We live in an era that has left many corded devices back in the past, opting for more portable cordless replacements.
Be it phones, televisions, or vacuum cleaners, going cordless reduces waste and clutter and makes for more efficient use of space. So, why still use corded tools for your contracting jobs, an area where efficiency is the key?
Although it can be hard to narrow down, below is a round-up of the best cordless tools for contractors (including some handy sets and kits) that you can choose from to replace some of your clunky and corded tools.
We also provide some background on the merits of cordless tools, so read on for all that!
Benefits of Cordless Tools
This one is a no-brainer, really. But let’s still get into detail about some specific benefits of using cordless tools over corded ones.
- More Portability
Obviously, with no so-many-feet-long cord to lug around, it will be easier for you just to pack your tools and go to a job site. You save space in your compartment and save your precious time by not having to find a place to stash the cord into.
At the worksite itself, you can easily carry a cordless tool from one place to another without needing to plug it in and adjust the cord again and again.
- Safer Work Environment
There are tons of incidents of people tripping over the cords of tools and getting themselves seriously hurt. No matter how experienced a contractor you are, you cannot ever be immune to tripping over a rogue cord.
The easiest solution for that problem is to switch to cordless tools, so you don’t have to watch your feet while you are trying to get the job done efficiently.
- Higher Accessibility
One big issue with corded tools is that you need proper outlets at the job site in order to use them. But that issue is eliminated when you use a cordless tool.
Batteries in cordless tools can hold onto charge for much longer than people might think, so it is unlikely that you will run out of charge very often while working. And even if you do, the charger is portable too, and you only need to find an outlet and charge it for half an hour before the tool is ready to use again.
5 Best Cordless Tools for Contractors Review
Now let us review some of the top contractor-grade cordless tools on the market right now.
DeWalt 20V Max 4-tool Combo Kit
This kit from DeWalt includes 4 tools operating on 20 volts along with a storage bag of 2 batteries.
Going into the specific tools, we have a ½ inch drill/driver tool that has two-speed transmissions and an RPM of 2000. Then there is the 20V reciprocating saw, and it has a keyless blade clamp, which allows for quick changing of the blades or of the reciprocating shafts.
Next, is the 6.5-inch carbide blade circular saw that can cut 2 by 4’s at a 45° angle in one single pass. Finally, the LED work-light provides 110 lumens, good enough to work in any dark nook or cranny.
So, that makes 4 tools plus the 2 Lithium-ion batteries, which are included in the bag.
- Comes with a powerful separate LED light.
- 4 tools are essentials in many contractors’ toolkits.
- Lightweight tools are easy to transport and comfortable to use.
- Includes 2 Lithium-ion batteries within the storage bag.
- Might take some time to fully charge and be ready for extensive use.
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 5-tool Drill Combo Kit
Another option from DeWalt is their combo kit of 5 drilling tools, all with a 20V Max voltage.
These tools can run for a really long time thanks to the lithium-ion batteries they operate on. They also do not self-discharge all that much, which increases productivity and utilizes the full charge.
Included in this kit is a hammer drill with a patented 3-speed transmission and ½ inch ratcheting chuck, a ¼” impact driver with 3 LED lights which increases visibility, a circular saw, and a reciprocating saw.
Besides the tools themselves, there is also the carriage bag, a separate work-light, a belt hook, two 20V Max 3.0 Ah Lithium-Ion batteries, a fast charger, the 360° side handle, and a carbide blade for the saws.
As you can tell, this is a pretty well-rounded tool combo for anyone wanting to buy cordless contracting tools, as it includes essentials such as two types of drivers and saws each. These tools weigh very little individually and so are really comfortable to hold while using and also super portable.
- Includes a good selection of power tools and accessories.
- Batteries take a short time to charge and stay charged for a long time.
- Has both built-in lights and a separate LED light.
- Weightless tools are super portable and comfortable to use.
- Quite an investment, so be sure you will use all 5 tools before buying.
Milwaukee 2426-20 M12 Variable Speed Cordless Multi-Tool
Here we have an affordable individual cordless tool for the brand Milwaukee, and it is their M12 sanding tool. However, it does more than just sanding.
Thanks to its universal adaptor, you can click in accessories from other multi-tools into this one and use it. There are 12 settings for speed to choose from, ranging from 5000 to 20000 orbits per minute. You can adjust the speed using a manual knob on the tool.
The tool has a sanding head and pads, which you can use to get an impeccable sanding job for your woodwork. But this cordless tool is also suitable for grouting as it gets into narrow places and clear out grout or trim it down.
This comes with an adaptor, a sanding pad, five assorted sanding sheets, and a woodcutter blade.
