Are you looking to grow your drill collection or find out more about the best drill for the job?
Our guide to the five types of drill will help you to understand which drill is best for you.
A Guide to The 5 Drill Types
Drills are a useful power tool specifically designed and used for making holes in various materials such as wood, metal and masonry.
Some models of drills have extra features such as the ability to fasten and loosen screws, or have a hammer and percussion mode which allows you to drill holes into harder masonry materials with the appropriate drill bit attached.Here our experts answer your common drill Q&As, and explore what types of drills and screwdrivers are best to buy for the job at hand.
These five types of drills cover a wide range of applications, from light-duty home use to professional, heavy-duty construction work. While there are various drills available on the market for a selection of jobs, the most common types of drills can be simplified into these five areas:
- Drill Drivers
- Combi Drills
- Rotary Hammer Drills
- Impact Drivers
- Screwdrivers
Drill Driver
When it comes to handling small tasks around the house, a drill driver is a versatile choice. It's not just for drilling holes in wood and metal; it also functions as a screwdriver, allowing you to both tighten and loosen screws using various drill and screwdriver bits. This makes it perfect for tasks like putting up shelves, hanging pictures, and assembling flat pack furniture.
A cordless drill, such as the Ryobi ONE+ 18V One+ Cordless Drill Driver is powered by a rechargeable battery and is one of the most versatile tools for general drilling tasks. It’s lightweight, portable, and easy to use.
Best For: General-purpose drilling into wood, metal, plastic, and screw-driving.
Key Features:
- 13mm ratcheting chuck for improved bit gripping strength and durability
- 2 gears to control the max speed to match different materials and applications
- 24 torque settings help to drive screws flush every time
- LED working light for improved visibility
- Compact and easy to carry
Combi Drill
Combi drills, also known as combi or hammer drills, combine the functionalities of a drill driver with the added ability to deliver a hammering action. This special feature enables the drill to efficiently bore holes into tough materials like masonry and brick. The versatility of these 3-in-1 drills makes them an excellent choice for various tasks, as they can handle everyday drilling and tackle more demanding projects with ease. Whether you're working on wood, metal, or concrete, a combi drill is a valuable all-rounder to have in your toolkit.
A Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Combi drill is perfect combi drill for wood, steel and masonry drilling as well as screwdriving.
Best For: Use the hammer drill function for masonry, or switch to regular drilling for wood, metal, or plastic. You can also utilise the clutch settings for precise screwdriving.
Key Features:
- 13mm Ratcheting chuck provides improved bit gripping strength and durability
- 2 gears control the max speed to match different materials and applications
- 24-clutch settings help to drive screws flush every time
- LED work light illuminates up your work area for better visibility
- Variable Speed Trigger
- Forward and reverse control for easy use
Combi Drill vs Impact Driver
As detailed above, a combi drill is a multifunctional power tool designed to handle a variety of tasks such as drilling holes, driving screws, and hammering into masonry. It combines several functions into one device, making it ideal for general DIY work around the home or garden.
In contrast, an impact driver is a specialised tool built for high-torque fastening tasks. It uses a combination of rotational force and rapid impacts from an internal hammer mechanism, giving it the ability to drive long screws, bolts, and heavy-duty fasteners effortlessly into tough materials. While impact drivers typically lack adjustable torque controls, their power and efficiency shine when repeatedly driving large fasteners into dense materials, avoiding user fatigue and simplifying complex jobs.
When to Use a Combi Drill
Choose a combi drill if you need a versatile all-in-one tool that can perform multiple roles - drilling holes in wood, metal, and masonry, as well as screwing in fixings and light hammering tasks. Its adjustable settings and standard chuck make it suitable for a variety of light to medium-duty DIY projects.
When to use for an Impact Driver
Choose an impact driver if your primary task involves driving multiple large screws, nuts, or bolts into hard materials. Its high torque and rotational impacts make inserting fasteners quicker and easier, especially in dense, tough surfaces like timber framing, decking, or metalwork. It’s perfect when speed and power are more critical than finesse or precise control.
SDS+ Drills
An SDS+ drill is a versatile tool that combines rotary drilling with a forward hammering action. It is specially designed for drilling into tough materials such as concrete, brick, and masonry. Also referred to as rotary hammer drills, these powerful tools are ideal for heavy-duty tasks around the home, such as installing shelves or securing gutters.
The Ryobi 18V ONE+™ Cordless 4-mode SDS+ Drill is a pneumatic hammer drill ideal for drilling holes in stone and concrete. The special SDS (Slotted Drive System) drill bit design prevents slipping and withstands powerful hammer action, making chiselling and chasing jobs easier.
Best For: Drilling into concrete, brick, stone, or masonry.
