A drill is a staple tool for any tradesperson or DIYer’s toolbox. Used to drill holes, tighten or loosen screws, or chisel into materials, it’s a handy tool, useful for multiple projects. But there are many types available, all with different features and functions. So how do you know which is the best drill for your needs?

This comprehensive drill guide tells you everything you need to know about drills. It covers the types of drills available and which ones are best for specific tasks. We look at the different features drills can have and why they are useful. We also explain power ratings and battery technology and highlight some key things to consider when buying a power drill. 

View our range of drills here.

The most important factors to consider when buying a drill are what type of tasks you will use it for and the material you are drilling into. 

Here’s a list of the best type of drill to use for the most common drilling applications: 

• Putting up shelves
  A drill driver is the best type of drill to use for putting up shelves on a plasterboard or wooden surface. Its drilling function allows you to drill pilot holes, and then you switch to its driver function to put the screws in. However, if you are putting shelves on a masonry wall, use a combi drill (which doubles up as a screwdriver), hammer drill, percussion drill, or an SDS drill for tough masonry.

• Flatpack furniture
  Most flatpack furniture is wooden and comes with predrilled holes. So, you’ll only need a drill with a screwdriver action, such as a drill driver or combi drill.

• TV wall brackets
  To hang TV wall brackets on a plasterboard or wooden surface, use a drill driver to switch between the drilling and screwing functions. For masonry surfaces, use a combi drill, hammer drill, percussion drill, or an SDS drill for very hard masonry.

• Hanging mirrors or frames
  As with shelving and TV wall brackets, the type of drill to use to hang mirrors or frames depends on the material of the surface they are being hung on. For plasterboard or wood, use a drill driver and for masonry, use a combi drill, hammer drill, percussion drill or SDS drill.

• Curtain poles
  The wall above window frames can be made of plasterboard, often a metal lintel behind it. So, it’s best to use a drill driver or combi drill, suitable for drilling through metal and plasterboard.  

• Best drill for home use
  The best drill for home use is the drill driver or combi drill. Both are suitable for drilling into wood, plasterboard, and metal, but choose the combi drill if you need to drill into masonry. They are both excellent all-rounder drills which also have a screwdriver function.

Best drill for chiselling and breaking
An SDS Max drill is the perfect tool for chiselling and breaking up concrete. The rotary function can be switched off, so you can just use its powerful hammer action, and it holds a drill bit with an 18mm shank, which can withstand more torque and force. This makes it better for cutting through tough masonry.

When buying a drill, there are various features and functions to look out for:

• Speed
  Drill speed tells you how fast a drill rotates, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). It's also called 'no load speed' because the RPM is the maximum speed the drill turns when not loaded or drilling. The average drill RPM is 1000, but cordless drills can range from 500-2000 RPM, while corded drills can typically operate at up to 3000 RPM. In addition, some drills only have one speed, while others allow you to adjust the speed to suit the task and material you are drilling into. For example, a low speed is better for drilling into soft materials, such as wood, while a high speed is better for masonry materials.  

• Types of chuck
  The chuck is the part of the drill that holds the drill bit or screw bit in place, and it has three jaws that open and close to allow you to put the drill bit in and out. There are several types of chuck available. A keyed chuck uses a separate tool or 'key' to open and close the jaws, whereas to open a keyless chuck, you twist it. SDS drills have a different type of chuck where the drill bit simply pushes in and locks into place.

• Torque control / variable clutch setting
  Torque is the twisting force used on a drill that’s required to overcome resistance, measured in Newton metres (Nm). It’s sometimes referred to as a variable clutch setting. Too much torque for a task can result in excess power and loss of control and accuracy. A low torque setting is best for soft materials, while a high setting is better for tough materials like masonry.

• Gears
  Gears on a drill allow you to control the speed of rotation. On a drill with one gear, the speed is controlled using the speed control trigger – the harder you push the trigger, the faster the drill rotates. Drills with more than one gear have a gear control button, usually on the top of the drill. This lets you set different speed ranges to fine-tune the amount of power being delivered to suit the task. This gives you greater control and reduces the risk of damaging the surface you are drilling into.

• Forward and reverse function
  Some drills only rotate in one forward direction, but some have a reverse function. This allows you to turn the drill bit or screwdriver bit backward as well as forward. It's useful for loosening screws or backing out the drill bit after drilling a hole.

• Depth stop
  The depth stop feature on a drill consists of a metal rod protruding out over the top of the drill's chuck and drill bit. Its protrusion can be adjusted in and out to set the depth of the hole you want to drill. Then, as you drill, the metal rod hits the surface you are drilling when you reach your set depth, stopping you from drilling deeper.

• Trigger-activated LED
  This feature is ideal if you are drilling in dark conditions. The drill has an LED light built into the chuck. The light switches on to light the work area when the trigger is pulled.

