Corded vs Cordless Drills: Compared For Every Use Type

Researched & Written by Craig

Are you finding it tricky to choose between a corded and a cordless drill? Then check out the comparisons in this article that will help you make the best decision.

Here’s the comparison in short:

Corded Drills Are Best For…	Cordless Drills Are Best For…
More efficient, powerful jobs	Working in tight spaces
Contractors and carpenters	Working where there are no power outlets
Long projects	Weekend DIY-ers
	Small projects

Different drills work best for different jobs. So, what will you be using yours for? Find out more about the best type of drill for your job in this article.

Drilling into wooden boards — Sometimes you might need to use more than one type of drill to get the job done!

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Corded vs Cordless Drills: Simply Compared For Every Use Type

While we’ve looked at these drills from a birdseye view above, sometimes the best way to compare is to walk through each aspect of both options. Let’s start with the big one:

Precision and Power

When might you need precision and extra power whilst drilling? Perhaps when you work with thick concrete, brick, and masonry. Or even when drilling into tiles and ceramics. You may also need to unleash some super strength when you work on heavy-duty construction projects.

So which drill would serve you best on these occasions? Corded drills are better for high-precision jobs. They are more powerful so they are the best choice for tough tasks.

With a corded drill you could get the job done:

Faster. A corded drill has more RPM (revolutions per minute). The faster speed can help you to get jobs done quicker.
Easier. A corded drill has a constant flow of electricity thanks to the cord which powers it. This means there are no limitations or interruptions in its voltage. With no interruptions, the drill bit rotates endlessly. The continuous rotation makes the job easier to complete.

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
They are more powerful	They are less powerful
It is easier to do precise work	It is more difficult to do precise work

Contractors and Carpenters

What kind of tools are contractors and carpenters using? They usually carry both corded and cordless drills with them. This helps them to have the right tools on hand for any kind of job.

But what if a contractor or a carpenter had to choose between a corded or a cordless drill? When choosing between the two, most would choose a corded drill. Why? For the following reasons:

A corded drill gives them extra power and precision. This helps professionals to get the job done faster. It also helps them to continue drilling, even through tough, resilient materials.
A corded drill gives you power all day. It’s true, it may limit your range. But, you don’t have to worry about the battery depleting on you with a corded drill.
A corded drill is smaller. Contractors and carpenters have a lot of tools to carry around. So they try to save space and cut down on the weight of their tools where they can. Corded drills are smaller than cordless drills. This could make them easier to transport in a toolbox and still allow more room for other tools.

Corded drill being used on a brick wall — Corded drills are better suited for heavy duty work such as drilling into brick

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
They are better for carpenters and contractors	They are better for infrequent use or weekend DIY-ers
They are smaller. But the cord could make them harder to store	They are bigger. The bulky, incorporated battery could make them harder to store.

Long Projects

Another factor that will help you choose the best drill is to analyze how long you will be using it. Will you be using the drill throughout long working days? Or will you only need it for a couple of minutes at a time?

If you use your drill pretty much non-stop throughout the day, you need a corded drill. Why do I say that?

You must plug it in to use it. You do not have to charge the battery on a corded drill. You can use the drill as long as it is plugged in.
They perform well throughout the day. The rotating force in torque is powered by the uninterrupted flow of electricity. This means that there are no limitations in voltage that could occur with a battery-charged cordless drill.
Corded drills are lighter. Corded drills are lighter because they do not have the added weight of a battery in the drill. Since they are lighter, they are easier to use. A lightweight drill could also help to reduce the effects of wrist fatigue. That’s right, you should use a corded drill if you are looking for a way to take the load off.

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
They are better for long, all-day projects	They are ideal for short projects
You do not need to worry about the battery depleting	You have to charge them before use
They are lighter	The battery depletes quickly if the drill is in constant use
	They are heavier

Small Working Spaces

Working in small spaces can be tough even for the best contractors and carpenters. Which tool will be the best help when you’re working in a restricted area?

Cordless drills are recommended for working in tight spaces. Here’s why that’s true:

You don’t have to worry about the cord getting in the way. If you have limited mobility it can be very frustrating to have a great dangling cord in the way of your workspace. With a cordless drill, you will be able to maximize your working area.
Cordless drills are safer. If you are working in a small space, you should clear it of all obstructions. With a cordless drill, you won’t have to worry about tripping over any cords.

