Best Cordless Drills UK (2026)
The right cordless drill depends on the job: a light drill driver suits flat-pack furniture, while masonry or concrete needs a hammer or SDS drill. This guide compares drills tested by Expert Reviews across softwood, hardwood, brick and concrete, with a screwdriving test on every model.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Bosch UniversalImpact 18V
Best for most DIY tasks
Expert Reviews' Best Buy, taking on everything from driving screws into softwood to Rawlplug holes in brick, only slowing down (but still succeeding) in tough concrete. The keyless chuck locks bits securely, and the standard 18V Power-4-All battery charges in about an hour.
- Handles nearly any household drilling or screwdriving task
- Clever keyless chuck design
- Widely available for under £100
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch UniversalImpact 18V | Best for most DIY tasks | 18V, two-speed, 20 torque settings, impact mode | Check price |
| Makita DHP458Z | Best for bigger DIY projects | 18V, screwdriver/drill/hammer settings, 2,000rpm max speed | Check price |
| Terratek 13 Piece 18V Cordless Drill Driver | Best budget | 18V, 16 torque settings, includes 13-piece bit set | Check price |
| Bosch UniversalDrill 18V | Best entry-level | 18V, two-speed planetary gearbox, 20 torque settings | Check price |
| Makita CLX228AJ | Best all-in-one drill set | 12V Max, combi drill + impact driver, batteries and charger included | Check price |
| Black+Decker 18V Cordless 2-Gear Combi Hammer Drill | Best budget hammer drill | 18V, 21,000BPM hammer speed, 10 torque settings | Check price |
| Worx WX354 SlammerDrill | Best for masonry and more | 20V (2x10V), hammer action, 18 torque settings | Check price |
| DeWalt 18V XR Lithium-Ion SDS | Best SDS rotary hammer | 18V, SDS+, hammer-only mode, 4,500rpm max speed | Check price |
| Ryobi One+ R18IDBL | Best impact driver | 18V brushless, up to 270Nm torque, DeckDrive mode | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best for most DIY tasks
Bosch UniversalImpact 18V
Expert Reviews' Best Buy, taking on everything from driving screws into softwood to Rawlplug holes in brick, only slowing down (but still succeeding) in tough concrete. The keyless chuck locks bits securely, and the standard 18V Power-4-All battery charges in about an hour.
- Weight
- 1.3kg
- Battery
- 18V li-ion, 1.5Ah
- Max speed
- 1,450rpm
- Torque settings
- 20
- Max torque
- 34Nm
Pros
- Handles nearly any household drilling or screwdriving task
- Clever keyless chuck design
- Widely available for under £100
- Compatible with Bosch's wider 18V tool range
Cons
- Struggles (though still succeeds) in tough concrete
- Slightly heavier than the lightest combi drills
Best for bigger DIY projects
Makita DHP458Z
Gives pro-level features at a reasonable price, speeding through softwood, hardwood and brick, with even concrete not holding it off for long in Expert Reviews' testing. A sliding side grip with a depth rod adds control, though it's a relatively heavy, loud tool.
- Weight
- 2kg
- Battery
- 18V li-ion, 2Ah (not supplied)
- Max speed
- 2,000rpm
- Torque settings
- 21
- Max torque
- 88Nm
Pros
- Strong performance across wood, brick and concrete
- Adjustable side grip with depth-stop rod
- Efficient keyless chuck grips slender bits well
- Well-balanced despite its weight
Cons
- Fairly heavy
- Noisy in use, especially on hammer mode
Best budget
Terratek 13 Piece 18V Cordless Drill Driver
A cheap drill that comes with six drill bits, six screwdriver bits and an adaptor, doing a great job on basic household needs and light repairs in Expert Reviews' testing. It isn't powerful enough for metal or brickwork, and the battery is slow to charge and modest in capacity.
- Weight
- 1kg
- Battery
- 18V li-ion, 800mAh
- Max speed
- 650rpm
- Torque settings
- 16
Pros
- Very cheap, ready to use out of the box
- Generous bundled bit set
- Lightweight and versatile for basic tasks
Cons
- Not powerful enough for metal or brickwork
- Slow 3-5 hour battery charge time
- Short battery life
Best entry-level
Bosch UniversalDrill 18V
A reliable all-rounder that Expert Reviews measured at just 72dB drilling into concrete, notably quieter than rivals, with minimal vibration and a comfortable one-handed grip. It struggles with solid concrete or thick screws, where a hammer or impact drill would do better.
