Best Lightweight Compact Cordless Drill (2026)

A screw overhead, a bracket in a tight corner, a pilot hole in a door frame: every one of those jobs is easier when the drill in hand is light and short enough to control. This guide covers the best lightweight compact cordless drill: five drills for the garage and the house, ranked on weight, size, torque and warranty.

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Picks for the garage

#	Product	Shop Score	Buy
1	CRAFTSMAN V20 BRUSHLESS RP Drill Driver	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max 3/8 Inch Drill/Driver Kit	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Cordless Drill: DEKO PRO 12V Power Battery Drill	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
4	DEKOPRO 8V Cordless Drill	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion 1/2 Inch Cordless	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

CRAFTSMAN V20 BRUSHLESS RP Drill Driver

CRAFTSMAN·9.6/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A V20 brushless compact drill and driver with a 6.2 in head, up to 1,900 RPM, 443 in-lbs of torque, a 2.0Ah battery and charger, and a 3 Year Limited Warranty.

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Pros

• 6.2 in tool head length for tight spaces
• 443 in-lbs of torque stated
• Up to 77 holes per charge stated
• 3 Year Limited Warranty stated

Cons

• No safety certification stated
• 4.4 pounds, heavier than the DEKOPRO and Bosch drills

2

BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max 3/8 Inch Drill/Driver Kit

Bosch·9.5/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 12V drill and driver kit with 2 batteries and a charger, 265 in-lbs of torque, 2 speeds, 20 plus 1 clutch settings and a 3/8 in chuck, at a stated 1.8 lbs.

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Pros

• 1.8 lbs stated in the bullets for overhead work
• 2 batteries and a charger stated
• 265 in-lbs of torque with 20 plus 1 clutch settings
• Integrated LED light stated

Cons

• No safety certification stated
• 3/8 in chuck, smaller than the 1/2 in drills here
• Lower torque than the CRAFTSMAN and Milwaukee drills

3

Cordless Drill: DEKO PRO 12V Power Battery Drill

DEKOPRO·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 12V cordless drill at 1.65 pounds with an LED light, 800 RPM top speed, a 3/8 in keyless chuck and 13 accessories in a gift box.

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Pros

• 1.65 pounds stated for one-hand operation
• LED light for dark areas stated
• 13 accessories including drill and screwdriver bits
• Type-C charging cable stated

Cons

• No torque figure stated
• No warranty term stated
• No safety certification stated
• 800 RPM top speed, lower than the Bosch, CRAFTSMAN and Milwaukee drills

4

DEKOPRO 8V Cordless Drill

DEKOPRO·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

An 8V cordless drill at 1.65 pounds with a 3/8 in keyless chuck, built-in LED, variable speed trigger and 42 accessories.

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Pros

• 1.65 pounds stated for one-hand operation
• 42 accessories including bits, level and connector stated
• Built-in LED light stated
• Variable speed trigger with forward and reverse stated

Cons

• 8V platform, the lowest voltage here
• No torque figure stated
• No warranty term stated
• No safety certification stated

5

Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion 1/2 Inch Cordless

Milwaukee"/>·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

An 18V compact drill driver with 500 in-lbs of torque, 2 speeds, a 1/2 in chuck, a 4-pole frameless motor and a hard case.

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Pros

• 500 in-lbs of torque, the highest here
• 1/2 in chuck stated
• 4-pole frameless motor stated
• Hard case and fuel gauge stated

Cons

• 6.3 pounds, the heaviest drill here
• No warranty term stated
• No safety certification stated
• 1 battery stated, against 2 on the Bosch kit

Compared on paper

Specs are the manufacturer’s ratings as listed, collected 28 October 2026. Weights are as listed; the Bosch listing states two different weights, as noted in its review.

How the points were given

Each drill is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. No listing here states a safety certification, so safety scores zero across the group, while the CRAFTSMAN listing states a warranty term and scores there.

