REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Extremely underpowered
Short battery life
Black+Decker 12V Max Drill/Driver BDCDD12C Review
If you only want to do basic tasks and want the cheapest drill possible, then the BDCDD12C is an alright option
This drill didn't do much better in our driving tests.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
By David Wise ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ February 14, 2022
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
RELATED: The Best Drills of 2025
Our Verdict
Right off the bat, we are relatively reticent to recommend the Black+Decker 12V Max Drill/Driver BDCDD12C. This model is exceptionally weak and struggles 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 option included in our review by a significant amount. The BDCDD12C is an ok 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.
Our Analysis and Test Results
This compact drill is good for light-duty projects but that's about it.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Drilling
This power tool gave an almost pitiful performance with a hole saw. It only made it about 1" in depth before overheating and struggling the entire time.
It didn't do any better with the 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.
We had to abandon the 1" spade bit and downgrade to a 1/2" twist drill.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
While drilling into metal, 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.
This drill didn't do much better in our driving tests.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Driving
The BDCDD12C did a tiny bit better in our driving test, though not by much.
It managed to drive in standard deck 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.
We were able to set the countersunk heads with the BDCDD12C but it wasn't happy about it.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
It was also ineffective while driving a large lag screw, barely getting it halfway into a board.
This Black+Decker drill did well below average in our battery tests and takes a long time to recharge.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Battery Life
The performance of the BDCDD12C dropped in this next test, with poor results in our battery life and charge time tests. It died faster than most of the field and took 200 minutes to charge.
The BDCDD12C is lightweight and compact.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Convenience
The BDCDD12C did a bit better in our convenience metric; however, this drill still did below average compared to the rest of the group regarding its features and functions.
It's exceptionally light, weighing just over two pounds, but it is relatively sparse for 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 integrated light on this B+D drill isn't the best.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
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.
Should You Buy the Black+Decker 12V Max Drill/Driver?
Finishing in the lower half of the group overall, we don't necessarily recommend the Black+Decker 12V Max Drill/Driver BDCDD12C for most people. It's weak and struggles with most drilling and driving tasks, with 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. The performance on this drill is well below average, and it is not a product we consider to be a good value. It is only a good option if you want to spend the absolute bare minimum and only have minimal tasks to tackle.
What Other Drill Should You Consider?
If your budget is tight, we prefer the Craftsman V20 1/2-In. Drill/Driver Kit CMCD700C1 for a slight bump in the price of about $20. We think you'll have less frustration and be able to do more with your drill for the money. The Craftsman provides significantly better performance for drilling and driving, and it is more convenient to use with longer battery life. While we understand when wallet contents are sparse, we think most users will prefer the Crafstman and find the extra dollars worth it in the long run.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Black+Decker 12V Max Drill/Driver BDCDD12C versus top competing products:
—David Wise and Austin Palmer
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