Last Updated on 2021-04-07 by Harry Masterton
Except for traditional woodworkers, the majority of us use power tools to build our woodworking projects. Deciding between corded vs cordless tools is a decision that most people make as they start to buy their power tool collection.
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How far have battery-powered tools come over the last decade or two? A long way. These tools can now operate for longer, with more consistent output, than cordless products from just a few years ago.
You might find some tool collectors that say they selected between corded vs cordless tools based on personal preference. It is worth noting that today's technology allows a battery-powered tool to compete head-to-head in most categories.
That means that you should take a hard look between corded vs cordless, and this guide will help you do just that. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of tools? Are there particular brands that stand out as go-to products for various interests or skill levels?
Corded vs Cordless Tools
The answers to those questions might lead you to invest in cordless power tools for your workshop. Tools allow you to shape the materials used to build projects, and power tools make that process easy and fast.
You will find that most power tools come in both corded and cordless designs. Will today's cordless products provide the same level of production that corded power tools can?
They can, and they also offer some extras when comparing corded vs cordless tools. Let's take a look at 15 reasons why cordless vs its corded counterpart is best for your shop.
Cordless vs Corded Power Tools
It used to be that comparing cordless vs corded power tools would favor power tools plugged into a wall outlet. Advances in battery platforms, electric motors, and control circuitry have added to cordless designs, making them compare favorably in today's market.
Construction workers, DIYers, hobbyists, and manufacturers will notice that the two tool designs differ in three areas.
Cordless vs corded power tools – Key differences
- Portability
- Power
- Runtime
Mobility is the top difference between a power tool that runs on a battery pack or a wall outlet. Corded tools draw power through a 120 or 240-volt outlet.
They need to be near an outlet, and an extension is required. Cordless tools can operate in any location you can reach. These tools draw power through the battery pack connected to the tool housing.
You will need to use an outlet to charge the power tool batteries, however. Power is another consideration between the tool designs. Today's cordless power tools have similar power output as corded designs.
The only exception will be large electric motors that need continuous power to perform. Runtime is another difference. Corded products run as long as they have power supplied, while cordless are limited to amp-hours in the battery.
Are Corded Tools Better Than Cordless?
It would be misleading to say that corded tools lack features that would benefit some users. While modern cordless designs operate on par with corded power tools in most cases, there are a few ways that corded tools can outperform battery-powered tools:
- Output
- Consistency
- Size
- Price
A corded power tool will operate as long as it receives power from an outlet. Cordless models are limited to the runtime provided by the battery pack, which rates in amp-hours. Construction, manufacturing, and large projects might favor the output potential of corded power tools.
Consistency is another consideration. Corded tools have a consistent power level that does not drop, while cordless power tools can lose speed and torque as the battery pack drains. If you are a DIYer or a casual hobbyist, your workload should not cause problems, though (multiple battery packs address this issue as well).
There are also power tools that require more power than a battery pack (including modern 60v platforms) provides. Corded tools that plug into a 120 or 240v power supply still dominate the large shop tool category like the table saw, jointer and drill press.
Finally, many corded power tools cost less than cordless models with the same output, especially when batteries and chargers are purchased separately or in kits.
Are Cordless Power Tools Worth It?
With that said, why buy cordless power tools? Battery power tools offer you distinct advantages over corded products, such as:
- Portability
- Ease of Use
- Latest technology
For many, the stand-out advantage of battery powered tools will be portability. It can go anywhere you can carry it without relying on an outlet for a power cord to connect it that a conventional electric tool needs.
No cord attachment and smaller motor designs allow some tools to operate in tight spaces that a corded tool cannot. Cordless power tools are easier to use, as you do not need to roll out an extension cord.
That makes them easier to handle in difficult spots, like standing on a ladder. Many cordless products are lightweight due to motor size and weight distribution, allowing low amp-hour and voltage designs to be carried and used without fatigue.
