We get it. You're on a budget and want the best cordless drills under $150 to get the most out of your money. There are many options out there. We know what it's like to stand in front of a dozen options at your local hardware store and wonder what's the best option. That's why we put ourselves in your shoes and created a cordless drill buying guide to give you a professional perspective on your purchase.
Ridgid R87012 Brushless Micro Drill
Our overall top pick is the Ridgid R87012 Brushless Subcompact Drill. At just under the $150 price limit, this sub-miniature kit is an excellent value. It drives fasteners or drills holes at speeds up to 1750 RPM. With up to 500 inch-pounds of torque, it should be able to handle most tasks. It also features a brushless motor and includes a Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement. Plus, the kit is only $149, and you can spend some money on accessories.
emphasize
- Brushless Motor
- Hammer drill mode for light masonry work with excellent BPM rating
- Excellent battery capacity, including (2) 2.0 amp-hour batteries
- Outstanding torque and outstanding speed in its class
- lifetime service agreement
Ridgid R87012K Brushless Micro Drill Specifications
- Model: Rich R87012
- Voltage: 18V
- Torque: 500 in-lbs.
- Maximum Speed: 450/1,750 RPM
- Speed: 2
- Batteries Included: (2) 2.0 Ah
- Warranty: Lifetime Service Agreement
- Price: $99 at Home Depot
The Best Cordless Drills Under $150 That Let You Switch Brands
Milwaukee 2801-22CT M18 Cordless Drill
If you're looking for a cordless drill kit as a starting point for your new battery platform, you have a few options. We like the $149 Milwaukee 2801-22 compact drill. The Milwaukee 2802 hammer drill is similar. Either kit includes a pair of compact CP2.0 Ah batteries.
Milwaukee Tool has a very extensive product line on their M18 (18V) platform, often comparable to other brands. It's still a solid choice for any entry-level pro looking to convince himself to switch to a new manufacturer's platform.
emphasize
- excellent ergonomics
- good speed and torque
- Excellent line of M18 compatible tools
- Includes compact battery
- 5-year warranty
Milwaukee M18 Compact Drill Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2801-22
- Voltage: 18V
- Torque: 500 in-lbs.
- Maximum speed: 1800 RPM
- Speed: 2
- Batteries included: 2 x CP2.0 Ah
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $149
The Best Cordless Drill Under $150 for the Serious DIYer
Skil PWR Core 20V Brushless Hammer Drill
If you're a serious DIYer, take a closer look at the Skil PWR Core 20V Brushless Hammer Drill. The kit costs about $129 and comes with a brushless motor, hammer drill mode, and a 2.0 Ah battery. The Skil has an excellent 450 inch-pounds of torque at this price point and a no-load speed of 1,800 RPM. This cordless drill is able to find its way into professional use – especially for maintenance and repair personnel. You'll also love that the 20V PWR Core battery includes a USB-A port for fast charging your smartphone on the go.
emphasize
- good speed and torque
- excellent line depth
- Hammer drill mode for light masonry work
- Brushless Motor
- 2.0 Ah battery with USB-A port
Skil PWR Core 20V Brushless Hammer Drill Specifications
- Model: SKIL HD6294B-10
- Voltage: 20V
- Torque: 450 in-lbs.
- Maximum Speed: 1,800 RPM
- Hammer Speed: 27,000 BPM
- Speed: 2
- Included battery: 2.0 Ah
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $129
Best Cordless Drills Under $150
Kobalt 24V KDD 2024A-03 Brushless Drill
The best value is an update to the Kobalt 24V Brushless Impact Drill we reviewed for 2022. Kobalt beefed up the model and now includes 850 inch-pounds of torque at 2000 RPM. By adding an extra battery in series, the battery powering these tools is up to 24 volts. That means each battery pack runs on six cells per row instead of five. This is very similar to the Hilti Nuron 22V battery pack. Far from being a gimmick, it yields real performance benefits. Power is provided by a 2.0 amp-hour battery, and at $139, it's an excellent value. The fit, finish and ergonomics of this drill are also solid – very similar to other Pro brands.
emphasize
- Excellent speed and TONS of torque
- very good ergonomics
- Brushless Motor
- 5-year warranty
Kobalt 24V Max Brushless Drill Specifications
- Model: Kobalt KDD 2024A-03
- Voltage: Max 24V
- Torque: 850 in-lbs.
- Maximum speed: 2000 RPM
- Speed: 2
- Included battery: (1) 2.0 Ah
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $139
Why $150?
The $150 mark gets you into a different category of cordless drills. Almost every major professional brand has kit in this price range, and some of them even go into brushless motors. Here you'll find entry-level Pro performance as well as the minimum features you should expect from a Pro-level tool.
For example, when you're under $100, you end up with a curated set of 12V tools and some (usually) sub-par drawing bits. All of that disappears when it comes to year-end or holiday sales. You always want to look for tools to trade. However, this list covers typical or expected pricing.
What is the standard?
We checked out various retailers to see the best cordless drill kits under $150 from every major manufacturer. It has to be a kit. Cordless tools are useless without batteries and chargers. Several of these companies offer a wide variety of options that fit the price point, but we're always looking for the best performance specs and features you can get for your money.
We don't provide a 12V tool for this set, although there are some good options. Some even have performance close to this higher voltage group. Ultimately, however, they do need to be seen as a group of their own. So keep an eye out for the 12V buying guide!
rating key
- Outstanding – Best in Class
- Excellent – not top notch, but close
- Very good – solid, nothing to be ashamed of
- Great – it will work, but we don't want to lower it any further
Disagree with our selection?
It doesn't matter! We know personal preference comes first when determining the best cordless drill under $150, and every deal is different. Do Pro Tool Nation a favor and tell us what your top picks are and why you like them. Feel free to drop it in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
At Pro Tool Reviews, we have our finger on the pulse of the tool industry. We're always on the lookout for the latest press releases and researching the latest tools. The tools most relevant to our professional audience make it into our editorial calendar for review. We conduct real-world evaluations of more than 500 tools each year. We've run hundreds through in-person tool reviews. In the end, we landed hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows nationally and internationally. With a team of professional reviewers covering every major trade involved in the construction process, you are sure to get expert advice every time.