When shopping for a cordless drill, you’ll see some models boasting of a “brushless motor.” While the differences between the workings of brushless and brushed motors are rather technical, the most important differences as far as the typical DIYer is concerned is that brushless motors don’t generate friction or heat during use, last longer than brushed motors, require little maintenance, and perform better and more smoothly. While you’ll usually pay a little more for a tool with a brushless motor, it can be well worth the extra money if you use the tool frequently or desire the best performance.