You can also tell at increments of 25% how much battery life you have left on the tool, thanks to the LED display panel on its body. In short, this cordless tool sands, cuts, grinds and scrapes easily without the hassle of a long cord.
- Charges quickly within 30 minutes.
- Comes with necessary accessories besides the tool itself.
- Can be used as a sander, scraper, grouter, cutter, or grinder.
- Has 12-speed settings to choose from between 5000 to 20000 OPM.
- Does not have a built-in or accompanying LED light.
Ryobi P252 18V Lithium Ion Battery Powered Brushless
This combo kit from the brand Ryobi contains a drill driver. All three operate on 18 volts of voltage and have a lime green and black color scheme.
Besides the tools themselves, there is also a carriage bag, 7-¼ inch blade, one blade wrench, a charger, and two batteries (2.0 Ah and 3.0 Ah). This is an affordable set and would be a great one to start your cordless tools collection as the tools are all essentials for professional contractors.
Because each tool has a brushless motor, the product is definitely durable and can run for extended periods of time without a hitch. The drill driver is quite innovative as you can put in 0.5-inch bits and also a hex bit into its ¼ inch collet.
All the tools are very lightweight, so you get more functionality in one set without adding weight to your kit.
- Excellent starter kit of cordless tools for any professional.
- Contains essential contracting tools, along with a storage bag and batteries.
- Brushless motors make the tools more enduring and durable.
- Very lightweight power tools that are comfortable to carry around.
- Batteries may not be really durable and may need replacement too soon.
Craftsman V20 Oscillating Tool Cordless Kit
Our last entry is this oscillating sanding tool from Craftsman, in their classic red and black color combo. It is super easy to change out attachments with this tool, mainly because the fit is universal.
The package itself contains the CMCE500 oscillating tool, a scraper, the 20V MAX lithium-ion charger, a sanding platen, two sheets of 240 grit sandpaper, three sheets of 100 grit sandpaper, two sheets of 80 grit sandpaper, another 20V MAX 2.0 Ah lithium-ion battery, a wood blade, and a Bi-Metal blade.
It also comes with a storage bag to put everything in and carry around. The speed of the tool can be varied between 8k to 18k oscillations per minute. Its LED work-light makes sure you can work in darker areas with no outlets to plug a light into.
- Comes with all the essentials, including batteries and sandpapers.
- LED light allows you to work without pause in dark areas.
- Universal fit allows for easy changing of attachments.
- Variable speeds between as low as 8k to as high as 18k OPMs.
- Limited functionality and can only be used as a sanding tool.
Before You Buy What to Look for
Here are some things to think of or keep in mind while shopping for the best contractor grade cordless tools.
- Multitasking
There are some cordless tools that will do a number of jobs if you just switch out an attachment. Of course, nothing is truly all-in-one, but some tools allow for changing similar attachments, making more sense.
While it’s hard to find reliable ones, these do make for great additions to any professional collection as they can reduce clutter in your toolbox.
- Individual vs. Sets
If you already have a few cordless tools and just want to expand your collection a bit, you can go ahead and buy a couple of individual cordless ones that you are missing in your kit. However, it is best to buy sets of cordless tools if you are just switching over from using corded ones.
- Battery Life
Batteries on cordless tools, especially Lithium-Ion batteries, will last you anywhere between 2 years to up to 5 years, given that you do not overcharge or undercharge them and that you maintain them properly.
A reliable battery can make or break the experience of using a cordless tool.
- Built-in Light
Most cordless tools nowadays have a LED light, which you can switch on when working in dark areas. This is a really useful feature because you never know what the lighting situation will be like at a job site, and it frees you from having to carry around a flashlight.
Positioning a flashlight while you try to concentrate on work is an extra responsibility
Frequently Asked Questions
If it is your first time buying cordless tools, then it would be more cost-effective to get a good combo set of tools from a reputable brand instead of buying the tools one by one (along with purchasing separate batteries and chargers).
The best cordless tools on the market come from brands such as DeWalt, Craftsman, and Milwaukee. These brands have been around for a long time and have been able to perfect their products.
Brands such as Ryobi, Milwaukee, and DeWalt are known to make some of the best cordless drills which are used by professional contractors. These drills are durable and reliable on hectic work sites.
Ryobi’s P1837 3-tool Combo Kit and DeWalt’s 20V Max 4-tool Combo Kit are great options to start out your cordless tools collection with, as they contain professional essentials which you will always find a use for.
When you buy combo kits of cordless tools, the benefit is that you only need to get one charger and battery, which is much more affordable and efficient, as opposed to buying each tool individually along with a new battery/charger every time.
Final Words
As you can see, going cordless with your work tools is a real game-changer that you won’t want to come back from. Especially now that you know which ones are the best cordless tools for contractors and how many benefits there are of using them instead of corded ones.
Go grab one!
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