🔧 Power Tools
Best Cordless Drill for Home Use UK 2026 — 6 Compared
You do not need a site-grade combi hammer to put up shelves. We compared six cordless drills that UK buyers actually use at home — balancing weight, battery life, torque and price — so you can pick the one that gets jobs done without living in the garage afterwards.
Key Takeaways
- Makita 18V Cordless Combi Drill with 2 Batteries and Charger — 🏆 Best Overall
- Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 Battery Hammer Drill 2 x 2.0Ah — 🔧 Best for Masonry
- Ryobi R18PD3-215GZ ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit — 💡 Best Value Ecosystem
- Einhell 4513846 TC-CD 18V Cordless Drill Driver Kit — 💷 Best Budget Pick
- DeWalt DCD778S2T 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill — ⭐ Best Brushless Mid-Range
Suggested reading: 12V vs 18V — which is right for you? · Best drill bit sets UK · 18V buying guide
Quick Picks
🏆 Best Overall
Makita 18V Cordless Combi Drill with 2 Batteries and Charger
18V LXT · 2× 1.5Ah batteries · 50Nm · 13mm chuck · 1.5kg
🔧 Best for Masonry
Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 Battery Hammer Drill 2 x 2.0Ah
18V · 2× 2.0Ah · 60Nm · 13mm chuck · brushless motor
💡 Best Value Ecosystem
Ryobi R18PD3-215GZ ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit
18V ONE+ · 1× 1.5Ah + charger · 50Nm · 13mm chuck · 1.4kg
💷 Best Budget Pick
Einhell 4513846 TC-CD 18V Cordless Drill Driver Kit
18V · 1× 1.5Ah · 38Nm · 13mm chuck · 1.2kg
⭐ Best Brushless Mid-Range
DeWalt DCD778S2T 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill
18V XR · 2× 1.5Ah · 65Nm · 13mm chuck · brushless
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Rating | Voltage | Battery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 18V Cordless Combi Drill with 2 Batteries and Charger | £139 | 4.7/5 | 18V LXT | 2× 1.5Ah batteries | Best Overall |
| Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 Battery Hammer Drill 2 x 2.0Ah | £149 | 4.6/5 | 18V | 2× 2.0Ah | Best for Masonry |
| Ryobi R18PD3-215GZ ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit | £119 | 4.6/5 | 18V ONE+ | 1× 1.5Ah + charger | Best Value Ecosystem |
| Einhell 4513846 TC-CD 18V Cordless Drill Driver Kit | £59 | 4.4/5 | 18V | 1× 1.5Ah | Best Budget Pick |
| DeWalt DCD778S2T 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill | £159 | 4.8/5 | 18V XR | 2× 1.5Ah | Best Brushless Mid-Range |
| Makita DHP486Z 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill (Body Only) | £89 | 4.7/5 | 18V LXT | body only | Best Body-Only Upgrade |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Makita 18V Cordless Combi Drill with 2 Batteries and Charger
18V LXT · 2× 1.5Ah batteries · 50Nm · 13mm chuck · 1.5kg · £139 on Amazon UK
The Makita is the drill most UK homes should start with. The twin-battery kit means one charges while you work, and Makita’s LXT platform shares batteries with more than 300 other tools, so the pack keeps earning its keep if you add a sander or jigsaw later.
Drilling into masonry with the hammer setting feels controlled rather than brutal, and the 21 torque settings give you fine control for flat-pack screws without chewing the heads. For drill bits and general cordless drilling jobs around the house it is hard to beat on balance.
- Two batteries included so you never pause to charge
- Huge LXT ecosystem for future tools
- Well-balanced and light for overhead work
- Charger is basic — no fast-charge readout
- Case is fabric bag, not hard case
2. Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 Battery Hammer Drill 2 x 2.0Ah
18V · 2× 2.0Ah · 60Nm · 13mm chuck · brushless motor · £149 on Amazon UK
Bosch pitched this as a do-everything home drill and it delivers. The brushless motor runs cooler and quieter than brushed rivals, and the 60Nm torque is the highest in this group — useful when you hit old brick or need to drive long screws into joists.
The electronic cell protection on the batteries extends pack life noticeably, and Bosch’s Power for All system shares with garden tools too. If your to-do list includes curtain poles into masonry as well as timber woodworking, this is the composed choice.
