Best Cordless Drill under $50 – Top 5 [NEW 2022]

You need a cordless drill, but you don’t have money to spare.

That’s OK, as there are plenty of drills available for less than $50. What’s the best cordless drill under $50?

We took a look at a few models and rounded up our top picks. Read on to learn more about the best drills for less than $50.

Product Summary: Cordless Drills Under $50

You’re not going to get the Mercedes of cordless drills for less than $50, but you can expect to get a drill that’s suitable for the occasional DIY project.

One thing we paid attention to when reviewing the best cordless drill under $50 was the battery. Most of our picks use a Lithium-Ion battery, which is pretty much standard these days.

Only one, the Genesis drill, uses a Nickel Cadmium battery. Nickel Cadmium batteries cost less but also have some significant drawbacks.

We didn’t put too much focus on power when reviewing drills, as you’re just not going to get much in the way of torque or speed from an inexpensive model.

Reviews of the Best Cordless Drill Under $50

BLACK+DECKER BDCDMT120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Matrix Drill/Driver

The cool thing about the Black+Decker Matrix drill/driver is that it is part of the Matrix Quick Connect system.

In addition to the drill/driver, you have the option of purchasing separate attachments (such as a sander or a saw), then swapping those attachments in and out when you need them.

That means your drill/driver can turn into a reciprocating saw or an impact driver with just the press of a button. We think that’s pretty cool.

Aside from being part of a quick change system, how does the Black+Decker Matrix drill/driver perform? Well, it has a 20v max Lithium-Ion battery that can hold a charge for 18 months (without use).

The drill has up to 10 clutch settings and a variable speed trigger. People who’ve used the Matrix system has called it well-executed and have noted that the drill is ideal for small or medium-sized jobs.

Things We Liked

• The drill has attachments that make it easy to switch from one tool to another (attachments are sold separately)
• 20v Lithium-Ion battery has a long life.
• Lightweight

Things We Didn’t Like

• Limited power and torque (top speed is 800 RPM).
• Chuck causes bits to wobble.

Ryobi P208 One+ 18V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver

Before we launch into a full review of the Ryobi One+ Drill/Driver, we’ve got to point out that the drill is sold as a “bare tool.”

That means that if you want to use the tool, you need to buy the battery separately, which might push the cost of it over $50.

If you already have other tools in the Ryobi One+ line, the drill is going to be compatible with their batteries, so there’s no need to shell out extra for a new battery.

Now that that’s out of the way, on to the drill itself.

The Ryobi One+ drill/driver has a clutch with 24 settings, a gearbox with two speeds and keyless chuck. One particularly nifty feature of the drill is a magnetic tray that makes it super easy to store bits as you work.

The drill also has an LED light, so that you can work in dark corners with ease.

People who’ve used the Ryobi drill have been impressed with its power, especially in comparison to the drill’s overall size.

Some people were disappointed by the fact that the drill is sold as a bare tool and didn’t come with a battery.

Things We Liked

• Clutch has 24 settings.
• Has a magnetic tray for holding bits as you work.
• Has a comfortable rubber grip.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Doesn’t come with the battery.
• The packaging leaves a lot to be desired — doesn’t come in a box or include instructions.

BLACK+DECKER BDCD8C 8V MAX Lithium Drill

The most budget-friendly cordless drill in our roundup, the Black+Decker 8V max Lithium Drill isn’t just one of the best cordless drills under $50. It’s one of the best cordless drills under $25.

The drill features an integrated battery — meaning it’s part of the handle and you can’t remove it. To charge the battery, you plug the entire drill into the wall.

The charger is a micro-USB charger that also works to charge up other gadgets, such as your smartphone.

Given its low power (it gets up to 400 RPM), we’re going to have to recommend the drill for light projects only. You won’t be putting up drywall with this drill, but it can be just right if you want to hang a photo or picture frame.

People who’ve used the drill have called it “small but mighty.” As long as you manage your expectations and use the right drill bits with the Black+Decker drill, it should be able to work for you.

Things We Liked

• Very budget-friendly price.
• Ideal for light use or as a “starter” drill.
• You can use it plugged in or cordless.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Built-in battery means that once the battery is dead, the entire drill is dead.
• Not super powerful.

Craftsman Nextec 12-Volt Cordless Drill/driver

Like the Ryobi, the Craftsman Nextec 12v Cordless Drill/driver is another “bare tool” drill, meaning you need to buy the battery separately.

The drill has an 18-setting clutch, which allows you to adjust the torque so that it’s just right for your project. Changing the torque also means that you can extend the life of the motor.

The drill offers up to 195 in-lbs of torque and is designed for use with metal, plastic or wood. We’re not sure how it would perform in masonry or concrete, even with the appropriate drill bits.

People who’ve given the Craftsman drill a try have called it rugged and durable, with a few noting that they were pleasantly surprised by its power. A few were happy with the comfortable handle and ergonomic shape.

Although the drill is described as a bare tool, more than a few people were disappointed that it didn’t come with a battery. If you already use Craftsman tools and have the compatible batteries, this can be a good buy.