• Auxiliary handle
  An auxiliary handle is an extra handle that's positioned on the left or right-hand side of a drill. It helps to improve your force, control, and accuracy when using the drill compared to only holding onto the trigger grip handle.

• Dust extraction
  A dust extraction device on a drill is used to vacuum up dust as you drill, so less mess is made, and it prevents you from breathing in harmful particles. This feature is useful when drilling into drywall, ceilings, or masonry.

• Hammer function
  mer function on a drill rapidly moves the drill bit forwards and backward while it rotates to increase the drill's force. This function can be found on combi drills, hammer drills, percussion drills, and SDS drills, and it's designed to make drilling into hard masonry materials easier.

• Motor type
  Drills can have a brushed or brushless motor. The difference is in the way the drill shaft is spun. A brushed motor uses small metal brushes, while a brushless motor uses an electronic circuit board and sensor. As a result, there is less friction and heat build-up in a brushless motor, giving better torque control and faster speeds. And it also has a longer lifespan than a brushed motor.

Power ratings on drills are measured differently, depending on how the drill is powered.

Cordless drills are powered by a battery, so their power is measured in volts. They can range from 7.2V to 54V. A corded electric drill's power is measured in watts ranging from 450W to 1900W.

The power rating on a drill is important because the higher the voltage or wattage is, the more power the drill has, and therefore it can tackle heavier tasks. So, for example, you'll need significantly more power to drill into concrete than you would to drill into soft wood.

Cordless drills are powered by built-in rechargeable batteries. There are three types of technology: Nickel-Cadium (NiCad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion).

NiCad batteries are the oldest technology of the three. These batteries are cheaper than the other types, but they have a good life span if they are well maintained. In addition, they are tough and resistant to impact and extreme temperatures, so they are ideal for outdoor use. On the downside, they are heavy, so they aren't comfortable for prolonged use, and they run out faster than other battery types. Ideally, the battery should never drop below 70% charge, other than once a month, when it should be fully discharged. Otherwise, their memory is severely affected, and their lifespan is diminished. They also need to be given time to cool down before being charged, which increases their charging time.  

NiMH batteries are more expensive than NiCAD, but their capacity is often 2 or 3 times greater, and they weigh less. On the downside, they have a rapid self-discharge and are sensitive to extreme temperatures. And, like NiCad batteries, they need to be kept at 70% charge, with a full discharge once a month to maintain them. But, if they’re left fully discharged for long periods, the battery will deteriorate rapidly, and its lifespan will be significantly shortened.   

Lithium-ion batteries are used in most cordless drills. They can be charged at any time, no matter what charge percentage they already have. They also have no self-discharge, so they won't drain unless you're using them. So, even if you don't use the drill for a long time, it will be ready to use the next time you need it. In addition, Li-ion batteries charge from empty to full power quickly – typically within 60 minutes and hold more power for longer than other battery types. Another advantage is that they're lightweight, making drills with this battery type comfortable to use for long periods. And they're better for the environment.

1. Do you need a screw driving function?
   If you regularly need to drive screws into the holes you've drilled, it's worth having a drill that doubles up as an electric screwdriver. It will make your work much quicker. So, choose a drill driver or, if you need to drill into masonry too, a combi drill. Also, consider buying one with variable speed, torque control, and a reverse function, so you can remove screws as well as insert them.

2. How frequently and for what period of time will you use the drill?
   This is important to consider if you plan to use the drill for long periods. Choose a drill with an ergonomic design so the handle is comfortable to hold. Also, if you're considering a cordless drill, consider the battery weight, as holding a heavy battery will be tiring.  

3. What is the battery life?
   If you've decided on a cordless drill, check the battery capacity to determine how long it will run on a full charge. Battery capacity is measured in amp hours (Ah), and the number tells you how many amps of electrical charge the battery can deliver in one hour. The higher the number, the longer you can use the drill before it runs out.

4. Does it have the drill bits that you need?
   Most drills are sold without drill bits, so they must be purchased separately. But before buying the drill, if you know there are specific drill bits you want to use for a specialist task, check that the drill can take those drill bits.

5. What materials will the drill be used on?
   This is probably the most crucial question to ask yourself before buying a drill. Most drills will drill into most materials, except for masonry. To drill into masonry, you will need a drill with hammer action, such as a combi drill, hammer drill, percussion drill or SDS drill. The material will also be a deciding factor when looking at speed, gears and torque control. For example, to drill large holes in masonry, you'll need a low-speed gear. And you'll need variable speeds and torque to drill into a variety of materials, so they can be adjusted accordingly.

6. What functionality will be required?
   Consider which features will be beneficial for you before buying a drill. Variable speed, gears, and torque are recommended if the drill will be used with a variety of materials. The hammer action is required for masonry drilling. Dust extraction is ideal if you regularly drill into materials that create a lot of dust. And an auxiliary handle, depth control, and LED light are all useful for precision drilling.