Best Right Angle Drills Reviews in 2023
When a regular drill doesn’t make the cut, it’s time to call out a more specialized tool optimized for quickly and effortlessly reaching the tight and hard-to-reach spots. Unlike a standard drill, a right angle drill comes with a relatively shorter head and a lightweight and small profile. The advantageous physical attributes make them ideal for undertaking challenging and demanding applications such as plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, installing garage doors, and framing steel, among others.
Our Top 3 Picks
- Dewalt
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Our rating - Lightweight
- Price: See Here
- Makita
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Our rating - Impressive
- Price: See Here
- Milwaukee
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Our rating - Versatile
- Price: See Here
If you’re not sure which one would be ideal for your unique needs, read through our compilation of the ten of the best right angle drills.
10 Best Right Angle Drills
1. DEWALT DCD740C1
The DCD740C1 is armed to the teeth with a litany of performance and convenience features that set it apart from the stiff industry competition. It packs a high-performance motor that pairs nicely with its high-capacity 20V Max Li-Ion battery, providing you with plenty of power to quickly and effortlessly reach dual speed ranges of between 0 and 60 and 0 and 2000 rotations per minute. The result is unmatched precision, flexibility and versatility to take on a wide range of projects both around the house and on a commercial setting. Irrespective of the size of the project, the performance of the machine guarantees you a quick and efficient finish.
It has all the features and modern technologies to help you finish your project quickly and efficiently. It’s cost-effective, high-performance and easy to use, making it an ideal choice for carpenters and handymen.
Dual and variable speed range
Lightweight and compact design
Comes with a multi-grip trigger
Charges battery in under 30 minutes
Heavy tasks drain the battery quickly
Costly
2. Makita DA3010F
This option might cede ground to the DeWalt in design, but when it comes to performance, it easily holds a candle to its rivals. The machine packs an incredibly powerful and dependable 4.0 Amp motor with a variable speed feature ranging between 0 and 2400 rotations per minute. With such immense power on the palm of your hands, you essentially become a jack of all trades, taking on a wide range of projects. It’s the versatility and all-roundness of this option that makes it the darling of re-modellers, carpenters, craftsmen, handymen and enthusiastic DIYers.
The tool is genuinely an indispensable part of any handyman's toolbox. The LED light, exceptional performance, the padded switch and ball bearing design all make it a worthwhile investment. When you need to accurately and quickly reach those tight spots, the machine has your back.
Impressive speeds of up to 2400 rotations a minute
The padding of the switch facilitates ease of use
Has an LED light for dark spots
Lightweight and compact
Drills powerfully and fast
Paddle switch lacks a safety feature
3. Bare-Tool Milwaukee 2415-20
The 2415-20 is arguably one of the most versatile machines on our list, thanks to its 3/8 inch ratcheting chuck. The feature enables the user to take on a myriad of light-duty to heavy-duty drilling projects on metal and wood workpieces without worrying about wear and tear. Additionally, it works smoothly and flawlessly and with remarkable speed, thanks to its powerful and high-performance motor that dependably delivers up to 100 inch-pounds of torque.
Expectedly, it is lightweight and compact and has an extended paddle trigger that conveniently allows for one-handed operation. Because it's battery-powered, you don't have to worry about portability or have to drag heavy power cables with you. And before the juice runs out, the built-in fuel gauge will warn you well in advance to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
If your eyes are firmly trained on acquiring a right angle drill that’s both durable, budget-friendly, and easy to use, the 2415-20 is highly recommended. 125 pounds of torque and speeds of up to 1500 rotations per minute are hard to pass up.
Versatile design
Has a convenient fuel gauge
Comes with a useful overload protection feature
Battery sold separately
4. DEWALT DWD460K
It features a professional-grade construction quality to enable it to withstand the rigors of the trade and extend its lifespan considerably. The first evidence of the heavy-duty design is the metal gear housing that significantly increases dependability. Secondly, it comes with an easy-to-adjust front handle and 2-position side handle that together have a prowess for providing incredible leverage and control. It also benefits from a mechanical clutch that provides the gears with superb protection in low speeds. These features guarantee that with proper use and proper maintenance, the machine should provide you with several years of pain-free service.
