Black & Decker 20V MAX Lithium Ion Drill/Driver with 68-Piece Project Kit

A couple of weekends with the Black & Decker 20V drill/driver reminded me how much smoother small home projects go when the basics are covered. I used this kit to install a closet organizer, hang a few shelves, and drill pilot holes into studs for a barn-door track. The drill handled the mix of drilling and fastening with predictable, beginner-friendly manners, and the included hand tools made it easy to keep moving without raiding a larger toolbox. It’s not a pro setup, but as an all-in-one starter kit for household work, it’s thoughtfully put together—if a bit uneven in accessory quality.

What’s in the kit

You get a compact 20V lithium-ion drill/driver, one 1.5Ah battery, a plug-in charger, and a soft carrying bag. Black & Decker rounds it out with a 12 oz hammer, tape measure, adjustable wrench, needle-nose and slip-joint pliers, manual and ratcheting screwdrivers, a utility knife, and a generous assortment of drill bits, spade bits, nut drivers, screwdriving bits, a magnetic bit holder, and a few small hole saws with a mandrel.

For anyone starting from scratch, that’s a lot of capability in one package. The bag is big enough to swallow everything and still zip easily, which I appreciate when packing up after a job.

Ergonomics and controls

The drill is comfortably lightweight and compact. It fits into tight corners, and the grip is neutral enough for long, overhead runs without fatigue. The 3/8-inch keyless chuck is basic but effective for quick bit changes, and the 11-position clutch is easy to read and click through.

Power is driven by a brushed motor with a variable-speed trigger topping out around 650 RPM. That single, moderate speed profile favors control over outright speed, which is exactly what you want when you’re learning or doing careful work in finished spaces. It’s not the fastest drill you’ll pick up, but it’s predictable.

Driving screws

This is where the drill shines for home users. The clutch range is well spaced, and it does what it’s supposed to: prevent overdriving and stripping. I drove hundreds of cabinet screws and shelf brackets into studs and drywall anchors without incident. On lighter clutch settings, I could snug down hardware without burying the heads. On higher settings, the drill handled 2-1/2 to 3-inch construction screws in pine with pre-drilled pilots. You can push it into tougher tasks, but that’s where its limits show—long, thick screws into dense lumber slow it down, and the motor will bog if you insist. For furniture assembly, cabinet work, anchors, and general home repairs, it’s tuned right.

Drilling performance

In wood, the drill has enough torque for common hole-making chores. The included spade bits will get through studs for cable runs or small pass-throughs; you just need to take your time and keep the bit straight. With standard twist bits, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch holes in pine and poplar were clean. In metal, pilot holes in mild steel brackets and aluminum went fine with the proper technique: sharp HSS bits, a dab of oil, and steady pressure. Keep expectations reasonable—this isn’t a high-speed drill for boring out dozens of large holes.

A note on the chuck: being 3/8-inch, it won’t accept larger 1/2-inch-shank accessories, so plan your bit set accordingly.

Battery and charging

The kit includes a single 1.5Ah 20V battery and a basic jack-plug charger. For intermittent household work, one pack will cover a typical afternoon of drilling and driving with breaks in between. For longer sessions—say, hanging a whole room’s worth of shelves—having a second battery on hand is a smart upgrade. The included charger is not a rapid unit; I treated it as a top-up between tasks rather than a quick-turn solution.

If you’re already using other 20V tools from the same line, being able to swap packs is a plus. If this is your first foray into cordless tools, consider budgeting for an extra battery down the road.

Accessory and hand-tool quality

This is where the kit earns mixed marks.

• Bits: The assortment covers most household needs, but the steel is entry-level. The screwdriving bits are fine for light duty; the twist bits work but dull quickly, and I snapped one when I pushed too hard in hardwood. If you plan to drill a lot, upgrade to a higher-quality bit set and keep these as backups.
• Hole saws: Handy for thin materials like drywall and softwoods; they chatter in harder woods and aren’t suited to sheet metal.
• Spade bits: Serviceable for occasional use, but sharpen or replace them if you need repeatable, clean holes.
• Hand tools: The 12 oz hammer is ideal for picture hanging and light carpentry, not framing or demo. The adjustable wrench and pliers are fine for simple hardware. The ratcheting screwdriver is convenient for tight spaces. The utility knife’s plastic shell feels flimsy; I swapped it for a sturdier one after the first weekend.

The soft bag is roomy, but it doesn’t have internal pockets to corral small items. Bits and drivers end up loose unless you keep them in their blister strips or add organizers. I slid a small parts tray and a zip pouch into the bag, which solved the rummaging problem.

Durability and upkeep

After several projects, the drill still runs smoothly. The chuck holds bits securely without walking, and the clutch hasn’t drifted. Under sustained, high-load use (boring large holes or driving long screws without pilots), the motor gets warm—nothing alarming, but a reminder this is a light- to medium-duty tool. Keep it clean, don’t abuse it as an impact driver, and it should last for years of household service. The two-year limited warranty is in line with its class.

What it does best

• Starter households, renters, and new DIYers who need a one-and-done kit
• Furniture assembly, shelving, picture hanging, curtain rods, cabinet hardware
• Light carpentry and electrical prep (pilot holes, small pass-throughs)
• Occasional repair work where portability matters

Where it falls short

• Heavy-duty drilling in dense lumber or repetitive, large-diameter boring
• All-day production work where high RPM and multiple batteries are essential
• Users who demand contractor-grade bits and hand tools straight out of the box
• Organization: the bag’s lack of pockets leads to a jumble unless you add pouches

Practical tips

• Add a second 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah battery if you tackle multi-room projects.
• Upgrade the twist and driver bits; keep the included set as spares.
• Use a small zip pouch or bit case to keep accessories from scattering in the bag.
• Let the drill do the work—steady pressure, sharp bits, and pilots will keep it from bogging.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker 20V drill/driver in this kit is a genuinely capable household tool: light, easy to control, and equipped with a clutch that saves screws and surfaces. Power and speed are tailored to real-world home tasks, not jobsite abuse. The included hand tools and accessories get you started on day one, even if you’ll eventually replace a few pieces with sturdier versions as your projects grow.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for first-time homeowners, apartment dwellers, and DIYers who want an affordable, all-in-one solution for routine projects. The drill itself is the standout—reliable, comfortable, and well suited to drilling and fastening in wood, drywall, and light metals. Plan on adding a second battery and a better bit set, and you’ll have a dependable everyday setup. If your workload leans toward heavy carpentry, large-diameter drilling, or all-day use, step up to a faster, more powerful drill with a 1/2-inch chuck and factor in higher-quality accessories from the outset.