| Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
 1. DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit (DCD708C2) DEWALT Best Overall Compact | Check Price | |
 2. Milwaukee M18 Compact Drill Kit (2606-22CT) Milwaukee Best Milwaukee Compact | Check Price | |
 3. Makita XPH12T 18V LXT Compact Hammer Drill Kit Makita Best Compact Hammer Drill | Check Price | |
 4. BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max Drill Kit BOSCH Best 12V Ultra-Compact | Check Price | |
| 5. Makita XFD131 18V LXT Brushless Drill Kit Makita Best Full-Power Compact | Check Price |
Detailed Reviews
DEWALT
1. DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit (DCD708C2)
Pros
- Brushless motor provides consistent torque output and longer motor life than brushed alternatives
- 1/2-inch chuck accepts standard bits, driver shanks, and small hole-saw arbors
- Kit includes two batteries and a charger — nothing extra to source before starting work
Cons
- Compact battery packs mean shorter runtime than full-size 20V MAX kits on extended projects
- Drill/driver only — the compact body has no room for an internal hammer mechanism
DEWALT's ATOMIC line puts a brushless motor and full 20V power into one of its shortest drill bodies, which pays off when drilling overhead or working a bit into tight framing corners. Two batteries in the kit keep the pace up, and the 20V MAX platform expands as you add other DEWALT tools over time.
Milwaukee
2. Milwaukee M18 Compact Drill Kit (2606-22CT)
Pros
- 500 in-lbs of torque in a 7-1/4-inch body built for confined cabinet and overhead work
- M18 ecosystem entry point — batteries work in Milwaukee's full professional cordless lineup
- Kit includes two M18 Compact batteries and a charger for uninterrupted all-day use
Cons
- Brushed motor is less energy-efficient per charge than Milwaukee's FUEL brushless models
- No hammer mode — not rated for concrete, brick, or masonry drilling
At 7-1/4 inches long, the 2606-22CT is among the shortest M18 drills Milwaukee builds, which shows up whenever you're working inside a cabinet run or pushing a bit up into ceiling joists. Two compact batteries cover a full day of standard drilling and driving, and every M18 battery you add later fits this drill.
Makita
3. Makita XPH12T 18V LXT Compact Hammer Drill Kit
Pros
- Brushless motor in a compact body delivers efficient 18V LXT performance with reduced motor wear
- Hammer-drill mode handles concrete anchors and light masonry that a standard drill/driver cannot touch
- 1/2-inch chuck and compact length work overhead and inside tight spaces without binding
Cons
- Compact body limits battery size compared to full-size 18V LXT hammer drill kits
- LXT battery platform is exclusive to Makita and not compatible with other brands
The XPH12T brings a capability the other four compact drills here lack — hammer mode for concrete anchors and masonry work — without growing into a full-size footprint. The brushless motor and 18V LXT platform make it a solid long-term addition for Makita owners who want one compact drill that handles nearly every material.
BOSCH
4. BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max Drill Kit
Pros
- 12V Max battery keeps total tool weight lower than any 18V model on this list
- Two batteries and charger included for continuous back-to-back use without downtime
- Short body fits single-handed work in crawl spaces and tight overhead positions
Cons
- 12V output delivers less torque on dense hardwood and long fasteners than 18V alternatives
- 3/8-inch chuck cannot accept 1/2-inch shank bits or large spade bit shanks
When the work is light and the spaces are tight — hanging fixtures, assembling flat-pack furniture, drilling into drywall — the PS31-2A's 12V battery makes it the most wieldy tool on this list by a noticeable margin. Two batteries ensure a charged pack is always available, and the included charger means nothing else to buy before starting.
Makita
5. Makita XFD131 18V LXT Brushless Drill Kit
Pros
- Brushless motor reduces maintenance needs and extracts more runtime per charge
- Ships with a 3.0Ah battery for sustained runtime through heavy cabinet or furniture assembly
- Variable-speed trigger and adjustable clutch control match drilling pace precisely to the material
Cons
- No hammer mode — unsuitable for concrete, brick, or masonry applications
- LXT batteries are exclusive to Makita and not compatible with other brand platforms
Woodworkers and finish carpenters get a lot from the XFD131 — brushless efficiency, a 3.0Ah battery that outlasts smaller packs on all-day work, and a variable-speed trigger that prevents cam-out on delicate joinery. The 1/2-inch chuck handles standard and larger-diameter bits, and the absence of a hammer mechanism keeps the body compact and well-balanced.
