Best Right Angle Drills for 2023 – Reviews and Top Picks

If you are into woodworking you most likely have a drill but have you ever tried using it in tighter spaces like inside your kitchen drawer or shelf?

Stop twisting and turning and drilling in awkward positions, say hello to right angle drills.

And to ensure you get your money’s worth with these drills, I reviewed 5 of the best right angle drills based on factors that matter like the brand, price, ease of use, versatility, and durability.

Whether you are a beginner interested in DIY or a professional woodworker handling commercial projects, there’s a right angle drill for every need.

In case you already know about right angle drills and want to make a quick purchase, here’s a summary of my top picks.

1. Makita XAD03PT – Best Drill Kit For Professionals
2. Dewalt DCD740B – Best For Individuals
3. Bosch PS11-102 – Best Budget Kit
4. Milwaukee 2615-20
5. Neiko 10529A

You can also read below for a brief comparison of all the right angle drills on the list.

Image	Product
	Our Top Pick Makita XAD03PT Comes with charger, 2 batteries, Toolbag, and Drill 4-6 hrs battery life and charges in 40-45 minutes	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Dewalt DCD740B Cordless Right Angle Drill 2-4hrs battery life and charges in 40-45 minutes Excellent speeds of 0-650 and 0-2000 RPM	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Bosch PS11-102 Charges to 100% in just 45 minutes Dual LED lights provide ample light anywhere	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Milwaukee 2615-20 Good battery life of 2-2.5hrs Comes with 11-speed settings at 500 RPM speed	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Neiko 10529A Works in reverse for unscrewing The pistol grip and paddle trigger ensure you get a decent drip	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →

But if you prefer to read reviews in detail, continue below.

Best Right Angle Drills in 2023 Reviewed

1. Makita XAD03PT (Best Right Angle Drill for Professionals)

If you are a professional you would be handling projects ranging from repairing kitchen cabinets at home to building tables for commercial spaces and thus a right angle drill alone wouldn’t cut it, you’ll need a kit.

That is because, with a kit, you get excellent versatility as it doesn’t just include your new right angle drill but also important parts such as a Drill Chuck, Chuck Key, Charging Port, Battery, Hex Wrench, and Side Handle.

And to help you carry all these parts along with the drill to any workplace with ease, you also get a free tool bag. 

Now, let’s come to the drill.

Have you ever gone to repair someone’s kitchen, only end up not having any plug points nearby? Or don’t you just hate it when the wire tangles with other tools?

Not anymore. Skip the hassle of wires with the Makita XAD03PT. Once charged, the drill will work anywhere and everywhere with just the press of a button.

Oh, but what if the battery finishes in between? You are going to be stuck for hours waiting for it to charge, right?

Nope, the Lithium-ion Xtreme technology batteries are designed to run for long hours which means it will easily give you anywhere between 4-6 hours. One of the reasons being the automatic removal of carbon brushes which keeps the motor cooler for better battery efficiency.

Plus, it also has an auto power-off feature 

And even if you do run out of batteries, the dual-port charger ensures your drill is up and running in a mere 35-45 minutes so you spend more time working and less time waiting around.

But is the battery-powered drill really that powerful?

Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. The drill delivers speeds of 0-350 RPM and 0-1,400 RPM which is much higher than other battery-powered drills. This is because it is armed with 2 LXT batteries (6-1/4" holes using hole saws or 4-5/8" holes using self-feed bits, with this bad boy, you can do it all).

And to ensure you aren’t unnecessarily running the drill at full speed and wasting battery, the drill automatically adjusts the speed (hassle-free usage, just what you need for long hours for tiring work).

Furthermore, to ensure your hand doesn’t get tired with all that drilling it has an ergonomically placed handle with a rubberized grip. So not only can you hold the drill tightly but your hands are well protected from all the vibrations.

You also have side handles for better control while the top/front handle can be adjusted in seconds for more comfortable usage.

The metal gear housing makes it rock solid. In fact, it is one of the very few drills to be water-resistant (can handle some splashes) making it perfect for kitchen work. Plus, you neither have to worry about overloading, over-discharging, and overheating thanks to the special Star Protection Computer Controls.

But if you still face any problem, it is backed by a 3-year warranty which also covers the charger and port (something, not even your mobile company provides).

Lastly, if you are a night owl, it also has a bright LED light to light up the work area and ensures you get precise holes whatever the situation.

2. Dewalt DCD740B Cordless Right Angle Drill

If you are an individual who does a lot of DIY projects around the house, you don’t have to spend $400+ on a kit, you can get the DEWALT DCD740B for less than $150.

The one place DEWALT outperforms the Makita is speed giving you jaw-dropping speeds of 0-650 and 0-2000 RPM that not many cordless drills can match (this baby can drill through pretty much anything in minutes).

And being a battery-powered drill, usage remains hassle-free allowing you to reach the most difficult of corners with ease without having to worry about wires or power points.

But that’s not all.

The 3/8 inch chuck with a deep hex pocket means you can attach 2-inch hex bits further ensuring no corner is ever too far out of your reach.

Also, helping you keep a firm grip in those tight corners while ensuring you can turn the drill on and off in seconds without needing the other hand is the multi-grip trigger. 

Another reason it has a snug fit around your hand is the compact build. The drill is just 4” long and weighs a mere 3 pounds. This also makes it easy to carry it around from room to room or in a bag as you barely feel the weight of it.

Also making it easy to carry as you climb to higher places is the belt grip. And if the corner areas happen to be darker, the LED light is bright enough to give you a clear view.

