Harness Unlimited Power With These Top Corded Drills (2025)

Our Top Picks

There are numerous reasons why we chose the Dewalt DWD210G as our best pick. This impressive tool is powered by a robust 10-amp motor that delivers exceptional performance, yet it remains user-friendly and easy to control. It has a ½-inch chuck, so can accept large bits, but it’s still reasonably lightweight.

The variable speed control ranges from 0 to 1,200 RPM, so you can go fast and furious when drilling through wood or slow it down when tackling metal. Note that this is not the ideal drill for use on concrete or masonry, but it can make quick work of many DIY projects involving wood and metal.

You’ll need to use the included key to swap out bits, which are sold separately. This sturdy drill can handle up to ½-inch twist bits for steel, up to 1 ½-inch auger bits for wood, and hole-saw bits up to 2 inches in size, as long as the shanks are ½ inch to match the drill’s chuck.

The ergonomic handle has a soft-grip molding for added comfort, while a side handle that can be rotated through 360 degrees provides extra support when needed. The drill is equipped with an 8-foot power cord, so you’ll rarely need to add an extension cord. We wish it came with a case, but as it’s not excessively large, it’s easy to store in your tool chest or workbench.

_{Power: 10 amps | Max Speed: 1,200 RPM | Chuck Size: 1/2-inch | Keyless Chuck: No | Drill Weight: 4.9 lbs.}

For a budget-friendly yet powerful corded drill for your DIY projects, the Black+Decker model stands out as an excellent choice. Its 5.2-amp motor has enough oomph to drill through wood or metal, as long as you use the appropriate bit: Up to a ⅜-inch twist bit for steel, up to a 1¼-inch spade or auger bit for soft woods, and up to a 1-inch spade or auger bit for hard woods.

A notable feature of this drill is its keyless chuck, so no tool is required to swap out bits. The tool comes with a double-sided screwdriver bit, but other types are sold separately to expand your options.

The drill has a ⅜-inch chuck, which is ideal for lightweight to medium drilling jobs but not the best choice for heavy-duty projects. You can adjust the variable speed up to a maximum of 1,500 RPM. We wish the power cord was longer than 6 feet, but if that’s not long enough for your project, you can simply add an extension cord. Keep in mind that this drill is not for use on concrete, brick, or other masonry.

_{Power: 5.2 amps | Max Speed: 1,200 RPM | Chuck Size: 3/8-inch | Keyless Chuck: Yes | Drill Weight: 3.6 lbs.}

If you want a drill for light-to-medium tasks, including making holes or driving screws into wood, fiberglass, or plastics, then you’ll love this compact corded drill from Ryobi. At a mere 3.8 pounds, this is one of the lightest drills on our list. While it’s not intended for concrete, you can use it to assemble furniture, hang shelves or artwork, make drainage holes in your ceramic pots, or do similar jobs around your house or garage.

It has a 5.5-amp motor and a variable speed trigger that lets you decide how slow or fast you want to go up to a maximum of 1,600 RPM. There’s also a lock-on switch, so you don’t have to keep the trigger depressed the entire time you work, making it much more comfortable to use for lengthy stretches.

This drill has a ⅜-inch keyless chuck,​​ allowing for effortless bit changes without additional tools—just keep in mind they are sold separately. The handle has a comfortable rubber overmold, which helps provide a secure grip while reducing annoying vibration to your hand. The drill has a storage bag, so it’s easy to put away when your project is done.

_{Power: 5.5 amps | Max Speed: 1,600 rpm | Chuck Size: 3/8-inch | Keyless Chuck: Yes | Drill Weight: 3.8 lbs.}

Unlike regular drills, which simply spin the bit, hammer drills add an additional slight pounding movement to the drill’s action, greatly increasing its force. That makes this highly powerful tool ideal when you need to drill, chip, chisel, or even demolish concrete, brick, or other hard non-metal materials. You can even use it to remove tiles.

The 8-amp motor of the Bulldog Xtreme spins the bit at variable speeds up to 1,300 RPM and 5,800 blows-per-minute. Plus, you can use this versatile drill in three modes: Drill only, hammer only, or drill and hammer together. When using it in hammer mode, you can adjust the chuck to 36 different positions for more effective chiseling.

The drill uses SDS-Plus bits, which are designed to hold securely while resisting the tremendous force of the hammering mode. With a 1-inch chuck, the tool can accept large bits in many styles. The drill has a D-shaped handle at the end and an auxiliary handle at the front that can swivel 360 degrees so you can adjust it as needed for your project. It comes with a carrying case for storage.

