What Drill Do I Need?

Use a drill driver for screwdriving and holes in wood or metal. Choose a combi drill when the same tool also needs to make occasional smaller holes in brick or block.

Choose an SDS rotary hammer for repeated concrete or heavy masonry, and an impact driver for demanding screwdriving.

The four useful classes

• Drill driver: controlled screwdriving plus ordinary rotary drilling.
• Combi drill: a drill driver with selectable percussion for occasional masonry.
• SDS rotary hammer: a dedicated hammer mechanism for harder masonry and concrete.
• Impact driver: high rotational fastening force through a hex-bit holder; not a general drilling replacement.

Start with material and frequency

A shelf into plasterboard uses the correct fixing and an ordinary drilling mode; a fixing into brick may justify combi hammer action. Repeated concrete holes move the job into SDS territory.

Long structural screws can favour an impact driver, but you may still need a drill for pilot holes.

Then compare products

Within the correct class, check drilling capacity, chuck or bit holder, controllable speed, weight, brushless motor and whether the listing includes batteries. Higher torque is not automatically better for every task.

Use the drill finder to identify the class before products are ranked.

Bosch’s official drill guide explains the difference between drill drivers, combi drills and rotary hammers.