Question 1

What's the difference between a combi drill and an impact driver?

Accepted Answer

A combi drill combines rotary drilling with a hammer mode and variable torque for driving screws, making it the more versatile of the two. An impact driver uses a rotational hammering mechanism specifically optimised for driving fasteners — it's faster and more efficient at that task but poor at drilling holes cleanly. For most buyers, a combi drill is the right choice. If you're driving hundreds of screws regularly, an impact driver from our power screwdrivers and impact drivers category is worth considering alongside it.

Question 2

Is an 18V cordless drill powerful enough for masonry?

Accepted Answer

For light masonry — drilling into brick or block for wall plugs — yes, an 18V combi drill with hammer mode is sufficient. For dense concrete, reinforced walls, or larger-diameter holes, it will struggle and wear quickly. In those situations, a dedicated rotary hammer with an SDS chuck is the correct tool. Using a combi drill's hammer mode as a substitute for a rotary hammer on heavy masonry is one of the most common ways to burn out a drill prematurely.

Question 3

Should I buy a drill body-only or as a kit with batteries?

Accepted Answer

If you already own batteries from the same brand's 18V platform, body-only is excellent value — the Makita DHP487Z is a prime example of a capable drill sold bare at a very competitive price. If you're starting from scratch, a kit with two batteries and a charger is almost always better value than buying components separately. Two batteries matters: one charges while you work with the other, eliminating downtime on longer jobs.

Question 4

Are cheap drills from brands like Einhell or Draper worth buying?

Accepted Answer

Einhell, yes — their TP-CD brushless range offers genuine performance at prices well below Bosch and Makita, and they're a legitimate choice for regular DIY use. Draper Tools are more of a budget option: fine for very occasional use, but the build quality reflects the price. We'd be cautious about Draper for anything beyond light-duty tasks. The Draper 56360 at under 64 £ is a corded drill for simple jobs — don't expect it to perform like an 18V brushless model.

Question 5

What does 'brushless motor' actually mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

A brushless motor has no carbon brushes making physical contact with the rotor, which means less friction, less heat, and less wear over time. In practice, you get longer runtime per battery charge (typically 20–30% more than a brushed equivalent), a longer motor lifespan, and better performance under sustained load. For occasional DIY, a brushed motor is fine. For regular or trade use, brushless is worth the extra cost — and at the 64 £ to 90 £ price range, it's increasingly standard.

Question 6

Which drill brands have the best after-sales support in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Bosch Professional and DeWALT have the strongest service networks in the UK, with authorised repair centres widely available and multi-year warranties on professional tools. Makita is also well-supported. For brands like Einhell, warranty claims typically go through the retailer rather than a dedicated service network, which can be slower. If you're buying for trade use and downtime is costly, sticking with Bosch, DeWALT, or Makita is the lower-risk choice.

Question 7

What are the most common mistakes when buying a drill in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The most common mistake is buying more drill than you need — a £300+ SDS Max for someone who drills a few holes a year is simply wasted money. Close behind that: buying a body-only drill without realising it, then discovering the battery costs nearly as much as the drill itself. A third pitfall is ignoring weight — a 3 kg drill feels fine in a shop but becomes genuinely tiring after 20 minutes overhead. Match the tool to the task, check what's in the box, and always compare prices across retailers before buying.

Drills Price Comparison

Makita HP1640 drill 2800 RPM Key 2 kg

Makita DHP453Z drill Keyless 1.7 kg Black, Green, Silver

Makita DF332DSAJ drill 1.2 kg

Makita HP2050 drill Key 2.54 kg

Makita DDF484Z drill Keyless 1.6 kg Black, Blue

Bosch GSR 12V-15 FC Professional Keyless 600 g Black, Blue

Makita DF032DZ drill

Makita DDF482Z drill Keyless 1.5 kg Black, Blue

Black & Decker BL186N 1650 RPM Keyless Black, Orange

Makita DDA351Z drill Keyless 1.7 kg Black, Green

Einhell TE-CD 18 Li-i BL Keyless 1.69 kg Aluminium, Black, Red

Makita DHP485Z drill Keyless 1.1 kg Black, Blue

Bosch GSR 18V-55 1750 RPM Keyless 1 kg Black, Blue

Black & Decker BCK25S2S-GB drill 1400 RPM Black, Orange

Makita DF0300 drill 1500 RPM Keyless 1.2 kg Black, Blue

Bosch GSR 18V-110 C Professional 2100 RPM

Einhell TE-CD 18/48 Li-i 1500 RPM 1.5 kg Black, Red

Bosch GSR 12V-35 FC Professional 1750 RPM 590 g Black, Blue

Einhell TE-CD 18/44 Li-i 24000 RPM 1.59 kg Black, Red

Einhell TE-AD 18 Li 1100 RPM 1.22 kg Black, Red

Makita DHP486RTJ drill 2100 RPM 2.7 kg Black, Blue

Bosch GSR 12V-35 HX Professional 1750 RPM 570 g

Bosch GSB 18V-110 C 2100 RPM Keyless 1.9 kg Black, Blue

Bosch GSR 18V-55 Professional 1800 RPM Keyless 1 kg Black, Blue

Drills Price Comparison