Black & Decker 20V MAX* Cordless Drill/Driver

Why I picked up this 20V drill

I keep a couple of pro-grade drill/drivers in the shop, but I wanted a lightweight, easygoing cordless for quick household tasks—assembling furniture, hanging shelves, swapping hardware, and the occasional small project. The Black+Decker 20V drill fit that niche: compact, inexpensive, and part of a battery system I can expand later. After a few weeks of putting it to work around the house and garage, here’s how it held up.

Build quality and ergonomics

This drill feels planted and comfortable in hand. At about 3.2 pounds with the 1.5Ah battery, it’s light enough to use overhead without fatigue, and the handle angle and grip contouring hit a sweet spot for control. It’s not nose-heavy, which makes a difference when you’re driving a lot of screws—balance helps more than brute force for that kind of work.

The casing is typical DIY-grade ABS, neatly finished with no sharp seams. I wouldn’t expect it to shrug off repeated jobsite abuse, but it’s plenty stout for home use. The 3/8-inch keyless chuck uses a plastic collar with metal jaws; it spins smoothly, locks bits securely, and hasn’t slipped on hex-shank drivers. As with most chucks of this type, polished round shanks can slip under heavy load—switch to hex-shank or roughen the shank lightly for better bite.

Dimensions-wise, the drill is reasonably compact with a short enough nose to get between cabinet sides and into shelving bays. It won’t replace a true sub-compact for tight cabinetry, but it’s small enough to be practical in most situations.

Controls and features

• Variable speed trigger: The trigger ramps predictably from a slow crawl to full speed. That low-speed control is essential for starting screws without cam-out and for drilling delicate materials like plastics.
• 11-position clutch: The clutch range covers the common screw sizes I encounter in softwood and plywood. Dial it down to avoid overdriving cabinet screws, or click to drill mode for full power. The detents are positive and easy to see.
• LED work light: The LED activates with a light squeeze of the trigger and does a good job of lighting the target area for close-in work. It’s not a floodlight, but it’s useful when you’re working in dim corners or under a shelf.
• On-board bit storage: The included double-ended bit lives on the base. It’s simple, but it saves trips back to the box.

Performance: drilling and driving

For everyday household work, this drill does what it should without fuss. I used it to assemble a bed frame, hang a couple of wall shelves in studs, install curtain brackets, and bolt down a bike rack in a garage joist. It drove 1-5/8-inch to 2-1/2-inch screws into SPF studs with no complaints, and countersinking into plywood with a tapered bit was smooth and chatter-free.

In drilling, brad-point bits up to 3/8 inch in pine and plywood were straightforward. A 3/4-inch spade bit will go through SPF if you take your time and clear chips; it’s slower than a higher-torque pro drill but completely workable for occasional holes. In hardwood, you’ll feel it work harder as diameters increase; pre-drilling to sensible sizes and letting the tool do the work keeps it happy.

Where it predictably hits the ceiling is masonry and dense materials. There’s no hammer mode, and while you can nibble a pilot into mortar with a carbide bit in a pinch, this is not the right tool for Tapcon anchors in brick or drilling into poured concrete. If your to-do list leans that way, pair this with a compact hammer drill.

Noise and vibration are in line with a brushed-motor DIY drill—audible whine but nothing fatiguing. The gearbox feels consistent, and I didn’t notice excessive chuck wobble that would affect accuracy for typical DIY tolerances.

Battery platform and charging

The drill is part of Black+Decker’s 20V MAX POWERCONNECT line, which means the battery can swap across various household tools—handy if you plan to add a sander, inflator, or hedge trimmer down the road. My kit included one 1.5Ah battery and a basic charger. Expect a few hours for a full recharge; this is not a rapid charger. In practice, the single battery lasted through two small projects—think a couple dozen pilot holes and 30–40 screws—before I wanted a top-up. If you like working continuously, a second battery is a smart, inexpensive upgrade.

What stood out in use

• Consistent low-speed control: It’s easy to feather screws in and stop cleanly as the head seats, especially with the clutch set conservatively.
• Useful LED: Being able to light the target before the bit spins helps accuracy and prevents wandering on smooth finishes.
• Manageable size: The short overall length helps in closets, under sinks, and between shelves—exactly where household drills do most of their work.

Where it comes up short

• Not for heavy materials: No hammer action, and limited torque compared with pro-tier drills. It will stall on large bits in hardwood or when attempting masonry anchors.
• Single battery kit: The lone 1.5Ah pack and slower charger encourage planning your work. Fine for occasional use, but less convenient for longer sessions.
• Plastic chuck collar: It works, but it’s not as durable as metal-collar designs. Treat it reasonably and it’ll be fine; don’t crank it with pliers.

Practical tips to get the most from it

• Use hex-shank driver and drill bits where possible to reduce slipping in the chuck.
• Set the clutch one step lower than you think; sneak up on the perfect depth to avoid stripping.
• Pre-drill hardwoods and use appropriate bit types—brad-point for clean wood holes, split-point for metal, carbide for masonry (light duty only).
• Keep a spare battery if you plan to assemble multiple pieces of furniture or work for more than an hour.
• Let the trigger do the work—start slow, align, then add speed. This drill rewards a smooth approach.

Durability and maintenance

After a handful of projects, everything remains tight and rattle-free. Keep the chuck clean, blow out dust from the vents, and avoid side-loading big hole saws and you’ll preserve the gearbox. As with most DIY-grade tools, it’s more about using the right bit and technique than muscling through.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and renters who need a reliable, easy-to-handle drill/driver for furniture assembly, shelving, light carpentry, and general maintenance.
• DIYers starting a battery ecosystem for household tools without the price or heft of contractor gear.
• Anyone who values light weight and control over brute force.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Folks drilling anchors in concrete or brick regularly—get a hammer drill.
- Users who need to power auger bits, large hole saws, or drive long structural screws—consider a higher-torque, 1/2-inch pro model.

The bottom line

The Black+Decker 20V drill/driver hits the marks that matter for everyday DIY: it’s light, comfortable, predictable, and capable of the tasks most people actually do—driving a lot of screws, drilling common hole sizes in wood and thin metal, and working in tight home spaces. The clutch and trigger offer better control than I expected at this price, and the LED and compact form factor genuinely help in awkward corners.

Recommendation: I recommend this drill for homeowners and casual DIYers who want a trustworthy, budget-friendly tool for routine projects. Pair it with a second 1.5Ah or 2.0Ah battery and a small set of hex-shank bits, and you’ll have a setup that handles 90% of household drilling and driving with less weight, less hassle, and more control than heavier, overpowered alternatives. If your projects demand masonry work or high-torque drilling, step up to a hammer drill or a more powerful 1/2-inch model; otherwise, this one is a smart, practical choice.