The Best Budget Cordless Drills UK – 5 Affordable Options Tested and Ranked

The Ryobi RCD18-0 earns its top position through consistent, reliable performance across every test rather than excellence in any single category. Its brushless motor is the standout feature at this price point – brushless motors run cooler, last significantly longer and deliver better runtime per charge than the brushed motors found in most budget drills. The two-speed gearbox covers both high-torque low-speed work for driving larger screws and faster drilling for timber, and the clutch has 24 settings giving genuinely useful control across different materials and screw sizes.

The ONE+ battery platform is the Ryobi’s strongest long-term argument. Over 100 tools share the same 18V ONE+ battery, from drills and impact drivers through to lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers. For a homeowner building a cordless toolkit from scratch, starting with the Ryobi platform means every subsequent tool purchase shares existing batteries rather than requiring a new investment. The body-only price is competitive and batteries can be bought separately or found bundled in starter kits.

The GSR 18V-55 sits at the upper end of the budget bracket but performs at a level that justifies every penny of the premium over cheaper options. At 55Nm of torque it is the most powerful drill in this test and the difference is noticeable on demanding tasks – driving long coach screws into hardwood, drilling large-diameter holes in timber with a spade bit, or working through the day on a more demanding DIY project. The electronic motor protection system prevented the motor stalling under overload in every test, a durability feature absent on the cheaper models.

The Bosch 18V Professional system is the main consideration for anyone thinking beyond a single drill. It is a professional-grade ecosystem with a wide range of tools, broadly compatible batteries and good UK availability. For occasional home DIY use the body-only price feels steep without existing batteries, but for anyone already in the system it is the obvious choice at this price level.

The Einhell TE-CD 18 is the drill that surprises most at first use. For around £45 with a battery and charger included, it delivers performance that is genuinely adequate for all standard home DIY tasks – not excellent, but not embarrassing either. At 45Nm it drives screws and drills timber without complaint. The brushed motor will not last as long as the Ryobi’s brushless equivalent, but for occasional use the lifespan is entirely acceptable and the all-in purchase cost is the lowest in this test by a significant margin.

Einhell’s Power X-Change platform covers a wide range of garden and DIY tools and the batteries are genuinely interchangeable across the range, which adds useful long-term value if other Einhell tools are likely to follow. The drill body itself feels slightly cheaper than the Ryobi or Bosch but survived the drop test without structural damage.

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The DCD778 is DeWalt’s entry point into the XR brushless platform and it sits at the budget ceiling rather than the budget floor – body-only pricing puts it at the same level as the Bosch GSR. Its 42Nm torque is lower than either the Ryobi or Bosch, which was noticeable on the heaviest tasks in our test, and the two-speed gearbox covers the standard range adequately without the precision of the Ryobi’s 24-position clutch. Where it genuinely wins is build quality – the XR housing is noticeably more robust than any other drill in this test and it is the most confidence-inspiring to use.

For anyone already running DeWalt XR tools – an impact driver, an SDS drill, a circular saw – the DCD778 body-only is the logical drill choice: shared batteries, familiar platform, consistent quality. For someone starting fresh with no existing batteries, the value case compared to the Ryobi is less clear at a similar price point.

The Black+Decker BDCDD12 is the cheapest drill in this test with a battery and charger included, and it shows in the areas that matter most. At 30Nm it is the least torquey drill tested and the limitation is genuinely felt on any task requiring sustained effort – longer screws, denser timber, anything that a competent DIYer would tackle regularly. It handled flatpack assembly and light timber drilling without complaint, which covers the extent of its suitable applications well enough.

Its genuine advantages are weight and price. At under 1kg body weight it is the most comfortable drill in this test to use overhead or in tight spaces for extended periods, and the all-in price including battery and charger is the lowest available. For someone who genuinely only needs a drill for the occasional flatpack and picture hanging, the argument for spending more is weak. For anyone likely to use a drill regularly for more demanding tasks, the £15 to £20 step up to the Einhell is worth making.

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The Ryobi RCD18-0 is the best budget cordless drill available to UK buyers right now. Its brushless motor, comprehensive clutch and excellent ONE+ platform compatibility make it the obvious choice for homeowners building a toolkit across multiple tools. The Bosch is the better drill for heavy use but costs more. The Einhell is the right answer if total all-in cost is the primary constraint. Everyone else is buying into a weaker proposition at a similar price.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices correct at time of publishing.