What a pain it is to drill holes onto surfaces where our tabletop drill presses can’t reach! It’s the expression of almost every single craftsman. Bringing the workpiece under the machine to drill holes exactly where we want them might not be as difficult in a small project as it can be in a large project. Portable drill presses solve the problem of constantly turning over the furniture, and as the name suggests, these are portable. These portable woodworking drill presses are lighter compared to the bench-top drill presses and don’t require a stable base.
Most DIY experts prefer these over the traditional bench-top ones due to the durability and versatility of these tools. It’s also a great choice for professional woodworkers and craftsmen.
Consider These Before You Buy Best Portable Drill Press
Portable drill presses can make drilling a lot easier and faster. It is also an essential tool that you must have in your toolbox. Due to the wide range of possibilities of such tools, many companies have manufactured their portable drill presses and have added a wide range of functionalities to them. This is why choosing the best portable drill press can be very tough, and you might get overwhelmed with the wide range of possibilities.
Before buying a portable drill press, you should consider the following:
- Check the power rating: The portable drill presses mostly run on batteries. The ones which generate the most power are the ones which are the most efficient, so you can easily understand which drill presses are suited for you. You will surely want a drill press that has a powerful motor so that you can drill faster and easier.
- Consider the rpm of the motor: The motors which have a higher power can spin at a higher rpm (revolutions per minute). Always check the rpm. As this can indicate how the motor performs and in which materials you can use the motor in.
- The dimensions: When you’re looking for a portable drill press, you’re surely not looking for something that’s bulky and is very heavy, right? Always check the dimensions of the drill press that you’re going to buy. If you’re choosing a handheld power drill, you should ensure that it fits right into your hand and grips well. If you choose a hand drill press, you should confirm that the drill can be easily lifted and fitted onto any surface.
Considering the three points mentioned above, we’ve gone through hundreds of the best portable drill presses to select the top 10 best portable drill press that you can buy. It will save you some time and effort going through all of them and finding which best suits you. So, here are the top 10 best portable drill presses as per our selection.
Best Portable Drill Press to Buy
1. Dewalt Max Compact 20v dcd780c2 Cordless Drill
The Dewalt 20Volt Max Compact DCD780C2 Cordless Drill has earned a spot among the portable drill presses that you can buy. It is actually a versatile and compact tool with a high performance 20V 1.5Ah Li-ion battery. This battery can be fully charged within half an hour. The Dewalt DCD780C2 packs in a powerful motor which can provide enough torque to rotate the spindle at 2000 rpm. You can set the speed at two different ranges.
This amazing cordless drill comes with a great grip which gives a comfortable hold which makes it ideal for a longer use. Its premium built quality, and sturdy body makes it a great choice for professionals. The only downside to it is its price. But if you’re looking for something that can deliver a great service, you can surely purchase this one.
2. Black & Decker Model LDX120C 20Volts Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill and Driver
The Black & Decker LDX120C is one of the cheap drill presses that you may find. It has a high-performance 20V 1.5Ah Lithium-ion battery and can charge as fast as the Dewalt DCD780C2 mentioned previously. This portable drill has a built-in LED which helps to drill in areas with insufficient lighting conditions. The downfall to this portable drill press is that it has a plastic body, which makes it feel cheap and brittle when at work. This is why you’ll have to sacrifice the build quality for the price reduction in the tool. If you want a high-performance portable drill press within a lower budget, you can surely try the Black & Decker LDX120C.
3. Dewalt DC970K-2 18V Compact Cordless Drill & Driver Kit
The Dewalt DC970K-2 is the latest addition to the family of Dewalt. Known for its high quality and performance, these portable drill presses can have quite an impact when it comes to drilling. This portable drill press has a smaller battery than that of the Dewalt DCD780C2 but doesn’t sacrifice on performance or quality. This portable drill press comes at an affordable price bracket, which enables most of the people to afford these. It also has a keyless 1/2″ chuck which makes screwing nuts possible with this drill press. These are great for all the DIY experts and small workshop owners.
4. Bosch PS31-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion 3/8-Inch 2-Speed Drill
The Bosch PS31-2A is a great drill press that packs in a very powerful motor. It can drill through surfaces at ease and performs extraordinarily compared to the other ones in the market. The only downside is the limitations in the battery size; 12 Volt max doesn’t last as long as the previous ones that we’ve chosen. This drill press is recommended for those who do serious woodworking and requires high performance in a lower budget range.
