Corded vs Cordless Drill: Which One Should You Buy?

GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Corded vs cordless drill: the short answer

The corded side: four drills ranked

1. DEWALT DWD115K. The top pick: an 8.0-amp corded drill with a 3/8 in all-metal ratcheting keyless chuck, 0 to 2500 RPM with a VSR trigger and 150 in-lb of torque. The mid-handle grip with soft grip and all ball bearing construction are stated. No warranty term is stated.

2. Hammerhead HAHD075. A 7.5-amp 1/2 in hammer drill at 3000 RPM with a metal chuck, variable speed trigger with lock-on and a soft grip handle. The kit includes 6 bits, a depth gauge and an auxiliary handle. The listing states it cannot be used in reinforced concrete walls. A 2-year limited warranty is stated.

3. BLACK+DECKER BEHD201. A 6.5-amp 1/2 in hammer drill at 2800 RPM delivering a stated 48,000 bpm for concrete, stone and brick, with a 2-position switch, 3-position side handle and single-sleeve chuck. No warranty term is stated.

4. BLACK+DECKER DR260C. A 5.5-amp 3/8 in drill at 1500 RPM with 360 in-lb of torque, variable speed and on-board bit storage. A 2-year limited manufacturer warranty is stated.

Power and speed per listing

Amps run 5.5 to 8.0 here. The DEWALT states 8.0 amps at 0 to 2500 RPM with 150 in-lb; the Hammerhead states 7.5 amps at 3000 RPM; the BLACK+DECKER BEHD201 states 6.5 amps at 2800 RPM; the DR260C states 5.5 amps at 1500 RPM with 360 in-lb. For long sessions, the 8.0-amp DEWALT is the highest stated amperage; for speed, the Hammerhead’s 3000 RPM is the highest stated figure.

Hammer function and chucks

Two listings are hammer drills: the Hammerhead HAHD075 with a stated 2-in-1 drill and hammer function, and the BEHD201 with a stated 48,000 bpm for masonry. The DR260C and DWD115K are basic drills. Chucks: the Hammerhead and BEHD201 state 1/2 in chucks; the DR260C and DWD115K state 3/8 in chucks, with the DEWALT’s stated all-metal ratcheting design for bit retention.

Warranty and kit contents

The DR260C states a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty and the Hammerhead a 2-year limited warranty; the BEHD201 and DWD115K state no warranty term. Kit contents: the Hammerhead includes 6 bits, a depth gauge and an auxiliary handle; the BEHD201 includes a side handle; the DR260C includes a double-ended bit; the DWD115K includes a kit box.

Amps and speed: what the numbers buy you

The four corded picks span 5.5 to 8 amps, and the speed figures follow the amps. The BLACK+DECKER DR260C lists a 5.5-amp motor with 0 to 1500 rpm and 360 in-lb of maximum torque, positioned as the compact basic drill. The BLACK+DECKER BEHD201 lists a 6.5-amp motor with 0 to 2800 rpm and 48,000 bpm on the hammer side. The Hammerhead HAHD075 lists a 7.5-amp motor with 0 to 3000 rpm, the fastest here, and its bullets say it tackles the most demanding projects. The DEWALT DWD115K lists an 8-amp motor, the most here, with 0 to 2,500 rpm on a VSR trigger and 150 in-lb of torque for heavy-duty applications.

Do not read the torque figures as a single ranking: the DR260C lists 360 in-lb and the DEWALT lists 150 in-lb, but each listing measures its own way and the two machines serve different jobs. What the amps and speeds do tell you is the pecking order for hard work: the 7.5-amp Hammerhead and the 8-amp DEWALT sit above the 5.5-amp DR260C, and both hammer drills list higher rpm than the basic drills.

Runtime: the corded argument

Both BLACK+DECKER listings state the same line: a corded drill offers unlimited runtime for even the biggest jobs. That is the whole case for corded. There is no battery to age, no second battery to buy, no mid-job recharge. For a bench drill that lives plugged in, or a long day of driving screws, the cord is a feature, not a compromise.

Control comes from the triggers. The DR260C lists variable speed, the BEHD201 lists a 2-position switch for standard drill or hammer drill modes, the Hammerhead lists a variable speed trigger with a preset selector and lock-on for continuous operation, and the DEWALT lists a VSR trigger. The Hammerhead’s lock-on matters for long drilling runs: set the speed and the trigger stays.

Hammer drill notes: masonry limits

Two of the four are hammer drills, and the listings draw clear lines. The BLACK+DECKER BEHD201 lists 48,000 bpm to drill concrete, stone and brick, with a 2-position switch to select standard drill for wood or hammer drill for masonry, plus a 3-position side handle. The Hammerhead HAHD075 is also a 2-in-1 with drill and hammer functions, and its bullets state plainly that it can NOT be used in reinforced concrete walls: read that limit before you plan a job around it.

The Hammerhead is the only pick with a stated masonry kit: 3 drill bits for steel, 3 bits for concrete, a depth gauge and an auxiliary handle. The BEHD201 includes the drill and a side handle. Drilling capacities run 0.38 inches in wood and metal on the DR260C, 0.5 inches on the BEHD201 and the DEWALT’s wood side, and 25 millimeters in wood and 12 millimeters in metal on the Hammerhead. Compare wood to wood and metal to metal: the capacities are close, and the hammer function is what separates the masonry-capable two.

Chucks, weight and kit contents

Chuck size splits the group. The DR260C lists a 3/8-inch chuck (10 millimeters in the spec table) and the DEWALT lists a 3/8-inch all-metal ratcheting keyless chuck built for bit retention. The Hammerhead lists a 1/2-inch keyless metal chuck (13 millimeters) and the BEHD201 lists a 1/2-inch single-sleeve chuck. The 1/2-inch chucks take larger bits; the DEWALT’s ratcheting all-metal chuck is the bit-retention pick among the 3/8-inch two.

Only the Hammerhead states a weight: 5.2 pounds. The DEWALT notes a mid-handle grip with soft grip for balance, the Hammerhead notes a soft grip handle, and the BEHD201 notes its side handle. Kit contents favor the extremes: the Hammerhead ships 6 bits plus gauge and handle, the DEWALT ships in a kit box, and the DR260C keeps an extra bit in on-board storage with a double-ended screwdriving bit included. Both BLACK+DECKER listings and the Hammerhead state a 2-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which corded drill is strongest here?

The DEWALT DWD115K at a stated 8.0 amps. The Hammerhead states 7.5 amps, the BEHD201 6.5 amps and the DR260C 5.5 amps.

Which drill masonry?

The BEHD201 states 48,000 bpm for concrete, stone and brick. The Hammerhead is a hammer drill but states it cannot be used in reinforced concrete walls.

Which state a warranty?

The DR260C and Hammerhead state 2-year limited warranties. The BEHD201 and DWD115K state no warranty term.

When does cordless win?

For quick jobs away from an outlet. No cordless listing is in this set, so cordless figures are not stated here.

Related: the corded vs cordless pressure washer and corded vs cordless shop vac comparisons.

More picks: browse cordless tools.