Best Lightweight Drill for a Woman [2024 Review]

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Ever heard of the term handywoman? Well, it’s about time you did. Kate Davies even wrote a whole book about it!

Women have been in the DIY game for quite some time. And to be honest, they’re pretty good at it! From home renovations to DIY projects, every woman needs a comfortable, lightweight drill.

The majority of drills are quite large and heavy for women to use, which is why I’ve put together a list of the best lightweight drill for a woman.

DEWALT 20V Cordless DCD791D2

Founded by Raymond DeWalt in 1924 in Pennsylvania, USA, DeWalt manufacturing company is among the most famous power and hand tool brands in the world.

From corded and cordless drills, reciprocated and circular saws, and cable staplers to lawnmowers, DeWalt sells just about any power tool you could possibly think of.

The DeWalt 20V MAX is an excellent representation of the brand’s build quality. The unit comes with a high-quality DeWalt case, which is a nice plus that allows you to carry all your tools in style.

This drill kit also features not one but two lithium-ion batteries, which are known to have a life cycle of up to five years as opposed to other types of batteries. It also features a charger with mounts so you can hang it up on your wall.

When it’s time to charge the battery, you can just clip it onto the charger as you would on the drill.

Key Features

  • Has 20V MAX
  • Brushless Motor
  • Includes two lithium-ion batteries
  • Compact and lightweight design, weighing roughly 3.5 pounds
  • Dual speed transmission system that allows you to change drilling speeds. The first speed setting goes up to 550 RPM while the second goes up to 2000 RPM
  • A high-performance motor that produces 300 watts per unit
  • Comfortable and controllable handle
  • Three-mode LED light that offers extra visibility, especially in tight places
  • 1/2 inch clutch system that grips the bit firmly

One really cool thing you’ll notice about this drill’s three-mode built-in LED light is that it’s much brighter than the previous model’s light. The batteries also last for a very long time.

Another crowd pleaser is the unit’s torque and speed settings that are extremely handy when you’re drilling through different materials.

One downside, but isn’t really a major one, is that the included case might be a little too small. I would prefer a bigger case to could carry all their tools easily.

If you’re planning on a big DIY project like renovating a house or if you’re a contractor that needs a rugged behemoth of a drill in your everyday work, this drill is the absolute best in the market!

KIMO Cordless Drill Set, 20V Cordless Drill

Although Kimo is not a well-known brand, they’ve been around for quite some time. Founded in the 90s, they began as a tiny workshop and have now developed into a global enterprise. In just 30 years, Kimo has managed to develop, research, design, manufacture, and sell top-quality lithium-ion power tools.

The KIMO Cordless Drill Set comes with a stylish black carrying bag with the KIMO logo. It also includes a drill bit set, three different brad tip bits, a collection of flat head screws, and, of course, the adapter that you’re going to put these various bits in.

The adapter features a small magnet that keeps the drill bit from falling out. This is a common issue that I’ve noticed in other drills, so it’s great to see it handled here.

Speaking of handling problems, it’s obvious that this company aims for customer satisfaction. Their careful attention to detail sets them apart from other manufacturers.

Most of us, for example, tend to forget where I put my drill bits while I’m working. Kimo recognized this and included a magnetic function that allows you to simply stick the drill bits you want to use right on your drill. That way, they’re easily available and you won’t ever lose them. Brilliant, right?

Key Features

  • Has a 10-millimeter chuck
  • Torque setting goes from 1 to 21
  • Has a reversible drilling button
  • Has a locking setting in the middle
  • Features a built-in LED light
  • Lightweight at around 3 pounds
  • Magnetic feature that allows drill bits to stick on
  • A hook that you can attach to your belt
  • One lithium-ion battery
  • Flex cable that’s suitable for mechanical tasks such as automobile maintenance

Another noticeable thing about this drill is its built-in LED light. In most drills, the LED light is high up and when it shines, it entirely misses the work area. But on the Kimo Cordless Drill, the LED light is placed further down on the drill. This allows it to illuminate the work area completely without being overshadowed.

What I really love about this drill is how lightweight and comfortable it is. It’s ideal for people with smaller hands or those who have trouble carrying heavy devices.

The battery life is also great, making it an optimal drill for long home repair tasks. However, it would be better if it features an extra battery just in case.

