UK's Best Cordless Drills for DIY and Home Renovation Tested in Drillympics
Whether you are hanging a picture or undertaking a full home renovation, a reliable cordless drill is an essential tool for any DIY enthusiast. These versatile devices serve as creators, destroyers, and connectors, offering functions such as screw driving, hammer-drilling into brick or stone, mixing building materials, and standard drilling. Most DIY drills are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, eliminating the hassle of power cables and allowing for mobility across brands like Bosch, Makita, and Ryobi.
Why Trust This Review
With seven years of home renovation experience, I have used a wide range of drills, from lightweight combi models to heavy-duty SDS+ drills. As a seasoned product reviewer, I have tested cordless drills multiple times, evaluating their performance, battery life, and design to provide informed recommendations.
How I Tested the Drills
I began by testing 12 cordless drills on scrap wood and breeze blocks to eliminate the least effective models. The top nine drills then faced the "Drillympics," a multifunctional gauntlet of workstations. I timed each combi drill on drilling, screw-driving, and hammer-drilling challenges, while SDS+ drills were tested on drilling multiple holes in breeze blocks. This allowed me to assess speed, ease of use, comfort, and task effectiveness. The best performers were further tested in real-home renovation scenarios, such as drilling into brick and attaching skirting boards.
Best Cordless Drills for Home DIY in 2026
Best Cordless Drill Overall: Makita DHP490Z 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill
Price: From £68.50 at B&Q
This Makita combi drill excelled in the Drillympics, achieving the fastest time of 4:51 and earning the gold medal. It offers unrivalled performance and convenience, with drill, hammer drill, and screwdriver modes. Its powerful motor and user-friendly features, including a reliable chuck and LED work light, make it ideal for various DIY tasks. However, note that the battery and charger are sold separately, with a bundle available for £57.99.
Best Budget Cordless Drill: Guild 18V Cordless Impact Drill with 100 Accessories
Price: £48.75 at Argos
This Guild bundle provides excellent value, including the drill, a 2Ah battery, charger, and a wide selection of drill bits. It is lightweight and comfortable to use, performing well in lighter tasks like wood drilling and screw-driving. While it is not suitable for heavy-duty renovation work, it is a fantastic budget pick for occasional DIYers. Its Drillympics time was 7:34, placing fifth.
Best Lightweight Cordless Drill: Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Compact Cordless Brushless Combi Drill
Price: From £109.99 at Ryobi
This Ryobi model is compact and user-friendly, making it perfect for quick tasks or confined spaces. It demonstrated impressive torque and hammer-drill capabilities in tests, earning a bronze medal with a time of 5:56. The drill requires a separate battery and charger, which are compatible with Ryobi's extensive One+ tool range. However, its price may be a barrier for some users.
Best Cordless Hammer Drill: Makita DHR202 Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill
Price: From £119.98 at Toolstation
For extensive demolition or structural work, this Makita SDS+ drill is highly recommended. It offers powerful drill and hammer-drill functions, plus a chisel mode for breaking hard materials. It performed excellently in tests, drilling holes in breeze blocks with ease. The battery and charger are sold separately, and the cost can add up with additional SDS bits.
The Best of the Rest
Other notable models include the Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 combi drill, praised for its thoughtful design and ease of use, and the Draper D20 20V brushless combi drill set, which excels in hammer-drilling into hard brick. The Bosch UniversalHammer 18V is a user-friendly SDS+ option, while the Black+Decker cordless hammer drill 18V offers compact convenience at a bargain price, though its hammer-drill mode is ineffective. The Draper 12V combi drill 70256 is a beginner-friendly mini drill, ideal for light tasks.
What You Need to Know
Choosing the right drill depends on your intended tasks. Combi drills are versatile and suitable for most DIY jobs, while hammer drills are better for extensive wall drilling. SDS+ drills are for heavy-duty work. Key features to consider include battery capacity (measured in amp hours), chuck design, voltage (with 18V being standard), and additional features like LED lights or auxiliary handles. Use appropriate drill bits for different materials, such as masonry bits for brick or universal bits for wood and plastics.
For more DIY tips, explore home storage hacks and budget-friendly home updates. Pete Wise, a journalist from Leeds, continues his home renovations with the help of these cordless drills.
