Cordless drills.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)

Many 14.4-volt drill/drivers pack all the power you need for a variety of chores. You'll also find higher-voltage drills that cost little more than less-capable, lower-voltage models.

Battery packs with higher efficiency allow today's cordless models to run longer and more powerfully per charge. The best can outperform corded drills and handle decks and other big jobs with minimum recharging. Recent tests show that you needn't spend $200 or more to get fine performance. Models in the 14.4- to 18-volt range that cost as little as $100 or so perform nearly as well as pricier drills.

You'll also see more impact drivers. While similar to conventional drill/ drivers, these emphasize added tightening and loosening power, courtesy of a spinning internal hammer that strikes an anvil attached to the chuck to boost twisting force. Besides being lighter and smaller (most use 12- or 14.4-volt batteries), they don't twist in your hands under load. But they tend to be slower at drilling and require special drill bits. All those we've tested have also been loud enough to require hearing protection.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Black & Decker and Craftsman (Sears) are the major brands. Along with Ryobi and Skil, they're aimed primarily at homeowners. Bosch, DeWalt, Hitachi, Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Porter-Cable offer pricier drills designed for professionals.

Most 9.6-volt models cost less than $100. At about 3 pounds, they weigh half as much as some 18-volt models. But unless you value their low weight and low cost over performance, you're likely to be disappointed.

Price: about $40 to $100 for 9.6-volt drills, $50 to $130 for 12-volt drills, $60 to $200 for 14.4-volt models, and $100 to $300 for 18-volt models.