Key Features:
- Pneumatic hammer mechanism delivers 1.3J of impact energy making it easy to drill in hard materials like concrete
- SDS+ chuck for fast drilling and easy accessory bit changes
- 4 modes for extra versatility (hammer drill, rotary drill, chisel, chisel alignment)
- Chisel function ideal for applications such as light tile removal
- LED lights up your work area for better visibility
SDS+ Drills vs Combi Drills
The main difference between an SDS+ drill and a combi drill is that an SDS+ drill is designed for heavy-duty masonry work with its powerful impact function, while a combi drill offers versatile drilling and screw-driving capabilities suitable for a variety of lighter tasks.
An SDS+ drill is specifically designed for heavy-duty work, featuring a powerful hammering action that drives the drill bit into tough materials like concrete, brick, or stone. This makes it essential for construction tasks or projects that involve masonry.
In contrast, a combi drill is a more versatile tool, combining standard drilling, screw-driving, and occasional light hammering in one unit. While it can handle drilling into softer materials such as wood, metal, and light masonry, it doesn’t generate the same intense impact as an SDS+ drill, making it less suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Impact Driver
An impact driver is perfect for driving screws and bolts with its powerful rotational force and bursts of concussive impact. It provides more torque than a standard drill, making it ideal for heavy-duty fastening tasks. They are effective for tightening bolt heads and nuts and drilling into metal due to their high torque capacity. Impact drivers are slightly more compact and lightweight compared to drill drivers.
The Ryobi 18V ONE+™ HP Cordless Brushless Performance Impact Driver has 4-power settings for wide range of applications, from fitting door hinges to driving decking screws and coach bolts. It also features Ryobi's most advanced brushless technology to provide maximum tool performance; reducing friction and heat build-up, resulting in better torque control and faster speeds, to increase the lifespan of the motor.
Best For: Driving long screws, lag bolts, and fasteners into tough materials (like wood and metal).
Key Features:
- Ryobi’s patented electronics and intelligent ONE+™ battery technology provides the brushless motor for optimum performance
- 4x the power of a drill: powerful impact mechanism delivers fastening torque up to 300Nm
- Assist Mode for controlled and easy screw removal
- Quick Release
- Variable Speed Trigger
- Bright LED light
Screwdrivers
These cordless screwdrivers are perfect for household screwdriving tasks. They are lightweight, convenient, and ideal for assembling furniture. While they can't drill holes, their forward and reverse settings make them easy to use.
The 4V USB Lithium Pivoting Screwdriver even has a pivoting mechanism allows for quick changes between straight and right-angle orientations for easier reach in confined areas.
Best For: Completing household screwdriving tasks like putting together flat-pack furniture, assembling kids' toys, or handling simple repair jobs.
Key Features:
- A pivoting mechanism allows for quick changes between straight and right-angle
- The brushed motor delivers 200 RPM and 5 Nm, allowing for easy screwdriving without the worry of damaging the material
- A two finger trigger and ergonomic handle adds comfort and control
Which drill is best: Corded or cordless?
A cordless drill is a highly versatile power tool powered by rechargeable batteries, making it a must-have tool for both home improvement enthusiasts and professional tradesmen. Unlike traditional corded models that require access to a power outlet, cordless drills provide the freedom to operate in various settings, whether indoors or out, without the hassle of cords.
Their portability, user-friendly design, and efficiency have led to a surge in popularity, often making them the go-to option in toolkits, effectively replacing both manual screwdrivers and corded drills. Here are 10 key advantages of cordless drills:
- Portability: Cordless drills run on batteries, making them easy to move around and great for outdoor or hard-to-reach areas.
- Versatility: They can handle drilling, driving screws, and even mixing, with adjustable speeds and torque, and are compatible with many attachments.
- Safety: No cords mean less chance of tripping, and features like automatic braking add extra protection.
- Mobility: Without a power cord, you can move freely from one place to another.
- Ease of Use: Cordless drills are lighter and more compact, making them comfortable to use, even in tight spots.
- No Power Issues: As long as the battery is charged, you don’t need to worry about power outages or cords.
- Low Maintenance: They need less maintenance than corded drills, especially with brushless motors that last longer.
- Quiet Operation: Cordless drills are quieter than gas or some corded tools, making them ideal for home use.
- Interchangeable Batteries: Many cordless models use the same batteries across different tools, saving you money and space.
- Improved Power: Modern lithium-ion batteries give cordless drills more power and longer runtime, allowing them to handle tough jobs.
These benefits make cordless drills highly versatile, convenient, and suitable for a wide range of tasks, whether you’re working on light-duty home projects or heavy-duty jobs.
Brushed vs Brushless Drills
Brushed drills operate using physical carbon brushes that contact a rotating commutator to deliver electricity to the motor. This design is straightforward and commonly found in entry-level tools. While it’s sufficient for occasional DIY projects and light tasks, the brushes gradually wear down over time, leading to decreased efficiency and potential overheating. Replacing brushes adds to maintenance costs, but the overall affordability makes brushed drills suitable for casual users who don’t require intense performance.
