There are certain tools that every man needs, regardless of his station. From the suburban DIY guru to the loft-dweller with nary a free cupboard, much less a full-out workshop, each one among us can benefit from the prowess of a solid cordless drill driver. If you can only own one tool, that’s the one to have.

If you’re in the market for one (or looking for something to add to your Christmas list), we suggest checking out the Porter Cable 18V Lithium-Ion Drill Driver. If you’re unfamiliar with the Porter Cable name, we’ll tell you that they make high-quality shop and power tools of all varieties (and by “all varieties” we mean pretty much anything you could ever want). Their 18V cordless drill driver is no exception.

Of great note about Porter Cable’s drill driver offering is its physical size, or lack thereof. Weighing in at only 3.8 lbs for minimal fatigue even during extended use, it also measures only 8.5″ from front to back, making it easy to work into tight spaces that would prohibit access by typical cordless drills. We’ve already made use of this beast to complete several products ranging from the mundane (assembling furniture, hanging art) to the maddening (pre-drilling fence posts for lag bolts, bending a rogue baby gate to our will). In each case, it performed admirably. Even better, the included fast charger takes only 30 minutes to get you back to work. It doesn’t hurt that Porter Cable tools have a reputation for quality that means we’ve got years employ this drill in our ill-conceived construction schemes.

1. 2-speed gear box offers high-speed for drilling and low-speed for maximum torque
2. 1/2″ metal chuck means strong retention and allows use of larger bits
3. Trigger-actuated LED light illuminates work area when in use
4. Kit includes soft-sided case, fast charger, and an additional battery

Cost: $175