If you've ever carried out a DIY task at home with little more to drive your screws in than the strength of your wrist and the fear of abusive remarks at the state of your handiwork, you probably found yourself wishing you had a power tool at your disposal.
Manually driven handheld tools have their place, especially for the more intricate jobs, but if you just need to get the screws in, the nuts and bolts off, or material cut in rapid time, there's no substitute for a power tool. If it's an electric screwdriver you're after, check out our list of the best electric screwdrivers here.
The best power tools at a glance:
The best electric screwdriver: Bosch Cordless Screwdriver IXO (Sixth-generation) - Buy now on Amazon
The best adjustable electric screwdriver: Makita DF001DW 3.6v Cordless Lithium-Ion Pencil Screwdriver + 81 Piece Bit Set - Buy now on Amazon
The best cordless power drill: Ryobi R18DD5-0 Cordless Compact Brushless Drill Driver - Buy now on Amazon
The best budget cordless power drill: Bosch UniversalDrill 18V -Buy now on Amazon
The best impact wrench: RYOBI - ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 4-Mode 1/4" in. Impact Wrench - Buy now on Amazon
The best budget impact wrench: Makita DTW190Z 18V Li-Ion LXT Impact Wrench - Buy now on FFX
No matter the task, there's a good chance you'll be able to expedite it with a small amount of powered assistance. For anyone looking to take either their home or motoring DIY seriously, power tools are a must, but which should you buy? There are plenty of options to choose from, including a fantastic range of cordless power drills capable of carrying out various tasks across a broad price spectrum, so we've compiled a few of our favourites to help get you going.
The best power tools in depth
The best electric screwdriver
A fantastic everyday electric screwdriver for the common DIYer. There are more powerful models out there, but given this model's ergonomic design, solid build quality and great performance, it tops our list. With a progressive trigger and an LED light for low-light vision, the Bosch Cordless Screwdriver IXO is a great piece of kit for the money.
Pros
- Perfect for DIYers
- Ergonomic design
- Stylish
Cons
- Only 10 screwdriver attachments
- Torque control is an extra purchase
| Battery voltage: | 3.6V |
| Charging time: | Two hours |
| Weight: | 0.34kg |
| Drill bits included: | 10 screwdriver bits |
| Extras: | Storage box, variable speed control, LED light |
The best electric screwdriver set
What good is a screwdriver without the right bit? Luckily, this example from Makita comes with just about every bit you could ever need as standard – all 81 of them. No matter the task, so long as it's charged up with the room to do its job, this handy tool will have you covered. We especially like the changeable grip shape, from pistol to pencil, so that you can adapt the tool to fit your needs rather than the other way round.
Pros
- A conclusive kit
- Adjustable handle
- A powerful choice
Cons
- Most screw bits will remain unused
- No power adjustability
| Battery voltage: | 3.6V |
| Charging time: | Varies |
| Weight: | 0.36kg |
| Drill bits included: | 81 screwdriver bits |
| Extras: | Storage box, adjustable handle, LED light |
The best cordless power drill
Ryobi tools are hugely popular among casual DIYers as the models within its ONE Plus family all share the same battery. Once you have the battery, you're then equipped to power hundreds of tools - most of which can be bought for discounted prices with the battery not included. This Ryobi power drill is a very popular choice as it's powerful, ergonomic and, of course, shares that all-important interchangeable battery.
Pros
- Fantastic performance
- One battery to fit a number of different tools
Cons
- Difficult to find at this price
| Type: | Drill driver |
| Voltage: | 18V |
| Torque; | 50Nm |
| Weight: | 1kg |
| Chuck size: | 13mm |
| Motor: | Brushless |
| Max wood: | 32mm |
| Max steel: | 13mm |
| Warranty: | Two years, or three years with registration |
Best budget cordless power drill
The UniversalDrill 18V is part of Bosch's Power For All 18V range - a fantastic buy for casual DIYers. With a wide range of torque settings and some decent power behind each drive, it grants users the confidence to tackle any build, repair or maintenance job themselves at home or on the car.
Pros
- A lot of drill for a great price
- Loads of torque settings
Cons
- Not as powerful as the Ryobi drill
| Type: | Drill driver |
| Voltage: | 18V |
| Torque: | 40Nm |
| Weight: | 0.89kg |
| Chuck size: | 10mm |
| Motor: | Brushed |
| Max wood: | 30mm |
| Max steel: | 10mm |
| Warranty: | Two years or three years with registration |
Best impact wrench
While they may not be toolbox essentials, impact drivers can be incredibly useful when addressing tightly fastened nuts and bolts. This example from Ryobi is fantastically well made, designed for easy use by beginners, but also very powerful.
Read our full review of the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 4-Mode 1/4" in. Impact Wrench here.
Pros
- Powerful
- Easy to use
- Battery swap with other Ryobi tools
Cons
- Possibly overkill
- Will need to buy own sockets
| Impact rating: | 3,800 |
| Toque rating: | 1,700 in/lbs |
| Max RPM: | 2,900 |
| Voltage: | 18V |
| Weight: | 930g |
Best budget impact wrench
ffx.co.uk
This handy little impact wrench packs a big punch for such a small unit. Makita is known for its quality tools, and this is no exception, boasting a max torque of 190Nm with an all-metal gearbox and soft grip handle. At just 1.7kg sans battery, it'll prove to be a versatile and truly portable tool. The LED job light will also prove useful.
Pros
- Powerful
- Trusted supplier
Cons
- Need to source those batteries separately
| Max torque: | 190Nm |
| Max RPM: | 2,3000 |
| Impact rate: | 3000 bpm |
| Cordless: | Yes |
FAQs
What is a power tool?
A power tool is a tool that utilises auxiliary power – usually electrical – to provide movement or propulsion. Rather than solely relying on human labour as hand tools do, power tools can relieve some of the strains of DIY work by providing a helping hand.
How can power tools help my DIY?
By offering up extra power and drive, power tools can assist movement and technique. They'll allow you to work straighter, faster and harder, expediting the task you have to complete while ensuring better final results. While they can be too unwieldy to use on some of the more intricate tasks, these tools are great for carrying out monotonous, repetitive jobs like driving screws, drilling holes and cutting material. Others, like the rotary tool, can be used for several tasks at once.
How much are power tools?
The price of power tools can vary depending on their size, capabilities and the materials used. While some of the small models - electric screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. - can be picked up for around £50, some of the more expensive items like power drills and angle grinders can cost upwards of several hundred pounds.
Which power tools are right for me?
The right power tool for you depends largely on the type of DIY you want to carry out as well as the capabilities you require from your toolset. If it's casual DIY that interests you, there are hundreds of entry-level options that'll work just fine in the capacity you require - why blow the bank on a high-ticket power drill when you only need an electric screwdriver?
Conversely, if you want to feel secure in the knowledge that you have whatever is necessary at your disposal, you may want to consider developing a model from each category. They're built to last.
Of course, beyond power and performance, you may want to consider the size and weight of certain power tools before buying. Some models are considerably bigger and heavier than others - the bigger a power tool is, the harder it can be to use properly. We highly recommend selecting power tools based on your own physical capabilities, as you'll see better results for it.