_{Power: 8 amps | Max Speed: 1,300 rpm | Chuck Size: 1 inch | Keyless Chuck: Yes | Drill Weight: 6.7 lbs.}

You’ll sometimes see corded drills with “D”- or spade-shaped handles called “mud mixers,” as these tools are mostly used for mixing cement, plaster, or other thick materials. The large handle, like seen on this 9-amp model from Bosch, makes it easier to keep a secure grip on the drill even when the torque is at its highest.

It has a ⅝-inch chuck—keyed, so you’ll need to use the included tool to change bits—and variable speeds of 0 to 700 RPM. It’s important to note that spade-handle drills typically have lower speeds than those with pistol grips, as mixing thick materials is best done at low speeds.

The unique D-shaped handle can be rotated 360 degrees to find the best angle for your task. Plus, it has a soft-grip coating that makes it more comfortable to hold, even if your hands get a bit sweaty. The top-mounted auxiliary handle gives you even more security when conducting high-torque mixing or drilling.

The drill can handle up to a 6.3-inch-diameter paddle drill for mixing, a 1.5-inch bit for drilling into wood, and a ⅝-inch bit for drilling into steel. You’ll need to purchase all bits separately. The power cord on this drill is 8 feet long, giving you plenty of reach while on the job.

_{Power: 9 amps | Max Speed: 700 rpm | Chuck Size: 5/8 inch | Keyless Chuck: No | Drill Weight: 9.4 lbs.}

A drill with the handle positioned in the center of the tool, like this sturdy model from Dewalt, rather than at the rear, might not allow you to apply as much pressure while working, but it does feel comfortably balanced in your grip. Even better, this drill has an ergonomic, soft-grip handle that won’t tire out your hand even during those long work sessions. And with variable speed settings ranging from 0 to a super-fast 2,500 RPM, it’s well suited for wood, metal, and even masonry use.

With an 8-amp motor and a ⅜-inch shank, this tool is ideal for numerous light to moderate drilling or fastening tasks around your home, garage, or workshop, such as installing cabinets or setting up your kids’ backyard swing set.

While it does not come with bits, the keyless chuck can handle up to a ⅜-inch bit for drilling into metal, a 1-inch bit for boring into wood, a ½-inch bit for drilling into masonry, and a 1⅛-inch hole saw for making larger holes in wood. That gives you a great deal of versatility for your DIY projects. Unlike many other corded drills, it comes with a storage case.

_{Power: 8 amps | Max Speed: 2,500 rpm | Chuck Size: 3/8-inch | Keyless Chuck: Yes | Drill Weight: 4.1 lbs.}

When shopping for corded drills, it's important to note that nearly all models are sold without bits. This comprehensive set from Skil includes a 7.5-amp hammer drill with a ½-inch chuck and a 100-piece set of bits, meaning you are likely to have any bit you might need right on hand. A sturdy plastic case keeps all the bits organized, making it easy to quickly find the one you need.

The drill can be used in drill-only mode or hammer/drill mode. Unlike the Bosch Bulldog Xtreme, however, it doesn’t have hammer-only mode. The variable speed setting lets you go as fast as 3,000 RPM, and when used with the hammer on, you get the additional force of 48,000 beats-per-minute, allowing you to easily drill through concrete or other tough masonry materials like brick.

There’s an auxiliary side handle that can be adjusted to the ideal angle for your task. Both the auxiliary and the main handle are designed for comfort and reduced vibrations to your hands. You will need to use the included key to swap out bits.

_{Power: 7.5 amps | Max Speed: 3,000 rpm | Chuck Size: 1/2-inch | Keyless Chuck: No | Drill Weight: 5.3 lbs.}

Final Verdict

Our top pick, the DEWALT DWD210G 10-Amp ½-Inch Drill, is a powerful tool that can easily handle drilling or driving into wood and metal. The auxiliary side handle makes it easy to control, and its 8-foot power cord gives you plenty of maneuverability. However, if you specifically need a drill that can take on concrete or stone, then you need the power of a hammer drill like the Bosch 11255VSR Bulldog Xtreme 8-Amp Hammer Drill. It can be used in drill-only, hammer-only, or drill/hammer modes, making it a versatile tool for use around the worksite or workshop.

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