12V vs 18V Cordless Drill: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Quick Comparison

Our picks at a glance, split by voltage class.

Full Comparison Table

12V Drills: What You Get

12V drills are built for light-to-medium tasks. The battery packs are smaller and lighter, which means the whole drill sits comfortably in one hand for extended use. If you're assembling furniture, hanging pictures, drilling pilot holes in softwood, or doing basic workshop tasks, a 12V drill has plenty of muscle.

Where 12V drills struggle: drilling into masonry (even with the hammer function), driving long screws into hardwood, or any task that needs sustained high torque. The battery runs out faster under heavy load, and the motor can overheat if you push it too hard.

Makita DF033DWAE 12V CXT Drill Driver

~£90 with 2x 2.0Ah batteries and charger

Makita's 12V CXT range has been a UK workshop staple for years. The DF033DWAE comes as a complete kit with two batteries, a charger, and a carry case, which makes it the best value starting point for anyone curious about 12V. At 30 Nm of torque and 1.5 kg, it handles everyday tasks without wrist fatigue. The brushed motor is less efficient than brushless, but for the price, the included batteries and charger make up for it.

Pros: Complete kit, reliable Makita build quality, two batteries included. Cons: Brushed motor, 30 Nm limits heavier tasks, chuck is 10mm (smaller bit range).

Bosch GSR 12V-15 FC FlexiClick

~£120 bare tool (no batteries)

The Bosch FlexiClick system is clever. The keyless chuck pops off and swaps with an angle adapter, a right-angle head, and a Centrotec bit holder, turning one drill into four tools. At just 1.0 kg, it's the lightest option here. The trade-off: you need Bosch 12V batteries separately, and the bare-tool price is steep for what looks like a simple drill. Worth it if you work in cupboards, under sinks, or in tight workshop corners where a standard drill won't fit.

Pros: Swappable heads, incredibly light, brilliant in tight spaces. Cons: Bare tool only, expensive if you don't already own Bosch 12V batteries.

Milwaukee M12 Subcompact Brushless Drill

~£150 bare tool (no batteries)

Milwaukee's M12 range packs surprising power into a tiny body. The brushless motor pushes 40 Nm from a 12V platform, which is closer to some budget 18V drills. At 1.3 kg, it sits between the Bosch and Makita for weight. If you're already in the Milwaukee M18 ecosystem, the M12 is a natural second drill for lighter work. If you're starting fresh, the battery cost adds up quickly.

Pros: Most powerful 12V here (40 Nm), brushless efficiency, compact form. Cons: Premium price for a bare tool, M12 batteries not interchangeable with M18.

18V Drills: What You Get

18V is the workhorse voltage for UK DIY and trade. More cells in the battery mean more sustained power, higher torque, and the ability to drill into brick, concrete, and hardwood without the motor straining. If your projects involve masonry walls (shelving, TV mounts, curtains in brick-built houses), an 18V combi drill with a hammer function is the practical choice.

The downside is weight and bulk. An 18V drill with a battery sits at 2.0-2.6 kg, which is noticeable overhead or during long sessions. The batteries are bigger and cost more to replace.

Makita DHP486Z 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill

~£200 bare tool (no batteries)

This is the drill that most UK tradespeople carry. The DHP486Z delivers 115 Nm of torque from a brushless motor, has a 13mm chuck (accepting bigger drill bits), and the hammer function handles brick and block with ease. The weight at 2.6 kg is the heaviest here, but the power-to-weight ratio is excellent for serious work. Makita's LXT 18V battery range is enormous: grinders, saws, sanders, lights, radios, all sharing the same platform.

Pros: Massive 115 Nm torque, huge battery ecosystem, robust build. Cons: Heaviest option, bare tool only, premium price point.

Bosch GSB 18V-55 Cordless Combi Drill

~£130 bare tool (no batteries)

The Bosch GSB 18V-55 hits the middle ground. At 55 Nm and 2.0 kg, it's lighter than the Makita DHP486Z while still having enough torque for most household tasks, including light masonry drilling. The Professional (blue) line from Bosch is built for trade use, and the build quality reflects that. If you don't need the full 115 Nm of the Makita but want more than 12V can give, this is the sweet spot.

