This category is for the best all around 12v cordless drill. Obviously a 12 volt drill is going to be smaller and lighter than the higher volt counterparts. But it will also be lower powered and/or have less run time. The reasons for purchasing a 12v cordless drill is to be easier on your hands, easier to fit in tight spaces, and easier to lug around. If a 12 volt drill satisfies your needs, then you should purchase one over an 18v drill.

Categories	Hitachi DS10DFL	Milwaukee 2410-22	Makita FD02W	DeWalt DC742KA	B&D VP810
Torque (in-lbs)	195	250	200	?	265
Weight (lbs)	2.2	2.5	2.2	3.8	2
Avg. Rating at Amazon (# reviews)	4.35 (49)	4.29 (79)	3.75 (4)	4.30 (30)	3.83 (42)
Summary of Reviews	2 people said the chuck wobbled; a few people only received 1 battery, which customer service resolved; but the vast majority loved it.	few defective units; few people say the chuck loosens, which I address in my review here; overall good ratings	not enough reviews to make a determination.	few defective units; overall well liked.	almost all of the bad reviews are for wobbly chucks.

The best all-around 12v cordless drill goes to the Hitachi DS10DFL 12-Volt Li-Ion Cordless Drill

This category was a tough choice. The Hitachi and Milwaukee are both great drills. And the Makita is probably a great drill too. But the Hitachi is significantly cheaper and that's why it gets the nod. If you want to spend a little more to get more torque, I would go with the Milwaukee.

The Hitachi has very good balance and is easy on the hands. It works well for getting into tight spaces. It's also built very well and we've heard from many people about how durable it is. I used to recommend the NiCad version of this drill, but the Li-Ion version is now cheap enough that there's no reason to get the NiCad version. Now you can get an updated drill with a better battery behind it.

Don't let the small size fool you though. This drill packs a punch and will run for quite a while. It's an excellent choice for even serious use if you need maneuverability.