Best drills buying guide

Contents:

• Key takeaways
• What drill do I need?
• Types of drills explained
• Best drill by material
• Best drills for different uses
• Drill features explained
• Power ratings & battery technology
• FAQs

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, battery technology and highlight some key things to consider when buying a power drill. 

• What materials will you drill into? This is the most important factor when choosing a drill. Most drills can handle wood, metal, and plastic, but masonry requires a hammer-action drill, such as a combi, hammer, percussion, or SDS drill. The material also affects the speed, gear, and torque settings needed.

• 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 contemplating a cordless drill, consider the battery weight, as holding a heavy battery will be tiring.

• What functionality will be required? Before buying a drill, consider the features you need. Variable speed, multiple gears, and adjustable torque are useful for different materials, while hammer action is essential for masonry. Dust extraction helps with messy drilling, and extras like an auxiliary handle, depth stop, and LED light improve control and precision.   

• Top tip: if you plan to purchase more cordless tools in the future, it’s worth considering the manufacturer's battery platform before buying.

A drill is a toolbox essential that will last for years. So, when you’re deciding which one to buy, there are several factors to consider, such as how often you’ll use it, what drilling tasks you’ll need it for, what type of material you’ll drill into, and your budget.

Some drills are more multipurpose than others, so they can cover a range of tasks. And some also include a screwdriver function. Then some drills are made to suit specific tasks, including powerful drills for drilling into tough materials, drills with longer battery life for extended use, and drills with different features.  

Corded or cordless?

The difference between corded drills and cordless drills is how they are powered. A corded drill is plugged into the mains electricity supply, while a cordless drill is powered by a built-in battery. 

Corded drill pros:

• Constant power - can be used for long periods of time without interruption.

• Lower cost - there’s no need to purchase replacement batteries or chargers, and can be less expensive than cordless drills.

• Heavy duty tasks - often suited for drilling large holes and can handle demanding applications for long periods.

• Lightweight - as there’s no battery pack, the drill itself is often lighter.

Corded drill cons:

• Reduced mobility - you need to be near to a plug socket or use an extension lead.

• Cord - the cord can get tangled or interfere with movement. Plus, it can be a safety risk by causing a trip hazard.

• Less convenient - not ideal for quick jobs.

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 - this 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.