As you can probably already tell, this drill set has a lot of cool features. It provides incredible quality, and durability! Also, the drill bit set is incredibly useful for people who are just starting out.

If you’re a beginner, you’re not going to want to spend a fortune on a high-end drill just yet. However, you still also want something reliable to take on heavy-duty tasks. This is why this drill is the perfect one for you!

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Drill

At first glance, you’ll notice that the Black+Decker 20V MAX is remarkably compact. Its barrel measures about 7.5 inches and is about 8 inches tall. That’s very small for a drill with a 20-volt battery! It’s also very light, weighing only around 2.5 pounds.

One of the best things about this product is how well-balanced it is. It’s designed such that the majority of its weight is concentrated in the area where you hold it, giving you a perfectly balanced grip. This is critical because using an imbalanced tool will apply unnecessary pressure on your hand and you’ll tire out pretty fast.

You can control the speed by pressing on the squeeze trigger. The drill’s direction can be reversed using the reversing switch. The switch isn’t as robust as one found on the DeWalt but it’ll work just fine for basic home tasks or beginner DIY projects.

Key Features

  • One 20 volt lithium-ion battery
  • A battery charger
  • A 3/8-inch chuck
  • An extremely handy built-in LED light that turns on when you gently squeeze the trigger
  • One driver bit, which is stored in the drill’s base
  • Torque clutch with 11 settings, 10 for driving and one for drilling
  • It runs at 650 RPM max

To install the battery onto the drill, slide it on until it locks into place. To detach it, press the orange button on the front and it will pop right out.

This drill features a 3/8-inch chuck. However, if you want to drill holes larger than that, you’ll need to either use a reduced shank drill bit step drill or a hole saw. The chuck tends to loosen up over time.

It also features a built-in LED light. What’s different about this drill’s light is that you don’t press on a button to switch it on or off, you press on the trigger switch itself.

I don’t think it’s a very smart move to merge these two features. The LED light is poor, which makes sense.

It’s a shame this drill doesn’t come with a case, but w don’t think this is a serious dealbreaker.

This is a pretty good drill for simple tasks around the house. The battery life is pretty decent and you might not even need a backup. However, if you plan to use it for an extended period of time, Black+Decker sells the extended battery, which can nearly double your run time.

Given that this is an entry-level cordless drill, the build quality is rather efficient. For light-duty, this drill is as good as it gets. It’s well-designed, and pretty reliable.

If you’re planning to do a bigger DIY project like building a deck or remodeling your kitchen, I’d recommend investing in a more rugged and reliable drill.

WORKPRO 12V Pink Cordless Drill and Home Tool Kit

Put the words ‘fabulous’ and ‘handywoman’ in one sentence and you get the WORKPRO Pink Cordless Drill Set! It may seem like a toy at first, but believe me when I tell you, this thing gets the job done!

This set is specially manufactured for the ladies, which is why it’s incredibly lightweight and has a very comfortable grip. The softer handle and the trigger switch are designed for comfort and control in operating so you don’t get burned out quickly.

This set comes with a variety of other things. Not only are you getting a cute pink drill, but you’re also getting a fierce pink lightweight drill carrying bag that will make you stand out wherever you go!

WORKPRO also features a set of hand tools, including a hammer, wrench, measuring tape, utility knife, and slip-joint pliers.

Key Features

  • Dual-speed settings for multiple purposes: 0-400 RPM and  0-1500 RPM
  • Delivers 220 inch-pounds of max torque
  • 18+1 torque position clutch for easy to torque adjustment
  • Large 3/8-inch keyless chuck
  • Built-in LED light
  • An attachable clip that adds the ability to hang the drill on your pocket or work belt
  • Has a magnetic base that provides a handy place to store bits or screws
  • Lightweight
  • Comes with a collection of hand tools

A very interesting and touching fact about WORKPRO is that they donate $0.25 from every purchase to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I think this speaks volumes about the company’s integrity.

This drill is also much quieter than others I have on this list.

This drill comes with a lot of different tools and accessories. This means the featured carrying bag has to match that same level of practicality. Sadly, it doesn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it’s quite spacious. However, it would be better if WORKPRO added some pockets to help organize all the tools.

All in all, this drill set has everything you could possibly need to drill holes and drive screws for all your DIY projects. It’s also lightweight with a well-designed ergonomic grip for the ladies, but that’s all there is to it. It’s not exactly built for renovation and heavy-duty work.

