Brushed vs. Brushless Drills, Explained

Brushless motors use electronic commutation instead of carbon brushes. That generally means less friction and heat, better runtime per charge, and no brushes to wear out. Brushed tools usually cost less up front. Product pages state which type a tool uses. For example, DEWALT's spec table for the DCD771C2 lists "Motor Type: Brushed" (source). If you only drill occasionally, a brushed kit is a reasonable way to save money. If you use the tool weekly, brushless is worth looking at. Specs checked on the manufacturer page on Oct 21, 2026.