Right off the bat, we are relatively reticent to recommend the BLACK+DECKER BDCDD12C. This drill is exceptionally weak and severely struggled with any of the more difficult drilling or driving tasks. Its battery life is far from impressive and it is quite sparse on features. However, it is also the cheapest drill of the entire group by a significant amount. The BDCDD12C is a good option if you don't really plan on doing anything beyond hanging a photo, assembling some furniture, or doing anything beyond the most basic DIY home improvement project and want to spend the least amount of money possible. Otherwise, we would recommend saving and spending a bit more for a significantly better drill if you have more ambitious projects in mind for your cordless drill.
BLACK+DECKER BDCDD12C Review
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Extremely underpowered, short battery life
Manufacturer: BLACK+DECKER
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
The BDCDD12C finished right at the back of the group, just behind the WORKPRO. The WORKPRO outperformed the BDCDD12C in essentially every aspect of our testing, although it still didn't do all that well compared to the top drills. However, it also costs about double that of the BDCDD12C and didn't do that much better.
Performance Comparison
To decide which cordless drills warranted our recommendations, we compared a vast number of different drills, then bought all the most promising to test out head-to-head. We rated and scored the BDCDD12C's performance in four different weighted metrics, with its results discussed in depth in the following sections.
Drilling
First off, we got to work testing and scoring the performance of the BDCDD12C when it came to drilling holes, which is responsible for 35% of its final score. We used the BDCDD12C to try and drill some holes in a steel sheet with twist drills, a piece of 2x12 with a spade bit, and into a solid door with a large hole saw. It struggled in most of these tests, earning a 1 out of 10.
This power tool gave an almost pitiful performance with the 5" hole saw. It only made it about 1" in depth before overheating and struggled the entire time.
It didn't do any better with the 1" spade bit. It struggled terribly throughout and couldn't really drill a single hole with it. The BDCDD12C got almost too hot to touch and we definitely wouldn't recommend using this drill for tasks like this if you want to prolong the longevity of this tool.
Par for the course, the BDCDD12C also had an exceptionally difficult time drilling through the 16 gauge sheet of steel with both the ¼" and the ½" drill bit. It did eventually make it through with the smaller drill but did struggle quite a bit. It stalled out with the larger bit, only making it about halfway through. It also took about four times as long as the other drills just to make it halfway in the time it took them to drill all the way through.
Driving
The BDCDD12C did a tiny bit better in our driving test, though not by much, earning a 2 out of 10. This category is also responsible for 35% of the total score and is based on the BDCDD12C's performance at driving in standard screws and a giant lag screw.
The BDCDD12C did manage to drive in the 3" long, #9 screws that we used to their full depth, even setting the countersunk head flush in the dimensional boards. It wasn't very easy for this drill and it protested the entire time but it could effectively complete this task.
The same couldn't be said for the 5" long lag screw. We drilled the correct size pilot hole but the BDCDD12C couldn't drive the screw deeper than 2.5", stalling out and unable to drive it any further.
Included Battery
The performance of the BDCDD12C dropped in this next test, earning a 1 out of 10 for its poor results in our battery life and charge time tests, as well as for only including a single battery. Altogether, these battery assessments account for 20% of this BLACK+DECKER's total score.
Our battery life test consists of using each drill to alternate between drilling three holes with 1" spade bits and driving in 16 screws — both into 2x12 boards — awarding points proportional to the number of cycles completed. However, the BDCDD12C can't really use the 1" spade bit, so we downgraded it to a ½" twist drill. Even so, this drill only made it through two sets of this before dying — pretty much the worst out of the entire group.
This drill also takes absolutely forever to charge its 1.5 Ah battery with the included charger — around 200 minutes!
Convenience
The BDCDD12C did a bit better in our convenience metric, which is responsible for the residual tenth of its final score. However, this drill still did below average compared to the rest of the group when it came to its features and functions, earning a 4 out of 10.
The drill is exceptionally light, weighing just over two pounds, but it is relatively sparse when it comes to convenient features. It only has a single operating speed and lacks a belt clip. The chuck also can't open as large as the other drills, maxing out at ⅜".
It does have a built-in work light but it isn't particularly bright and doesn't stay on unless you are holding the trigger.
The battery can be a bit of a hassle to install or remove, with the locking mechanism requiring a bit of force to engage or disengage. It also lacks a battery charge level indicator.
Value
This drill isn't necessarily a great value but it is a good option if you want to spend the absolute bare minimum.
Conclusion
Finishing at the back of the group overall, we don't necessarily recommend the BDCDD12C for most people. It's weak and struggles with the vast majority of drilling and driving tasks, with an unimpressive battery life. However, this lightweight drill can handle the occasional light-duty task without issue and is one of the cheapest options you can get, making it a good choice for someone who cares about spending the least amount of money possible and isn't going to expect too much.
— David Wise and Austin Palmer