Buy It For Life
Cordless Drills

Updated Jul 30, 2026

Buy it for life: the most durable cordless drills,
according to r/BuyItForLife on Reddit.
Recommended by people who have owned them for years. How we pick.
Do you know of an item that should be on this list? Let us know!

Makita LXT211 18 V LXT Lithium-Ion 2 Pc. Combo Kit

Professional cordless drill and impact combo praised for durability, battery life, and daily jobsite reliability.

Excellent battery life
Holds up to daily abuse
Lightweight and dependable

I have the Makita set. The Li-on batteries are great, the hold a charge when the drill sits on the self.
– dirtisgood

He has has this set for over two years and it works like he just bought it yesterday.
– unknown

I’ve used makita everyday for years. All I’ve ever had to do is change brushes.
– Fruitndveg

Available at Acme Tools

Milwaukee M18 Fuel hammer drill

Brushless 18V cordless hammer drill noted for power, longevity, and strong contractor preference.

Strong power output
Excellent battery performance
Good long-term durability

Good choice. I've had the hammer drill you bought about a year now. The Fuel drills and batteries are excellent.
– bublet

I have the Milwaukee M18 fuel Impact driver and I love it.
– drepamig

Only store brand drill I've ever had that lasts more than two years without service is Milwaukee.
– RatRidWhiskey

DeWalt DW983 XRP cordless drill

Older professional DeWalt cordless drill admired for decade-long service and strong real-world toughness.

Long service life
Tough under heavy use
Widely trusted brand

I have enjoyed my Dewalt drill but this time around Milwaukee gets my money.
– kabir424

+1 for DeWalt, I've seen those things last for years through some major wear and tear
– unknown

Not a single one of my dewalt 18v tools has broken and I bought em in 2015.
– Robotoverlordv1

Available at www.ebay.com

Ridgid hammer drill

Home Depot cordless hammer drill valued for versatility, masonry ability, and lifetime battery coverage.

Lifetime service agreement
Good battery life
Handles brick and concrete

I bought a rigid hammer drill at home depot. It's been amazing and it'll handle drilling brick.
– EvilCeleryStick

I've used the drill almost every day for 3 years and the battery lasts me weeks in a single charge.
– EvilCeleryStick

I'm going on 2 years with my set and actually reach for it more than my DeWalt at the moment.
– carpenter_not_ant

Ryobi 18V drill and impact starter kit

Affordable homeowner cordless platform praised for value, reliability, and broad battery-compatible tool ecosystem.

Great value for home use
Large compatible tool lineup
Reliable for diy tasks

For home use I think Ryobi has the best bang for buck system.
– JJCDAD

I bought into the Ryobi 18 volt world about eight years ago when my Black and Decker drill crapped out.
– dronecarp

I've been in the 18 v Ryobi world for about eight years. I started with a drill and impact starter kit, and I like them.
– IndianaFartJockey

Back to Tools & Garden Equipment

Sources:
Circa 2006 cordless Electric DeWalt drill.
[tools] What I have learned about cordless drills
Cordless drill set for around the home use
[BI4L Request] - Cordless Drill
[BiFL Request] Cordless Drill

Buy It For LifeCordless Drills