Pros: Good balance of power and weight, Professional-grade build, competitive price. Cons: 55 Nm limits heavy masonry work, bare tool only.

Ryobi RPD18BL2-0 ONE+ Brushless Combi Drill

~£110 bare tool (no batteries)

Ryobi's ONE+ system is the biggest battery platform in UK DIY, with over 300 tools sharing the same 18V battery. The RPD18BL2-0 brings 95 Nm from a brushless motor at the lowest price of any 18V combi drill here. At 2.3 kg, it's lighter than the Makita too. The hammer function handles light masonry. The main downside: Ryobi ONE+ is a consumer-grade line, so the build won't survive the same abuse as Makita or Bosch Professional in a daily-trade setting. For home workshops and weekend projects, it's brilliant value.

Pros: Cheapest 18V option, 300+ tools in ONE+ ecosystem, brushless motor. Cons: Consumer-grade build, not ideal for trade-level daily use.

Head-to-Head: When Each Voltage Wins

Pick 12V if: You're doing flat-pack furniture, hanging shelves in drywall, basic workshop tasks, or working in tight spaces. The weight difference alone makes 12V drills more comfortable for extended use. If this is your first drill and you're not sure what projects you'll tackle, a 12V kit like the Makita DF033DWAE at £90 with batteries is a low-risk starting point.

Pick 18V if: You're drilling into brick (most UK houses are brick or block), building furniture from hardwood, driving long screws, or planning to expand into other power tools. The torque headroom means you won't hit the drill's limits for years. If you already own one 18V battery platform, adding a bare tool is cheaper than starting a new ecosystem.

The real answer for many makers: Have both. A 18V combi drill as your main tool, and a compact 12V for lighter work and tight spaces. The total cost is similar to one premium drill, and you'll reach for the right tool every time.

How to Choose: Buying Guide

Battery platform first. Before comparing specs, decide which battery ecosystem you want. Makita LXT 18V, Ryobi ONE+, and Milwaukee M18 are the three biggest in the UK. Each has hundreds of compatible tools. If friends or family already own one platform, that's usually the smartest choice, since you can borrow batteries and chargers.

Torque for your tasks. Under 30 Nm handles screws and small holes in softwood. 30-60 Nm covers most household drilling including light masonry. 60+ Nm is for heavy masonry, hardwood, and long screw driving. The torque number on the box is maximum no-load torque, which means real-world performance is slightly lower.

Weight vs power. If you work overhead (ceiling fixings, high shelving) or in tight spaces (cabinets, under sinks), weight matters more than torque. A 12V drill at 1.0 kg is genuinely easier to use for an hour than a 2.6 kg 18V. For bench work and floor-level projects, weight is less of an issue.

Combi vs drill/driver. A combi drill has hammer mode for masonry. A drill/driver doesn't. If you live in a brick-built UK house and plan to drill into walls, get a combi. If you only work in wood and drywall, a simpler drill/driver saves weight and cost.

Bare tool vs kit. A kit includes batteries and charger. A bare tool doesn't. If you already own batteries from the same platform, bare tools are significantly cheaper. If you're starting fresh, factor in the battery cost, which can add £60-100 to the total.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

For most UK makers, the practical answer is: start with an 18V combi drill. The Bosch GSB 18V-55 at around £130 gives you enough torque for masonry and hardwood while staying light enough at 2.0 kg for everyday use. It handles the widest range of tasks without being overkill.

If budget is tight, the Ryobi RPD18BL2-0 at £110 delivers impressive 95 Nm from a brushless motor, and the ONE+ battery platform gives you access to hundreds of tools as your workshop grows.

For serious power, the Makita DHP486Z at £200 is the gold standard, with 115 Nm and a bulletproof LXT battery ecosystem that will last years.

Once you have an 18V sorted, adding a compact 12V like the Makita DF033DWAE at £90 (with batteries) is a worthwhile upgrade. You'll grab it for quick tasks and appreciate the weight savings every time.