If not, we recommend looking for the batteries separately or trying to find a version of it that comes with a battery.

Things We Liked

• 18-setting clutch.
• 195 in-lb. Torque.
• Ergonomic handle and comfort grip.
• Has a light.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Bare tool only.
• Some people complained that their drill didn’t last long.

Genesis GCD18BK 18 Volt Cordless Variable Speed Drill/Driver Kit

One of only two cordless drills under $50 in our roundup to have an 18v battery, the Genesis Drill/Driver kit seems to be the most “hit or miss” of all the drills we looked at.

That’s to say, people either love or hate this drill.

Why the polarity? Some people felt that the motor was weak and that it burned out quickly. Others found that it had plenty of torque and that it was powerful enough to get the jobs done.

In our opinion, the big drawback of the Genesis drill compared to the rest is the battery. It doesn’t have a lithium-ion battery — instead, it uses a nickel-cadmium battery.

What the drill might lack in power and battery quality, it makes up for in price. It’s the second least expensive drill in our roundup. If you’re looking for a drill for a small project or occasional use, this might be perfect for your needs.

Things We Liked

• Has a 16-setting clutch.
• Has a built-in light and level.
• Has a magnetic tray for holding bits.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Uses a Nickel Cadmium battery, not Lithium-Ion.
• Slow speed.
• Drill bits wobble in the chuck.

Cordless Drills Under $50: Battery Basics

The thing that separates cordless drills from corded drills is the battery. And the thing that separates the best cordless drill under $50 from the rest is the quality of the battery.

When you’re checking out batteries for your drill, there are a lot of features to look for. These days,  most batteries are made of Lithium-Ion, although you might still find some nickel-cadmium batteries hanging around.

No matter what, we recommend going with Lithium-Ion batteries. They have a higher sticker price compared to nickel cadmium, sure, but they also have plenty of benefits.

For one thing, lithium batteries can hold a charge for way longer than nickel cadmium. If you have a nickel-cadmium battery and you don’t use the drill for a while — such as a week or a month — when you come back to use your drill, you’re going to have to charge it up again.

That’s not the case with lithium-ion batteries. In addition to holding their charge, lithium-ion batteries also have a longer life than nickel cadmium.

Plus, you can easily find drills that use lithium-ion batteries for well under $50.

Beyond battery material, you want to look at the voltage.

For less than $50, you’re probably not going to find a battery with a super high voltage. Expect 18v, tops.

But for most jobs that call for an inexpensive drill, 18v is going to provide more than enough power. You’ll probably find that a 12v or even 8v battery is sufficient for your needs.

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium-Ion batteries are much improved over earlier battery models, but they can and do wear out over time. Here are a few tips to extend the run-time and lifetime of your batteries.

• Charge it up.  Older batteries had what were known as “memory” problems when it came to charging. If you charged them before they were completely discharged, the batteries “remembered” that and would begin to lose power more quickly.

Suddenly, a 10 percent charge became a 1 percent charge, for example. That’s not the case with Lithium-Ion batteries.

You can — and should — charge Lithium-Ion batteries regularly, even if the battery still has plenty of juice left.

• Temperature matters. Charge and store your batteries in temperatures that are between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder or hotter and the battery is likely to suffer.

We recommend storing your batteries in a climate-controlled, indoor space. Your truck or an outdoor shed aren’t good spots for storing Lithium-Ion batteries.

• Use ’em or lose ’em. If you have more than one battery for your drill, rotate them. Don’t use only one battery, saving the other one for later.

Lithium-Ion batteries do wear out without use. Either stick to one battery or make sure you use all of them equally.

What Else to Look for in a Cordless Drill

Batteries aside, what other features should you pay attention to when buying a cordless drill? There are a few.

For example, the chuck is the part of the drill that holds the bits in place. Most chucks are keyless, meaning you tighten and loosen them by hand.

Chucks are usually 3/8-inch, meaning they will hold bits that have a shank up to 3/8-inch in diameter. Sometimes, chucks are 1/2-inch, but you’re not likely to find that on a drill that costs less than $50.

The clutch of the drill determines how much resistance it can handle. Adjusting the clutch can help you avoid stripping screws or blowing out the motor.

Most cordless drills have at least two speed settings and a variable speed trigger. Use the lower setting when driving screws and the faster setting when you’re drilling.

How to Use Your Cordless Drill Safely

The key thing to remember when using the best cordless drill under $50 is safety. You need to wear eye protection when drilling, even for a quick or small job.

Less expensive cordless drills are going to have less power than pricier models. To avoid severely damaging your drill (and causing injury to yourself), you need to pay attention to how it’s running.

If you feel any resistance from the drill, ease up on it. You don’t want to burn out the motor or cause more severe damage.

Final Thoughts on the Best Cordless Drill Under $50

When it comes down to it, we think that the BLACK+DECKER BDCDMT120C 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Matrix Drill/Driver is the best cordless drill under $50.

It not only has a durable, hefty battery. The drill is also designed to be part of a series.

Once you invest in Black+Decker Matrix, it’s super easy to expand your tool library by purchasing attachments.