- Weight
- 1.2kg
- Battery
- 18V Power For All, 1.5Ah
- Max speed
- 1,450rpm
- Max torque
- 40Nm
Pros
- Notably quiet in use
- Comfortable, well-balanced, low vibration
- Two-speed gearbox suits both screws and fast drilling
Cons
- Struggles with solid concrete or thick screws
- The similarly-priced UniversalImpact offers more versatility
Best all-in-one drill set
Makita CLX228AJ
Bundles a combi drill and an impact driver with batteries and a charger in one case, covering most DIY needs short of boring large holes through brick or concrete. Expert Reviews found both tools solidly built with LED lights, though the combi drill can be loud in use.
- Weight
- 1kg (each tool)
- Battery
- 12V Max li-ion, 2Ah (x2 supplied)
- Max speed (drill)
- 1,700rpm
- Max torque (driver)
- 110Nm
Pros
- Combi drill and impact driver in one kit
- Both tools solidly built with LED lights
- No corners cut for the price
Cons
- Combi drill can be loud in use
- Not intended for large holes in brick or concrete
Best budget hammer drill
Black+Decker 18V Cordless 2-Gear Combi Hammer Drill
A terrific all-rounder for household jobs that's also tough enough for light masonry and metalwork thanks to its high hammer-drilling speed. Expert Reviews notes the battery holds 80% of its charge over 90 days, though for the most heavy-duty tasks a proper rotary hammer drill is still recommended.
- Weight
- 1.2kg
- Battery
- 18V li-ion, 1.5Ah
- Max speed
- 1,400rpm
- Torque settings
- 10
- Max torque
- 40Nm
Pros
- Good value for a hammer-function drill
- Handles light masonry and metalwork
- Battery retains charge well over time
Cons
- Not intended for the most heavy-duty masonry jobs
Best for masonry and more
Worx WX354 SlammerDrill
Punches above its weight with a hammer action that easily puts holes into brick or concrete, and effortless performance on wood, in Expert Reviews' tests. It comes bundled with two batteries and a charger, which helps justify a price that otherwise looks steep for its size.
- Weight
- 1.7kg
- Battery
- 2x li-ion, 2Ah supplied
- Max speed
- 2,000rpm
- Torque settings
- 18
- Max torque
- 60Nm
Pros
- Strong hammer action for brick and concrete
- Effortless on wood, with plenty of control
- Comes bundled with two batteries and a charger
Cons
- Pricier than its size might suggest
Best SDS rotary hammer
DeWalt 18V XR Lithium-Ion SDS
A surprisingly powerful SDS drill for its size, packing corded-level power into a 3kg tool. Expert Reviews found low vibration levels made long sessions easier on the arm, with a useful hammer-only mode not found on cheaper models, though it isn't intended for occasional DIYers.
- Weight
- 3.1kg
- Battery
- 18V li-ion, 4Ah (not supplied)
- Max speed
- 4,500rpm
- Max drilling (wood/brick/steel)
- 26mm/24mm/13mm
Pros
- Corded-level power in a lightweight, portable tool
- Low vibration for long drilling sessions
- Useful hammer-only mode
Cons
- Overkill and pricier than needed for occasional DIY
Best impact driver
Ryobi One+ R18IDBL
Delivers huge torque that drove screws through decking with barely any effort in Expert Reviews' testing, including a specialised DeckDrive mode that slows down as the screw head nears the surface to avoid splitting. It's heavier than a standard combi drill once fitted with a battery, and isn't designed to drill holes.
- Weight
- 1.54kg
- Battery
- 18V li-ion, 2.5Ah (not supplied)
- Max speed
- 3,000rpm
- Max torque
- 270Nm
Pros
- Huge torque for driving screws and loosening stuck bolts
- DeckDrive mode avoids splitting timber
- Three power levels for precise control
Cons
- Not designed for drilling holes
- Heavier than a standard combi drill once battery is fitted
Buying guide
Do I need a combi drill, drill driver or impact driver?
A basic drill driver suits light drilling and screwdriving around the home. A combi drill adds a hammer function for masonry, making it the most versatile all-rounder. An impact driver, like the Ryobi here, is a specialist tool for driving screws quickly and shouldn't be used for drilling precise holes.
When do I need a hammer drill or SDS drill instead of a combi drill?
A combi drill's hammer function handles occasional light masonry work fine. If you're regularly drilling into brick, concrete or stone, a dedicated hammer drill or, for the toughest jobs, an SDS rotary hammer like the DeWalt here will get through faster and with less strain on the tool.
How much battery capacity (Ah) do I actually need?
A smaller battery (1.5-2Ah) is lighter and fine for occasional use around the home. A larger battery (4Ah and above) lasts longer between charges and suits frequent use or bigger projects, though it adds weight to the tool.
Does it matter if I already own batteries from a brand's tool range?
Yes, it's worth checking first. Buying a bare tool (no battery) from a brand whose batteries you already own, such as Bosch's Power-4-All or DeWalt's XR range, can save a significant amount versus buying a drill with batteries and charger included.