I also love how silent the drill is (won’t give you and the people around you a headache even when used for long hours). Plus, it remains cool so you can get quite a lot of work done in one go rather than wasting time waiting for it to cool.

Another thing you won’t have to wait too long for is charging as the drill goes from 0 to 100% in just 40-45 minutes putting this at par with the Makita.

But what about battery life? Well, that’s a tad lower than the Makita but you still get a good 2-4 hours 

Though keep in mind that the battery and charger need to be purchased separately which adds to the cost. And for the highest battery life, I’d recommend going with 5AD batteries.

Another thing I do not like about the drill is the plastic clutch. Considering the metal housing makes the body solid and keeps it protected from bumps, that’s a tad disappointing.

3. Bosch PS11-102 (Best Budget Right Drill Kit)

Need a kit but on a tight budget? Bosch to the rescue. While not as versatile as the Makita, the Bosch PS11-102, is a great budget alternative with benefits that go beyond its low price. Here’s all about it.

One feature I love about this drill is its pivoting head that can be adjusted to 5 positions including 90-degrees and 180-degrees in seconds allowing you to reach tighter areas without twisting and turning.

Even though cheaper, it still comes with 2 LED lights that provide ample illumination in the work area for 100% accurate holes in any lighting conditions.

I also like that the on/off switch is big and conveniently located so you can turn the drill on/off anytime in an instant. And the speed buttons are right next to it as well for easy access. 

Oh, and the handle has the same rubberized grip so the drill doesn’t slip even if your hands get sweaty while protecting your hands from the vibrations.

For a cheaper drill, the build quality is also pretty impressive and as long as you use it the right way, it will easily last you for 3 years or more.

Since this is a kit, the battery and charger are provided and while the battery life is just about 2 hrs (much lesser than the Makita), I am glad it charges to 100% in just 40-45 minutes.

And unlike the others on the list, this one has a battery indicator that tells you precisely when the drill needs to be charged. 

The one big advantage it has over the Makita and DEWALT right angle drills is portability. At 2 lbs it is the lightest drill on the market. Plus, it is just 4” long so storing and carrying it around is a breeze. Not to forget, you also get a handy tool bag.

Though remember the Makita is more suited for commercial usage whereas the Bosch is ideal for smaller DIY projects. This is also one of the reasons it has a speed of just 300 RPM.

On the downsides, installing the battery is a pain-staking process and might need some practice.

4. Milwaukee 2615-20 (Budget Pick)

At less than $120, it is the cheapest right angle drill on the list but don’t forget, this is the bare tool and you will have to spend on the charger and battery, though it should still be lesser than the DEWALT.

The standout feature of the Milwaukee 2615-20 is its speed setting. Not only does it have better speed than the Bosch at 500 RPM, but it also gives you an amazing 11-speed setting to choose from. 

So whether you want to drill a hole or screw in a nut, you have the speed for it all and you can switch between these speeds in seconds with the conveniently placed button.

It also features an LED light and while the brightness doesn’t match that of the Bosch, it is still good enough in low light areas.

It also goes toe to toe with the Bosch and beats the DEWALT drill in terms of portability as it weighs just 2.75lbs and is 4” in width so carrying this one around is just as easy.

Thought gripping it with wet hands is a tad difficult. That is because it doesn’t have the same roughness that the Bosch and DEWALT provide with their rubberized grips.

I have no complaints about battery life considering its low price point. 2 hours is just as good as it gets. Charging takes a tad longer but that isn’t a dealbreaker for me.

Durability is another strong suit of the drill though it isn’t something I expected from it. Not only is it solidly built with a metal housing, but it also comes with overload protection ensuring any fluctuation in voltage doesn't fry the motor.

This overload protection is provided by Milwaukee’s REDLINK™ Intelligence technology that helps the tool communicate with the battery and charger for optimal performance.

Simply put, the Milwaukee 2615-20 is a no-frill drill that is great for budget buyers that need a drill for home use.

5. Neiko 10529A

I have seen the Neiko being recommended at quite a few places and unless you are on a super tight budget I wouldn’t say get this. Yes, it costs less than $50 (you heard that right) but that comes with some serious sacrifices.

For example, its durability is average. If you use the drill daily, it is likely to last you less than a year and there isn’t any warranty information provided either so don’t expect a quick replacement or repair.

Another thing to watch out for is that the drill doesn’t work well against thick material and will require a lot of effort and time for a hole.

So only consider this if you rarely need a right angle drill and only have smaller tasks like fastening doors with screws.

Also, this isn’t a cordless drill so isn’t as convenient to use. Plus, it is slightly bulky in design (weighs about 3.25 lbs) so isn’t as versatile as the others when it comes to working in really tight corners. 

Oh, and there are no LED lights either so working at night isn’t possible with this drill.

It doesn’t feature a rubberized rip either so make sure you hold it tight if your hands get sweaty or are wet. Thankfully, the pistol grip and paddle trigger help with that while making it easy to turn the drill on/off.

The only real positive feature I found about this drill is that it works in reverse as well which isn’t something you see in low-costing drills. 

This means you can also use the drill for unscrewing doors, hooks, etc.  And switching between the modes can be done in seconds with the flick of the switch.

Conclusion

As I told you above, there’s a right angle drill for pretty much every need and budget. And with this detailed guide, I know anyone looking for a drill will get their money’s worth.

All drills have been ranked based on their features and how useful they can be to both professionals and hobbyists. And if you have any questions about them, feel free to drop them in the comments below or just send me an email using the contact form.

In case you have been using any of these right angle drills, I’d love to hear your views about it. Plus, it will help others make better decisions.

Till then, happy woodworking 😉 

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