Thanks for taking your time to read our information on the best cordless drill for tight spaces. Most cordless drills are a standard size, and are on most occasions suitable for all types of drilling and driving.
When you think of tasks like drilling a wall, building a deck or putting up a fence, the drill is not impacted by any lack of space issues. Some people still prefer the corded drill models but really cordless is totally taking over now and they are fully powerful enough for all jobs.
That said, if you have ever tried to add a hinge to a kitchen cupboard, drill a hole under the sink, or worked in a small closet then you may have experienced the issue of working in tight spaces.
I was recently trying to drill a small hole for an electric cable to go through on the top of a kitchen unit, and the drill was just too big to get the job done.
That is where a smaller more compact drill can really help out. Angle drills can also be extremely useful for tight or awkward spaces. Also a right angle drill can be very handy.
Below we look at the best drill and driving options for this type of restricted space working.
Compact or Angle Drill Options
Before you spend any money, it is really important to understand exactly what the difference is between a compact drill and a right angle option.
Compact cordless drill
Angle drill
- Compact - the drill length is still short at between 170-200 mm when compared to a standard cordless drill which will be 200 mm plus
- Angle- this type of drill has a very short head and is perfect for drilling between joists and in very tight areas.
So really those are the two choices for working in tight spaces. You can buy adapters that have a flexible head which you then attach to your existing drill. We will explain those below, but in reality, it is hard to find a good one of those. A good tip too is make sure you use the correct bit. A drill bit for tiles , for instance, is much different than a drill bit for concrete and different again if you want to drill metal.
Our Recommendation for the Best Compact Cordless Drill
Bosch GSB 120 - LI Professional 12V
- We would recommend this model from the Bosch brand as it has 2 batteries and a charger, and is light in weight and compact
- This drill forms part of their professional range and has optimised torque and speed as it has a 2 speed gearbox
- The keyless chuck makes changing drills and bites really fast
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
We picked this Bosch model because of the value for money aspect, and the fact that it will so an excellent job in tight spaces. It measures 32.3 x 29.4 x 7.5 cm and weighs just under 1 kg.
It has 2 gears so quite powerful and it has an led light for work space areas that are poorly lit.
The Runner Up
Black and Decker 10.8 V Lithium-Ion Compact Cordless Drill Driver
- This model is compact and lightweight and perfect to fit into tight spaces
- It also has a very useful LED light that will help light up any gloomy or poorly lit work spaces
- It comes with a battery and charger
- We think this one is very good value for money and won't break the bank
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
This is a compact drill/driver and is is ideal for use in confined spaces that are hard to reach with larger size drills, for instance inside cupboards, under the kitchen sink or in tight corners.
It also has an anti slip grip makes it comfortable to use. The variable speed of 0 – 550 rpm, gives you good control in a range of applications. The LED work light, located in the base of the drill, lights up when the drill is in use, offering additional light when working in poorly lit conditions.
Our Recommendation for the Best Angle Drill
DeWalt 18V XR Lithium-Ion Body Only Cordless 2-Speed Angle Drill
- This Dewalt model uses a multi grip trigger and allows the user to operate the trigger from various positions
- It also has a fan cooled motor for maximum power and durability
- Like any good professional tool, this model has all metal gearing and right angle transmission for efficient power transmission and longer tool life
- Comes with anLED with delay for improved visibility
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
If you have ever been on your hands and knees trying to to drill at silly angles or have gone to great lengths to shift heavy objects to gain access required to use a normal drill, then this little beauty will solve all of those problems.
This model has a slim, right-angled head to allow 90-degree access in tight spots...just the ticket
The Runner Up
Milwaukee MILC12RAD0 Angle Drills - Cordless
- This is a Milwaukee 12 volt model
- Measures 11.1 x 29.3 x 7 cm and weighs just under 1 kg
- This is just the ticket for working in narrow and confined spaces, such as between joists
- It has a very bright LED light to illuminate the working area
- Has a 10 mm keyless chuck
- Drilling depth: Wood: 22 mm, Steel: 10 mm.
Just below we have included the pros and cons of what real life buyers had to say..
Pros
Cons
Milwaukee branded tools are very popular in the USA and more and more people in the construction industry in the UK are starting to use Milwaukee tools.
This is certainly a tool any professional would be happy to own.
Best Drill Attachment for Working in Tight Spaces
TOPINCN Right Angle Drill Adapter
- We are not fans of these at all, but this one does get the best reviews that we could find
- This adapter has a 10mm(3/8") chuck, and will accept 1-10mm drill bits, with a key to tighten/loosen it.
- 8mm hex shank, suits most standard drills, like: hand/power drills, electric drill, buffing attachments etc.
- Max. 1500RPM with 25N·m torque
More Helpful Information
So as you can see there are a few good compact drills available for working in tight spaces. To be honest, unless you are doing this on a regular basis, it is better to borrow one rather than pay out a lot of money.
It is different if you are in a trade, or a professional, as a drill of this type is close to being a necessity.
If it is just for the odd DIY job around the home, then beg or borrow one from someone you know, or buy one of the cheaper compacts like the Black & Decker one we reviewed above.
Summary of Cordless Drills for Tight Spaces
Hopefully we have provided you with enough information on what to look for when buying a cordless drill/driver that can be used in tights spaces. There are many times when ypu will need to get into a tight space and these drills will also work well for all normal drill uses too.
For any professional, the Bosch one is a good choice, and if you are an electrician, then the Dewalt angle is ideal especially when cabling joists, and you need to quickly drill through those. There are plenty of options to choose from here but I always try to stick to a well known brand like Milwaukee, Makita, Ryobi, Black and Decker, Dewalt or Bosch when I am buying a tool like this.