Thanks to the machine's bind-up control stall-sensing technology, the user will enjoy greater control over the reactionary torque, resulting in more accurate and efficient drilling and driving. On the flipside, you'll have to contend with the machine's massive weight of 21.7 pounds. Still, it's one of the best options on the market currently.
Powerful performance
Comfortable and easy to use handles
Outstanding drilling and driving speeds
Dual variable speed setting
Exceptional resistance to binding up
Bulky and heavy
Expensive
5. Ingersoll Rand 7807R
When it comes to performance, it easily overshadows products from more established brands. For one, it features a heavy-duty 3/8 inch chuck that pairs greatly with the heavy-duty design. The highlight of the innovative design is the precision machine gearing that guarantees maximum transfer of power from the machine’s motor while prolonging its lifespan, so it provides you with several years of hassle-free performance. While it comes with a generous warranty, you might never have to use it since the right angle drill features a grease plug that makes carrying out maintenance work easy and quick.
If you work with sheet metal, wood, and composite and need a cost-effective, durable, and practical right angle drill, look no further than this option. It has all the features professional and seasoned DIYers look out for before purchasing a right angle drill, and several more.
A cinch to use
Ergonomic design
Comes with a reverse feature
Variable speeds
Noisy
6. Bosch PS11-102
Like the high-end option that it is, the machine packs an endless list of performance features. It is equipped with a powerful 12V motor that works relatively quietly, smoothly, and dependably to deliver speeds of up to 1300 rotations per minute with corresponding 115 inch-pounds of torque, which qualifies it for the heavy-duty projects around the workshop. The speeds are variable via the user-friendly paddle trigger, meaning that if you want to undertake intricate projects, this option is your best bet.
The PS11-102 runs of a high-capacity 12V battery, and the lack of power cord means the machine is very portable. There is a fuel gauge to help you monitor the juice remaining, and a soft grip handle to allow you to hold it securely and comfortably and for longer.
Its fastidious construction, uniform balancing, and powerful performance make it an ideal choice for users looking for nothing short of the best performance. And in that regard, the right angle drill never disappoints.
Relatively compact design
Impressive drilling speeds
Easy to use
Very versatile
Not very powerful
Has a limiting 3/8-inch chuck
7. Makita XAD02Z
The XAD02Z provides an industry-best performance, thanks to its ingenious engineering and advanced technology. It is powered by a high-capacity and long-lasting 18-Volt Lithium-Ion battery, meaning that it provides for a longer runtime compared to other standard batteries on the market. And since it’s not electric, you can use it as far away from a power outlet as you want, so long as the battery is fully charged. And you won’t be weighed down by heavy power cables that occasionally get tangled with other objects in the warehouse.
For professionals who assemble tools, frame steel, do electrical work, carpentry, and install garage doors will immediately love the performance and ease of using the Makita XAD02Z. Plus, it’s cost-effective and has a generous warranty.
Makita's 4-pole motor is one of the most powerful ones out there, efficiently delivering up to 121 inch-pounds of torque, enabling you to power effortlessly and quickly through the toughest applications. There is also a variable speed feature that provides speeds of between 0 and 1800 rotations per minute, making for greater control and precise drilling and driving. Installing and removing bits is a snap, thanks to the 3/8-inch keyless chuck.
Powerful motor for powerful performance
Variable speed for effortless and accurate drilling
Comes with a 3/8 inch keyless chuck
Lightweight and compact
A little expensive
8. Hitachi DN18DSLP4
Whether you're working with metal, wood, or composite, the drill packs incredible power to make for effortless and quick drilling or driving. The high-performance motor manages impressive speeds of up to 1800 rotations per minute. The tremendous speeds and resultant torque is more than enough, and easily meets or surpasses the vast majority of drilling and driving needs in hard-to-reach spots.
As for comfort and control, the user-friendly variable speed switch immediately comes to your rescue. Furthermore, the right angle drill comes with a 3/8 inch keyless chuck that's compatible with a variety of bits and allows you to remove and install them with ease and speed.
The DN18DSLP4 is a powerful tool that boasts a lightweight and small profile and a powerful motor for the best performance. We can’t recommend it enough.