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
The cord can get in the way of your workspace. This is especially the case when you are working in small spaces.	A cordless drill helps you work in tight spaces with no obstacles in your way.
There exists the safety hazard of tripping over the cord.	You will not have to worry about tripping over the cord.

Working Without Power Outlets

Are you working on a new house? Are you keen to get some drilling done in the backyard? Do you need the freedom to be able to take your drill with you on the go?

A cordless drill gives you unlimited range when you are working. You can take the drill with you to get jobs done anywhere you need to.

Cordless drills are great for some of the following reasons:

They give you an unlimited range. Forget extension cables. Say goodbye to that frustrating feeling of not being able to get to that last spot that’s just out of reach. With a cordless drill, you can get the job done no matter where it is.
You can work even where there are no power outlets. Are you working on a building site? Do you need to get some drilling done in the backyard? You can work with a cordless drill without being near an outlet.

Cordless drill used in the garden — Cordless drills are perfect for workspaces without a power outlet

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
They have a limited working space	They have an unlimited range
You have to work where there is a power outlet	You can work anywhere

Weekend DIY-ers

Although we’d like to, we can’t spend all day every day rooting around and finishing off DIY projects. Would you say you are more of a weekend DIY-er than a fully-fledged carpenter or contractor? Then which tool will be best suited to you?

Cordless drills are best for those who use a drill occasionally. Here’s why:

Cordless drills are perfect for completing mini jobs around the house. These drills are easy to use and they are awesome to grab and go. Just make sure that you charge up the battery ready for next time.
You can use cordless drills anywhere. You can use your cordless drill to finish off that last pesky job in the yard, in the attic, basement, anywhere! What’s more, you won’t need to waste time finding and unraveling that pesky extension cord. Simply get the job done, then you can get on with your weekend.

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
They are not ideal for periodic use	They are perfect for weekend DIY-ers
You have to work where there is a power outlet	You can work anywhere. Great to grab and begin using straight away. Complete jobs anywhere in the home, yard, or beyond.

Small Projects

Are working on a small project? Will you often use your drill to do bits and bobs around the home? Then which drill will be the best for you?

A cordless drill is the best for working on small projects. If you will be using the drill infrequently, cordless will be the ideal choice for you. Let’s see why:

You don’t need to plug a cordless drill in. Simply pick yours up, and start using it immediately. It is quick and easy to use.
Cordless drills are perfect for mini awkward jobs. Is it your turn to fix the hinge in the cupboard under the sink? How about the shelf in the bathroom that looks a little lopsided? With a cordless drill, you can work anywhere. You won’t need to worry about your nearest power outlet. You can also work on awkward jobs without having an annoying cord hanging in your face.

Corded Drills	Cordless Drills
They are not ideal for working on small projects	They are perfect for working on small projects
It could be irritating to have to plug the drill in just to do quick jobs around the home.	You do not need to plug them in
	You don’t have to worry about a cord

Pros & Cons of Corded Drills

Are you leaning towards buying a brand new corded drill? Then here are some of the pros and cons of these drills. This list will help you make the best decision.

Pros of Corded Drills	Cons of Corded Drills
They give awesome precision and power	They have a limited working space
They are ideal for long projects	There is the danger of tripping over the wire
They are lightweight	The cord could be bulky and hard to store
They are smaller than corded drills	They are not ideal for working in small spaces
They are more durable

Pros & Cons of Cordless Drills

Are you considering a cordless drill to be the latest edition in your toolbox? Then take a look at the list of pros and cons of cordless drills below. It will help you choose the drill that is best suited to you.

Pros of Cordless Drills	Cons of Cordless Drills
They have an unlimited range	They are heavy
You can work with them without a power outlet	You have to charge the battery for the drill to work
They are ideal for working on small projects	They are less durable
They are convenient for working in small spaces	The incorporated battery makes the drill chunkier. This could make it more difficult to store
	They are not the most powerful drills
	They are not ideal for long projects because of the limited battery life

Conclusion

Choosing between a corded and a cordless drill is tricky. After all, both are fantastic drills. Even so, your decision may change depending on what you will be using your drill for. It may also change based on how often you will use the drill.

You should use a corded drill if:

You need the drill to do high-precision, heavy-duty jobs
You are a contractor or a carpenter
You are working on long projects where you will be using the drill throughout the day

You should use a corded drill if: