Which Tools Are Better Used Without A Cord?

Cordless tools are obviously becoming more and more competitive when it comes to comparing their performance to the corded models. Stanley Black + Decker presented the first commercial cordless drill in 1961, but it’s only around 25 years that battery-powered tools have become a standard for commercial and DIY users. However, the question still remains, which tools are actually better, cordless or corded? Let’s figure it out! 

1. Circular saw

Although circular saws are usually quite cumbersome tools that require a hefty amount of power to cut through thick workpieces, modern battery-powered circular saw models tackle the task perfectly well. The runtime of these machines depends on the size of the battery and can be extended from around 20 minutes to more than 60 minutes. It’s usually more than enough for most types of construction tasks and, of course, DIY projects, such as, say, decking wood preparation. The best thing is that you can clip such a circular saw to your gear belt and bring it virtually anywhere without annoying cord management. 

2. Drill

As you already know, drills were the first power tools that made a transition to a cordless power source. It’s also quite fair to call them the most evolved cordless power tools so far. Common-purpose drills don’t require as much power per second as saws, which allowed engineers to make them very compact and versatile. A single drill can be used not only for making holes but also for screwing/unscrewing. The average runtime of a cordless drill battery is from 60 to 120 minutes, while recharging takes from 15 minutes to 5 hours. 

3. Rotary Hammer Drill

The line of cordless drills doesn’t end on compact models. The progress of lithium-ion batteries allowed making cordless versions of heavy-duty rotary hammer drills. Of course, their battery run time is usually quite short, but having a spinner that can make up to 15,000 RPM along with hammering through tough materials without cords is of great value on any remote construction site. 

4. Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a tool that requires a high level of control for smooth, accurate cuts, and the cord doesn’t contribute to it at all. Using a cordless jigsaw, you can protect yourself from sudden cord pulls. Besides, there’s no chance to cut the cord if it gets under the workpiece. Jigsaws are frequently needed for cutting in elevated areas, and using a cordless model is much safer, especially when you are on a ladder. The power supply is quite limited, though, so it’s not recommended to use cordless jigsaws on batches of heavy-duty materials.

5. Impact Wrench 

It’s impossible to imagine a construction site or a heavy machinery workshop without the frequent noise of an impact wrench. It’s the only tool that can deal with those large bolts without stressing your muscles. Classical impact wrenches use compressed air or a hydraulic system as a power source, but cordless electric analogs have been actively displacing them since the early 2000s. Today, most construction site workers and machinery engineers prefer cordless impact wrenches due to their mobility. As they don’t require an air compressor or a hydraulic compressor nearby, workers can easily reach elevated areas with minimal inconveniences. Many users also report less arm strain after long working sessions and higher project completion rates. 

6. Crimper

Crimping large wires is a tough task that requires a powerful tool. In most cases, you’d prefer to have a portable crimper that runs without a cord as there are too many cords around already! A battery-powered crimper lets you easily reach and crimp any cord having a wide wire gauge compatibility range. Of course, you still can use mechanical crimpers for smaller wires, but working with thick cables is dreadful without a mobile power tool. 

7. Angle Grinder

Gone are the days when angle grinders couldn’t cut without a plugged cord. Today you can purchase full-size solutions that provide grinding power equivalent to corded tools. With up to 1 hour of battery life, these tools let you accomplish multiple tough grinding jobs in different spots without the need to re-plug them all the time. 

8. Track Saw

Cordless track saws are still quite rare, but who would refuse to ditch cable management while moving a circular saw along the rail? It’s too easy to cut the cord all of a sudden, and it can take too much time to lay it properly before making a cut. Without a cord, you can focus on the work and have all the benefits of the classic track saw, including plunge cutting, bevel cutting, and dust extraction. 

9. Oscillating Multi-Tool

Oscillating tools aren’t very common amongst DIYers, but professional construction workers find them highly versatile. A single oscillating tool supports multiple blade nozzles and can cut anything from wood to metal as well as grind, scrape, sand, and even flush cut. In most cases, an oscillating tool is needed to make precise cuts in narrow conditions, and being able to reach the spot without a cord is valuable. 

10. Adhesive Gun

If you used this instrument at least once, you surely remember the fatigue from pulling that trigger. Automated adhesive guns set you free from physical efforts even when you need to return the plunger to the initial position. Besides, the electronic plunger can squeeze out much more material per minute so that you can accomplish projects multiple times faster. The original manual adhesive gun has no chance to compete with a battery-powered version. 

It’s Still Optional 

Cordless power tools are definitely saviors for almost any working site, especially when it requires jobs on hard-to-reach spots. However, you’d still prefer a heavy-duty corded tool when it comes to batch processing large amounts of material on a static spot. In the majority of other cases, it’s much easier to move around when you’re not tied to the outlet. Which tools do you find more useful without a cord, by the way? We can’t wait to see your opinion in the comments!