If you are searching for a drill to purchase, then you might have researched brushless and brushed model drills.
Did you fall into a dilemma due to the research to make the right decision of buying a brushless or brushed motor?
Well, shake hands with me, and I will assist you in making the right decision.
The brushless drill was introduced a few years back. They did not take much time to make the ground on the traditional brushed motor. As a result, they now occupy 30% – 50% cordless drill market. Isn’t it astonishing?
However, let’s discuss what a brushless drill is and what the differences are between a brushless and a brushed drill. This way, I believe you will be able to make a precise decision.
Let’s move on.
What is a brushless drill?
I am pretty sure when you first hear about “brushless drill,” you wrinkled your eyes because many of us are unaware of the function of a drill.
Let me make you clear on this.
Initially, when the drill was invented, it consisted of 4 different parts to run the motor effectively. The parts were carbon brushes, magnets, armature, and the commutator.
The combination of all these parts assisted in generating a drilling motion that helped to run the machine. This is how traditional drills work.
On the other hand, the brushless motor doesn’t contain the commutator and the carbon brushes part.
This means they are different from the traditional drill in terms of design, as their working procedure also varies from a conventional drill. The absence of these two parts created no problem with running a brushless motor.
Unbelievably, a brushless motor provides more efficient performance with less friction than a traditional drill. This is the significant difference between a brushless and a brushed drill.
We will look into more details below.
Brushless vs Brushed Drill Motors
There are a lot of differences available between these two types of drills.
Both drills can give you the same output following different working procedures.
When you are talking about performance, durability, efficiency, and reliability, you will find that a brushless drill gives you the highest benefit than a brushed drill.
Energy-Efficient
As a brushless drill doesn’t have any brush, which does not create any friction to anything, a brushless motor is more energy-efficient than a brushed drill. Thus, the battery consumption is less in a brushless drill, lasting 50% more than a brushed drill battery.
This saved energy converts into more power, and no loss happens because the brush doesn’t have any mechanical limitations.
For this reason, a brushless drill is more energy-efficient than a brushed drill.
Highly Responsive
A drill that has a brushless motor can adjust its power supply, torque, and speed based on the work that you have in your hand.
It means working with lightweight material, like creating a hole in drywall, will provide the exact speed and torque enough to make the hole. Thus, it will not use more energy, speed, and power supply.
But a brushed drill will always provide you the same speed, torque, and power supply when you are performing either a lightweight or heavyweight task.
Isn’t a brushless motor highly responsive to your task?
Performance
As we already know, the brushless drill doesn’t contain any brush, and due to this, no friction is there inside the brushless drill. So, it can provide you with high power and speed instantly.
Due to the friction, a brushed motor shows inconsistent performance in giving you high power and speed during operation.
You will receive 15% – 30% more increased performance from a brushless drill due to the less friction characteristic.
Easy Maintenance
You need to replace the brush with a brushed drill every 50 – 60 hours. But as the brushless motor doesn’t have any brush, it doesn’t require anything to replace after a certain amount of time.
Small in size and Lightweight.
The brushed motor is bigger than a brushless motor. Due to this, the overall size of a brushless drill becomes smaller than that of a brushed drill.
A brushless motor design is 25% less compact than a brushed drill.
This characteristic of a brushless drill gives you another 3 benefits.
Lightweight, portable, and easy to store.
Yes, you can carry a brushless drill at any place. And due to the compact design, storing is also easy.
Long Service
A brushless drill has no friction, which means no excessive heat formation. This drill is 50% cooler than a brushed drill.
Also, as the brushless drill doesn’t create excessive heat, there is no vent to make it more relaxed.
No vent means no dirt can go inside the drill. Due to this feature, a brushless motor provides consistent performance for an extended period.
Which One Should I Buy a Brushless or brushed drill?
In recent times, the brushless motor has taken charge of heavy-duty tasks. So, if you have serious projects, a brushless drill will be the best choice. A brushless drill will give you more power, high speed, and reliable performance.
But if you are a DIY lover and hardly use a drill to make any hole, you should go with a brushed drill because DIY lovers or homeowners don’t think about long-period service or secure maintenance benefits.
However, you will get many benefits with brushless drills, although they are pricier than brushed drills. But when you get a mouthful of benefits, won’t you want to pay a bit more $ to buy a great tool? Who knows, you will always require lightweight work to do?
More FAQ
What is the difference between a brushless drill and a regular drill?
The main difference is in the motor design. A regular brushed drill uses carbon brushes to transfer power from the battery to the armature. This causes friction and wear over time as the brushes rub against the armature.
Brushless drills have a brushless motor that uses electronic switches instead of brushes to control power to the armature. This improves energy efficiency, performance, and motor life.
Are brushless drills the best?
Brushless drills have distinct advantages that make them the best choice for heavy use:
- Longer motor life – no brushes to wear out over time. Brushless motors can last up to twice as long.
- More power and torque – more efficient energy transfer to the bit.
- Better cooling – less friction means less heat buildup.
- Lighter weight – no heavy copper brushes.
A brushless drill is highly recommended over a brushed model for professional use or intensive DIY work. They represent the peak in power tool technology.
What is brushless vs cordless?
Brushless refers to the motor technology, while cordless refers to the power source. Drills today are available in both brushless and brushed motors, and both types come in cordless battery-powered models. So, you can have a cordless brushed drill or a cordless brushless drill.
Cordless provides portability over a corded model. Brushless provides longevity, efficiency, and performance over a brushed motor.
Why is it called brushless drill?
It’s called brushless because the motor uses an electronic switch instead of carbon brushes to control the current to the armature.
The lack of brushes is the key design difference compared to a regular brushed motor. This gives the brushless motor advantages like reduced friction, better efficiency, and a longer operating life before servicing is required.
Brushless vs Brushed Drill Longevity?
An excellent brushless drill can easily outlast a comparable brushed model by 2x or more before requiring any maintenance or repairs, making them the better choice for longevity for those who use drills frequently.
Summing Up
A person who works in the automotive industry s/he knows how vital a brushless motor is. Using a brushless drill makes a task much easier for a contractor, so you will never regret investing in a brushless motor.