Combi drill buying guide (UK)

A combi drill is the one power tool almost every trade and DIYer owns. It drills wood and metal, drives screws, and with hammer mode it'll handle brick and block. Here's how to pick the right one without overpaying.

1. Pick your battery platform first

Cordless batteries only fit tools from the same brand (and usually the same voltage range), so the drill you buy decides which batteries you'll be buying for years. If you already own a brand's batteries, a "body only" drill is far cheaper. See our battery platform guide.

2. 18V is the sweet spot

12V drills are lighter and great for kitchen fitting, electrics and furniture. For general building work, 18V (sometimes sold as 20V max) has the power for big screws and masonry. Higher-voltage ranges exist for heavy-duty work.

3. Brushless is worth it

Brushless motors run cooler, last longer and get more work out of each charge. If the price gap is small, go brushless.

4. Torque: don't chase the biggest number

Around 50–70 Nm covers most DIY. Trades driving large screws or using big auger bits benefit from 90 Nm+. Comparing torque only makes sense within the same brand, because manufacturers measure it differently.

5. Kit or body only?

A kit with two batteries and a charger is usually cheaper than buying the parts separately, but only if you need batteries. Check the battery capacity (Ah): 2.0Ah is light, 4.0–5.0Ah lasts a full day.

6. When to buy

Tool prices drop most around Black Friday and Christmas, and when a brand launches a new model and the old one is cleared. Each deal on our site shows its price history, so you can see if today's price is genuinely low.

Our advice is based on product specifications, prices and common trade use. We don't do hands-on product testing.