The new Makita 4.0Ah battery with a 60 minute fast charge time with a DC10SB charger or 130 minute standard charge time with a DC10WD charger. Key specs – Power: 4V; Speeds: 1; Max speeds: 230rpm; Max torque: 3Nm; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: Proprietary 4.2V; Accessories: 6 bits, removable screw holder; Weight: 500g Most of the models with built-in batteries charge from a standard wall charger, or even in many cases via a micro-USB port. This is convenient if you’re travelling around and also means you can keep using your screwdriver even if you lose the charger supplied. A few still use some form of charging cradle, where the tool slots into place. Dark, compact spaces can be difficult to work in, but an LED light will help shine light on the task at hand – allowing you to work more precisely and confidently. Where to buy a drill If you're planning a larger home improvement project and need professional help, head to Which? Trusted Traders .

Be careful when drilling hard materials – on hard materials such as concrete, prevent the drill bit from overheating by regularly withdrawing from the hole.With the larger drill/driver models, you will usually need to remove the battery and slot it into a separate charger. That said, even some of these are now charging through micro-USB. Choose the right drill bit – this will vary depending on whether you're working with masonry, metal or wood. Don't select the hammer action if the drill bit is rotary and non-hammer. If you’re working with extremely hard materials, such as concrete, paving slabs or metal, make sure your drill bit is tipped with tungsten carbide. This is approximately twice as strong as steel, and better able to withstand heavy-duty drilling. Belt clip Makita’s 7.2V Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill Kit with Auto-Stop Clutch delivers convenience and precision drilling and driving power to torque-specific assembly applications. The DF012DSE combines the ultra-compact design of a cordless screwdriver with 21 clutch settings and an auto-stop clutch for extra fastening control.

DC18RD is a two port fast charger that is able to charge two Makita Li-ion batteries (14.4V-18V) at the same time, as fast as DC18RC charges one battery. Whichever type of drill you opt for, make sure you're using a suitable drill bit for the work you're doing. The new Makita 1.5Ah battery with a 22 minute fast charge time with a DC10SB charger or 50 minute standard charge time with a DC10WD charger

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If you’re looking to get some serious work done, the Makita DF001DW has you covered. It can switch between pistol-grip and standard barrel screwdriver modes for different situations, and it feels extremely robust in the hand. Even the micro-USB port in the handle has a cover. A two-way switch at the top of the handle drives screws in or out at a single speed. Key specs – Power: 18V; Speeds: 10; Max speeds: 650rpm; Max torque: 30Nm; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: 18Vproprietary; Accessories: 1 bit; Weight: 750g However, the WX240 really comes into its own if you’re working in cramped spaces, or doing fiddly jobs where a larger cordless driver with more of a pistol grip might get in the way. I used both the WX240 and the Bosch IXO to assemble a PC inside a new case, and while the Bosch was fine for removing external case screws, the Worx was a lot more usable inside the case and for getting screws into the motherboard. It charges in under 90 minutes over a USB-C cable, and will happily last for around 35 to 45 minutes of work. For bigger screws on DIY jobs, you might want something with a little more power and torque; but if you need something that feels and works more like a manual screwdriver, this is the one to buy. Keep scrolling as we explain how to choose the best type of drill, find out how much you should expect to spend and discover the best features and accessories to look out for. The new Makita 2.0Ah battery with a 30 minute fast charge time with a DC10SB charger or 70 minute standard charge time with a DC10WD charger.

As with most drill-drivers, the battery is a separate unit that slides onto the bottom of the handle. It’s charged by its own charger and can take up to six hours to charge. This and the sheer size means it’s not as convenient a tool for basic household DIY, but it’s a brilliant and affordable option when you have something more ambitious in mind.

Makita HP457DWE10 18V G-Series Combi Drill & 74 Piece Accessory Set

While there are specific heavy-duty corded electric drills available, these tend to be more powerful than required for the average household project, so a combination cordless drill is an excellent choice if you need a tool with a little more oomph that will still be useful for everyday tasks.