One look online or along the shelves at your local big-box store will inform you just how competitive the power tool market is, especially with cordless designs. We, as consumers, are lured into a purchase by what the tool offers us.
Manufacturers focus on their cordless product lines, and you will often find the latest control, performance, and safety components installed on cordless power tools.
Many high end cordless power tools will be fitted with a brushless motor, variable speed and if its offered as alit with an extra battery.
Disadvantages Of Cordless Power Tools
For most DIYers and hobbyists, these tools offer the same performance as a corded product. Contractors, manufacturers, and serious enthusiasts will notice decreases in some performance criteria, including:
- Component/project capacity
- Drop in power
- Downtime for recharging
It has to be said however that with the very latest lithium ion battery technology from the likes of DeWalt, Makita and Bosch and with the advent of twin batteries the power disparity between corded vs cordless tools is for all intents and purposes rapidly diminishing
Many cordless products make use of smaller accessory sizes on the tool. That can include blades, drivers, or other components. What that means for you as a user is that a cordless power tool may not cut or drill as deep as a corded design with the same power output can.
Since the cordless power tools rely on battery packs for power, the battery inevitably drains. That translates into a drop in performance in torque and speed from the power tool as you work.
Solving this problem involves selecting the highest amp-hour rating for battery packs that you can afford, as well as having more than one battery pack. Those drained batteries will need recharging before they can power your tool again.
That requires a battery charger that needs plugging in, and you need an hour or more to charge it to capacity. Having two or more battery packs eliminates downtime for most users.
Best Cordless Tool Brand
Anyone with experience using power tools can tell you that all brands are not created equal. Manufacturers have carved out niches within the cordless tool market, building a name on one or more design features.
Amateurs and professionals alike break down cordless power tool brands into categories based on budget, operator needs, and projects.
Typical cordless power tool categories
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Professional
- Chinese Manufacturers
Entry-level power tools come at the most affordable prices, in either a tool-only purchase or as part of a budget kit. The budget category tools will often have minimal features and low amp-hours on the battery pack. They will be fine for DIYers and hobbyists working on small projects where long run times and accessories are necessary. Black & Decker is a prime example of a budget-friendly brand. Skil, Metabo and Ryobi also come to mind here.
Mid-range cordless products will use higher quality building components, as well as additional accessories or features. One stand-out feature on mid-range power tools is the battery platform, representing the manufacturer's top line in the 18 – 20v MAX lithium ion battery ranges.
These are more powerful power tools for home renovation projects, advanced home workshops, and those just starting in the trades. Craftsman and Porter-Cable are two examples of mid-ranged cordless power tool brands that do well on the market.
There are also WEN products that will fall into the mid-range of cordless power tools. Professional-grade cordless tools are robust, made from the strongest materials, and designed for the punishment found at construction sites or manufacturing settings.
Large electric motors provide the torque and speed needed in professional settings. Battery packs for these tools start at the 20v MAX rating or higher. Bosch and Makita represent the latest in top-tier designs, while DeWalt and Milwaukee are favored by many for their durability out in the field.
Chinese manufacturers like Avid and Tacklife offer products that justify a category of their own. Several Chinese brands offer their cordless power tools in kits that contain several accessories and replacement parts.
They are budget-friendly, but often they provide more than a typical entry-level cordless power tool does.
Corded vs Cordless Circular Saw
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Electric motors on cordless saw models are often brushless, making them a durable choice, however. Circular saw blade size is also a consideration between circular saw battery vs corded models.
A smaller electric motor is not of concern if you are not driving as large as a saw blade. For example, the 6.5-inch circular saw blade is smaller on the Makita cordless vs corded circular saw models using a 7.25-inch saw blade.
Circular saws are considered one of the more dangerous power tools due to the saw blade spinning at high speeds. Manufacturers tend to use similar safety features, like retractable blade guards, on both types of power tools.
The same safety considerations between DeWalt corded vs cordless circular saw products highlights this. Ergonomics is an important consideration on a circular saw, especially if you are doing long rip cuts throughout the workday.
