This guide compares six popular 18V cordless drills in the UK, looking at power, battery kits, handling, and suitability for real DIY tasks. It highlights clear picks for budget buyers, mid-range users, premium performance, full starter kits and beginner upgrades from trusted brands including Bosch, BLACK+DECKER, RYOBI, DEWALT, Einhell and Makita.
For most DIYers, the Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 offers the best overall balance of weight, control and battery runtime. Those wanting the lowest price should choose the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB, while frequent users or heavier drilling jobs are better served by the brushless DEWALT DCD778D2T-QW.
🧱 Why choosing the right cordless drill matters
A good cordless drill is one of the most important tools you’ll ever buy for DIY. From building flat-pack furniture and putting up shelves to drilling masonry and driving screws into timber, the right drill makes jobs easier, safer and far less frustrating.
The problem? There are hundreds of drills on the market – different voltages, torque ratings, batteries, “brushless” motors, kits with or without accessories, and prices that range from £40 to well over £200. It’s no wonder so many people either overspend or buy something too weak for the jobs they actually want to do.
In this guide, I’ve picked six of the most popular cordless drill kits available in the UK right now and compared them side by side. Each one has a clear “best for” category, so you can match a drill to your budget, experience level and the kind of projects you want to tackle. These “best for” categories are based on differences in torque, battery kits and overall feel, so you can compare them quickly without getting buried in spec sheets.
📘 Table of Contents
🏆 Overall winners at a glance
Here’s how the six drills stack up before we dive into the detail:
- Best Overall: Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2
- Best Budget Drill: BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB
- Best Mid-Range All-Rounder: RYOBI 18V ONE+ (2 × 1.5Ah)
- Best Premium Drill: DEWALT DCD778D2T-QW
- Best Value Starter Kit: Einhell TE-CD 18/2 Li-i + 22-piece kit
- Best Beginner Upgrade Kit: Makita HP488DAEX1 (2 × 2.0Ah + 74-piece set)
📊 Cordless drill comparison table (quick view)
This table gives you a quick side-by-side feel for how each drill compares on the basics.
🔍 How to choose a cordless drill for DIY
Before you pick a model, it helps to know which specs actually matter for home DIY – and which are just marketing noise.
- Voltage (18V vs 12V): Most of the drills here are 18V, which is ideal for general DIY. 12V drills are lighter but can struggle in masonry and thicker timber.
- Torque (Nm): Higher torque means more twisting force. Anything around 35–45 Nm is fine for light to medium DIY. Above 50 Nm is better if you plan on heavier work.
- Batteries: Two batteries are extremely handy so you’re not stuck mid-job waiting to recharge. Battery capacity (Ah) affects runtime – 2.0Ah and above is a nice sweet spot.
- Hammer function: If you ever want to drill into brick, masonry or concrete, look for a hammer/combi drill rather than just a drill driver.
- Brushless motor: Brushless drills are more efficient and usually last longer, but they cost more. For light DIY, brushed motors can still be perfectly fine.
- Kit contents: Some kits just include the drill and a battery, others include a case and a full set of bits. Beginner-friendly kits often include everything you need to get going.
With that in mind, let’s look at each drill in more detail and where it makes the most sense.
Each of the six drills below has a slightly different sweet spot - from lowest upfront cost to best long term kit, so I have highlighted what each one is “best for” and who it suits.
🧰 In-depth reviews of each drill
🏆 Best Overall: Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 Cordless Combi Drill
The Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 is one of the most popular cordless drills in the UK for good reason. It’s light, comfortable to hold and powerful enough for most DIY tasks, while still being beginner-friendly. The big bonus is that it comes with two 18V batteries, so you can work continuously by swapping one on charge and one in the drill.
It handles drilling into wood and metal very comfortably, and the hammer function is perfectly fine for lighter masonry jobs (picture hooks, wall plugs, small fixings). It’s not a trade-level monster, but for real-world home projects it’s more than up to the job.
Pros:
- Excellent all-round balance of price, power and ease of use
- Two batteries included – ideal for longer DIY sessions
- Lightweight and comfortable for smaller hands
- Hammer function works well for light masonry work
- Supplied in a sturdy case for easy storage
Cons:
- Not designed for frequent heavy drilling into hard brick or concrete
- Brushed motor, not brushless
- Included accessories are basic compared to some kits
- Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 Cordless Combi Drill (2-battery kit) Great all-round choice for most DIYers – light, easy to use and supplied with two 18V batteries plus a storage case.
💰 Best Budget Drill: BLACK+DECKER 18V Hammer Drill BCD700S1K-GB
If you want a cordless drill that can genuinely handle basic masonry but you don’t want to spend a fortune, the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB is a very solid option. It’s a straightforward 18V hammer drill that comes with a battery, charger and kitbox at a very approachable price.
It’s ideal for lighter projects like putting up shelves, assembling furniture, fitting curtain rails and fixing things around the home. The controls are simple, the chuck is easy to use, and the overall feel is beginner-friendly. It’s not the most powerful or refined drill in this list, but at this price that’s not the point.
Pros:
- One of the most affordable true hammer drills in the group
- Includes battery, charger and a kitbox
- Simple controls make it ideal as a first drill
- Good enough power for small masonry jobs and general DIY
- Comfortable grip and compact body
Cons:
- Only one battery included – you’ll need to pause for recharging on longer jobs
- Not suited to frequent heavy drilling in tough brick or concrete
- Brushed motor and slightly noisier than premium models
- BLACK+DECKER 18V Hammer Drill BCD700S1K-GB Great budget option if you want a simple 18V hammer drill with battery, charger and kitbox for everyday DIY jobs.