So in shorter words, if you’re into DIY projects or simple home crafts, this drill kit is for you!

PORTER-CABLE Corded Drill

This PORTER-CABLE Corded Drill is built to give an impressive performance in heavy-duty work with its powerful 6.5 amp motor.

The 3/8-inch keyless drill is designed for hefty tasks. It delivers consistent power and durability, making it ideal for projects that require you to use your drill for a long time.

This corded electric drill is engineered to deliver the speed required for a wide range of drilling tasks, such as building, renovating, and more. The drill’s remarkable torque makes it perfect for drilling metal and wood.

The best thing about corded drills is that you don’t have to worry about battery life or having to pause your entire project because the battery is dead.

This drill is louder than most of the other drills on my list. In addition, the chuck gets loose with frequent use, and needs to be tightened. Neither of these are deal breakers, but are worth pointing out.

This drill by PORTER-CABLE is indeed a very strong drill that’s perfect for heavy-duty tasks. There’s not much of a major difference between this and other drills except for the fact that it’s corded. So if you don’t want to bother with recharging batteries, you can try this corded drill!

Key Features

  • Lightweight, weighing around 3.5 pounds
  • 6.5 amp motor
  • 3/8-inch keyless chuck
  • Has 0-2500 RPM speed
  • Has 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries with 1.3 amp/hour cells
  • Attachable clip for security
  • 6-foot cord

Lightweight Drill Features to Consider

Drills come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a range of features to consider. It can be a tad daunting to settle on the perfect one for you, but once you know the drill (pun intended), it should be much easier!

Best lightweight drill for a woman

To help you out, I’ve listed the following points to consider before purchasing a lightweight drill.

Battery Efficiency

Drills powered by lithium-ion batteries have the same level of power as drills powered by other types of batteries. However, there are plenty of reasons why lithium-ion batteries are a step ahead of the competition.

  • When you charge a lithium-ion battery, it stays charged, while other batteries drain when not in use
  • Lithium-ion batteries are smaller, therefore much lighter in weight than other batteries
  • Lithium-ion batteries have a higher nominal voltage than many other battery types, such as the nicad battery. They have a voltage of approximately 3.7V
  • Lithium-ion batteries have a higher number of charge and discharge cycles than other types of batteries

Comfort

This is a significant factor to consider as a woman. You should determine how the drill feels in your hand, including how balanced it is, how heavy it is, and how comfortable it is.

You can find a drill that has every feature you could possibly want, but it just doesn’t have a comfortable grip. This is a good enough reason to have you looking for another product.

Voltage

There are basically three drill voltages: 12, 18, and 20.

A drill with 12 volts is considered to be extremely light-duty, whereas 18-volt and 20-volt units are considered heavy-duty.

Your decision as to which voltage to opt for boils down to the type of projects in which you’re typically involved.

Best lightweight drill for a woman with hard helmet

Torque and Speed Control

Torque and speed control are two important features to consider in a drill. Torque is the force applied by the drill to spin the bit.

If you’re drilling into metal, for example, you’ll need to set the torque high and the speed low. If you’re drilling into wood, on the other hand, you’ll want to keep the torque low and the speed high.

Additional Features

There are, of course, some additional features that aren’t actually necessary but would be fun to have. Some of which include:

  • A built-in LED light for when you’re drilling in dim light conditions and could use some extra visibility
  • Attached handles to give you something to grab onto while you’re doing a heavy-duty drilling job
  • A brushless motor, which detects the amount of power required for a drilling task and delivers the appropriate amount, resulting in greater durability, speed, and power
  • Levels that are used to make sure you’re drilling straight

While you’re looking for the right drill, take a look at my chainsaws for women reviews.

How to use a Drill- A Beginner's Guide

Wrapping Up

No matter what kind of job or project you ladies are working on, there’s always a drill that meets all of your requirements and needs. Sadly, it can be daunting to settle for one since there are so many of them.

I’ve listed the best lightweight drill for a woman so you can pick the right drill for you! Based on my experience, the 20V MAX Cordless from DeWalt is the best of the bunch. It strikes the perfect balance between performance, practicality, and affordability. You can’t go wrong with a DeWalt drill.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!