Black & Decker has released another new Platinum-series product, a 20V max Lithium-ion cordless drill/driver. The drill features a 3/8″ metal chuck, 11 position clutch, 0-650 RPM gearbox, LED worklight, and onboard bit holder.
As with the Platinum-series dustbuster, the new drill was designed to strike a balance between style and performance. It indeed has a softer look compared to most of the other drills, drivers, and other DIY and construction tools on the market.
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The 20V Platinum drill/driver is essentially a souped-up Black & Decker drill with easy-on-the-eyes aesthetics.
I received a model for testing, and the drill is actually quite decent. It looks great, is compact and lightweight, and performs decently in light drilling and driving tasks. It even came with Black & Decker’s fast charger and two Li-ion batteries.
However, three things make it clear that this is still a Black & Decker drill – its non-ratcheting 2-sleeve chuck, single-speed gearbox, and 115 in-lbs peak torque.
The drill is built from premium materials, including the comfortable grip. To be honest, I wish all Black & Decker tools looked and felt like this one. I think the grey and black color scheme is easier on the eyes than their typical bright orange-red and black colors. I am especially fond of the turquoise blue clutch markings and battery accents, as that is my favorite color.
The kit, LDX120P-2, is priced at $120-130.
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I understand what Black & Decker was going for with this model, and they really did a great job with it. Even so, it is hard to ignore that there are better drills available for less money.
If I were in the market for an inexpensive drill right now, I would look at the Bosch 12V, Milwaukee M12, or Porter Cable 20V drills which are currently still on sale for $99 or less. Each of these three drills are more powerful, less expensive, and are built with ratcheting chucks and 2-speed gearboxes.
At its current price, I could only recommend the Black & Decker 20V Max Platinum drill/driver kit to those who care about styling above all else. The drill kit would have to drop in price to $85 or $90 to earn a more enthusiastic recommendation from me.
For reference, the model this drill is based on, the Black & Decker LDX120C ($70 via Amazon), has a plastic chuck, slow charger, and only comes with a single Li-ion battery pack. Given how the Platinum drill has a metal chuck, different styling, and comes with a better charger and additional Li-ion battery, I think the current street price of $122 is maybe only a few bucks higher than I would have expected.
Thank you to Black & Decker for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
Javier says
Everything seemed great about it for a black and Decker tool until I read the price. There’s no way any educated person would consider this at its price point.
Black and Decker tools are great in their segment, I know because I own a few of their tools and appliances and none have ever let me down but people considering b&d are on a tight budget. Currently the dcd771 is still $99 and it’s a way better option for less $
Seth says
I had to double check the battery voltage when I read the torque rating, since I was thinking 115 in-lbs was a bit low for a 12v tool. Except this is 20v, not 12v…
… I get more power out of my four year old 12v drill than this new one. Nice try B&D.
mnoswad1 says
The design looks like it wouldn’t be too embarrassing to use.
I’m fatigued with all the different brands of new drills. I wish all these sub premium brands would just standardize the battery already.
Aellynh says
Really failing to see the point of this drill.. Outdated specs aside, are they relying on mass droves of uninformed folks to buy this thing? I can’t see how this would realistically sell on the premise of “looks” given it isn’t even particularly attractive. The cheap painted on ‘platinum’ plastic is just awful on the eyes considering the price and even if we are judging this thing by the metric of appearance, I’d rather spend the money on something with a stainless steel/brushed metal chuck rather than black.
…All that aside, 115 inch pounds and single-speed only? Seriously B&D, are you trying to commit brand suicide by putting out an insulting piece like this? I seriously hope this isn’t an indicator of the direction Stanley tools is going with their other brands. Just an awful showing for a “premium homeowners tool.”
DaddyO says
As you mentioned in the article (which I think was professionally written and maybe overly generous) the Porter Cable 20v is a much better deal with more torque, high and low gearbox (much needed for drilling) and just an overall bargain compared to this drill. I am thinking maybe B&D is looking a wider market where as Porter Cable Cordless is pretty much exclusive at Lowes and online whereas Black and Decker is available at Home Depot, Kmart, Sears, Orchard Supply, etc. I think if B&D would have at minimum used the two speed gearbox i.e. high /low, it would have been at least an easier price to swallow?
Stuart says
Black & Decker does make a similar 2-speed drill, but it’s larger and heavier. If they based this drill on that one, the pricing might not have been any different, but it would have made the tool look and feel a little burlier, which I bet the designers were looking to avoid.
Jerry says
For $130, couldn’t one get something like the Craftsman bolt-on drill, with two batteries, fast charger, and a second tool head? I really don’t know where B D is going with this. Doesn’t the same parent company make the Porter Cable 20v with a two speed gearbox, ratcheting chuck, hard side kit box, two batteries, that is available for under $100?
John says
Can you do a write up on all black and decker tools? They all seem to look the same and have similar specs. The brands I’m thinking of are porter cable, black and decker, bostitch, fat max and dewalt compact
Stuart says
I’m not quite sure what you’re asking for. You want a complete comparison between every cordless tool in Black & Decker, Dewalt, Porter Cable, Stanley FatMax, and Bostitch product lines? That might be too involved to prioritize in the near future.
fred says
.. and such a list would likely be out of date a few days after it was written – at least as it seems to me that vendors add and drop products so often.
John S says
Aw come on Stuart, how hard can that be 😛 haha…
John says
Sorry. What I ment was for a write up on all of the SBDK brands of the 20volt drills. They have released so many new drills that look the same using a 20v battery. I would like to see if they are all the same, but use a different brand or are there major difference between them
Hang Fire says
At this point I don’t think anyone is going to pay a premium for anything with the B&D name on it. From personal experience- the last 3 B&D tools I bought either failed very early or were not fit for purpose out of the box. I don’t know of any strategy that would get me to buy again.
fred says
I’m with you – they would have to resurrect the Super Sawcat to get me to think about B&D again – and I already have a vintage one that I bought new and still works fine (even its electronic brake still works).
Daniel Gronert says
Yes Indeed the cost is a bit on the high side and it would take a drop in price before I would purchase one. The colors on the drill would be a lot less embarrassing to carry around in your tool belt. I love the black and grey combo that they are incorporating. For on thing it does not show too much dirt. I was getting sick of the ridiculous orange and black combo. It gave Black and Decker the “cheap” look. It’s funny I don’t feel the same way about the DeWalt yellow but the dirt sure stands out on their tools. When I buy a brand new DeWalt I have a tendency to keep my hands very clean to keep my DeWalt from getting dirty. I know I get a little anal about this but after awhile I give up when I break in the drill a little.
John Payne says
Ian an electrician use your tools a lot live your brand how I win I’ll tell all friends to buy blk n decker tools
Bill Strobel says
Thank you for the review. Based on the review and a killer sale from B&D I ordered the 20V drill and portable vacuum kit. They work great.
Matthew Sumner says
Looks good, but seems to lack in performance. Black and decker seems to target more occasional users of tools not the people that will place higher work demands on their tools. I think black and decker were some of the pioneers of electric tools. I hate seeing what they have become.