BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-10-16·6 products compared
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
What are the best cordless drills to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Cordless Drills in the UK is the Makita DHP489Z 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill (Body Only).
The Makita DHP489Z suits buyers who already have a compatible 18V battery and charger and want a brushless combi drill with a stated 73 Nm on hard mode, 21 torque settings and a 13mm keyless chuck.
The Makita DHP489Z 18V brushless combi drill is our top pick because its listing states a maximum fastening torque of 40 Nm on soft mode and 73 Nm on hard mode, 21 torque settings plus drill mode, a metal gear housing, a 13mm keyless chuck and maximum capacities of 16mm in masonry, 13mm in steel and 38mm in wood; it is sold without batteries or a charger. For a kit with batteries and a charger in the box, the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 lists two 2.0Ah batteries, a charger, a carrying case and a 2 year manufacturer warranty; for the highest stated torque here, the DEWALT DCD799P2T lists up to 74Nm with two 5Ah batteries and a TSTAK kitbox.
This guide compares six 18V cordless drills from Makita, Bosch, DEWALT and BLACK+DECKER, using what each listing states: maximum torque, torque settings, gears, chuck, batteries in the box and warranty. Stated maximum torque runs from 40Nm on the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB and 40 Nm on the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 to up to 74Nm on the DEWALT DCD799P2T.
Buying guide
What should you look for in Cordless Drills?
1Maximum torque: the listings state up to 74Nm (DEWALT DCD799P2T), 73 Nm on hard mode and 40 Nm on soft mode (Makita DHP489Z), 60 Nm (Bosch UniversalDrill 18V-60), 40 Nm (Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40) and 40Nm (BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB). The DEWALT DCD796P1-GB listing states no torque figure.
2Torque settings and gears: the Makita lists 21 torque settings plus drill mode and a mechanical 2 speed; both Bosch drills list 20 torque levels and a 2-speed gearbox; the DEWALT DCD799P2T lists 15 torque positions and dual speed settings; the BLACK+DECKER lists 11 clutch positions and 2 gear settings. The DEWALT DCD796P1-GB lists a two-stage full-metal gearbox.
3Batteries in the box: the DEWALT DCD799P2T includes two 5Ah XR batteries and a charger; the Bosch EasyImpact includes two 2.0Ah batteries and a charger; the BLACK+DECKER includes one 1.5Ah battery and a charger. The Makita title says batteries and charger are not included, and the Bosch UniversalDrill's stated scope of supply is a double screwdriver bit and a cardboard box.
4Hammer function: the BLACK+DECKER lists hammer action at 21,000 beats per minute, the DEWALT DCD796P1-GB a drill and hammer function, and the Bosch EasyImpact impact drilling in masonry; the DEWALT DCD799P2T is sold as a hammer drill driver. The Makita is sold as a combi drill with a stated 16mm masonry capacity.
5Warranty: the Bosch UniversalDrill and EasyImpact state a 2 year manufacturer warranty, the BLACK+DECKER two years from purchase and the DEWALT DCD796P1-GB 1 year. The Makita and DEWALT DCD799P2T listings state no warranty term.
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
The Makita DHP489Z suits buyers who already have a compatible 18V battery and charger and want a brushless combi drill with a stated 73 Nm on hard mode, 21 torque settings and a 13mm keyless chuck.
Voltage
18V
Max Torque
40 Nm soft mode, 73 Nm hard mode (fastening)
Torque Settings
21 plus drill mode
Gears
Mechanical 2 speed
Chuck
13mm keyless
Batteries
Batteries and charger not included (per title)
Capacity
16mm masonry, 13mm steel, 38mm wood
What we like
+States 73 Nm maximum fastening torque on hard mode and 40 Nm on soft mode
+21 torque settings plus drill mode and a mechanical 2 speed
+Metal gear housing and a twin LED job light with pre-glow and afterglow
+States maximum capacities: 16mm masonry, 13mm steel, 38mm wood
Worth noting
–Batteries and charger are not included
–The listing says it is not compatible with G-Series batteries
–The listing states no warranty term
£105.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 19:00 (London time). Details
The Bosch UniversalDrill 18V-60 suits buyers who already have a compatible 18V battery and charger and want a brushless drill/driver with a stated 60 Nm, 20 torque levels, a 13-mm metal chuck and a 2 year warranty.
Voltage
18V
Max Torque
60 Nm (hard)
Torque Settings
20
Gears
2-speed gearbox
Chuck
13-mm metal
Batteries
Not in the stated scope of supply (double screwdriver bit, cardboard box)
Warranty
2 year manufacturer
What we like
+Maximum hard torque of 60 Nm
+Brushless motor, per the listing
+13-mm metal chuck and 20 torque levels
+2 year manufacturer warranty
Worth noting
–The stated scope of supply lists no battery or charger
–The listing does not mention a hammer function or masonry drilling
The DEWALT DCD799P2T suits buyers who want a brushless hammer drill kit, with up to 74Nm, 15 torque positions and two 5Ah batteries stated on the listing.