Shop Scores range from a low of 9.2 to a high of 9.8, with each tool positioned by its weighted points proportionally, and more points always yields a higher score.

What the listings tell you

Weight splits this group more than voltage does. The two DEKOPRO drills state 1.65 pounds each, the Bosch states 1.8 pounds in its bullets, the CRAFTSMAN states 4.4 pounds, and the Milwaukee states 6.3 pounds. Chuck sizes split two ways: 3/8 in on the Bosch and both DEKOPRO drills, and 1/2 in on the CRAFTSMAN and Milwaukee drills. Torque runs from unstated on the DEKOPRO drills to 265 in-lbs on the Bosch, 443 in-lbs on the CRAFTSMAN and 500 in-lbs on the Milwaukee. Batteries and chargers differ too: the Bosch kit states 2 batteries and a charger, the CRAFTSMAN states a battery and charger, and the Milwaukee kit states 1 battery with a hard case.

Buying guide: best lightweight compact cordless drill

Weight and size first

For overhead work and long sessions, weight matters most. The DEKOPRO drills state 1.65 pounds each and one-hand operation, and the Bosch states 1.8 pounds with a 7 in head length for hard-to-maneuver tasks. The CRAFTSMAN states a 6.2 in tool head length for tight spaces, while the Milwaukee states larger dimensions at 6 in by 3 in by 9 in. Match the weight and head length to the work: overhead and cabinet work favor the lowest-weight drills here.

Voltage and torque second

Voltage alone does not set drilling power; torque and speed settings do. The Bosch states 265 in-lbs with 2 speeds and 20 plus 1 clutch settings, the CRAFTSMAN states 443 in-lbs with a 2-speed transmission and 15 plus drill mode, and the Milwaukee states 500 in-lbs with 2 speeds. The DEKOPRO drills state 800 RPM with no torque figure, so their torque is Not stated here. See the 12V vs 20V cordless drill comparison for voltage trade-offs.

Batteries and warranty third

A second battery keeps work moving while the first charges. The Bosch kit states 2 batteries and a charger, the CRAFTSMAN states a battery and charger with up to 77 holes per charge stated, and the Milwaukee kit states 1 battery with a hard case. A warranty term is stated on one listing: a 3 Year Limited Warranty on the CRAFTSMAN. The other listings state no specific warranty term.

Garage Fit Check

• Check the chuck size against the bits on the bench: 3/8 in on three drills here, 1/2 in on two.
• Check the head length for tight spaces: the Bosch states 7 in and the CRAFTSMAN states 6.2 in.
• Keep a second battery charged if the drill will run long sessions; only the Bosch kit states 2 batteries.
• Check the warranty line before ordering: a stated term appears only on the CRAFTSMAN listing.

FAQ: garage tools

What is a cordless drill?

A cordless drill is a battery-powered drill and driver for drilling holes and driving screws without a cord. The listings here state drilling in wood and plastic, tightening and loosening screws, and driving with clutch and speed settings.

How do you choose a cordless drill?

Match weight, chuck size, torque and battery to the work. Light drills here state 1.65 pounds to 1.8 pounds, chucks run 3/8 in to 1/2 in, torque runs from Not stated to 500 in-lbs, and only one listing states a warranty term.

How do you remove the chuck from a cordless drill?

No listing here states chuck removal steps, so this guide states none. Check the drill manual for the chuck removal procedure for the model in hand.

How do you use a cordless drill for beginners?

Use the variable speed trigger for control, the forward and reverse switch for direction, and the clutch settings for screw driving, as the listings describe them. The built-in LED lights on several listings here help visibility in dark corners, and the DEKOPRO listings state one-hand operation.

How do you repair a cordless drill?

No listing here states repair steps, so this guide states none. For a drill under warranty, the CRAFTSMAN listing states a 3 Year Limited Warranty; check the manual and the maker warranty terms for the model in hand.

More garage guides

See the cordless tools hub, the best cordless drill for beginners guide and the best cordless drill for home garage guide.