Best Lightweight Cordless Drill For A Woman 2024 [Guide]

I have been into Hobbyist, and DIY stuff for over 10 years now. And among other power tools, these drills are no exception. They do make my work a lot easier, smoother, and hassle-free. But, it does come with a backlash.

One of the most common problems with handling these drills is wrist pain, and hand aches. Due to the drill vibrations, its overall weight, and holding the drill for longer periods puts pressure on wrist joints.

And here I am talking about us men as for women it’s more of a problem. To avoid the above complications, DIYer moms, wives, and girlfriends should prefer a compact, portable, lightweight cordless drill for their work.

Besides these factors, there are other critical things you should have an idea about. So, I have discussed all those important factors in our best lightweight cordless drill for a woman buyer’s guide.

Best Lightweight Cordless Drill For A Woman 2024 [Buying Guide]

Drill Speed And Power

“Drill Speed” is otherwise known as “RPM” while “Drill Power” is referred to as “Torque”. Both RPM and Torque have an inverse relation.

Drills with higher RPM tend to have lower torque (rotational power) while drills with higher torque have lower RPM. So, do check the drill RPM and Torque ratings on the specs sheet. They can be both corded, cordless, or cordless hammer drills. 

The Torque will be written as In-lbs, UWO, or in Nm. UWO (Unit Watts Out) is mostly used by Dewalt drills. While both In-lbs and Nm can be found on almost every other drill.

Do know that both these units are convertible. So, use in-lbs to Nm or Nm to In-lbs converters unless you have the exact Torque values.

Chuck Type

All the drills have either keyed or keyless chuck. Keyed chuck, as the name shows comes up with a chuck key that helps to lock, release, or fasten the drill bits. Of course, the chuck key is contained with the drill.

On the other hand, the keyless chuck has the advantage of hassle-free drill bit locking or replacement in a quick time. You can simply rotate the chuck clockwise or anti-clockwise to fasten or unlock the drill bit.

Also, you can slot many other accessories such as rotary sanders, wire wheel brushes, etc. in the chuck for doing a variety of tasks.

As a rule of thumb, the cordless drills have a large-sized chuck. Generally, the drill chuck size is either 10mm (3/8 inch) or 13mm (1/2 inch) depending on the type and nature of the drilling job.

For heavy-duty projects like drilling into metals or stones etc., you have to look for the 1/2-inch chuck that can hold large-sized bits. While for the DIYers, the drill with a 3/8-inch size chuck would be sufficient.

Clutch Speed Settings

Another name for the clutch is a torque selector which sets the torque level to avoid overdriving. There is an adjustment of 20 to 24 different torque clutch speed settings as per the requirement of the drilling.

You can re-adjust the speed depending on the type of surface. However, the range of adjustments varies across the model which makes it easy to tailor the drill to the surface or material you are dealing with.

Cordless Drill Versatility

Along with speed settings, you can adjust your drill according to different drill modes such as Drilling and Driving. The above speed settings and drilling modes grant you versatility in drilling different materials. 

Some of the materials aren’t much hard such as wood and plastic, so they do not require much drill power and high torque. So, cordless drills can do the job perfectly for most DIYs.

However, if you have to bore large holes or drill tougher materials such as concrete. Then you should be using cordless hammer drills.

Cordless hammer drills compared to simple cordless drills are built for heavy-duty projects and they have higher power and torque.

Cordless Drill Battery

Since the cordless drills rely only on the battery power source, therefore the quality of the battery is not compromised at any cost.

Two types of batteries are available, Li-ion and Ni-Cd. However, nowadays former i.e., Li-ion batteries are being used for their capabilities of holding a charge for a long and battery life.

The batteries in the cordless drill have a voltage rating of either 18V or 20V. They have enough power to drill through the toughest kinds of stuff. For simple and small-range DIYs, batteries having a voltage of 12V or less are enough.

Battery capacity is measured in Ah which is short of Ampere Hours. Higher Ah ratings show a higher capacity which in turn means the longer it will hold a charge or long-time power backup. The batteries used in the cordless drill have capacities ranging from 1.5Ah to 5Ah.

Batteries with higher capacity will take a longer time to replenish their charge. There are also available fast chargers that charge the battery to its full in a good time. Some drills may have a battery gauge to indicate how much power fuel is remaining for your drill job.

Lightweight Design

The size and weight of the drill are important factors that help you in your drill projects. The drilling job becomes hectic and exhausting if the drill machine is overweight.

A lightweight cordless drill for small hands especially in the case of women helps in continuous drilling work. Lighter drills grant smoother operation in tight spaces. Above all, they prevent hand fatigue and wrist strain which I have talked about before with you.

Drill Ergonomics

With a lightweight design, the cordless drill should also have excellent gripping. That’s why most of the drills have ergonomically designed, contoured, soft rubber grips.

