Black & Decker 8V MAX Cordless Drill + 43 Pc Home Decor Project Kit

I grabbed the Black+Decker 8V drill because I wanted something small and easy to handle for around-the-house tasks: hanging frames, putting up curtain rods, assembling flat-pack furniture, and the occasional pilot hole in softwood. After several weeks of real use, it’s proven to be a straightforward, compact driver that trades brute force for convenience. If you understand those trade-offs, it’s a handy little addition to a homeowner’s toolkit.

Design and ergonomics

The first thing I noticed is how light and compact it is. At about 2.3 lb and under 10 inches long, the 8V drill is comfortable to maneuver in tight spaces and overhead. The grip sits naturally in the hand, and the balance is surprisingly good for such a small tool—there’s no nose-heaviness that makes you fight the bit. The keyless 3/8-inch chuck is basic but secure; I swapped between small drill bits and the included driver bits without fuss. For quick one-off jobs around the house, not stopping to hunt for a chuck key is worth its weight in gold.

Build-wise, it’s what I expect from a light-duty homeowner drill: sturdy enough for everyday materials and careful use. The brushed motor has the familiar sound and smell under load, but vibration stays modest, and the tool never felt harsh or fatiguing.

Power and performance

This is an 8V driver with a brushed motor—so set expectations: it’s built for light-duty work. Used appropriately, it does exactly what it promises. Here’s what I comfortably handled:

• Driving small to medium screws into softwood and plywood for brackets, hinges, and furniture.
• Drilling pilot holes in pine for wall anchors and hardware.
• Mounting curtain rod brackets and installing cabinet knobs.
• Assembling particleboard furniture without cam over or tear-out.

Where it starts to struggle is no surprise: long screws into dense hardwood, lag screws, large spade bits, or anything that demands sustained torque. If you’re trying to drive 3-inch construction screws into studs all day or bore big holes, you’ll want a 12V or 20V compact drill instead. The 8V drill is slower and will stall sooner than those larger platforms. That said, for typical homeowner maintenance—switch plates, hardware, outlet covers, shelving standards into drywall with anchors—it’s a comfortable fit.

I also appreciate that it doesn’t “overdo it.” With many higher-voltage drills, it’s easy to overdrive a small screw or crack a plastic fitting. The modest torque on this one can be an advantage when you need a gentle touch.

Battery and charging

The 8V MAX lithium-ion battery (nominal 7.2V, 1.3Ah) is rechargeable via Micro USB. I like the convenience: I can top it up with the same cable I use for older devices or with a power bank. Charge times aren’t blazing fast compared to dedicated slide-pack chargers, but for a small, occasional-use tool, that hasn’t been a problem. I’ve gotten several small projects done on a single charge—installing a few brackets, driving a handful of screws, drilling a dozen pilot holes—before needing to recharge.

As with any low-voltage tool, heavy drilling or extended fastening will drain it more quickly. If you foresee longer sessions, consider building in charging breaks or stepping up to a higher-voltage platform with swappable batteries.

Accessory kit

This kit includes a 43-piece accessory set: a selection of drill bits, driver bits, a magnetic bit holder, screws with anchors, and a small level. The accessories are serviceable for light-duty use. The magnetic bit holder is genuinely helpful—it’s faster to click in a driver bit, and it holds onto fasteners well enough that I’m not constantly fishing them off the floor.

The included level is basic and small, but it’s exactly what I reached for when laying out a run of frames. Anchors and screws in the box are handy if you don’t have a hardware drawer yet. If you’ll be drilling into tougher materials, plan on upgrading the bits; the included set is fine for drywall and softwood, but it’s not meant for aggressive work.

Features and usability

• Chuck: The 3/8-inch keyless chuck grips consistently and releases easily. It’s ideal for the smaller shank sizes you’ll use most on this drill.
• Direction control: Forward and reverse switching is positive and predictable. No accidental toggles during use.
• Speed control: As with most light-duty drills, feathering the trigger gives enough control for gentle starts, especially when driving into soft materials or aligning hardware.
• Size and reach: The compact body fits inside cabinet boxes and tight corners where a larger drill would knock into walls or face frames.

There’s no hammer mode (nor would I expect one here), and this isn’t a drywall-specific driver with a depth stop. It’s a simple drill/driver for basic tasks, which keeps the learning curve and the controls minimal.

Where it shines

• Quick fixes and decor projects: Shelves, frames, brackets, switches, knobs, and light hardware in drywall, pine, and plywood.
• Overhead work: The light weight makes installing ceiling hooks or light-duty fixtures less tiring.
• Apartment and new homeowner setups: If you don’t own a drill yet, this covers the basics in a single box without overwhelming you with features.
• Occasional users: It holds a charge well between uses and doesn’t require managing a fleet of batteries.

Where it falls short

• Demanding materials and big fasteners: Dense hardwoods, long structural screws, and large-bore drilling are not this drill’s territory.
• Speed and stamina: Compared with 12V and 20V drills, it’s slower and will stall sooner under load. For big weekend projects, you may outgrow it.
• Charging speed: Micro USB is convenient, but it’s not as fast as dedicated chargers; plan ahead if you’re mid-project.

Durability and warranty

For its intended scope, the tool feels solid. The plastics are finished cleanly, the chuck action is consistent, and there’s no alarming flex in the body under light load. As with any brushed-motor, light-duty drill, don’t lean on it like a contractor tool and it’ll last. The two-year limited warranty is a decent safety net for a homeowner-grade product.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Use sharp bits and pre-drill in hardwood trim to reduce load and prevent stalls.
• Pair screws with proper anchors when going into drywall; the included set will get you started.
• Let the tool do the work—don’t muscle it. If it starts to bog down, step back, use a pilot hole, or switch to a smaller bit.
• Keep a Micro USB cable near your workspace so you can top off between tasks.

The bottom line

The 8V drill is exactly what a compact, homeowner-focused drill/driver should be: simple, light, and easy to use. It’s not a do-everything tool, but it excels at the kind of tasks most people actually face—hanging things on walls, assembling furniture, and basic small repairs—without weighing you down or requiring a pro-level budget.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for renters, first-time buyers, and anyone who needs a reliable, lightweight drill for everyday household projects. It’s comfortable to handle, the Micro USB charging is convenient, and the included accessory kit means you can start working right out of the box. If your projects regularly involve dense lumber, large fasteners, or extended drilling, step up to a 12V or 20V compact drill with swappable batteries. But for light-duty work in tight spaces, the 8V drill is a practical, easygoing companion that earns its spot in a homeowner’s toolkit.