5. Worx Switchdriver Cordless Drill & Driver
The Worx Switchdriver is one of the highly versatile drill presses that you might find. It can serve the functions of two – primarily as a drill press and secondly as an automatic screwdriver. With its perfectly sleek design, it can perform better than most of the drill presses. Although it is one of the lightest ones, it has one of the best build qualities. The package comprises two batteries, so you don’t need to worry about the charge running out. If you’re a professional woodworker and require regular drilling, you can surely choose the Worx Switchdriver..
6. Makita 18V XFD10R Cordless Compact Drill and Driver Kit
Makita is famous for high-quality manufacturing tools. The Makita 18V XFD10R is no different. This heavy-duty portable drill press is one of the favorites when it comes to drilling. Although it has a comparatively small 18V battery than the other counterparts on the list, this specific drill can get the job done more effectively than any others that exist.
The four-pole exclusive motor design ensures greater power, efficiency and efficacy for the cordless drill. It means that the drill will not get stuck even in the toughest of wood. It also features a dual LED light which is ideal for low light drilling. The price of this model is its only downside. If you have a higher budget and need a powerful drill press that can easily do all the drilling, you can easily trust on this product.
7. Porter-Cable PCC606LA 20V 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill & Driver Kit
The Porter-Cable PCC606LA is one of the recommended drill presses due to its dual speed high-performance motor. The motor can run on 0-400 revolutions per minute (RPM) to 0-1600 RPM enabling it for both drilling and driving. The premium build quality and 20V 1.5Ah Lithium-ion battery add to the pros of this particular drill press. This drill can accept any drill extension found in the market. A good grip and ergonomic design act as the cherry on top of the ice cream. If you want an overall all-round performance within a mid-budget range, you can surely try the Porter-Cable PCC606LA without any hesitation.
8. Ryobi P1811 18-Volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver Kit
The Ryobi P1811 is another powerful drill press that you might consider buying. This handheld drill press packs in an 18-volt Lithium-ion battery. It comes with a powerful motor and high efficiency which makes it suitable for professionals as well as DIY experts. If you use this power drill properly, you can ensure yourself with a great drilling experience. These drills have a greater grip and comfortable handle, which makes them ideal for long time usage. These are mid-budget drill presses, and you can surely purchase one if you want premium experience in a mid-budget range.
9. Ridgid R9602 18V Compact Cordless Drill & Driver Kit
Similar to all the others, this powerful drill press packs a punch when it comes to drilling. The 18V battery used in this drill has a 50% longer lifetime. The powerful motor can deliver a maximum torque of 1750 lbs., which means that it won’t stop even if it’s drilling into the thickest of materials. It also has a good grip and excellent ergonomic design which makes it a great choice for anyone.
10. Hitachi DS18DGL 18-Volt Cordless Lithium-Ion 1/2 Inch Compact Drill Driver
The Hitachi DS18DGL is a powerful and highly versatile tool for your woodworking. The high-performance motor used in the Hitachi DS18DGL is very agile and can drill through surfaces with ease. It is one of the lightest ones, weighing just about 3.7 pounds. The motor can run at two different speeds which enables the power drill to function as two – a power drill press and a driver. It is one of the cheapest as well. If you’re looking for a great drill press at a lower budget range, you can surely try the Hitachi DS18DGL.
Wrapping It Up
The drill presses are great at drilling holes onto the thickest of materials. These can get the job done with higher precision than the traditional handheld drills. Although the drill presses can be great at work, these tools are heavy and can’t be transported. This is why many professional craftsmen prefer using a handheld portable drill press rather than the bench top or DIY drill press because it can provide them with versatility which the other two can’t.
These handheld drill presses are a great addition to a craftsman’s high-quality toolbox. These can drill through any surface at hard to get areas. These drill presses have a powerful motor which delivers high rotational torque which is enough to drill through the wood without stopping. The batteries used in these drill presses provide excellent performance and can charge very fast. Some even function as a driver for screws. All in all, these are great for DIY experts and professionals who drill on a regular basis.
Before buying such a portable drill press, you must consider the power rating, rpm and the dimensions of the drill press you’re going to buy. We hope that our list covers all the power drills that fit accordingly to the needs of various types of people.
