Tool Guide

18V Cordless Drill Questions Answered (UK)

Q: What is a hammer drill function and when do you need it?

A hammer drill (often called a combi drill) adds a rapid in and out percussion action to normal rotation. That hammering lets the bit punch through masonry like brick, breeze block and mortar. You only need it for walls and stone. For wood, metal, plastic and plasterboard a plain drill driver is quieter, lighter and less likely to damage the surface.

By James Walker · August 20, 2026

The 18V cordless drill is the tool most UK households end up buying first, and it is also the one that throws up the same handful of questions every time. What does the voltage actually mean? When do you need the hammer function? Is two batteries worth the extra cost? Below are straight answers drawn from how these drills compare on paper and in Amazon purchaser reviews, so you can decide without wading through a 2,000 word buyers guide.

If you want the deeper dive on specific models, our best 18V cordless drill kits roundup compares six starter kits side by side, and our 12V vs 18V explainer lays out exactly who should pick the smaller platform.

What does 18V mean on a cordless drill?

The 18V figure is the battery's nominal voltage. It tells you the drill runs on an 18 volt lithium ion pack, which is the most common cordless platform for general DIY. Higher voltage usually means more torque and longer sustained runtime than a 10.8V or 12V tool, but the headline number alone does not tell you how powerful the motor is. A brushless 18V motor will outwork a basic brushed one even at the same voltage, because less energy is lost as heat. So treat 18V as the platform size, not the full story on performance.

What is a hammer drill function and when do you need it?

A hammer drill, often sold as a combi drill, adds a rapid in and out percussion action to normal rotation. That hammering lets the bit punch through masonry like brick, breeze block and mortar. You only need it for walls and stone. For wood, metal, plastic and plasterboard a plain drill driver is quieter, lighter and far less likely to damage the surface.

If you are mounting shelves or a TV on a brick wall, the hammer mode is the difference between a five minute job and a frustrating one. When the wall is stud or plasterboard, switch it off. Our guide to drilling into brick walks through the bits and wall plugs that make the hammer function actually useful rather than just noisy.

Is an 18V cordless drill powerful enough for UK DIY?

For the vast majority of home tasks an 18V drill is more than enough. It will drive screws into softwood and MDF, bore holes in timber and fixings into plasterboard, and with the hammer mode active it copes with brick and block walls. The jobs that need more grunt, such as drilling large holes in dense concrete or mixing thick render, call for an SDS rotary hammer rather than a combi drill. Think of 18V as the sweet spot: heavy enough for real work, light enough to use one handed on a ladder.

Why buy a kit with two batteries?

A second battery means you can keep working while one pack charges. On a full day of flatpack building, shelf hanging or decking prep a single 2.0Ah pack can run flat before the job is done. Two packs remove the wait and that is the main reason starter kits bundle a spare rather than selling the tool body only. If you already own another 18V tool from the same brand, you may be able to share batteries across them, which makes a bare tool plus your existing spare a cheaper route.

How long does an 18V battery last per charge?

It depends on the amp hour rating and the work. A 2.0Ah pack might drive a few hundred screws or drill a couple of dozen holes before it drops, while a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack roughly doubles that. Driving long screws into hardwood and using the hammer mode both drain the pack faster than light screwdriving. Most buyers report getting a weekend of intermittent household jobs out of a single charge, which is why the practical advice is to keep a charged spare rather than chase the biggest pack on the shelf.

18V vs 12V vs corded: which should you choose?

Pick 12V if you want the lightest, most comfortable tool for occasional screwdriving and small holes. Pick 18V for the best all round balance of power, runtime and accessory choice. Pick a corded drill only if you work far from a socket free space for long stretches or need uninterrupted power for heavy mixing and large boring. Our full 12V vs 18V comparison covers the trade offs in detail, including why many households end up keeping one of each.

Three 18V drills we rate

These are combi (hammer) drills that show up repeatedly in UK buyer feedback as reliable first buys. All four below are 18V platforms with the hammer function, and each links through to Amazon with our affiliate tag.

Makita 18V Combi Drill with 2 Batteries and Charger

The kit that keeps coming up as a dependable all rounder. The two 3.0Ah batteries are the standout, because you can run one while the other charges. Makita's 18V LXT range is also one of the widest ecosystems, so the batteries fit dozens of other tools later. Check price on Amazon UK →

Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 with 2 x 2.0Ah

Bosch's home user line, built around a 2 speed gearbox and a 20 torque settings plus a dedicated drill and hammer mode. Reviewers mention the comfortable grip and the electronic motor protection that cuts power before the motor cooks. A solid pick if you prefer the Bosch name and want the two battery safety net. Check price on Amazon UK →

DeWalt DCD778S2T 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill

The brushless motor is the headline here, giving longer runtime and a smaller, lighter body than brushed equivalents. DeWalt's XR line is pitched at trade users, so the build feels tougher, and the two included batteries keep you moving. The one to choose if you expect to lean on it hard. Check price on Amazon UK →

Ryobi R18PD3 ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit

Ryobi's ONE+ system is the budget friendly route with the widest garden and workshop catalogue of any home brand. This starter kit includes the drill, a battery and a charger, and that battery fits every other ONE+ tool. Best value if you plan to grow a collection rather than buy one drill and stop. Check price on Amazon UK →

Frequently asked questions

Can an 18V drill drill through concrete?

A combi drill's hammer action handles brick and breeze block. For dense poured concrete you want an SDS rotary hammer, because a combi lacks the percussive force and the bit shank type for that material. Trying to force it just heats the motor and wears the battery.

Do all 18V batteries fit all 18V drills?

No. The voltage is shared across a brand, but the physical clip and electronics differ between manufacturers and even between older and newer lines from the same maker. Stick to one brand's 18V system if you want batteries to swap between tools. That cross compatibility is exactly why picking a wide ecosystem like Makita LXT or Ryobi ONE+ pays off.

Is brushless worth the extra money?

For occasional use a brushed drill is fine and cheaper. Brushless earns its keep if you drill a lot, because it runs cooler, lasts longer and squeezes more runtime from each charge. The DeWalt above is the brushless option in this list, and buyers who use it daily tend to say the upgrade was worth it.

What amp hour battery should I get?

Bigger Ah means longer runtime but more weight. For most household work 2.0Ah to 4.0Ah is the sweet spot. If you already have a spare, a smaller pack on the tool and the bigger one as backup is a good mix. You can read more in our voltage and brushless guide.

The short version

18V is the right default for a first cordless drill in the UK. Get the hammer function so brick walls are not a problem, buy a kit with two batteries so you never stop mid job, and pick a brand whose other tools you might want later. The four drills above cover the budget, mid and trade ends of the market, so the main decision is which ecosystem you want to commit to rather than whether 18V is enough.

James Walker

James writes about power tools, hand tools and workshop setup for MakerUK, helping makers buy the right thing the first time.

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Last reviewed: August 20, 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links