In search of the best drill to spend your hard-earned money on? Whether you’re finally getting round to putting up those shelves in the bedroom or want to turn your hand to a larger home renovation project, a drill is a must-have piece of equipment for your tool box. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a DIY novice or consider yourself a bit of a pro, a good drill is the difference between those shelves staying put or not.
Find the best drill in our guide below, then check out all our buying guides for a range of tools to suit all styles and budgets for all your renovation projects.
What is the best drill?
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best drill you can buy is the . It's great for beginners, it has 20 pre-settings and it's affordable. What more could you need?
How to buy the best drill
Corded or cordless?
Cordless drills are pretty much the standard these days and there is a whole range of high-tech options on the market to cater to your DIY needs. These types of drills are far more convenient, especially if you are working in a garage with no plug sockets, or out in the garden and the best drills on the market tend to be cordless.
Drill torque
Most drills will make holes – but the size and quality of those holes depends on the drill’s torque. This is the power behind the twist of the drill motion and in most cases this is adjustable to ensure the screw isn’t too loose or too tight. If you have specific DIY requirements for your drill, be sure to check out the specifications of the drill before purchasing.
Combi?
You can also choose whether or not you want a combi drill, which are great for more complex jobs as they are compatible with a number of drill bits and heads for both screwing things in place and making holes in walls or furniture. Combi drills are the best drills for multi-tasking, but, if it’s just for your odd jobs around the house, you probably won’t need anything too flashy.
The best drills
If you’re looking to buy your first drill and don’t want something too complex, this is the best drill for 'beginners' in the DIY world, with no frills but decent power, this Bosch drill will certainly get the job done. It comes with 20 handy pre-set programmes for a range of popular DIY projects, which means all you have to do is push the button and let this drill do the rest. It’s not the most powerful drill on our list but is perfect for a helping hand in putting furniture together or hanging pictures quickly and efficiently.
Shop more Bosch products at Amazon
Taking a huge step up from the Bosh, this high-end drill is not for the faint hearted. This is a super-speedy combi drill that can handle a range of tasks from putting up a shelf to carrying out extensive renovation projects. The brushless motor means it takes to all surfaces and materials with ease, and you’ve got an LED light for ultimate precision. If you take your DIY seriously, then this is the best drill to buy as an investment piece for your tool box.
Shop more Makita products at Amazon
The latest value range of tools from Wickes doesn't quite match up to the outright power of the offerings from big name brands, such as Bosch and Milwaukee, but they are great for those carrying out light- to medium-duty fastening applications. A 240-volt motor develops around 35Nm of torque is quite enough for plaster walls and wood. It's also great for making quick work of screwing things to other things. A two-year warranty and the fact there's a spare battery make it a very decent deal for such a low price.
Shop more cordless drills at Wickes
This Hitachi drill is great for those who use one daily for work or have taken on a big renovation or design project as it is very powerful yet extremely comfortable and easy to use. It boasts low vibrations for ease of movement and its double-handle allows you to have full control and precise alignment when carrying out either drilling or screwing. If you liked the look of the Bosch drill in our number one spot but don’t think it’s hard-wearing enough for how much you’ll be using it, the Hitachi is the best alternative for you, and it comes at a relatively similar price, too.
Browse more Hitachi drills at Amazon
This handy little drill is actually pretty powerful, and although maybe not for bigger projects, it’s the perfect drill to have around the house for those jobs that need a reliable yet powerful tool. So if you want something that is halfway between the Bosch and the Makita, this is a good option that won’t let you down. If you already have a high-end drill in your kit, then the affordability of this Black and Decker drill makes it a great back-up to keep to hand in the garage or shed.
Browse more Black + Decker products at Amazon
Check our more of our expert buying guides...