LED light for dimly lit spots
Has a hook for safe storage between uses
Bare tool
Ergonomically designed
Occasionally malfunctions
9. Ryobi P241 One+
Unlike our previous pick, this model is only ideal for occasional drilling and driving of bits and studs around the house. The Ryobi P241 struggles when you subject it to heavy-duty, everyday use, especially considering that it packs just 130 inch-pounds of torque with speeds of up to 1100 rotations per minute. As a result, it's more at home in the garage or tool chest of an enthusiastic DIYers just getting started with drilling and driving projects. Still, it comes with a two-speed variable trigger for precision and the best drilling results.
It might lack the power and torque for completing heavy-duty projects on a construction site, but it's very versatile and easy to use. It costs less also, but that only because it's a bare tool. Still, it's a solid choice for the users looking for handy right angle drill for everyday use around the house.
Has a handy magnetic tray
Comes with handy LED light for illumination
Cost-effective
Soft, comfortable grip
No clutch
Battery sold separately
10. Bosch Driver Kit PS10-2A
In addition to being compact and short, the head similarly boasts articulating capabilities, pivoting effortlessly and conveniently into 5 various positions, turning it into a versatile and easy to use machine. Handymen and craftsmen handling soft materials will appreciate the 7+1 electronic clutch that you drill through these materials with precision, eliminating the likelihood of over-tightening and inadvertently ruining your workpiece. The right angle drill also has a reverse function so that you can tighten or remove screws and studs.
The Bosch PS10-2A is clearly a feature packed machine and meets or exceeds performance, which explains the rave reviews online. It's ideal for both domestic and professional assignments.
High-capacity and long-lasting battery
Drills accurately
Ergonomic handle for comfort and superb control
Generous 36-month warranty
Adjusting torque is difficult
Chuck is a little ineffective
Criteria for Choosing the Best Right Angle Drills
Power
An essential consideration to keep in mind while shopping for a right angle drill is the amount of power and torque the machine is capable of generating. For regular, everyday drilling and driving around the house, mid-range models should pack just the right amount to enable you to finish quickly and efficiently. Heavy-duty applications involving abrasive workpieces and metals will require more torque than softer materials like, say, composites.
Profile
The profile of a right angle drill determines, to a great extent, the level of success you’ll achieve with the machine. Given their job description, which is accessing tight and hard-to-reach spots, a right angle drill needs to be ultra-lightweight and compact. Getting one that’s both heavy and bulky beats the purpose. For superior performance, your preferred choice should have approximately 4 inches in length and feature a narrow head. While a small profile is ideal, keep in mind such models might lack the power and durability to withstand rigorous work on an industrial setting.
Size of the Chuck
The bit would not stay firmly in place if it were not for the chuck holding it. The vast majority of right angle drills come with chuck bits measuring 3/8 inches, and they provide the most efficient power transmission. Keep in mind though, that larger bits require more torque compared to smaller ones, which also means that they drain the battery much quicker or, in the case of electric models, consume more power.
Additional Features
Right angle drills also pack a few extras to enhance ease of use and convenience. Premium features are of course the preserve of expensive models. A few of them include the clutch for more controlled and precise drilling, LED lights for those who’ll occasionally be working where the lighting conditions are less than ideal, ergonomic design for ease of use and comfort, and lastly bit holders. Some models even come with cases
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the various uses of a right angle drill?
A: They are versatile machines, and chances are high you’ll come across one in most warehouses, workshops, or garages you go to. The vast majority of them are used on joists, doors, mechanics, carpenters, and just about any professional who needs to do drilling or driving in tight and hard-to-reach spaces.
Q: How are they powered?
A: The machines are either battery-powered or corded. The former has the advantage of portability considering that you can use them just about anywhere though they’re a little heavy as they have high-capacity batteries. Their corded counterparts, on the other hand, pack more power but aren’t portable as they have power cords that attach to a power outlet.
Conclusion
As is the case with most hand and power tools, no particular one is the absolute best. The best one is the most suitable one; the one that meets most of your unique requirements. And the best part is that our list features a wide range of them, so that irrespective of your drilling or driving needs, you’re bound to find something you need on it. The right angle drills on the list are high-quality, guarantee exceptional performance, are long-lasting and for the most part, cost-effective. We hope the list has imparted to you the knowledge you need to help you make an informed decision moving forward.
