Q&A: Should I buy a lithium-ion-powered cordless drill?

I’m considering finally replacing my trusty corded drill with a new cordless model. Does it pay to spend more for a lithium-ion tool?

We’ve seen more makers of cordless drills and cordless tool kits abandoning nickel-cadmium batteries for lithium-ion, or Li-Ion, cells, which promise lighter weight and/or longer run times. How you plan on using the tool would play a critical role in that decision. If you’re an infrequent, light-duty user, it probably wouldn’t make sense to pay a premium for a Li-Ion-powered drill. If you use the tool frequently for heavy-duty tasks, it might make sense to buy a Li-Ion drill.

But our latest tests, in the November 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, reveal that you might need to follow different charging and use patterns with Li-Ion batteries; otherwise they might not last as long as you’d expect. What’s more, Li-Ion replacement batteries are more expensive than the nickel-cadmium ones and can cost more than $100 apiece.

Read our new review of cordless tools to drill down to the details on lithium-ion tools, use our buying advice to find the right model, and use our tips for better drilling.

Essential information: Watch our exclusive videos on cordless tools, including pieces on how we test drills (right), basic shopping advice, and a tool kit with a problematic saw.

Comments

[tooldork]

The price differential between NiCad and LI for initial tool and replacement battery is not prohibitive enough to not justify buying a LI D/D.

If used infrequently, the LI offers the ability to use almost anytime whereas the NiCAD will probably have lost its charge.

Also, the ergonomics are better and will make it much easier for someone who does not use frequently.

LI also packs more power into a smaller package, which allows many more users to adapt to this type of product.

Also, CR has again used pricing as a criteria for their overall rankings without any explanation of how that criteria affected the overall recommendations.

You can clearly demonstrate the empirical testing of run-time, torque, etc. but you failed to clearly show how cost factors into the results.

Until you are able to articulate this, your recommendation is useless.

[Charles]

I use DeWald drills and my 18V Drill uses both to old batters and the new lithium-ion ones. I had to buy a new charger for it but it charger both the old and the new. I did not have to buy and new drill to use this battery.