This helps in overall usability and provides a sturdy grip whatever the drilling angle or orientation is. Also, the handle is shaped to account for every curve and bulge of the hand to fit comfortably in the palms and ease your wrist while drilling.

Overloading Protection

Many will say it’s a minor issue. But a loss is a loss. Therefore, almost all the power tools including drills are integrated with overload protection mechanisms to enhance the safety of the power tool as well as the user.

It is designed to stop the tool in case of electric current fluctuations reduces the risk of death through electrocution and prolongs the machine’s lifespan.

The electric overloading can be caused by overcharging, fluctuations in the plug-in power for the charger or there might be variations in the motor current during drilling by some fault in the installed electric circuitry.

Other Features

The LED Light

Dim and dark, or tight and compact spaces make the drilling job difficult to accomplish. LEDs installed in the right position, can illuminate the work area well and allow you to work precisely and confidently.

Some drills have LEDs to indicate the forward and backward spinning of the drill which helps you work in the right circular course.

Belt Hook/Clip System

While on a home upgrading job, you may equip yourself with a lot of necessary tools including a drill. In such a situation, a belt clip helps you to hang the drill for subsequent use.

It will not only lessen your shouldering but also free up your hands for doing other tasks. Especially, when you are on the ladder.

Bit Holder

Some drills have a small compartment for holding a bit that you are using frequently. You can quickly replace it in a situation where your tools are apart from you.

You are on the ladder and while drilling there is a need to replace the bit, the bit residing in the smallholder will save you from these tiny hassles.

Accessories

If you want to use the product to its maximum capacity or use it for a variety of tasks, then buy compatible accessories. They might be offered by the OEM manufacturer or also by third parties.

Some of the accessories come up with the standard package while additional accessories require an additional budget. These accessories are valued a lot and make a huge difference in the efficiency of the task. 

They not only upgrade your product and enhance your quality of work but also pace your job and thus save time. Some of the most commonly used accessories are as follows:

Drill Bits

Well, everyone has the know-how of what the drill bit is. These drill bits are available in different sizes and types according to the nature of the drilling job and the type of surface such as concrete, wood, metal, etc.

Chargers

It’s a standard accessory and comes up with the shipped item. The safety measure is to plug into the recommended power source and connect it to compatible batteries. Some charges offer fast or rapid charging that charges the battery quickly when you are in a hurry.

Drill Case/Bag

A drill case helps to safely store the drill when you finish your task or move from one job site to another. They may be made of canvas but usually, they are made of hard plastic for safe portability.

The case also has storage compartments of different sizes for other accessories as well such as bits, chargers, batteries, etc.

Best Cordless Drill For Women Reviews 2024

Dewalt DCD771C2 20V Max Cordless Lithium-ion 1/2 Inch Compact Drill Driver Kit [Best Lightweight Drill For A Woman Overall]

The DeWalt DCD701 drill driver is a slim and smart buddy in your hand that is 20% shorter in length. But amazingly, with its compact size, it has 32% power. It has a brushless motor that delivers 530 In-lbs of torque for efficient performance.

This high torque drill is innovative yet powerful enough in terms of performance. It has a versatile 1/2-inch chuck that can hold both 3/8 and 1/2 drill bits. In fact, the model of Dewalt also works efficiently with high-speed drill bits made of steel.

As for woodworking projects, you can use titanium nitride-coated drill bits. These drill bits are far more durable compared to the 2-piece conventional bits. Plus, they are highly compatible with the Dewalt DCD771C2 cordless drill.

No pause or interruption in your drilling because of dual battery backup. Moreover, its charger also helps to maintain the charge in batteries.

A variety of integrated settings make it possible for you to use the kit in a wide spectrum of jobs. The installed LED light gives higher visibility to ease your drilling job in the dark.

Also, there is the 120V charger kit available to refuel your battery with electrical power. Beware! and don’t connect it to 240V, otherwise, the kit may get burned.

Lastly, the Dewalt DCD771C2 cordless drill kit is available with a 3-year warranty to ensure customer satisfaction.

Makita XFD131 18V LXT Brushless Cordless 1/2 Drill Set For Women [Best Power Drill For Women]

The Makita XFD131 has a mighty brushless motor, that delivers high torque of 440 in-lbs to compete for demanding applications.

You can adjust the torque settings in driver mode according to the nature of the drilling task. The 2-speed mechanics also enhance its versatility for a wide application range.

An electronically controlled motor ensures the efficient use of energy provided by the battery. Also, the brushless motor has the advantage of carbon-less brushes that avoid overheating while giving longer motor life.

The ergonomics of the motor such as its lightweight, compact design, and soft-grip handle let you finish your work comfortably without exhaustion.

On the other hand, the chuck has a 1/2-inch keyless chuck design for a faster drill bit change. Plus, the 1/2-inch design supports both 3/8 and 1/2 drill bits made with different alloys.