Thankfully, you will find the same designs on the cordless model as on your corded circular saw. Handle locations, angles, and padding are similar between Makita cordless vs corded circular saw designs.
A cordless design does allow you to work without the use of power cords, which can be a plus in shops with limited space. You will also find taking the cordless circular saw into tight locations easier where as a corded saw will drag an extension cable behind making access awkward.
Are Cordless Circular Saws Any Good?
Absolutely! Your quality cordless circular saw uses the same materials a corded product is for electric motor housings and circular saw body. Today's cordless circular saw products last as long as any corded option, as can be seen by the manufacturer's warranty packages.
The ease of a cordless circular saw makes it a more enjoyable experience. You won't have to fight extension cords while making cuts, allowing you to focus on the workpiece. Cordless circular saws require less time to set up compared to their corded counterparts.
Modern cordless designs are highly balanced when it comes to weight distribution. Battery pack locations compensate for the tool's weight, locating them where you won't have to fight through the cut. Operating modern cordless products is no different than a corded one.
Many cordless circular saw designs are more expensive than a corded version of similar power. Manufacturers provide many offers for their top-selling battery platforms, however, and these battery packs are interchangeable with any cordless tool the company makes in that line.
In many cases, you will find increased electric control circuitry on cordless models.
The motors run more efficiently. Modern battery designs charge quickly, and they do not suffer from memory issues.
Corded vs Cordless Drill
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As with most power tools, the main difference between corded vs cordless drill products will be power output. A corded drill or a corded hammer drill can use larger electric motors since they receive power from a wall outlet.
For most DIYers and hobbyists, that extra power will prove unnecessary, though. Odd jobs around the home or small woodworking projects will not require increased torque to get the job done. The cordless drill is one power tool that targets amateurs in most cases.
That is why you find corded drills more often on job sites where the increased power is needed. Several drill designs in the cordless market offer specific advantages, depending upon the task at hand.
Drills and drill drivers create holes in materials like metals and woods or drive fasteners into these objects. Speed is critical for drilling holes, while torque is handy for screws, especially if they are long-winded.
A cordless hammer drill increases the range of materials that you can work. Brick, concrete, and stone are examples of the objects that a hammer drill excels in driving masonry bits through. Cordless impact wrenches can drive bolts or screws.
It is a more specialized power tool, and you will often see them in professional settings. Portability and ease of use make cordless drills ideal for DIY projects. A lack of cords makes the cordless drill a power tool that homeowners can use anywhere on their property.
Hobbyists will appreciate cordless drills for the same reason and will not go beyond the drill's power except in hard or deep materials.
Which Is Better Corded Or Cordless Drill?
Is a corded drill better than its cordless counterpart? That depends on your needs and the project requirements. For a homeowner or DIY enthusiast, the cordless drill will be the best option. Its ease of use makes it a go-to power tool that can be used out of the box by someone with no experience as easily as a professional.
The hobbyist will also find the cordless drill a good option for their workshop. Woodworkers and fabricators can take advantage of control circuitry and fast charging battery packs to maintain their workflow.
Increased amp-hours from battery platforms allow today's drills and drivers to be the tool of choice for construction. Battery-powered drills work in environments where power outlets are limited or non-existent.
They store easily and require minimal prep time. Corded dills were the power tool of choice in manufacturing settings. That has changed in recent years, as modern cordless drills can offer users the same speed and torque settings that most corded drills.
Project materials are a consideration when you ask, “Are corded drills better than cordless?” Cordless drills should drill or drive in all but the hardest of materials. Corded drills will also still excel when working with deep bores or long fasteners.
Cordless vs Corded Jigsaw
Click Here For A Full Cordless Jigsaw and Corded Jigsaw Rundown And Full Review
Another user-friendly power tool is the jigsaw. For many, it is the first power tool purchased outside of a drill. The best cordless jigsaw models offer the same performance that corded products do, with the advantage of portability added to the mix.
