R86001K — Most power under $100

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila called it Best Power: with 525 in-lb of torque and up to 1,800 RPM it topped the other drills at driving screws and had the least trouble with the 1-inch paddle bit. Ridgid also backs it with free parts and service for life with registration, according to Home Depot’s listing, which is rare at this price.

• Torque and speed: 525 in-lb, up to 1,800 RPM
• Weight: 3.5 lb with the battery, the heaviest in Bob Vila’s test
• Kit: 2.0 Ah battery and charger
• Typical price: about $99 at Home Depot when we checked

What to watch for: It’s big and heavy, so Bob Vila found it awkward to use. Consumer Reports’ lab results are less glowing than the “best power” label suggests: fast, but “less powerful” and best for smaller screws and bits. Ridgid batteries are sold at Home Depot, which limits where you can buy more of the system.

4. Skil PWR CORE 20 DL6280B-10 — Cheapest brushless

Why reviewers like it: It’s the least expensive brushless drill we found from a maker with a real tool lineup. Consumer Reports’ lab results say it’s fast at drilling holes and driving screws, with moderately long run time per charge. It has a 1/2-inch keyless chuck, a 2 Ah battery, 17 clutch settings and a 3-year warranty, per Consumer Reports’ listing.

• Torque: up to 400 in-lb (retailer listing)
• Kit: 2.0 Ah battery and charger
• Typical price: about $90 at Ace Hardware when we checked

What to watch for: Only one expert, Consumer Reports, has tested this exact model, so it has no Consensus Score. That lab says it’s “less powerful,” limiting it to smaller screws and drill bits. Bob Vila’s “Best Compact” Skil is a different model, the DL6293B-10, so don’t mix up the two.

Budget drill buying guide

Brushless or brushed?

Brushless motors run cooler and last longer per battery charge. Two of our four picks are brushless (Bosch and Skil), but the brushed Craftsman earned more expert recommendations at $99. For occasional home use either works; for daily use, lean brushless.

What budget drills give up

Every drill here has less torque and shorter runtime than a pro drill. In TechGearLab’s tests the top drills drove a 5-inch lag screw and drilled big holes far faster. If you’ll build a deck or drill lots of large holes, step up to our best cordless drills.

Think about the battery platform

The drill is cheap; the batteries are where brands lock you in. If you plan to add tools later, compare platforms in DeWalt vs Milwaukee, and note that Craftsman V20 and Skil have smaller tool lineups than the big names.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cordless drill under $100?

By expert consensus, the Bosch GSR18V-400B12 (78) edges the Craftsman CMCD700C1 (74). The Bosch is lighter and brushless but only hits $100 on sale, while the Craftsman is $99 at list price.

Is a cheap cordless drill good enough for home use?

Yes, for shelves, furniture and small projects. Consumer Reports notes that an inexpensive drill that does well in power and speed tests can do most of the same tasks as a pricier one. Expect shorter runtime and trouble with big bits.

Should I buy a drill or an impact driver first?

Start with a drill. See Impact Driver vs Drill for when an impact driver is worth adding.

The bottom line

Buy the Bosch GSR18V-400B12 if you can catch it on sale, the Craftsman CMCD700C1 for the safest $99 buy, the Ridgid R86001K if you want the most torque, or the Skil DL6280B-10 for a cheap brushless drill. Always check the price: they change often.

Keep reading: our best cordless drills of 2026, the best drill and impact driver combo kits, and the best cordless tool gifts.

Sources: Bob Vila (best cordless drills under $100), TechGearLab (best drills), TechGearLab (Craftsman CMCD700C1), TechGearLab (Bosch GSR18V-400B12), ToolGuyd (Craftsman CMCD700C1), Consumer Reports (Craftsman), Consumer Reports (Bosch), Consumer Reports (Ridgid), and Consumer Reports (Skil). Specs and prices were checked in October 2026; check the retailer for current pricing.

Header photo: Immo Wegmann on Unsplash.