Let's start with the DeWalt DC728KA Heavy Duty 14.4-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Drill. Wow that's a mouthful! Dewalt's 14V cordless is a great starter drill that can be picked up slightly used and in good condition for under $200 if you know where to look. It would have received four out of five stars if it weren't the drill with the shortest warranty in the comparison. If you click on the link beside the drill, or on the image, it should take you to an Amazon page where you can read reviews. Most people seem very satisfied with the drill overall.

Next up for review is the Hitachi DS14DL 14.4V Cordless Drill. First off, we love the bright neon green, non-slip handle, and the fact that it comes with a side-handle (something we noticed people complained about on the DeWalt). The Hitachi drill also has four speed settings - twice as many as either the DeWalt or the Festool. We haven't heard great things about the "2-piece rare-earth magnet motor", which could be one reason they're offering the spectacular a 5-year warranty.

Lastly we have the Fesstool C12 NiCd Cordless Drill (Model Number PC1213S), which isn't as high voltage as the other two drills, but somehow seems even more powerful. There's a reason people go so crazy over Festool tools. Call it German over-engineering, or just high standards, I've heard many stories from people who say they went through five or six Dewalts and Black n Deckers before their Festool gave out. And for this reason we have decided to compare it not with other 12-Volts, but with two 14.4-Volts. Otherwise, it just wouldn't have been fair! With that said, the Festool price certainly reflects that, being nearly twice as much as the other two. Furthermore, we wouldn't recommend a 12-V for heavy industrial use, no matter WHO makes it. Of course, if you need something for the shop or for home / moderate-industrial use, it's hard to go wrong with this drill. There's something about those Festools that just feel... Rugged. Sturdy. Well made. That's why it gets editor's pick.

Not only that, but Festools can cure back problems. Seriously, after I bought my drill my wallet was so much thinner it felt like it wasn't even in my back pocket anymore!