In addition to that handy person on your list, drills are a great gift for that budding "Do-It-Yourself" person or new homeowner. Consumer Reports just tested 26 cordless drills, and says they're more powerful than ever.
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"The newest cordless drills we've tested are so good, you'll probably never need to use a corded one again," insists Sara Marrow, Consumer Reports Home Editor.
To see how they handle, testers perform some basic tasks.
Then, testers check their work with this machine - the dynamometer.
It has the ability to control the torque applied to a drill during testing, so testers can accurately evaluate power, speed, and run time.
Not surprisingly, drills with 18-volt batteries and larger, were the most powerful.
This $200 Dewalt earned a Best Buy rating. It offers plenty of power and speed for the seriously handy person on your list.
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However, Consumer Reports found some 12-volt models that have plenty of power for common tasks.
"So a lighter use drill for hanging art or putting together ready to assemble furniture is a great option for a new homeowner or young person with a new apartment," Marrow said.
For $160, this Bosch offers the best of both worlds.
"You know it's light and easy to handle, but it can also deliver when you need a little more power for something like hanging shelves or even installing kitchen cabinets," Marrow noted.
For less money, Consumer Reports also recommends the $100 Ridgid 12-volt drill. The battery doesn't provide as much run time as the other recommended drills, but it's very good when it comes to delivering speed and power.
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