Such as the Makita XFD131 easily runs the contractor-grade black oxide drill bits that are corrosion resistant. You can also use the titanium-finished drill bits with the Makita XFD131 for drilling into wood, metal, masonry, fastening, and screwdriver work.

Fast charging allows the battery to charge in less time and helps in increasing productivity. For smooth functioning and to evade any mishap, genuine batteries, and charges are recommended.

The integrated star protection technology monitors the battery regularly. This is to ensure protection and safety against overheating or over-charging of the battery, thus increasing the battery’s lifespan.

Another great feature is the installed LED to light up your work area after the evening. Finally, the company offers an awesome 3-year warranty for drill, battery, and charger.

LD120VA Black Decker 20V Max Cordless Drill Driver With 30 Piece Accessories [Best Cheap Easy To Use Drill For A Woman]

The Black And Decker LD120VA is part of the 20V max system team as they are installed with a 20V battery for every power tool member. The long-lasting charge-holding batteries are always ready to run the toll whenever you need them.

The 3/8-inch chuck has a maximum rotational power of 300 in-lbs with a speed of 750 RPM. Plus, with the added 24-positioned control clutch, you won’t experience any stripping or overdriving screw problems.

Despite the 3/8-inch keyless chuck design, it is versatile for making holes in materials i.e., plastic, wood, metals, etc. Plus, you can use various drill bits made with alloys such as steel drill bits for home and DIY use.

The lightweight design of 4.25 lbs with an ergonomic soft grip grants you a smoother drilling experience. All these features help you with a variety of woodworking projects, home DIY tasks, and other jobs.

Additionally, there is a set of 30 different accessories that make you more versatile to perform a greater range of common tasks with ease and accuracy.

As for customer care and support, the Blacker And Decker company does provide a 2-year warranty for this drill.

Dewalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 In. Drill/Driver Kit [Best Small Drill For Women With 20% Size]

The kit is compact yet powerful enough to carry out a variety of jobs with the help of a combination of speed and clutch settings. It delivers superb performance with its powerful brushless motor that runs on a 12V Li-ion battery.

Multi-sized and various types of holes can be drilled as per job requirements through its 3/8 ratcheting chuck. It’s a versatile drill that can utilize several different types of drill bits to enhance your drilling experience.

Such as for home use you can work fine with a high-speed steel screwdriver and drill bits. As for drilling into wood or rather bigger woodworking projects, you can use the titanium nitride-coated drill bits that have pilot points.

Includes two batteries, you can use one in the drill kit and charge the second to get the uninterruptable power backup. The charging indication helps you manage the drilling task about when the battery will be available again to serve in the drill.

In-built LED for better working experience and visibility in dim light or at night. There is also the belt clip hook for easy carrying. As for accessories, the cordless drill kit has its Dewalt branded tool bag to enhance portability.

Bosch GSR12V-300B22 12V Max EC Brushless 3/8 In. Drill/Driver Kit [best Lightweight Cordless Drill For Small Hands]

The Bosch GSR12V-300B22 delivers professional-grade performance with its powerful brushless motor. It is short and sturdy and provides a torque of 300 In-lbs and a max TPM of 1750.

You will have some unique experiences with brushless motors that are not available in a conventional brushed motor. The benefits are the high torque with efficient use of a battery that gives you more running time.

The package includes 2 batteries, one installed in the drill and the other for backup to minimize the pauses. You will have to charge the 2nd one so that you can get immediate backup when the first one gets fully drained.

It has a gearing mechanism that is capable of delivering high torque to pierce holes in any surface while it can also dispose of the tightened screws from the hard stuff.

You can fine-tune the torque with the help of 20+ clutch settings. Also, there is a 2-speed transmission feature that lets you make decisions for rather high power or high speed with the help of RPM adjustment.

For high-power, RPM ranges from 0 to 460, and for high-speed, it has an RPM setting of 1750. It is fitted with a bright LED to help you to continue drilling while in the dark with its mighty triple jaws keyless 3/8-inch chuck.

The handle is shaped to match the contours of the palm to provide a snug grip for drilling conveniently. It reduces stress on your hands with its compactness and extremely lightweight design of 1.6 lbs.

This makes it highly portable and helps to use it for repetitive drilling tasks. Lastly, it has a 1-year warranty as well.

My Personal Recommendation

The DEWALT DCD771C2 20V Max is the most amazing cordless drill for women. It’s affordable, extremely popular, and has a high rating.

It has immense power due to higher RPM and torque for dealing with every DIY project, woodworking job, and home task.

Lastly, there is a 3-year warranty with good customer support as well. Thus, It’s overall the best lightweight cordless drill for a woman in my opinion.

Best Lightweight Cordless Drill For A Woman FAQs