- Strongest torque here for brick and dense timber
- Brushless efficiency and longer runtime
- Good dust-light integration for indoor work
- Slightly heavier than Makita
- No belt clip in the box
3. Ryobi R18PD3-215GZ ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit
18V ONE+ · 1× 1.5Ah + charger · 50Nm · 13mm chuck · 1.4kg · £119 on Amazon UK
Ryobi wins on value if you plan to stay in one battery system. ONE+ now covers more than 200 tools from sanders to inflators, so a single battery shape powers the whole shed. The R18PD3 itself is compact, with a grippy over-mould that suits smaller hands.
Performance is honest rather than headline-grabbing — plenty for timber, plasterboard and light masonry with the right combi technique. For first-time buyers who want breadth over brute force, the price is compelling.
- Cheapest entry into a huge battery platform
- Light and compact for tight spaces
- Decent 5-year warranty when registered
- Only one battery in this kit
- No hammer-mode indicator dial
4. Einhell 4513846 TC-CD 18V Cordless Drill Driver Kit
18V · 1× 1.5Ah · 38Nm · 13mm chuck · 1.2kg · £59 on Amazon UK
At under £60 the Einhell is the drill you buy when you want jobs done this weekend, not a workshop philosophy. It ships with a single battery and simple charger, and the 38Nm is enough for pine, MDF, plasterboard and light metal with sharp bits.
The LED work light is usefully bright for under-stairs cupboards, and the single-sleeve chuck grips cleanly. Pair it with a proper drill bit set rather than the bits in the box and it punches well above its price.
- Half the price of brushless rivals
- Lightest in test — easy for long sessions
- Simple controls with no mode confusion
- Lower torque — struggles on hard brick
- Battery is not cross-compatible with premium systems
5. DeWalt DCD778S2T 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill
18V XR · 2× 1.5Ah · 65Nm · 13mm chuck · brushless · £159 on Amazon UK
DeWalt’s XR brushless range is the tradesperson’s default for a reason, and the DCD778 brings that efficiency into a home-friendly weight. Runtime per charge is noticeably longer than brushed equivalents, and the all-metal gearbox feels built for accidental drops off a workbench.
The hammer action is aggressive enough for London stock brick yet controllable for pilot holes in softwood. If you already own DeWalt 18V tools the batteries interchange, which quickly pays for itself.
- Excellent runtime and power delivery
- Tough chuck and gearbox
- Comfortable grip for extended use
- Kit price creeps above £150
- No bit holder on the base
6. Makita DHP486Z 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill (Body Only)
18V LXT · body only · 130Nm · 13mm chuck · brushless · 2.1kg · £89 on Amazon UK
Already on Makita LXT? The DHP486Z is the upgrade path without rebuying batteries. With up to 130Nm on paper it is the most muscular drill here, and the brushless motor keeps heat down during repeated masonry runs.
It is overkill for hanging pictures, but for decking, fencing and heavier DIY it saves you borrowing or hiring. Sold body-only, so factor in batteries you already own — that is where the value appears.
- Huge torque for demanding jobs
- Uses any LXT battery you own
- Twin LED lights for dark joist bays
- Body only — no batteries or charger
- Heavier than kit drills
How to Choose a Cordless Drill for Home Use
For home use you are balancing three things: weight you can hold overhead, torque enough for the odd masonry wall, and a battery system you will not regret in a year. An 18V combi with hammer is the safe centre — it covers timber, plasterboard, metal with the right bit, and brick when you use the hammer setting. 12V drills are lighter and fine for furniture and flat-pack, and we compare them in our 12V vs 18V guide, but most UK homes with brick walls appreciate the extra headroom of 18V.
Check what batteries you already own. Sticking to one platform — Makita LXT, Bosch Power for All, Ryobi ONE+, DeWalt XR — saves far more than chasing the cheapest bare drill. Brushless motors cost more but run cooler, longer and quieter; worth it if you drill more than once a month. Finally, budget for decent drill bits — a sharp HSS or masonry set transforms even a budget drill, while blunt bits make any drill feel weak.
If you are setting up a first workshop, our basic woodworking tools guide and circular saw picks pair naturally with the drills above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
For most UK homes, the Makita 18V Twin-Battery Kit is the best cordless drill for home use in 2026 — light enough for ceilings, strong enough for brick, and backed by a battery system you can build on for years. If masonry is your main job, the Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 adds meaningful torque and a brushless motor for not much more.
On a tight budget, the Einhell TC-CD 18V at under £60 gets shelves up this weekend without drama, while the Ryobi ONE+ kit is the smartest long-term value if you want one battery shape for the whole house. Trades and heavy DIYers who already own LXT should just add the Makita DHP486Z body and keep their existing packs.
Last reviewed: 21 August 2026 · Evidence-based review · Contains affiliate links