Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way
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What to look for
Look at voltage, the number of clutch settings and whether a battery comes in the box before you compare prices.
Models worth comparing
From manufacturers' specifications and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not tested by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.
Budget
Einhell TP-CD 18/50 Li-i BL
Home DIYers who want a brushless combi drill with two batteries in the box without paying trade-brand money.
Brushless motor with a hammer mode for drilling into brick and block
Kit includes two 2.0 Ah batteries, a fast charger and a carry case
Runs on Einhell's Power X-Change batteries, which also power a wide range of its garden and DIY tools
Watch out for: It is pitched at home use rather than daily site work, and at 50 Nm it has less torque than the trade drills further up this list.
Homeowners who want a light, brushless Bosch drill with enough torque for shelves, curtain poles and general masonry fixing.
Brushless motor and two-speed gearbox, with an impact mode for masonry
Weighs about 1.3 kg with a battery fitted, so it is easy to hold overhead
Sturdy 13 mm metal keyless chuck
Watch out for: The cheapest listing is the bare tool with no battery or charger, and its green Bosch batteries do not fit blue Bosch Professional tools, so check the kit before buying.
Voltage
18 V
Max torque
60 Nm
Chuck
13 mm metal keyless
Torque settings
20
Battery
Sold bare, or in kits with one or two 2.0 Ah batteries
Keen DIYers and light trade users who want a compact brushless drill on DeWalt's widely stocked 18V XR battery system.
Compact brushless hammer drill that suits both timber and masonry work
Up to 65 Nm of torque with 15 clutch settings and two speeds
Sold in several kits with batteries, a charger and a TSTAK case
Watch out for: Kits vary by suffix (D2T, L2T, M2T and so on), and the smaller 2.0 Ah packs favour light weight over long runtime on heavy jobs, so check exactly what the listing includes.
Tradespeople and serious renovators already on Makita's LXT batteries who need high torque for large holes and long fixings.
Rated at 130 Nm hard-joint torque, far above typical DIY drills
21 clutch settings, an electronic brake and an LED work light
Uses the same 18V LXT batteries as Makita's large cordless range
Watch out for: The DHP492Z is body only with no battery or charger, and at 1.7 kg before a battery it is heavier than you need for light household jobs.
We are gathering the customer ratings this board needs from UK shops. When they are in, the ranked list replaces this guide at the same address, scored the way every board is: star ratings weighed by how many people left them. How we score.
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