🔧 Best Mid-Range All-Rounder: RYOBI 18V ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit (2 × 1.5Ah)
The RYOBI ONE+ 18V Combi Drill Starter Kit is ideal if you want a drill that sits between budget and premium – and you like the idea of building up a cordless tool system over time. The big selling point is the ONE+ battery platform, which lets you use the same batteries across a wide range of RYOBI tools.
This kit includes two 1.5Ah batteries, which is fantastic for DIY – you can keep one on charge while you work with the other. Power-wise, it has enough torque for most home projects, including drilling into timber, sheet materials, and light masonry with the hammer function.
Pros:
- Two batteries included in the starter kit
- ONE+ system gives access to a huge range of compatible tools
- Good balance of power, runtime and price for serious DIY
- Comfortable grip and intuitive controls
- Ideal “step up” from a very basic budget drill
Cons:
- Not brushless, so not as efficient as higher-end models
- Slightly heavier than the Bosch when used for long periods
- Case and accessories vary by kit – check what’s included
- RYOBI 18V ONE+ Combi Drill Starter Kit (2 × 1.5Ah) A flexible mid-range drill that plugs into the wider ONE+ system, with two 1.5Ah batteries included for weekend projects.
🚀 Best Premium Drill: DEWALT XR 18V Brushless Combi Drill DCD778D2T-QW
If you want something that feels closer to a trade-level tool, the DEWALT DCD778D2T-QW is the standout premium option in this comparison. It uses a brushless motor, which brings more efficiency, longer runtime and better durability compared to brushed drills.
With higher torque than the other models here, it handles drilling into tougher materials with more confidence – especially masonry, thicker timber and larger diameter bits. The kit typically includes two 2.0Ah XR batteries, a charger and a tough TSTAK case, so you’re set up for serious DIY or light trade use.
Pros:
- Brushless motor offers excellent power and efficiency
- High torque – ideal for tougher materials and larger fixings
- Two XR batteries included for long sessions
- Robust build quality with a durable case
- Good worklight and compact body for a drill this strong
Cons:
- Significantly more expensive than budget and mid-range options
- Overkill if you only do occasional light DIY jobs
- A little heavier than smaller homeowner-focused drills
- DEWALT XR 18V Brushless Combi Drill DCD778D2T-QW Powerful brushless drill for heavier DIY and renovation work, supplied with two XR batteries and a tough TSTAK case.
🧰 Best Value Starter Kit: Einhell Power X-Change TE-CD 18/2 Li-i + 22-piece kit
The Einhell Power X-Change TE-CD 18/2 Li-i bundle stands out as a great value starter kit. You get a brushless combi drill, a 2.5Ah battery, fast charger, storage case and a 22-piece accessory set in one box, which is a lot of kit for the money.
Torque is respectable at around 44 Nm, giving enough power for general DIY tasks in timber, sheet materials and lighter masonry. It’s not as refined or widely known as Bosch or DEWALT, but if you’re value-driven and like the idea of getting a lot in one go, it’s very hard to ignore.
Pros:
- Brushless motor at a very competitive price
- Includes drill, 2.5Ah battery, charger, case and 22 accessories
- Good all-round power for typical home projects
- Part of the Einhell Power X-Change platform
- High perceived value thanks to the bundled kit
Cons:
- Only one battery included – you may want a spare later
- Brand is less familiar to many DIYers compared with Bosch or Makita
- Finish and feel are slightly less premium than the DEWALT and Makita kits
- Einhell Power X-Change TE-CD 18/2 Li-i 22-piece Drill Kit Great value starter kit if you want a brushless drill, 2.5Ah battery, charger, case and accessory set in one affordable bundle.
👶 Best Beginner Upgrade Kit: Makita HP488DAEX1 (2 × 2.0Ah + 74-piece set)
The Makita HP488DAEX1 is a fantastic choice if you’re relatively new to DIY but want to invest in a higher-quality kit that will last you years. It’s an 18V G-Series combi drill supplied with two 2.0Ah batteries, a charger and a 74-piece accessory set, all organised in a sturdy carry case.
The drill has enough torque for most household jobs, the hammer mode means you can tackle masonry when needed, and the accessory kit covers a wide range of screws and drill sizes. It’s not the cheapest drill in this guide, but as a “buy once, keep for years” starter setup, it makes a lot of sense.
Pros:
- Two 2.0Ah batteries included – plenty of runtime for DIY projects
- Huge 74-piece accessory set gives you almost everything you need from day one
- Makita build quality and reliability
- Comfortable design with good balance
- Great long-term choice for someone serious about DIY
Cons:
- G-Series batteries are not compatible with Makita’s LXT professional range
- More expensive than basic beginner kits
- Case is quite bulky to store if space is tight
- Makita HP488DAEX1 18V G-Series Drill & 74-piece Kit Ideal if you’re serious about DIY and want a quality starter kit with two batteries and a comprehensive 74-piece accessory set.
🧱 Final verdict – which drill should you buy?
If you just want one cordless drill that will cover almost everything you’re likely to do as a home DIYer, pick the Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2. It’s light, easy to use, comes with two batteries and has enough power for the vast majority of everyday tasks.
On a tight budget? The BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB is a great way to get a real hammer drill kit without spending a lot. If you want something that feels more future-proof, the RYOBI ONE+ 18V and the Einhell TE-CD 18/2 Li-i kit both offer excellent value in the mid-range.
If you’re planning heavier renovation work or think you’ll use your drill a lot, the DEWALT DCD778D2T-QW is the obvious premium choice. And if you’re a beginner who wants to invest once in a proper, long-lasting kit, the Makita HP488DAEX1 offers a very complete package with two batteries and a big accessory set.
