Best Drywall Cutout Tools In 2022
Making home improvements is never necessarily fun, but it’s often something that needs to be done if you want to keep your home in top condition and achieve the house you’ve always wanted. Needs must, though, so if you’ve got a DIY project in mind, especially one that involves cutting into drywall for any number of possibilities, it’s essential that you find the right saw to get the job done, and so you need to think about the best drywall cutout tool.
You may have seen a drywall cutter before, likely the last time you called a guy in to fix problems around your house. But you’re a big boy now, and you’re sure that whatever he can do you can do, too (although perhaps not exactly better). Working with drywall is harder than it looks, though, and novices will usually be in for a shock when they get started. Because of this, investing in a reliable machine that’s both powerful and easy to use is crucial.
And even if you’re not looking for home improvement solutions and need a new tool for the job, you’ll still find just what you’re looking for right here.
The Best Drywall Cutout Tool
1DeWalt 20V Max Drywall Cutout Tool
Our top pick of the best drywall cutout tool around is the DeWalt 20V Max Drywall Cut Out Tool which boasts an impressive 26,000 RPM motor and convenient tool-free bit change to ensure easy, hassle-free operation.
The slim design is easy to handle and also won’t take up too much space in your toolbox, while the dust-sealed switch protects the parts and keeps it working in top condition. Also included is an LED light for work in low-light situations, and the cordless design gives you excellent mobility in tight spots. You’ll need to buy the battery and charger separately, but once you’ve got these, it’s an excellent DIY gift for amateurs and modest professionals alike.
26,000 RPM motor
Tool-free bit change
Dust-sealed switch
LED light
Slim, lightweight design
- BrandDEWALT
- ModelDCS551B
- Weight2 Pounds
2Milwaukee Bare-Tool M12 12V Rotary Tool
The remarkable, reliable, and durable Milwaukee Bare-Tool M12 12V Rotary Tool is a fantastic and versatile option for more than just a cut-out tool. It’s easy to use, with a powerful motor and a variable speed as fast as 32,000 RPM (making it one of the most powerful cordless options around) for optimal control regardless of what you need it for.
The compact design also ensures it’s lightweight enough to handle with total ease, while the cordless design (again) guarantees spectacular maneuverability. Perfect for ambitious hobbyists but still with enough customization options to appeal to most professionals whether they work with drywall or not. For more cordless tools, check out our reviews of the best cordless impact wrenches.
Easy to use
Durable
Powerful motor
Variable speed between 5,000 and 32,000 RPM
Compact and lightweight
- BrandMilwaukee
- Model2460-20
- Weight1.15 Pounds
3RotoZip 5.5 Amp High Speed Spiral Saw System
With both drywall and multipurpose bits, the RotoZip 5.5 Amp High Speed Spiral Saw System is an excellent choice for those looking for a plasterboard cutter that goes a step beyond the expected demands. At 30,000 RPM, you’re guaranteed superb power and reliability and the Magna core motor – aside from sounding cool – is one of the most reliable around.
The dual grip zones make it comfortable to hold and reduces the risk of fatigue to give you greater control and precision, and there are also exhaust vents to help minimizes blockage and jamming. If you’ve never used a spiral saw before, this is a great place to start thanks to intuitive controls and easy first-time use to get the results you need. If you are on the hunt for more power tools that will make your job easier, check out our top picks of the best heat guns.
Bump switch
Magna core motor
30,000 RPM
Dual grip zones
Exhaust vents
Serviceable motor brushes
- BrandRotoZip
- ModelSS35510
- Weight3.1 Pounds
4Makita 18V LXT Lithium Ion Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool
For professionals and hobbyists who want the best of the best, the Makita 18V LXT Lithium Ion Cordless Cut-Out Tool is the most comprehensive you’ll come across. It may not boast the power of others (although 30,000 RPM is close enough) but with a plethora of other features, you’ll still get a lot from it.
The lightweight design makes it easy to handle, even with the battery installed, and the tool-less depth adjustment is convenient, and speeds up your day, while the shaft lock button and overload protection keep you and the tool safe. It’s suitable for both quarter and eighth sized bits, too, giving you fantastic versatility. Our guide to the best track saws features more amazing cutting tools you will like.
30,000 RPM
Lightweight
Tool-less depth adjustment
On board bit change
Large shaft lock button
Suitable for ¼” and ⅛” bits
Overload protection
- BrandMakita
- ModelXOC01Z
- Weight2.95 Pounds
5Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool
As for the best value drywall hole cutter around, the Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Cordless Speed Saw Rotary Cutter is a simple, easy-to-use option for hobbyists and beginners to dip their toes in. At 27,000 RPM, it’s not the most powerful, but this allows you to get to grips with how the tool works before graduating to stronger stuff.
The durable design ensures long life, while its accurate operation guarantees satisfying results. You’ll also love how it accepts both 1/8 and 1/4 inch bits to maximize your project’s potential. The cordless design means you’ll need to invest in a battery, but for such a great price, it’s a small sacrifice. For more awesome tools to add to your collection, check out our guide to the best framing nailers.
27,000 RPM
Accepts 1/8 and 1/4 inch bits
Durable
Comfortable grip
Accurate
Spindle lock
Removable depth adjustment guide
- BrandRyobi
- ModelP531
- Weight1.98 Pounds
6Makita Spiral Saw
Our final pick is the simply named Makita Spiral Saw which is one of the most powerful options around thanks to its 5 amp motor and 32,000 RPM capabilities. It’s more than just brute strength, though, and (more likely) professionals will love how safe it feels, while hobbyists can also get in on the action for ambitious tasks.