Voltage
18V
Max Torque
Up to 74Nm
Torque Settings
15
Gears
Dual speed settings, all-metal transmission
Batteries
Two 5Ah XR Lithium-Ion with state of charge indicator
In The Box
Multi-voltage XR charger, magnetic bit holder, belt hook, TSTAK kitbox
What we like
+Up to 74Nm of torque, per the listing
+Two 5Ah XR batteries and a multi-voltage charger included
+Brushless motor and integrated LED worklight
+Comes in a TSTAK kitbox with a magnetic bit holder and belt hook
Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 Cordless Combi Drill with 2 x 2.0Ah Batteries
The Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 suits buyers who want a combi drill kit with two 2.0Ah batteries, a charger, 20 torque levels and a 2 year warranty on the listing.
Voltage
18V
Max Torque
40 Nm
Torque Settings
20
Gears
2-speed gearbox
Chuck
13 mm single-sleeve
Batteries
2 x PBA 18V 2.0Ah, charger AL 18V-20
Warranty
2 year manufacturer
What we like
+Two 2.0Ah batteries, a charger and a carrying case in the box
+Impact drilling in masonry plus wood, metal and plastic drilling
+20 torque levels and a 2-speed gearbox
+2 year manufacturer warranty
Worth noting
–The listing does not mention a brushless motor
–The listing states no hammer rate
£80.00Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 19:00 (London time). Details
The BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB suits everyday DIY drilling and screwdriving, with the listing stating 40Nm, hammer action at 21,000 beats per minute, a 1.5Ah battery and charger, and two years warranty.
Voltage
18V
Max Torque
40Nm
Torque Settings
11 clutch positions
Gears
2 gear settings
Chuck
Keyless single-sleeve
Batteries
1 x 1.5Ah battery, charger and kitbox
Warranty
Two years from purchase
What we like
+Hammer action at 21,000 beats per minute
+One 1.5Ah battery, a charger and a kitbox included
+Variable speed trigger and spring loaded slide pack battery
+Two years warranty from purchase
Worth noting
–One battery in the box
–The listing states no chuck size
–The listing does not mention a brushless motor
£38.49£59.99−36%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 19:00 (London time). Details
The DEWALT DCD796P1-GB suits buyers who want a compact brushless combi drill with a drill and hammer function and a two-stage full-metal gearbox, though its listing gives no torque figure and does not say what is in the box.
Voltage
18 V
Gears
Two-stage full-metal gearbox
Batteries
Listing mentions 5.0 Ah lithium-ion battery technology; it does not say a battery is in the box
Warranty
1 year
Modes
Drill and hammer
What we like
+Brushless motor, per the listing
+Drill and hammer function
+Two-stage full-metal gearbox
+Ultra-compact, lightweight design, as DEWALT describes it
Worth noting
–The listing states no torque figure or number of torque settings
–The listing states no chuck size
–1 year warranty
£119.98£129.99−8%Amazon.co.uk price as of 17 Oct, 19:00 (London time). Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 17 Oct, 19:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
These listings give a torque figure for every drill except the DEWALT DCD796P1-GB, but a chuck size is stated on only three of the six (Makita and both Bosch drills). The Makita and the Bosch UniversalDrill list no battery or charger in the box, and the DEWALT DCD796P1-GB listing does not say what is in its box.
Our Take
The Makita DHP489Z is the default pick if you already have a compatible 18V battery and charger: 73 Nm on hard mode, 21 torque settings and stated drilling capacities. If you need batteries in the box, the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 lists two 2.0Ah batteries, a charger and a 2 year warranty, and the DEWALT DCD799P2T lists up to 74Nm with two 5Ah batteries.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Which cordless drill has the most torque?
The DEWALT DCD799P2T lists up to 74Nm, the highest stated figure among the drills in this guide, followed by the Makita DHP489Z at 73 Nm on hard mode. The DEWALT DCD796P1-GB listing states no torque figure, so it is not part of that comparison.
Which cordless drills come with batteries and a charger?
The DEWALT DCD799P2T (two 5Ah batteries), the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 (two 2.0Ah batteries) and the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB (one 1.5Ah battery) each list a charger in the box. The Makita DHP489Z title says batteries and charger are not included.
Can a cordless drill drill into masonry?
Yes: the Makita DHP489Z lists a 16mm maximum capacity in masonry, the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB lists hammer action for masonry and concrete, and the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 lists impact drilling in masonry. The Bosch UniversalDrill 18V-60 listing does not mention masonry in the features we read.
What chuck size do cordless drills have?
The Makita DHP489Z lists a 13mm keyless chuck, the Bosch UniversalDrill 18V-60 a 13-mm metal chuck and the Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 a 13 mm single-sleeve chuck. The BLACK+DECKER lists a keyless single-sleeve chuck without a size.
Which cordless drills have a brushless motor?
The Makita DHP489Z, Bosch UniversalDrill 18V-60, DEWALT DCD796P1-GB and DEWALT DCD799P2T all list a brushless motor. The Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 and BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB listings do not mention one in the features we read.
What warranty do cordless drills come with?
The Bosch UniversalDrill 18V-60 and Bosch EasyImpact 18V-40 state a 2 year manufacturer warranty, the BLACK+DECKER BCD700S1K-GB two years from purchase and the DEWALT DCD796P1-GB 1 year. The Makita DHP489Z and DEWALT DCD799P2T listings state no warranty term.
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