These saws are capable of making cuts that circular saw blades can not. That is due to the reciprocating saw blade that allows users to make sharp turns as they cut. The best cordless jigsaw products will include features that make operations comfortable while generating enough power for the cut.
One design consideration is ergonomics, including the cordless barrel grip jigsaw. The handle design allows you to operate from behind the housing instead of on top of it. A cordless barrel grip jigsaw provides users a natural hand and wrist position, increasing comfort as you make cuts in panel goods or other large surfaces.
The best cordless jigsaw designs will offer you speed control. That allows you to change the saw blade speed based on the depth you are working on and the materials you are cutting. Speed can also be matched to blade length and tooth pattern on the blade as well.
Corded vs Cordless Miter Saw
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A misunderstood power tool on today's market is the miter saw. Some DIYers and hobbyists pass over this handy power tool in favor of circular saws. Answering, “Are cordless miter saws worth it in my shop or job site” depends upon several circumstances.
Miter saws make fast cross-cuts on lumber. The best cordless miter saw will have a motor powerful enough to cut across the thickest boards you work with while not bogging down. A DIY project or a small woodworking shop might use framing lumber.
Most construction sites will use those same materials. Power and depth of cut are not critical when working with 2 x lumber. The best cordless miter saw designs have a depth of cut that matches your needs.
The speed advantage offered by a miter saw becomes moot if you have to make several passes with the saw blade on each cut. Are cordless miter saws worth it? The best cordless miter saw designs (see our reviews) are light enough to move with ease and should not require as much storage space as a heavy-duty corded model will.
That makes them worthwhile for small shops and tradespeople moving between job locations.
Cordless Sanders
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One of the handiest power tools you will buy is the cordless sander. It allows you to tackle the time-consuming task of preparing a project's surface for topcoats and stains. Many woodworkers start with a cordless palm sander.
The square foot on the cordless orbital sander accepts quarter sheets of sanding paper. The design is simple, and it quickly sands a large surface. A similar design to the cordless palm sander is the cordless random orbital sander. It upgrades the cordless orbital sander by adding oscillation in the movement.
A cordless random orbital sander will leave a surface smooth and does not create sanding marks. A cordless detail sander is a tool worth investing in if you build or restore furniture. The triangular base allows the cordless detail sander to reach areas that bigger power tools cannot.
These products include several attachments that allow you to clean up between chair components and in corners of cabinets. Cordless sanders are simple to use and require no setup time. That makes the chore of sanding something easy and fast. A cordless design makes it simple to take your sanding outdoors.
That prevents your shop or garage from becoming dirty, and it makes things easier on your lungs and eyes as well. Of all power tools, cords on sanders present the most problems. Once you glue your project, the power cord can get in the way as you try to clean and smooth surfaces.
Cordless designs are perfect for boxes, drawers, and shelves that limit your space.
Angle Grinder vs Cordless Angle Grinder
What Is The Main Advantage Of Using Battery-Powered Tools Instead Of Electrical Ones?
For most of us, the portability of cordless power tools makes them worth the investment. You can use these power tools in any room, deck, patio, or fenceline on your property. You won't need an extension cord, and you will not spend time setting it up or collecting it after you finish.
An important consideration for many users is how easy they are to use. Cordless power tools can be used by anyone, no matter how much or how little experience they have. You will find a variety of power options with cordless tools.
That allows you to match the cordless tool with your needs and the project you are working on. It will save you time, money, and frustration. Cordless power tools offer the latest in control circuitry.
That provides increased safety controls, such as electric brakes. It also maintains consistent revolutions as you cut or drill. The results are cleaner projects and a safer work environment. While cordless power tools can be more expensive initially, the battery platforms offered by manufacturers today allow you to swap battery packs between power tools.
You will discover tool-only offers that make cordless buys cheaper than a corded power tool of the same power.
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