Black & Decker 20V MAX Cordless Lithium Drill/Driver

After a few weekends of cabinet installs, repairing a gate, and assembling a stack of flat‑pack shelving, I have a clear sense of what this little Black & Decker drill/driver can and can’t do. It’s a compact 20V unit with a small 3/8-inch chuck, an 11-position clutch, and a single 1.5Ah battery in the box. It’s not a contractor’s hammer drill, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But as a household workhorse for drilling pilot holes, driving screws, and light-duty boring, it’s easy to grab and surprisingly capable.

Size, Balance, and Ergonomics

At 3.3 pounds with the battery, the drill stays comfortable through overhead work and awkward reaches. The handle contour is friendly to medium and small hands, and the trigger is easy to feather for slow starts. The body is only about 9.4 inches long and 7.7 inches tall, so it slides into cabinet boxes and between studs better than most full-size drills I own. You won’t find a belt clip here, and there’s no hard case in the package, so plan on adding a holster or tossing it in a toolbox.

The integrated LED sits just above the trigger. It’s bright enough for the back of a cabinet or a dim closet, though like most nose-mounted LEDs it can cast a short shadow with stubby bits. I’d call it a “good enough” task light rather than a worklight replacement.

Controls and Clutch

The 11-position clutch is the star of the show. It’s the feature that keeps this drill squarely in the “friendly” category for new DIYers and renters who don’t want to strip fasteners or bury screws below the surface. I consistently landed cabinet screws flush using midrange settings and could back off a notch for softer pine and MDF. There’s a drill mode that bypasses the clutch for boring holes. The detents are positive and the ring is easy to turn with one hand.

Variable speed control through the trigger is smooth, and the top speed peaks around 650 RPM. That’s not fast by pro standards, but for the materials this drill is intended for—pine, poplar, drywall, plastics, light-gauge metals—it’s more than sufficient and makes it easier to avoid walking a bit across a surface.

Power and Performance

This is a brushed-motor, single-speed drill/driver. In practice, it feels tuned for screwdriving first, drilling second. It will happily drive hundreds of small to medium screws with the right clutch setting and a sharp bit. On a single charge, I drove roughly 80–100 2-inch construction screws into SPF studs (pre-drilled for the last third of the screw to reduce splitting) before I noticed performance tailing off. If you’re working all afternoon, a second battery is worth having.

For drilling, it handled 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch twist bits in softwood and plywood without complaint. A 1-inch spade bit through pine took steady pressure and patience but got it done cleanly. Hole saws up to 1-1/2 inches in plywood worked, though slower than a higher-torque drill. In hardwoods, I had better results pre-drilling and stepping up bit sizes rather than trying to muscle a large bit all at once.

There’s no hammer mode, so masonry is off the table beyond the most occasional, shallow anchor holes in softer brick—with a sharp masonry bit, low speed, and a lot of patience. If your to‑do list includes Tapcons or concrete anchors, this isn’t the right tool.

Chuck and Bit Holding

The 3/8-inch keyless chuck changes bits quickly and grips well for light to moderate loads. Under heavy resistance—like the last quarter-turn of a long screw in dense wood—I had to re-snug the chuck once or twice. That’s typical for plastic-sleeve chucks in this class. Bit runout was acceptable; I didn’t see wobble that affected accuracy on typical DIY holes. The 3/8-inch size limits shank capacity, so larger augers and some premium step bits are out.

One practical note: the kit includes a double-ended driver bit and that’s it. Plan on picking up a basic bit set to get real work done.

Battery, Charging, and the 20V System

The included 1.5Ah lithium battery is small, light, and—importantly—holds a charge very well while idle. I’ve left it on a shelf for months and the drill still woke up ready to work for a few quick fixes. When you do run it down, the wall‑mountable charger brings it back to full in about an hour. There’s no fancy display on the charger, but it’s simple and reliable.

Runtime aligns with the battery size. For furniture builds, hardware installs, and around-the-house maintenance, a single pack can get you through a session. For deck repairs or longer projects, plan your workflow around a charge cycle or invest in a second battery. The battery slots into the broader Black & Decker 20V lineup, which is handy if you’re adding a trimmer, sander, or inflator.

Durability and Build

This is consumer-grade construction with a lot of plastic in the shell, but the fit is tight and nothing creaks or flexes under normal grip. The brushed motor will get warm if you lean on it with big bits or long screws; back off and let it cool if you smell that faint hot‑motor scent. The forward/reverse selector is sturdy and didn’t accidentally flip on me, which I appreciate when frequently switching between drilling and driving. Black & Decker backs it with a 2-year limited warranty, which is appropriate for the class.

What It Does Best

• Furniture assembly and cabinet hardware: Great clutch control, compact head, and enough torque for pocket screws and Euro hinges.
• Pilot holes and light boring: Clean holes in softwood, plywood, and plastics up to common sizes.
• Everyday repairs: Outlet covers, door hardware, brackets, blinds, and shelving—this is its comfort zone.

Where It Struggles

• Masonry: No hammer function; not the right tool for repeated brick or concrete drilling.
• Large bits and fast drilling: 650 RPM and modest torque mean spade bits over 1 inch and big hole saws are slow going.
• Heavy structural fasteners: 3-inch lags into dense lumber are a stretch without pilot holes; you’ll want a higher-torque drill/driver or impact driver.

Practical Tips for Better Results

• Use the clutch aggressively. Start low and climb until screws sit flush—especially in MDF and particleboard.
• Pre-drill hardwood. A small pilot hole dramatically reduces strain and improves runtime.
• Re-check the chuck after the first tough fastener and when switching between drilling and driving.
• Keep a sharp bit set on hand. With a lower-RPM drill, sharpness matters more for clean, fast holes.
• Consider a second 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah battery if you routinely work beyond an hour.

Value and Alternatives

This drill sits in the “budget-friendly, do‑most‑things” category. It’s a simpler tool than pro models with 1/2-inch chucks, multi-speed gearboxes, and brushless motors, but it also costs and weighs less. If you mainly need a dependable driver for home projects with occasional drilling, it makes a lot of sense. If you’re building decks, running long structural screws, or drilling bigger holes in hardwoods on the regular, a two-speed, higher-torque drill or an impact driver will save time and frustration.

The Bottom Line

The combination of a compact body, honest torque for everyday tasks, an easy-to-use clutch, and a battery that holds charge on the shelf makes this drill one I reach for first on household jobs. Its limitations are clear and predictable: no hammer mode, modest top speed, and a small chuck. Stay within those lines and it performs reliably and comfortably.

Recommendation: I recommend this drill for homeowners, renters, and hobbyists who need a light, straightforward drill/driver for daily fixes, furniture builds, and small projects, and who value compact size and clutch control over brute force. I wouldn’t recommend it as a primary tool for heavy carpentry, frequent masonry work, or jobsite use—there are more powerful, faster, and more durable options for that. As an approachable, go-to driver that lives on a shelf and is always ready to work, it’s a solid pick.