How We Picked
We reviewed each drill using official manufacturer specifications, independent testing from trade and DIY publications, and verified owner feedback from a wide sample of buyers. Every figure in this list — voltage, motor type, chuck size, and battery count — is drawn from official product documentation or confirmed third-party sources. The focus was on tools that genuinely reduce the form factor compared to full-size equivalents from the same platform, without sacrificing the power needed for standard household work: drilling into wood and metal, driving screws in drywall, and setting the occasional anchor. Kit contents were cross-checked to confirm what ships in the box rather than what buyers must source separately. For buyers who want to compare these compact picks against full-size hammer drills and professional models, our 10 best cordless drills roundup covers the wider market.
Buying Guide
Compact Size vs Battery Capacity
A shorter front-to-back length is the primary benefit of a compact drill. That reduced length lets you reach into cabinet interiors, run a bit into tight ceiling joints, and work overhead without the tool weight pulling your arm down across a long session. The tradeoff is battery capacity: compact kits tend to ship with smaller packs than full-size equivalents from the same platform. The DEWALT DCD708C2 and Milwaukee 2606-22CT both include two batteries, so the runtime gap is manageable for most projects. If your work alternates between tight spaces and open-area tasks, owning a compact and a full-size drill in the same battery ecosystem costs less than it sounds over time.
Motor Type: Brushless vs Brushed
Brushless motors — fitted in the DEWALT DCD708C2, Makita XPH12T, and Makita XFD131 — eliminate the carbon brush contact that gradually wears down inside brushed motors. The result is more work per charge, a cooler-running motor under sustained load, and a longer overall service life before the motor needs attention. The Milwaukee M18 2606-22CT uses a brushed motor, which handles standard household drilling and driving reliably for years. If you plan to use the drill heavily several days a week, brushless is the better long-term investment. For occasional weekend projects, a brushed motor works entirely adequately.
Voltage: 12V vs 18V and 20V MAX
The BOSCH PS31-2A runs on a 12V Max battery — the right call when total weight is more important than maximum torque. Twelve volts handles drywall, furniture assembly, and hanging fixtures without issue, but will bog down on thick hardwood or dense framing lumber where an 18V or 20V tool works through easily. The Milwaukee M18 2606-22CT, Makita XPH12T, Makita XFD131, and DEWALT DCD708C2 all run at 18V or 20V MAX — functionally equivalent voltage classes for real-world drilling and driving across most home improvement tasks.
Chuck Size
Four of the five drills here use a 1/2-inch chuck, which accepts the widest range of standard drill bits, screwdriver shanks, and spade bit bodies. The BOSCH PS31-2A uses a 3/8-inch chuck — standard for 12V-class tools — which works perfectly with common twist bits and hex-shank accessories but cannot fit 1/2-inch shank bits or larger hole-saw arbors. If you’re building out a bit collection and aren’t sure which shank sizes you’ll eventually need, the 1/2-inch models are the more flexible starting point.
Kit Contents
Every drill on this list ships as a complete kit with batteries and a charger, which matters when you calculate actual cost versus a tool-only listing. The BOSCH PS31-2A, DEWALT DCD708C2, Milwaukee 2606-22CT, and Makita XPH12T each include two batteries and a charger; the Makita XFD131 includes one 3.0Ah battery and a charger. The value of a kit deepens over time at the platform level: batteries you own now work in every future tool you add within that ecosystem. Confirm battery Ah and count in the listing before purchasing, since some kit variants differ from the standard offering.
Getting the Most from a Compact Drill
Compact drills reward a small technique adjustment compared to full-size models. Because they’re shorter, there’s less handle behind the chuck to stabilize — brace your forearm against a surface when driving long screws to keep the bit on line. Use a center punch or nail to dent a surface before drilling into smooth metal or tile; the bit stops wandering immediately. For pilot holes in hardwood before driving screws, go one size down from the screw shank diameter: the wood grips the thread while the pilot prevents splitting. When setting concrete anchors with the Makita XPH12T in hammer mode, keep the drill perpendicular — angled holes cause anchors to seat off-axis and pull through prematurely. Clean bit flutes after masonry work; concrete dust compacts into the flutes quickly and dulls them faster than wood shavings do. Store batteries at room temperature rather than in a cold vehicle or under direct sun, both of which accelerate cell degradation over time.