A Drill Is Your Most Powerful Home Repair Ally
A cordless drill is the single most versatile tool in a home toolkit. It drives screws, drills holes for wall fixings, and saves hours of manual effort. But the market is flooded with options, and the way drills are typically marketed — by raw voltage and aggressive branding — doesn't actually help most home users choose well.
Here's what actually matters when choosing a cordless drill for general home use.
Weight Matters More Than Power (For Most Home Jobs)
The most powerful drills are also the heaviest, and most home repair jobs don't require maximum power. Drilling into plasterboard to hang a shelf, driving screws into softwood, drilling into brick for a curtain rail — these jobs don't need a professional-grade drill. What they need is a drill you can hold steadily for 30 minutes without arm fatigue.
For general home use, aim for a drill weighing under 1.5kg (including battery). Most 18V compact drills hit this target.
Voltage: What You Actually Need
As a general rule for home users:
- 10.8V or 12V: Very light jobs only — flat-pack furniture assembly, small screws. Underpowered for drilling into masonry.
- 18V compact: The sweet spot for home use. Enough power for masonry drilling, screwdriving, and general repairs without excessive weight.
- 18V full-size or 24V: More power than you'll need for most household jobs. Significantly heavier.
Key Features to Look For
Two-speed gearbox
Low speed for driving screws (more torque, more control), high speed for drilling holes. This one feature makes the drill dramatically more versatile and prevents overdriving screws.
Adjustable clutch (torque settings)
Numbered settings that control how much torque the drill applies before the clutch slips. Essential for driving screws without stripping them or sinking them too deep. Look for at least 15 settings.
Two batteries included
One always charges while you work. This seems minor until you're mid-job and the battery dies. Always buy a kit with at least two batteries.
LED light
Illuminates dark corners and tight spaces. More useful than it sounds.
Bit holder/belt clip
Small feature, big convenience when you're up a ladder or working in a tight space.
Recommended Options by Budget
Budget (£25–40): Silverline 18V or Black+Decker 18V. Reliable for light home use. Limited power for heavy masonry but handles most common jobs.
Mid-range (£50–80): Ryobi ONE+ 18V or Makita DDF484. Excellent build quality, good power, lightweight. The Ryobi ecosystem is particularly good value as you can use one battery across many compatible tools.
Performance (£100+): Bosch Professional or Makita combi drill kits. Professional-grade build and power, warranted for heavy use. More than most home users need, but will last decades.
Combi Drill vs. Drill/Driver: What's the Difference?
A drill/driver drills holes and drives screws. A combi drill does both of those plus has a hammer mode for drilling into brick and masonry. For home use where you'll be drilling into walls, the combi drill is the better choice — the hammer mode makes drilling into brick far easier and faster.
One Final Note
The best drill is the one you'll actually use. A drill that feels comfortable in your hand, that you can pick up confidently, and that you understand how to operate is worth far more than a technically superior model that intimidates or exhausts you. Try to handle a few options before buying if you can.