Deck Build - Best Cordless Drill for the Money?

Hey all, I'm planning to build a 12x16 deck next month and I need a new cordless drill. My old one is toast. I'm on a tight budget but I don't want junk. Any recommendations for something that'll last through a few hundred screws without breaking the bank? I've got my eye on a Ryobi but not sure.

I get the budget thing, but honestly you get what you pay for. I've had my Makita 18V for 5 years and it's been through hell. But if you're set on cheap, check out the Ridgid line at Home Depot - they have a lifetime warranty and go on sale. Just avoid the off-brand stuff.

For a deck, you're gonna be driving a lot of structural screws. I'd say spend a little extra on a brushless motor. It'll have more torque and last longer. Check out the Craftsman V20 brushless - it's a solid mid-range. But also, don't forget a good impact driver, you'll thank me later.

If you want precision for the ledger board and joist hangers, get a drill with a clutch that has many settings. I've got a Dewalt DCD791 and it's spot on. But for budget, I've heard the Bosch 12V line is actually quite precise despite being compact. Also, make sure your bits are sharp - dull bits will strip screw heads and ruin your day.

Thanks for the input! I'll look into the Ridgid and Craftsman. I might stretch the budget a bit for a brushless. And yeah, I'll pick up an impact driver too - I heard it's a game changer for deck screws. Appreciate the help!