DeWalt Multitool 18V XR Brushless
A cordless power tool (18V, 35 Newton Metres Item Package Quantity 1 Number of Pieces 1, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
The Best Cordless Drills for DIY in the UK (2026)
For home DIY, the best cordless drill is the one that is easy to handle, powerful enough for everyday jobs, and built on a battery platform you can grow. This guide covers what matters for DIY and which drills we rate.
Quick answer
For DIY, a 18V combi drill from a trusted brand, with a battery and charger included, covers nearly everything - flat-pack, shelves, wall plugs and light masonry. You do not need a top pro tool; you want decent torque, a hammer mode for brick, and a battery system you can add to. Brushless is a nice upgrade but not essential for occasional use.
Why a combi drill suits DIY
A combi drill does three jobs: drilling into wood and metal, driving screws, and hammer-drilling into masonry. That versatility makes it the natural single tool for a home user, since most DIY jobs involve one of those three. A plain drill/driver is fine if you will never touch brick, but the combi's hammer mode is cheap insurance for walls.
What to look for
- Combi (hammer) function: for the occasional wall plug or masonry job.
- Enough torque: to drive screws and bore larger holes without stalling.
- A battery platform you can build on: so future tools share batteries.
- Included battery and charger: look for a kit, not a bare body.
- Comfortable size and weight: you will hold it for a while.
How much power you need
For DIY you do not need maximum torque or the highest voltage. A mid-range 18V combi has plenty of power for assembling furniture, hanging shelves, fixing into walls and small builds. Power matters more if you regularly bore big holes or drive long screws into hardwood; for typical home jobs, usability and battery life matter more than headline figures.
Who it suits
A DIY combi suits homeowners and renters doing occasional jobs - the vast majority of buyers. It is also a sensible first tool to start a battery platform. If you are a tradesperson or doing heavy daily work, step up to a pro-grade brushless tool; if you only ever assemble flat-pack, even a budget drill/driver will do.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a bare body with no battery or charger.
- Choosing a brand whose batteries you cannot build on.
- Skipping hammer mode then needing to drill brick.
- Over-buying a heavy pro tool for light home use.
- Ignoring weight and balance, which matter for comfort.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
DeWalt XR 18V 3 Speed BL Impact Driver Naked-Body ONLY
A cordless power tool (18V, 200 Newton Metres), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#3 
Makita 18V Li-Ion LXT 165mm Circular Saw
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#4 
Makita 18V LXT Brushless 24mm Rotary Hammer SDS-Plus
A cordless power tool (18V, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#5 
Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Random Orbit Sander
A cordless power tool (18V, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#6 
Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless LED Construction
A cordless power tool (18V), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#7 
Milwaukee M12 Fuel 12V 1/4" Lithium-ion Cordless Impact Driver
A cordless power tool (12V, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#8 
Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Multi Tool GOP
A cordless power tool (18V, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#9 
Dewalt XR Brushless Combi Drill With 2 X 5.0 Ah
A cordless power tool (18V, 45 Newton Metres, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
#10 
WORX Nitro 18V Cordless Impact Drill
A cordless power tool (20V, 60 Nm, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cordless drill for DIY?
An 18V combi drill from a trusted brand, supplied with a battery and charger, covers nearly all home jobs - flat-pack, shelves, wall plugs and light masonry. Choose a battery platform you can add more tools to later.
Do I need a combi drill or a drill driver for DIY?
A combi drill is the safer all-rounder because its hammer mode handles brick and masonry as well as wood and metal. A plain drill/driver is fine only if you will never drill into walls.
How much power does a DIY drill need?
Less than you might think - a mid-range 18V combi has plenty of torque for furniture, shelves and wall fixings. Power matters more for boring big holes or hardwood; for typical DIY, usability and battery life matter more.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the DeWalt Multitool 18V XR Brushless (our score 9.5/10) - A cordless power tool (18V, 35 Newton Metres Item Package Quantity 1 Number of Pieces 1, brushless), a capable pick for drilling and driving around the home and site..