Avid Power
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DIYers looking for a budget-friendly cordless drill have plenty of options to pick from. Retailers like Harbor Freight have multiple cordless drills available from their various in-house brands, many of which get strong reviews from buyers. Other big-name stores like Lowe's and Home Depot offer a selection of affordable, reliable tools, or alternatively, buyers could purchase their new drill from Amazon. Many top-rated tools on the online retailer are available with Prime shipping, and are backed by thousands of reviews left by satisfied customers.
While the number one spot on Amazon's bestselling cordless drills chart is currently taken by a DeWalt 20V Max drill, the number two spot is claimed by a drill from a brand you've probably never heard of. The Avid Power 20V Max ACD316 3/8-inch cordless drill retails for $43.99 and has accrued more than 22,000 customer reviews, with an average review rating of 4.6 out of five stars. Reviewers report using it for a variety of tasks, and a number of female reviewers said that they appreciated its available pink colorway.
According to its maker, it delivers up to 280 in-lbs of torque, and is suitable for drilling into wood, plastic, ceramics, and metal. It's sold as a kit that includes the tool, a battery and charger, ten drill bits, ten driver bits, and a flexible shaft. The drill offers 15 torque settings and features a built-in LED light to provide illumination in dimly lit a workspaces. At first glance, it might seem like a good deal, but upon further inspection, the drill's limitations become clear.
The downsides of the Avid Power drill
Avid Power
Buyers taking a chance on any new tool brand will usually want a warranty for peace of mind. The Amazon listing for the drill gives no specific warranty information, instead instructing buyers to contact the seller directly about warranty details, or head to the manufacturer's website. According to Avid Power's website, the cordless drill appears to come with a six month warranty. That warranty period is significantly shorter than most warranties from big-name brands. For example, most DeWalt tools have a three year warranty — although it's worth being aware that DeWalt tools bought via Amazon might not be subject to the same warranty coverage.
Another drawback is the drill's limited capabilities compared to its rivals. Reviewers at GearLab put the Avid Power drill to the test and came away far from impressed: in one test, they tried to cut a hole through a door, and the drill started emitting a burning smell and heating up to potentially dangerous levels. The tool didn't have the power to deal with many of the more demanding tasks that the reviewers subjected it to, and they ended up labelling it, "one of the poorest performing models [they had] tested."
Reviewers on Amazon might be generally impressed with the tool, and its price does undercut cordless drills from big-name brands. However, its questionable warranty and lackluster power mean that it might be worth avoiding if you're looking for a reliable drill that can handle more demanding tasks.
