DIY & woodworking · Practical guide

Cordless drills: check the battery system and actual jobs

Choose a cordless drill by the materials and tasks you need, including battery, charger and suitable accessories.

List the planned jobs and their materials before comparing drills. Driving furniture screws, drilling timber and making holes in masonry are different requirements. Check the manufacturer's supported uses and seek advice when the task or substrate is uncertain.

DEX measuring timber at a woodworking bench

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Read the complete kit description

A bare tool may exclude the battery and charger. Confirm the exact compatible battery system and what the listing includes. Similar voltage labels do not guarantee compatibility between brands or product families.

Compare handling with a battery attached, not only the bare-tool weight. Check controls, grip and whether the tool can be used comfortably in the intended space. More power is not always more useful for small precise jobs.

Plan safe use before accessories

Read the manual and obtain instruction for unfamiliar tasks. Secure the workpiece and use protection appropriate to the material and process. Before drilling into a building surface, confirm services, permissions and suitable fixings; a detector alone is not permission to drill blindly.

Keep electrical, gas and structural alterations with qualified people. A drill purchase should not widen the project beyond your competence.

Before ordering

  • Match the drill to the actual material and task.
  • Check battery and charger inclusion.
  • Budget for correct bits, workholding and instruction.

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