BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill Driver Guide for First-Time DIYers

Best for: Basic drilling on the 20V system

Pros

• Lightweight 3.15 lbs
• 11-position clutch
• Trigger-activated LED

Cons

• 115 in-lb torque is modest
• Single speed range

Black+Decker

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Power Drill Cordless Drill Driver Electric Screwdriver with 30 Piece Bit Set, Battery and Charger Included (LD120VA)

9.0/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Power Drill

Best for: First toolkit with bits included

Pros

• 30-piece accessory kit
• 24-position clutch
• Battery holds charge up to 18 months
• 2-speed gearbox

Cons

• Small 1.5 Ah battery
• 750 rpm top speed

The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Power Drill (model LD120VA) is a compact 20V drill sold as a 30-piece kit. The box includes the drill, a battery, a charger, six brad point drill bits, ten 1-inch screwdriving bits, nine 2-inch screwdriving bits, four nut drivers and a magnetic bit tip holder. For a gift, that means the recipient can start hanging shelves on day one without a trip to the hardware store.

The listing gives it 750 rpm (rotations per minute, a measure of how fast the chuck spins), 300 in-lb of torque (twisting force), two speeds and a 10 mm chuck. Its 24-position clutch is worth explaining: the clutch is the numbered ring behind the chuck that makes the drill stop turning once a screw is tight, which keeps you from stripping the screw head or sinking it too deep. More positions give finer control. The 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery is said to hold a charge up to 18 months, useful for someone who only picks up a drill a few times a year.

This is the pick for a first-time DIYer who wants the drill and the bits in one box. The battery is on the small side, so anyone planning long projects might prefer the brushless BLD782D1 further down.

Black+Decker

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT Cordless Drill Driver Kit with Drill Bit Set and Sockets, 100 pc. Tool Kit for Home, Battery and Charger Included, Orange (BDC120VA100)

8.8/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT Cordless Drill

Best for: New homeowners wanting a big bit kit

Pros

• 100-piece accessory kit
• 24-position clutch
• POWERCONNECT battery sharing

Cons

• Listing gives conflicting torque and speed figures

The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT Cordless Drill (model BDC120VA100) pairs a 20V drill with a 100-piece set of bits and accessories, including sockets according to the listing title. It shares the 24-position clutch and soft-grip handle of the LD120VA, and its battery works across the POWERCONNECT system, which is BLACK+DECKER’s name for its family of 20V tools that share one battery type.

The listing’s numbers do not line up, so read them with care. It lists a maximum rotational speed of 650 rpm but a “speed” of 1700 rpm, and a maximum torque of 150 in-lb alongside a torque figure of 300 in-lb. The listing does not explain the difference, so we cannot say which figure is correct. It does list two speeds and a 10 mm chuck, and describes the tool as compact and lightweight.

This kit suits someone setting up their first home, who wants a large assortment of accessories. If you want to keep all those pieces organised, our guide to BLACK+DECKER tool box kits covers storage options. If clear specifications matter most to you, the LD120VA lists its figures consistently.

Black+Decker

BLACK+DECKER 12V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver, Battery and Charger Included (BDCDD12C)

8.8/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

BLACK+DECKER 12V MAX Cordless Drill Driver

Best for: Tight spaces and light household jobs

Pros

• Compact 2.18 lb design
• LED work light
• Keyless chuck

Cons

• 550 rpm top speed
• 12V battery not part of 20V system

The BLACK+DECKER 12V MAX Cordless Drill Driver (model BDCDD12C) sits in the middle of the lineup. A 12V battery is smaller and lighter than a 20V pack, and the description says this drill weighs 2.18 lbs and is 35% smaller than the older 12V NiCad version. It has a 550 rpm motor, 26 N·m of torque, two speeds and an 11-position clutch.

A keyless chuck lets you change bits by hand without a separate key, and a built-in LED work light helps when you are drilling inside a cabinet or under a sink. The battery and charger are included. The listing does not say whether the 12V battery fits other tools, and it is not described as part of the 20V POWERCONNECT system.

Choose the 12V if you mainly assemble furniture, tighten hinges or work in cramped spots. For tougher jobs like drilling into hardwood, one of the 20V models gives more headroom.

Black+Decker

BLACK+DECKER 8V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver (BDCD8C)

8.2/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

BLACK+DECKER 8V MAX Cordless Drill Driver

Best for: Hanging pictures and assembling furniture

Pros

• Ultra-light at 1.32 lbs
• Mid-handle balance
• Simple jack-plug charging

Cons

• Built-in battery cannot be swapped
• Single 400 rpm speed

The BLACK+DECKER 8V MAX Cordless Drill Driver (model BDCD8C) is the smallest drill here, weighing 1.32 lbs. It has a single-speed 400 rpm motor, a 3/8-inch keyless chuck and a mid-handle design, which puts the grip under the centre of the tool for balance. The battery is built into the tool and recharges with a jack plug charger that plugs into a wall outlet, and it comes with a double-sided bit to get started.

One figure needs caution: the listing states 310 in-lb of maximum torque, which is higher than several 20V drills here and unusual for an 8V motor with a listed maximum power of 12 watts. The listing does not explain this, so we suggest treating the BDCD8C as a light-duty tool, which is how BLACK+DECKER itself describes it: for hanging pictures and assembling furniture.

This makes a thoughtful gift for a student or first apartment. Because the battery is built in and cannot be swapped, anyone who expects to grow into more tools should look at a 20V POWERCONNECT model instead.

Best for: DIYers wanting the most power

Pros

• Brushless motor
• 486 in-lbs max torque
• 1/2-inch metal chuck
• Battery charge indicator

Cons

• Only a double-ended bit included
• 10 clutch positions, fewer than some

The BLACK+DECKER Drill (model BLD782D1) is the only brushless model in this group. A brushless motor uses electronics instead of small carbon brushes to switch power, which generally means less friction, less heat and better battery use. The listing claims up to 39% more power and up to 48% more runtime, and up to 92 holes per charge for common DIY work.

It has the highest listed torque here at 486 in-lbs, two speed ranges (0-450 and 0-1,900 rpm), 10 clutch positions plus a drilling position, and a 1/2-inch single-sleeve keyless metal chuck, which can hold larger bits than the 3/8-inch chucks on other models. Extras include a built-in LED, a battery charge indicator, a belt clip, a magnetic bit holder and a soft grip. It is described as 9% shorter than other drill drivers and comes with a 2Ah battery, charger and a double-ended bit.

This suits a DIYer who wants one drill that can handle bigger holes and longer sessions. It does not come with a large bit set, so pair it with accessories or choose one of the kits above if you need them in the box.

The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver (model BDCDD120C) is a straightforward 20V drill that weighs 3.15 lbs. It lists 115 in-lb of torque and 0-650 rpm, an 11-position clutch, a keyless chuck, variable speed and a trigger-activated LED light. It comes with a battery, charger and a double-ended bit.

There is one inconsistency: the specifications list 1.5 A amperage and a 4 Ah battery capacity, and the listing does not clarify which battery ships in the box. The drill does use the 20V MAX POWERCONNECT battery system, so its battery can run other tools in that family, such as a BLACK+DECKER electric lawn mower that uses the same platform, if the model you pick is listed as compatible.

Pick this one for basic household jobs if you want to join the 20V system without a big accessory kit. For more torque, the brushless BLD782D1 is the step up.