18V Best by platform
18V combi drills
For home use, any brushless drill with 50-70 Nm is plenty. My pick: the Makita DHP485, compact and with power to spare.
Reviewed on 5 November 2026 · Data from the official spec sheets, linked on each model · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The combi drill is almost everyone’s first tool: it drills timber, metal and brick, and drives screws.
Hammer action is for brick and a little concrete. If you’ll drill a lot of concrete, you want an SDS-plus rotary hammer.
What to look for before you buy
- Torque: 50-70 Nm is plenty at home; over 90 Nm is for site work.
- Brushless motor: more runtime and a longer life.
- A 13 mm metal chuck.
- Weight: you’ll be holding it overhead; compact ones are less tiring.
- “Body only” if you already have batteries; a kit if you’re starting out.
Makita 18V LXTMy pick
Makita DHP485Z
Compact, brushless and with power to spare for home and renovations.
| Maximum torque | 50 Nm (hard) / 27 Nm (soft) |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 0-500 / 0-1,900 rpm |
| Blows per minute | 0-7,500 / 0-28,500 bpm |
| Chuck | 1.5-13 mm |
| Weight | 1.1 kg without battery |
| Motor | Brushless |
Official spec sheet for the Makita DHP485Z · Sold without battery or charger
DeWalt DCD996NT
The most powerful on the list. For site work or lots of brick and concrete; at home it’s more than you need.
| Maximum torque | 95 Nm |
|---|---|
| Blows per minute | Up to 38,250 bpm |
| Chuck | 13 mm |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Includes | TSTAK case |
Official spec sheet for the DeWalt DCD996NT · Sold without battery or charger
Bosch Professional GSB 18V-52 (kit)
Light and powerful. Sold as a kit with two batteries (2.0 and 4.0 Ah), charger and L-BOXX. The listing on amazon.co.uk is the European version (part number 06019S0122) and I can’t confirm it comes with a UK charger, so the button goes to the official spec sheet.
| Maximum torque | 52 Nm (hard) / 25 Nm (soft) |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 500 / 1,900 rpm |
| Chuck | 1.5-13 mm |
| Weight | 0.98 kg without battery |
| Motor | Brushless |
Einhell TP-CD 18/50 Li-i BL (kit)
Einhell’s brushless version, as a kit with two batteries, a fast charger and a case.
| Maximum torque | 50 Nm |
|---|---|
| Chuck | 13 mm |
| Weight | 2.02 kg |
| Motor | Brushless |
| In the box | 2 × 2.0 Ah batteries, fast charger and E-Box case |
Ryobi RPD18BL1 (kit)
Brushless and more compact than Ryobi’s previous model. I couldn’t confirm this exact kit on amazon.co.uk: the button goes to the official spec sheet.
| Maximum torque | 54 Nm |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 2 gears |
| Chuck | 13 mm ratcheting |
| Torque settings | 24 |
| Motor | Brushless |
The pros and cons summarise opinions that come up again and again in the reviews and forums linked in the sources. I haven’t tested these tools in person.
What about Milwaukee?
I don’t include it with an Amazon link: its extended guarantee only covers purchases from an authorised distributor. If you already have M18 batteries, look for this model with the official dealer locator.
My pick
Makita DHP485 if you have or will have Makita batteries. If you’re starting from scratch with blue Bosch, the GSB 18V-52 kit. DeWalt DCD996 only if it’s going to work hard on site.
Sources
- Makita DHP485Z: official spec sheet
- DeWalt DCD996NT: official spec sheet
- Bosch Professional GSB 18V-52 (kit): official spec sheet
- Einhell TP-CD 18/50 Li-i BL (kit): official spec sheet
- Ryobi RPD18BL1 (kit): official spec sheet
Specs checked on the manufacturers’ websites on 5 November 2026. I don’t publish prices because they change every day.
More tools
- Combo kits
- Impact drivers
- Mitre saws
- Circular saws
- Jigsaws
- Multi-tools
- Angle grinders
- Workshop vacuums
- 18V batteries
No platform yet? How to choose a platform in five questions.