Here Are The Top 10 Best High-torque Cordless Drills 2021
Our list of the newest high-torque cordless drills includes only drill drivers that obey to these rules:
- To be considered a high-torque drill, the following cordless models had to pass the bar of 499 in-lbs of peak torque, but the range is wide, some models reaching as much as 1400 in-lbs...
- Of course, since torque is linked to speed, the high-torque cordless drills may tend to also be a tad slower than other drill drivers from the same category, which is why we include, as much as possible, the RPM rating right beside the torque specs in our best-of list.
The List:
We started with reviews from users who gave the drill positive feedback which, at the time of this writing, were an overwhelming majority. One user likened their drill to a beast and a no-nonsense workhorse with its rated peak torque of 500 inch-pounds and a 1600 high no-load RPM. Aside from its power, the DCD777C2 was also praised for its lightweight and compact design. Last but not least, some users also liked the fact that it came with two 20V lithium-ion batteries and a charger, allowing them to use one battery while charging another to minimize its downtime.
We shifted our attention to the negative reviews and were surprised that even users who gave the DCD77C2 a low score still acknowledged it as a powerful 20v cordless drill. Complaints were mostly directed towards problems with the chuck (a complaint we hear about so many drills, by the way), with one user hearing grinding sounds from it just after using the drill for a couple of months, while another one had trouble with keeping bits locked in place. Another notable criticism is that the forward/reverse switch on the drill does not slide smoothly, which might be an annoyance for some people. Once we were done reading reviews, we had our shopping algorithm analyze all feedback and gave the DCD77C2 an adjusted score of 5 stars.
Good power, a compact design, and minimal downtime thanks to extra batteries helped make the case for out system to rank the DCD777C2 as the best 20v cordless drill with a 99 confidence level (More on confidence levels)(Learn how we rank items).

DeWALT DCD777C2
- Brushless Motor
- 2 Speeds

DEWALT DCF885C1
- Brushless Motor
- Socket-Ready Chuck
- Hammer-Drill Mode
The combo seems to have paid off, judging by what we saw after we examined 1098 reviews. Majority of the users gave the XFD061 high scores, specifically pointing out how much run time they got out of its LXT lithium-ion battery. Although this cordless drill's specs do not seem to stand out among other similar products we have on record as of this writing, users still liked it for "light or standard drilling work", though it was unclear whether they were referring to speed or torque, given its rather above-average peak torque of 530in-lbs -- which makes us think of it as a contender for a compact high-torque sort of category. Multiple users even recommend having it as an addition to anyone's tool collection, since its compact design and lightweight build doesn't take up much storage space. The only notable gripe about it was that the carrying bag included in the kit was too small to contain the unit and the battery. Overall, the XFD061 gets an adjusted score of 4.5 stars.
Those looking for a solid option for light drilling tasks should consider getting the XFD061, which is one of the best options we have in our database.

Makita XFD061 High Torque Cordless Drill
- Brushless Motor
- 2 Speeds
Makita may have been on to something when they talked about the XPH12T's longer run time. Although we don't have an exact comparison of it and a brushed motor drill, we would be inclined to believe their claim based on what most users said in their reviews. One mentioned being able to install a 300ft fence with two charges of a 4000mAH battery and a single charge of a 3000mAH replacement. Since the drill comes bundled with two 5000 mAh batteries and it's compatible with other Makita 18V LXT batteries, it's safe to assume that anyone can do a lot of drilling with it. Although it did not stand out in terms of other specs, there weren't any major complaints about its power.
One thing that users have to watch out for is the drill's mode select switch. There were multiple complaints about the drill getting stuck in hammer mode, limiting its use. From what we understand of the reviews we read, users who may want to purchase this drill for its otherwise good performance (negative reviews amounted to only 7% last time we checked , which is very good) should essentially consider it as a non-hammer drill and never use the hammer switch, thus avoiding the risk of being stuck there!
With both positive and critical reviews accounted for, our system gave the XPH12T an adjusted score of 4.5 stars. Good run times and solid performance have helped the XPH12T secure its spot among the top 10 choices in its category.

Makita XPH12T
- Brushless Motor
- Hammer-Drill Mode
- 2 Speeds
More high-torque cordless drills, sorted by the latest model first:
We checked reviews to find out what users have to say about the pint-sized powerhouse. One user claimed that it had enough power to drive half-inch wood lugs into treated wood while there were also several accounts of it being able remove wheel lugs without having to use a breaker bar . The IDH182-02 also comes with a couple of 4000mAH Lithium Ion Batteries which were also praised for their long run-time.
Although it received plenty of favorable reviews, this high torque small cordless drill still has its share of criticisms. One user noted that they needed two hands to insert or remove bits because the chuck does not have a quick-release feature and their crew reported that some bits don't fit the chuck and are likely to fall off during use. A user was also complaining about the 17-inch case that came bundled with the kit, which they found "overkill" considering that the drill is only 8 inches tall with the battery installed. Criticisms aside, the IDH182-02 still managed to get an adjusted score of (rating temporarily unavailable) stars.

Bosch IDH182-02
- Brushless Motor
- Socket-Ready Chuck
- Hammer-Drill Mode
- 3 Speeds
