{"id":129,"date":"2019-08-05T17:50:13","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T20:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/powertoolbase.com\/?p=129"},"modified":"2022-11-18T13:46:44","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T16:46:44","slug":"what-voltage-drill-do-i-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powertoolbase.com\/what-voltage-drill-do-i-need\/","title":{"rendered":"What Voltage Drill Do I Need? (Is Bigger Really Better?)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
You’re looking to buy a cordless drill driver, but you’re confused by all the different voltage sizes on offer. We’re going to take an in-depth look at all drill voltages ranging from 3.6v to 24v.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For professionals and serious DIYers<\/strong>, the preferred sizes are 12 volts for light-duty work and 18 volts for heavy-duty work.<\/strong> 9 to 11-volt drills are suitable for drilling and are perfect for occasional work around the home. Drill voltages between 6 to 8 volts are mainly for use as screwdrivers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So bigger is better, right? Not so fast. There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting the right voltage. You can actually do more harm than good by not choosing the right drill voltage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three most important factors when deciding between drill voltage are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Probably not for you but worth a mention if drill voltage gets you salivating: this one is for the professionals. It’s what you want if you’re going to be drilling concrete, iron plate, or boring a lot of holes through studs or joists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless you’re working on a building site, you’re probably not going to have a need for such a high-voltage drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are a must if you’re a tradesman or an avid DIYer. They have all the versatility and power that you need. You’ll be able to do pretty much any task both inside and outside the home. These drill drivers are even capable of drilling into brick and concrete without a dedicated hammer drill function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest problem with 18v drills is their weight. These things can weigh as much as 8.8lbs (4kg). If you’re working in tight spaces or overhead, you’re going to get tired very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of holding a newborn baby with your arm outstretched. You’re not going to be able to keep that up for long unless you hit the gym hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having said that, with the advent of lithium-ion batteries, and focus on producing user-friendly cordless power tools, drills just got a whole lot lighter. One of the lightest 18v drill drivers on offer at the moment weighs just 2.2lbs (1kg) with a 2.0Ah battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summary, this is for the serious DIY enthusiast and the professional. You’ll be able to do everything you want with no compromise in power. Check out my top-pick 18-volt drill with battery<\/a> on Amazon.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
24 volts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
18 to 20 volts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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