Best Cordless Drill UK –

“Over the years we have used various brands and types of cordless drills, including drill/drivers, hammer drills and SDS drills. That experience can help point you in buying the right cordless drill for your specific needs.”

5. DeWalt DCK211D2T Cordless Compact Drill Driver

Suitable for screwdriving, drilling and hammer drilling

6. Black + Decker 18 V Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill

Suitable for screwdriving, drilling and hammer drilling

7. Dewalt DCH273N Rotary Hammer

Suitable for drilling and hammer drilling

8. Makita DHP482RFWJ Combi Drill

Suitable for drilling and hammer drilling

9. Makita 18 V Cordless Combi Drill

Suitable for screwdriving, drilling and hammer drilling

10. MYLEK 18V Cordless Drill

Suitable for screwdriving and drilling (No hammer drilling)

Introduction to Cordless Drills

A cordless drill, as the name would suggest, allows you to drill holes in various materials such as wood, plastic, metal or masonry such as brick and concrete. When those holes have been drilled you can then add fastenings and screws.

There are essentially two types of cordless drills:

1. Drill/drivers – these can be used as a drill and also as a screwdriver. In simple terms they can drill holes using the drill settings, and can also then be used as a cordless screwdriver using the range of torque settings.
2. Hammer drills often referred to as combination drills or combi-drills. These can do the same as a drill/driver but also have a hammer feature. This hammering action allows you to drill holes in harder materials such as masonry, the likes of brick, block, concrete and mortar. As these can do normal drilling, screwdriving and hammering they are known as combi drills.

There are also rotary hammer drills and SDS drills. These are however designed for more heavy duty drilling. They are used mainly by professionals and the various trades.

Battery Life and Charging Time

The key to any cordless drill being effective is the size and quality of the battery. Manufacturers all make their own brand of batteries and you are best sticking with those. You can buy other universal brands which are usually cheaper but they get mixed reviews. There are two measurements to be aware of when buying a battery:

1. Voltage Size: – They come in different voltage sizes from and include 10.8V, 12V, 14.4V, 18V, 20V and 24V. The 18V is by far the most popular option.
2. Ampere Hours (Ah) – As a general rule the larger the Ah rating on the same voltage, the longer the battery will last. Most batteries come in 1.5Ah, 2.0Ah, 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah and 6.0Ah.

On average an 18V drill/driver using a 2.0Ah battery will last for 1-2 hours. With a 5 Ah battery, it would last 3-4 hours. It does of course depend on the number of holes you may be drilling, what material you are drilling into, or the number of screws you are driving, their size and what material you are driving into.

We would always recommend having two batteries so as you can be using one and having the other one on charge. It is also worth knowing that you can then use the same batteries in other cordless tools from the same brand that are compatible. Owning batteries and a charger allow you to buy “tool only” cordless tools, as you already have the batteries.

Batteries typically take anything between 1-3 hours to fully charge. Most brands of batteries will also have an 80% charge option in around an hour. The better brands charge in an hour whereas the cheaper brands can take 3-5 hours to charge a battery.

Power, Torques and Drilling Capacities

These two items are worth investigating if you have the time.

1. Torque –  Torque simply means force. If driving smaller screws into a soft wood then a low torque setting is perfect as it will do the job without stripping the head of the screw and also stop over driving where the screw can disappear into the wood and even split it. If you are driving into a harder wood then you will need a higher torque setting, and likewise if you are driving longer screws a higher torque setting will be required.
2. Drilling Capacity – Most manufacturers tell you in their specification what depth you can drill into in wood, steel and masonry. Those are worth looking at as it gives you solid information on the capability of the drill/driver.

Chuck Size – Compatibility with Drill & Driver Bits

The chuck is the part of the drill that holds and secures the drill bit or screwdriver bit in place. It plays a very important part in determining the type and size of the bits you can use with the drill, as well as the precision, speed, and torque you can achieve when drilling or driving.

Key Features of a Chuck

To understand the differences between different chuck types, it’s essential to know the key parts and functions of a chuck and there are three features, the jaws, clutch and chuck size:

• Jaws – The jaws are the moving parts of the chuck that grip the shank of the bits. Most chucks have three jaws, but some have four or more. The jaws can be adjusted to fit various sizes of bits, depending on the chuck type.
• Clutch – this is the mechanism that regulates the amount of force or torque the chuck applies to the bit. A good clutch system can prevent the bit from overdriving or under driving and increase the precision and control of the drill.
• Chuck Size – this determines the maximum diameter of the bit that the chuck can hold. The most common chuck sizes for cordless drills are 10mm and 13 mm in the UK

Types of Chucks Commonly Found in Cordless Drills

Keyless chucks are the most common type of chuck found on cordless drills. These don’t require a key to tighten or loosen the jaws. Instead, you can turn the chuck sleeve by hand to open or close the jaws and lock the bit in place. Keyless chucks are quick and convenient to use, but they may not provide as much gripping force or accuracy as keyed chucks.

There are also geared chucks which are designed for heavy-duty drilling. Finally, there are Hex Chucks. Hex chucks are specialised chucks that hold hexagonal bits commonly used in hex screwdriver bits. Hex chucks are usually smaller and more lightweight than other chuck types, which can make them ideal for working in tight spaces or with delicate materials.

Choosing the Right Chuck for Your Cordless Drill

Selecting the right chuck for your cordless drill is important. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a chuck:

• Application and Material Type – Different chucks may perform better on specific tasks or materials. For example, if you need maximum torque and precision for drilling concrete or metal, a keyed or geared chuck may be more appropriate than a keyless chuck.
• Chuck Size Compatibility – Make sure that the chuck size of your drill matches the size of the bits you plan to use. While some chucks can hold a wide range of bit sizes, others have a more limited range.

Ergonomics and Comfort Features

The term “ergonomics” refers to how the drill feels in your hand. The drill should feel balanced and be comfortable to hold. There are a number of parts to a drill as you can see from the diagram above. The better quality cordless drills have metal gears and other moving parts which does add to the weight.

Ideally the handle should have finger grips and some type of rubberised covering that makes holding the drill comfortable and also gives a better grip. The trigger should be responsive to pressure for slow starting and speed control.

Additional Features

There are some other useful features to consider on a cordless drill:

1. LED work light–  You will find an LED light of some type on cordless drills except the very cheap ones. This is handy if you are working in a poorly lit area such as a cupboard. The quality of these vary though depending on the brand.
2. Spirit Level – A few cordless drills will also have a small spirit level built into the drill.

Brands and Price Comparisons

Almost every homeowner will own a cordless drill of some type as they are almost essential if you plan on doing any work around your home or garden. That is why all tool manufacturers make cordless drills.

• Dewalt, Makita, Bosch Professional and Milwaukee – these brands make the highest quality cordless drills. They are expensive as they are designed for regular use by those working in the trades who use them every day. They use metal parts, brushless motors for longer life, and also off very good guarantees and UK customer service. These are also bought by anyone who does serious DIY.
• Bosch Home & Garden, Einhell, Hyundai, Ryobi, Black & Decker, JYGMPRO, Workpro, WORX – these are brands at the mid price-point and most of these have solid guarantees and UK customers service. These are the most popular for homeowners as they are good quality at affordable prices.
• Galax Pro, Hychika, Kuzupro, Mylek, Terratek, Dekopro, Tihook, Skotek, Bamse, Netta, Wesco – these are little known brands who make cheaper cordless drills. They are a good choice for those who just need to buy a drill for the very odd use. They are cheap but lack UK customer service and difficult to find parts and accessories after you buy.