Best Cordless Drills Guide | Types of Drills for Different Uses

Posted on 11/05/22

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Whether you work in the construction industry and need new tools or like to dabble in the occasional home task, having a high quality drill can make all the difference to the standard of work you’re able to achieve.

What you may not know is that there are various types of drill to choose from, making it difficult to know which one to opt for. In this guide, we’ll go through the different options, including what you should look for when purchasing a drill and answering some frequently asked questions to help you make a confident decision when buying a cordless drill.

Contents:

  1. Overview: Best Cordless Drills

  2. Different Types Of Cordless Drills

  3. Common Features Of A Drill

  4. Cordless Drills Buying Guide

  5. How To Use A Cordless Drill

  6. How To Look After A Cordless Drill

  7. Frequently Asked Questions

Overview:  The Best Cordless Drills


Different Types of Cordless Drills 

Cordless drills are practical and convenient, but you may be wondering where to start when it comes to the different varieties available. These are the main types of cordless drill you can buy, and what each can offer in terms of advantages. 

Power Screwdrivers


Power screwdrivers are great for completing jobs around the home. They tend to be lighter to use in contrast to other screwdrivers, making them the perfect tool to have when odd jobs need doing. It’s important to note, however, that power screwdrivers cannot drill holes.

Benefits Of Power Screwdrivers:

  • Lightweight to use

  • Perfect for tightening screws

  • The go-to tool for building flat pack furniture.

Drill Drivers


The purpose of the drill driver is to drill holes and drive screws, whether putting up shelving and picture frames to putting furniture together. Drill drivers have a keyless chuck so you can swap out drill bits quickly and easily. This is one of the most versatile tools you can have in your toolkit, making it a great starting point for beginners. 

Benefits Of Drill Drivers:

  • Great for beginners

  • Easy to use

  • An ideal budget-friendly drill.


Impact Drivers


Impact drivers are much heavier than standard drill and power screwdrivers. They are designed for larger, repetitive projects and can also drill into metal. The impact mechanism on these drivers prevents any damage to the wrist.

Benefits Of Impact Drivers:

  • Perfect for larger, repetitive projects

  • Can drill into metal.

Combi Drills


A combination drill can be used in the same way as a drill driver, but it also has a hammer-drilling function that makes it suitable for brick, concrete or paving slab surfaces. Behind the rotating bit, there are two metal discs which click against each other to push the bit forward with additional force. 

Benefits Of Combi Drills:

  • Provides extra power for household projects

  • Can be used on a wide range of surfaces and materials.

What Type Of Drill Should You Use?

If you’re drilling into wood or plasterboard, a standard drill driver will be sufficient. However, if you’re doing any projects that involve masonry, you will need a combi drill as you’ll need extra power to get through the tougher material.

The type of drill bit you use will also make the difference – extremely hard surfaces such as concrete need a tungsten-carbide drill bit, and if you’re using the hammer function on a combi drill, a hammer-action drill bit will be required. 

Common Features Of A Drill 

When you’re shopping for drills, you’ll notice certain features come up again and again. Here’s what to look out for when you’re choosing a drill. 

Components Of A Drill

The following components can be found on the majority of cordless drills. You should familiarise yourself with these as much as possible before using one.


Chuck Size & Locking Chuck

The chuck is the hole where you insert the drill bits, or other accessories that fit with your drill like wire-wheel brushes. Most cordless drills have a chuck size between 10mm and 13mm. On some manually operated models, you might need to slide a lock switch to make sure the bit is securely attached to the chuck.

Gear Switch

Drills which have two gears are better for more controlled screwdriving. The switch will allow you to change between gears, making it easy to adjust the drilling style depending on what you need to do.

Torque Settings

The torque of the drill refers to the rotary turning force, and if you’re drilling into tough materials like concrete, this makes all the difference. Torque settings and maximum torque is most important if you’re purchasing a combination drill with the hammer-action function, but they can also play a part if you’re driving screws as too much power will strip the screw head. 

LED Light

When you’re working in tight corners and unlit spaces, having a light can be handy. Some drills come with a built-in LED light so you can drill and see what you’re working on at the same time, for more precision.

Forward & Reverse Function
You can use this switch to alternate between drilling in the normal direction (forward) and reverse.

Hand Grip

The hand grip allows you to hold the cordless drill comfortably without the worry of it slipping out of your hand.

Trigger Speed

The trigger speed function allows you to change the speed of the drill in one simple squeeze. Typically, the harder you squeeze, the faster the drill will operate. How this works will vary between models.

Battery Release Button

Many cordless drills have a battery release button. This makes it easier to remove and change the battery without having to use fiddly tools.

Battery Capacity

The battery capacity of the drill determines how long you’ll be able to use your cordless drill for before it needs recharging. Drill battery capacities are measured in Ah (Amp hours) and the more Ah a battery has, the longer it will hold its charge for. Capacities for drills range from 1.5Ah to 4.0Ah. 

Inside Of The Drill

Although you can’t see inside of the drill, it’s worth knowing about the mechanics taking place to make it work!

Voltage

Voltages tend to range from 12V to 24V, but a higher voltage doesn’t always mean the drill will be more effective – it depends on whether you intend to do a lot of heavy-duty projects. For lighter projects, such as putting flat-pack furniture together, a low-power drill will be capable of the job. 

Brushless Motor

A brushless motor is designed to reduce resistance and friction, and it offers various benefits, including higher speed and more electronic control. These types of drill are usually more expensive but do deliver a higher power-to-weight ratio. 

Gears

When activated by the switch, the gears will change to adjust the style of drilling. This helps to ensure that the versatility of the drill remains under control.

Additional Features Of A Cordless Drill

Not all cordless drills will come with the following features but you’ll find that a lot do. It’s up to you to decide whether you need these features for your project.

Screwdriving Mode

This is a mode that all drills use to screw more effectively. 

Rotary-Drilling Mode

All drills use this mode to bore holes. 

Hammer-Action Mode

This mode is exclusive to combination drills. It enables the drill to use short, fast thrusts to mimic hammering into hard materials like concrete. This helps you to drill more effectively and with less effort. This mode is sometimes called impact drilling.

Belt Clip

Belt clips make it possible to hang your cordless drill from your belt, which means you can keep your hands free to work on other aspects of the project – ideal if you need to use a variety of tools for the job. 

Auxiliary Handle

Heavy duty cordless drills tend to come with an auxiliary handle. Often referred to as a ‘second handle’, an auxiliary handle makes it easier to manage and use larger drills.

Bits

Bits are the drill points which are used to create the hole. They vary in size and material depending on the purpose.


Cordless Drills Buying Guide

Inspired by the range of options for cordless drills on the market? This is our guide to the best brands and models depending on what you’re looking for. 

1. Best Cordless Drill For Household Use

Bosch 18v Dynamic Combi Drill (Body Only)

The Bosch 18v Dynamic Combi Drill is a 4Ah industrial power tool with lithium batteries for a quicker charge. It boasts a tough 13mm autolock chuck and has an integrated LED light so you can see what you’re drillin

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