Best Overall · Cordless Drills

Makita DHP485 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill

Compact, brushless and built to last, the DHP485 is the drill we'd recommend to most people. It drills cleanly into brick, drives long screws without fuss, and joins the huge Makita LXT battery range.

Brand: Makita
Best for: Regular DIY and home renovation
Price range: Mid-range
Our score: 9.0/10

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Our take

Makita's DHP485 sits in the sweet spot between budget DIY drills and heavy-duty trade models. It's small enough to get into kitchen cupboards and between joists, but its brushless motor has enough punch for masonry fixings and long wood screws.

In use

The two-speed gearbox gives you a slow, controllable gear for driving screws and a faster one for drilling. The clutch is easy to set, so you're less likely to strip screw heads or overdrive into plasterboard.

Batteries

LXT is one of the biggest 18V battery platforms around, so the same batteries will power saws, sanders, garden tools and even vacuums later. Check the listing carefully: the cheapest prices are usually for the bare tool.