Brushless technology has been on the rise in most power tools in the last few years. After brands like Makita, Dewalt, and Milwaukee leading the way in the production of brushless drills, almost every manufacturer is now selling one leading to most drills being released to the market being brushless. However, they are way more expensive than the brushed drills. Take, for example, a Makita 12V brushed cordless drill-driver. It costs almost twice as much as a brushless Makita drill/driver in the same category. So the question that we will try to answer is: Is brushless drill worth it?
So, why do brushless drills cost more?
Expensive materials
Brushless drills use brushless motors from which it derives its name from. The motor uses strong permanent magnets on its rotor which is the part that rotates in a drill and plays a vital role in a drill. These magnets don’t come cheap since they are made from rare-earth metals like neodymium that doesn’t come cheap too. Their demand makes them very expensive. So why not use cheaper alternatives? It’s because cheaper permanent magnets are not as strong and permanent as the current magnets. This will make the drill bigger and heavier to provide the same torque, and that will increase the cost. As a result, the weight will increase and the performance will be compromised. This will lead to fatigue at a higher working rate.
Assembling method
Also, the brushless motor uses coils arranged around the stator instead of an armature that is found in the brushed drill’s motor. There are two types of motors – Inrunner and Outrunner. The difference between the two is where the rotor is located. Inrunner motors have the rotor on the inside while the Outrunner motor has it on the outer side. A brushless drill mostly uses an Inrunner motor which has a restricted space inside. This forces its windings to be installed by hand which is a difficult job and takes a lot of time. All these factors combined make them that expensive.
So, is it still worth it?
Absolutely, and several factors make it worthy. They include:
Small and compact
Firstly, it saves you space, hence reduced weight. Brushed motors need space to allow movement between the parts. Brushless motors on the other hand are free from friction and can be accommodated in a smaller housing. This makes brushless drills lighter and more compact to the extent of being used by anyone without suffering from fatigue. This makes them worth it considering you’ll be holding this machine for some time with your hands.
Extended run time
Another reason why a brushless drill is worth its cost is that it’s cooler and maximizes power. brushed drill becomes warm to the extent of it being too hot to be touched. This is because of the carbon brushes that they use which as the motor spins, create friction. The more power used, the more friction is generated. This wastes energy and drains the battery quickly. A brushless drill doesn’t suffer from this as it doesn’t have any friction between its parts. Hence, you get to maximize your battery and the drill is cooler making it comfortable to use for long hours.
More power
Since there’s no friction in brushless drills to take away the power and drain the battery, brushless drills offer more torque in a smaller machine. The circuit board generates just enough power to handle the work at hand. It doesn’t generate more which conserves energy while still meeting the demand.
Longer lifespan
Friction reduces a machine’s lifespan due to wear and tear. Due to lack of friction, less heat which is a catalyst of early breakdown is generated internally keeping the drill cool regardless of the speed it runs at. This ensures your brushless drill remains sturdy and powerful over a long time. Besides, you also save on costs since it doesn’t have to be replaced frequently compared to the brushed models.
Smart technology
Circuit boards used in brushless drills have a higher level of complexity with some models even being able to sense the material it’s drilling into. This adjusts the torque as well as other drilling aspects for more efficiency throughout the entire process. In the process, the internal parts of your drill will be less strained and in the end, you will have a more efficient and durable drill to see you through any applications.
Quiet environment
Noise pollution is harmful to not only the environment but to humans as well. When working for example in your house, you want to keep it as quiet as possible. This is also attributed to a lack of friction in the brushless motor.
The merits and demerits of using a brushless drill
| Merits | Demerits |
| It’s long-lasting | It’s expensive |
| It’s smaller & compact and weighs less | |
| It very powerful | |
| It saves on costs | |
| It’s energy-efficient |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I really need a brushless drill?
It depends on what tasks you do. If you already own a brushed drill and mostly take on lighter projects like DIYs, then you don’t necessarily need a brushless drill.
How energy efficient is a brushless drill?
It depends on the models. However, their efficiency can go as high as 50% when compared to brushed drills.