It can work with a variety of materials on top of the drywall, giving you a variety of potential applications you don’t get with other tools. This is where the durability comes in, and the steps are taken to ensure long life are just the cherry on top of the delicious DIY ice cream we’ve brought you today. Yum. Perfect to always have in your rolling tool box.
Powerful 5 amp motor
32,000 RPM
2-way slide-and-bump on/off switch
Sealed switch
Tool-less depth adjustment
Suitable for variety of materials
- BrandMakita
- Model3706
- Weight1 Pounds
7DEWALT DW660 Rotary Saw
If you want to save some money, the Dewalt DW660 Rotary Saw is one of the best budget-friendly options on the market. It has an impressive 5amp motor that can cut at 30,000RPM, giving you more cutting power than other tools in this price range. For versatility, it comes with three attachments – a drywall cutting bit, a ¼” collet, and a ⅛” collet.
Another feature worth mentioning is the dust-sealed switch, which protects the tool from dust ingestion and increases the lifespan. A drywall cutting tool without this feature will only last for a couple of years (under heavy use) before the switch stops working. We also like the slim body design, which makes it easy to use for prolonged periods.
30,000 RPM
5amp motor
Includes 1 drywall cutting bit
Includes ¼” and ⅛” collets
Slim body design
Dust sealed switch
- BrandDewalt
- ModelDW660
- Weight3.5 Pounds
Drywall Cutout Tool Buying Guide
How We Chose Our Selection Of Drywall Cutout Tools
When looking for the best tools for your next project, we know you expect a certain level of quality, and while we may not have had any major DIY issues recently, we can still rely on our tried and tested method to ensure we find the right tools for the job.
Reviews - Our favorite and most important resource: reviews allow us to gauge how effective a tool is long after purchase. This helps us understand quality, power, and ease of use while also giving us an idea of any potential issues you might encounter.
Price - Quality tools will always cost you a premium price, but that’s not to say everybody needs to splash the cash. While professionals should invest heavily in high quality tools, it’s not always necessary for those needing to do a little DIY here and there. You don’t want to blow your whole hobby budget on something you won’t use too often, so we’ve selected a range of prices to appeal to both amateur DIYers and professionals.
Brand - Finally, the brand is the first thing you see when looking for a new product, and experienced DIYers and tradesmen will likely recognize many if not all the brands we’ve selected. In looking for the perfect cutting tool, we sought a range of fantastic brands that guarantee quality but all have their own unique benefits to choose from.
Features To Look For In Drywall Cutout Tools
While you may think you’ve already discovered the best drywall cutout tool for you, we’re going to ask you to hold up for just a few seconds more. Before confirming that order and waiting not-so-patiently by the door for it to arrive, check out these important key features so you can be sure you’re picking the perfect tool for your needs.
Attachments - Any decent tool will usually come complete with useful attachments, and this can be anything from dust vaults and hoses to keep debris out of your eyes and the work area to attachments such as a circular cutter, attachments for grinding, polishing, or sanding the area, and guided bits. Some tools will have built-in lights for easier work in low-light environments, but if not it may be possible to invest in an add-on.
The range of attachments varies between price and brand, with budget options offering the bare bones of a tool while more expensive cutout tools proving everything you need without having to pay extra.
RPM - Rotations per minute is something you’ll come across with most, if not all, power tools, but why is it important? The RPM determines how powerful the motor is, and the more powerful the motor, the more efficient your projects. It can also help to get through tougher drywall with ease and minimize potential damage.
A cutout tool with variable speed capabilities is also useful as it allows better control and accuracy for the more delicate parts of the job.
Comfort - For all day jobs, comfort is essential when choosing which power tool to purchase. A more comfortable grip and handle means you’ll minimize the risk of strain and cramping, which means you can work for longer and also eliminate the chances of making mistakes, giving you greater control and better results.
Bits - The bits you can fit into your cutting tool will determine what projects you can complete with it. Most cutout tools accommodate both 1/4 and 1/8 inch bits, however this is not a hard and fast rule across the board. It may also be beneficial to find a tool that allows for tool-free bit changing for hassle free change.
Types Of Cutout Tools
Depending on the demands of your project, your preference, and your budget, you may need to decide between a corded and cordless cutout tool. Here are the differences between them:
Corded - Corded cutout tools boast plenty of benefits, but also some issues, too. While they are frequently more powerful than their cordless counterparts, they often suffer from a lack of maneuverability. By working only through an AC socket, you can’t reach more difficult, or even far, areas than you can with a cordless tool.
However, the power makes up for this, and considering you are always guaranteed power (except during a blackout) there’s no need to worry about keeping the battery charged.
Cordless - A cordless drywall router offers better mobility and is more lightweight than corded options, however, the need for a battery means you need to keep it charged for consistent results. These tools are also not as powerful as corded options, although some will come close.
The main issue we have with cordless tools, while convenient, is that they are often sold as Tool Only, so while you may save money on the tool itself, you still need to invest in a battery and charging kit, which may not be economically viable.
Sources:
- Power Tool Buying Guide for Cut Out Tools and Rotary Tools - Tools In Action
- How To Cut and Hang Drywall - Today’s Homeowner