The Best Power Drills To Complete Any Home Renovation Project

Buyer's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Power Drill

A modern drill is a very versatile power tool. No matter the task, whether it involves assembling flat-pack furniture, building a deck, or drilling holes through walls to mount objects, an electric drill makes drilling holes into different materials super easy. With a drill on your side, you can wrap up home improvement projects without any hassle.

There are a lot of models of drills available. They range from very powerful and robust hand tools that are packed with features demanded by professional tradespeople to more functional and typical versions most suited to the occasional home DIYer.

A great drill for you will be one that helps you complete the tasks at hand without breaking the bank. This guide should help you decide which drill is the most appropriate for your needs!

What Are the Different Types of Drills?

There are a couple of drill machines out there, and some of them are designed for certain tasks or jobs.

Drill drivers

These types of drills are perfect for smaller household jobs. Such power tools can function as a drill as well as a screwdriver and will work well with wood and thin metal. Drill drivers are not designed to be used with masonry or heavy-duty jobs, but are rather more appropriate if you only need a drill for light use. A drill driver is a very reasonably priced option to consider.

Impact drivers

These types of drills were designed to do one job – to drive in screws. They are very efficient in removing over-tightened or frozen screws in your old house. They save a lot of time, too, especially when you are carrying out a project that involves a lot of screws, such as building a deck.

Combi drills

Combi drills are very versatile and great all-rounder drills. They work well for wood, brick, concrete, and steel, and with a combination of driver, hammer, and impact settings. Usually, a combi drill can tackle most jobs. Such cordless drills are very popular for carrying out home DIY projects.

Hammer drills

The hammer drill, as its name suggests, is a heavyweight drill that is specifically designed to drill into stone, masonry, and concrete. Its hammering action produces quicker drilling, which makes it suitable for heavy-duty work.

If you are new to drilling, check out this video from The Honest Carpenter to know more about the difference between drills and drivers.

Sds (Special Drive System) Rotary Hammer Drills

These are highly specialized, and more expensive, drills. They are usually more powerful than standard hammer drills and are used for really heavy-duty jobs. An SDS drill has the featured choice of turning off the rotary action so the tools can chisel through stone and concrete.

Which Ones Are Better: Cordless Drills or Corded Drills?

Cordless drills

These kinds of drills are very popular for a good reason. Cordless drills are powered by efficient, rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. They are built to work wherever they are needed. They are lightweight and also comfortable to use over a long period of time. The more power a job requires, the quicker the battery will be drained, but most Li-ion batteries can be fully recharged in an hour or less. You can always buy extra batteries if you plan to work for long stretches of time.

Pros

• They are very portable and convenient
• They are lightweight and comfortable to use for longer periods

Cons

• They are not as powerful as corded drills
• The tool’s productivity is hugely impacted by the battery life
• They can be more expensive

Corded drills

This kind of drill requires plugging it into a power supply in order for it to operate. They can be used for longer periods of time without worrying about battery life. A corded drill equipped with the right drill bits can tackle metal or stone and drill large holes with ease. Corded drills mostly come equipped with a double handle, so they can be safely and effectively used for heavy-duty tasks.

Pros

• They are more powerful than cordless drills
• They are cheaper than cordless models

Cons

• They are not as portable as cordless drills
• They are usually larger and heavier to handle and hold

What things should you consider when looking for a drill?

To get the type of drill you need, you will need to consider a lot of factors. How often do you intend to use it? What types of jobs do you want it to perform? Which materials do you tend to work with?

When choosing a drill, it’s best to examine these product features to help you make the right decision.

Torque

Measured in Newton meters (Nm), this is the force that causes rotation in a drill. Put simply, more torque means a higher drilling force. A higher torque setting would usually be required for tough materials, like brickwork. For more delicate materials (like wood) a lower torque setting reduces the amount of damage. Torque control, sometimes referred to as a variable clutch setting, allows you to adjust the torque to fit the material you are using.

Speed

The speed of a drill is measured in RPM (revolutions per minute). You require less speed to drill softer materials. High speed is needed for drilling into harder materials. Drills that offer variable speed features are useful for working with a range of materials. Single-speed drills on the other hand are not the most versatile.

Reverse function

Some drills have a function that allows them to change the direction of the drill and bits. They are usually for loosening bolts and screws.

Chuck types

The chuck is the section of the drill that keeps the drill bits in place. The chuck determines what size of drill bit shaft the drill can accommodate. The two most popular chuck sizes are 10mm and 13mm chucks. 10mm chucks are sufficient for most home DIY use, while 13mm chucks are more for heavy-duty applications.

Gears

Drills that come equipped with more than one gear allow you to select different speed ranges. You get the option to control the speed of single-gear drills with the speed control trigger.

Drilling capacity

Drilling capacity is the maximum diameter of the drill bit that can be used. You should always check that the drill bits are compatible with the drill you are using.

Ergonomics

For maximum comfort during use, look for drills that feature ergonomic handles with adjustable grips to fit different hand sizes and work styles. Breathable material also helps keep hands cooler during long jobs, while smaller handles tend to allow for more precise control in tight spaces.

Battery Capacity

When choosing a power drill, check the type of battery it uses and how long the battery life lasts between charging cycles. Lithium-ion batteries are typically considered the most reliable but can cost more than other types, such as nickel-cadmium or lead-acid variants. Consider how long you plan on using the drill between charging cycles; some models come with extra long-life batteries, which are perfect for extended use.

Extra Features

Many modern power drills offer additional features that can be useful depending on what type of job you plan on taking on; LED lights help illuminate dark areas, while brushless motor technologies provide longer run times and better efficiency while using less energy. Other features to look out for include multiple speed settings and variable speed triggers so that you can set your preferred speed level for different tasks.

Compatibility

If you already own any other tools that use the same type of battery or charger system as your prospective new drill, make sure to check compatibility beforehand, so you don’t end up wasting money on incompatible accessories or parts. Additionally, if you plan on connecting your drill up to another device – such as a router – double check compatibility before buying, so you don’t end up disappointed later down the line.