Maybe you're an expert, maybe you're a DIYer, or maybe you're just curious. Whether you've come here for various reasons, there are some things that make you curious about the best light duty drills, or maybe just general light options. Anyway, who doesn't love a lighter tool as long as it does the job well?
As usual, we're short on short answers, but we've got some recommendations for you from professional level to basic homeowner use.
We mainly recommend the hammer drill, which adds an additional concrete drilling pattern to the standard drill. If you don't need or want the hammering feature, we leave you with the rig model too. Learn more about electric vs impact drills here.
Looking for more drill coverage? Check out our recommendations for the best cordless drills!
Best Lightweight Drill for Heavy-Duty Professional Use
Milwaukee Gen 4 M18 Fuel Impact Drill 2904
If you do professional work and are looking for the best lightweight drill for heavy professional use, look no further than the 4th generation Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hammer Drill. Packed with big boy punch, this top-of-the-line drill from Milwaukee packs a punch in a compact size and weight no other brand can match.
It has 1400 inch-pounds of torque at 2100 RPM. Milwaukee makes this drill for drilling holes in 2x framing lumber with a self-feeding drill up to 2-9/16 inches without dropping at high speed.
In terms of keeping it light and compact, we measured 3.3 lbs bare and 5.0 lbs with the 5.0Ah battery. At just 6.9 inches long, it's the most compact high-performance drill you can get your hands on.
In the latest update, Milwaukee also added kickback controls for the first time. If the drill you're using gets stuck and the bit starts to twist, the motor automatically shuts off to help prevent wrist and arm injuries.
There is also a drill driven version of this tool – look for the Milwaukee 2903 if you don't want the hammer function.
Price: $199.00 bare, $299.00 with two 5.0Ah batteries and charger
Best Lightweight Drill for Light to Medium Professional Use
Metabo HPT 18V Brushless Compact Hammer Drill DV18DEX
If you're looking to shed even more weight, you can get solid mid-weight performance from the Metabo HPT. The DV18DEX gives you an excellent top speed at 2000 RPM and delivers a strong 620 inch-pounds of torque. All of this in a package that's only 6.1 inches long, weighs 3.5 pounds, and has a 2.0Ah battery.
Those numbers alone are enough to earn our recommendation. However, the Metabo HPT solidifies it by adding kickback control – something that's hard to find in compact drills.
Price: $179.00 with two 2.0Ah batteries and a charger
The Best Lightweight Drills for Small Hands
Hey, not all of us have gorilla hands, less grip is important. Two brands really stand out in this regard – Makita and Metabo HPT. The DeWalt is also pretty good, but it has a slightly bigger handle than the other two. So which one tops our list?
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Small Electric Hammer XPH15
The two lighters we recommend are the Makita XPH15. With a 2.0Ah battery, it weighs only 3.1 lbs and is 6 1/2 inches long. It's also a good option if you're concerned about training with too much force or speed. With 350 inch-pounds of torque and 1700 RPM, it's easy to control.
Happily, this drill has the weight and size of a 12V while using Makita's popular 18V LXT batteries.
Price: $129.00 bare, $229.00 kit with two 2.0Ah batteries and a charger
Best Lightweight Drills for Prosumers and Serious DIYers
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact Hammer Drill
Skil has upgraded its 20V compact rotary hammer with reduced size and increased performance. With a head length of 6.1 inches and a weight of 3.1 pounds, the model has a very reasonable 2.0Ah battery. By the way, the battery doubles as a USB power source to charge your devices.
The speed of this model runs 1800 RPM in high gear. Low range handles your light to medium duties with 450 inch-pounds of torque. These are the numbers we've come to expect from a professional brand. Skil brings it to you at a much lower price.
Price: $129.00 with 2.0Ah battery and PWRJump charger
The Best Lightweight Drills for Homeowners and DIY Projects
HART 20V Cordless Drill Driver HPDD02B2
For getting the job done around the house, the HART HPDD02 is the best lightweight drill for DIYers at a price that won't hurt your wallet too much. You can find this drill at Walmart as part of a 20V system, and its 1750 RPM and 450 inch-pounds of torque will solve just about anything you can throw at your DIY repairs and weekend projects.
While this model isn't as compact as some of the others we recommend, the overall weight remains manageable. It weighs 3.4 lbs with a 1.5Ah battery. If you're on the fence, the $79.00 price tag might seal the deal — and that's for the kit with the two batteries.
Price: $79.00 with two 1.5Ah batteries and a charger
Which of our best light duty drill recommendations is best for your needs? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for a specific brand? Check Out These Best Lightweight Drill Recommendations!
While not every brand has earned one of our above honors, there are still plenty of really good options to choose from. If you already use (or want to use) a quality brand of cordless platform, here are our picks for the best lightweight drills from other trusted brands.
- Bosch 18V Brushless Compact Hammer Drill GSB18V-535C – Buy at Acme Tools
- Craftsman V20 Brushless Inverting Hammer Drill CMCD732 – Buy at Lowe's
- DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Compact Hammer Drill DCD799 – Buy at Acme Tools
- Greenworks 24V Brushless Drill Driver DDG401 – Buy at Amazon
- Masterforce 20V Brushless Ultra Compact Drill – Buy at Menards
- Ridgid 18V Subminiature Hammer Drill R87112 – Buy at The Home Depot
- Ryobi HP Brushless Compact Rotary Hammer PSBHM01 – Buy at The Home Depot
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