Determine how much voltage you're likely to need for the drilling and screwdriving tasks you do most. Then ask yourself these questions while you're shopping for a new drill:

Are high-end brands worth it? High voltage isn't the only mark of a capable drill. You can purchase an 18- volt drill with a 1/2- inch chuck for thicker bits, versus the usual 3/8- inch chuck, letting you drill larger holes. But you may not want to pay the $200 or more typical for most cordless drills with that feature if your home to-do list doesn't include larger projects or heavier-duty drilling.

How much are replacement batteries? A cordless drill's battery can be discharged and recharged roughly 500 times before it must be replaced. While batteries can last five years or more, frequent use can deplete them sooner. At $20 to $80 each for many of the batteries that power drills, replacing them can cost as much as buying a new cordless drill.

Battery replacement may be less of a concern if you're buying a $250 drill you plan to keep for a while. And for models that cost less than $100, simply replacing the drill may make more sense than buying a new pair of batteries. Otherwise, consider battery cost along with the drill.