On the other hand, brushless drills employ advanced electronic controls to manage the motor’s operation, eliminating the need for carbon brushes. This innovation results in a more efficient, powerful, and durable tool, with reduced friction and energy loss. Brushless motors provide longer battery life, smoother speed control, and higher torque, making them ideal for demanding tasks. Although their initial price is higher, they offer excellent value for serious DIY enthusiasts who need reliable, high-performing equipment.
When to Choose a Brushed Drill
Choose a brushed drill if you are an infrequent user or are working within a tight budget. These drills are perfect for basic drilling and screw-driving tasks around the home or garden, offering affordability and simplicity.
When to use a Brushless Drill
Select a brushless drill if you require more power, longer runtime, and higher durability for frequent use. They’re best suited for professional tradespeople or dedicated DIYers tackling larger projects and demanding applications.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Efficiency: Brushless drills are more energy-efficient than brushed drills due to the absence of friction.
- Durability: With no brushes to wear out, brushless motors tend to last significantly longer.
- Performance: Brushless drill technology delivers superior power and torque.
- Cost: Brushless drill models generally cost more upfront.
- Battery Life: Longer running times are typical of brushless drills, thanks to better energy management.
Ryobi Cordless Drill Technology
Ryobi's ONE+™ battery system is designed to power multiple tools within the same range, making it a convenient and cost-effective solution for DIY enthusiasts. Once you have invested in the battery and charger, you can easily expand your collection of power tools.
- Use existing Ryobi ONE+™ battery packs across multiple devices.
- Save money on additional batteries and chargers
- Reduces clutter and the need for multiple power sources.
The practicality of Ryobi's ONE+™ battery system makes it an ideal option for individuals seeking to consolidate their tool collection and get the most out of their investment.
Types of Drill FAQs
Here our experts answer your common drill questions, and explore what types of drills and screwdrivers are best to buy for the job at hand.
What is the best drill to buy?
Deciding what is the best drill to buy, will depend entirely on what you need to drill (or screw-drive) and how often you will use it.
For example, the Ryobi cordless compact combi drill starter kit is ideal for beginners and experienced DIYers alike, who need to use a drill every few weeks or months. This features models to drill and turn screws into multiple materials such as wood, metal, plastic and masonry.
But for heavier DIY users, Ryobi RPD18X1-0 18V ONE+ HP cordless performance brushless combi drill is the best and most powerful drill Ryobi currently produces.
Can you use an impact driver as a regular drill?
While you can use an impact driver as a regular drill, for example by using an impact-rated drill bit with 1/4" hex shank - an impact driver won’t be as efficient at drilling holes as a regular drill and isn’t advised for this purpose.
Impact drivers can drill holes in wood and metal up to 10mm in diameter, but any larger and it will struggle to be accurate. Also, note that impact drivers also can't be used to drill masonry materials.
Impact driver vs drill
The main difference between an impact driver and a drill is their primary function: impact drivers are specialised for driving screws, bolts, and fasteners with high torque, whereas drills are mainly used for drilling holes into various materials.
Nevertheless, many drills also come with a screwdriving feature, allowing them to handle light fastening tasks. Despite this, impact drivers are generally more effective and powerful for driving large or stubborn fasteners.
Owning a combined drill and driver offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides the convenience of having two tools in a single device, which can save money and reduce clutter. It also makes your work more efficient, as you don’t need to switch tools constantly. However, there are some downsides. Drills typically lack the high torque needed to drive fasteners into tough or dense materials reliably. They tend to operate at a slower pace when driving screws compared to impact drivers. Additionally, since drills spin at higher speeds, you have less control over the fastening process, which can sometimes lead to damaged screw heads or stripped fasteners.
What is a Combi drill good for?
A combi drill is typically a compact handheld cordless drill that allows you to drill and drive screws into various materials such as wood, metal, plastic and masonry.
It is the best all-rounder type of drill for typical DIY tasks around the home and features an adjustable chuck to accommodate different sizes of drill bits as well as standard 1/4" hex screwdriver bits.
Can a hammer drill be used as a regular drill?
Hammer drills are typically used only for drilling holes into masonry. Some models feature a percussion action and adjustable chuck allowing for most masonry drill bits up to 13mm in diameter.
The vast majority of hammer drills feature an SDS+ or SDS Max chuck which uses specific masonry drill bits which lock into the chuck. Hammer drills are more commonly known as Rotary Hammer Drills or SDS Drills.
What is a hammer drill best used for?
A hammer drill is best used to drill holes in masonry materials such as brick, stone and concrete. A suitable masonry drill bit will need to be used but typical DIY tasks around the home will involve drilling 6, 8 or 10mm holes to accept Rawl Plugs before fastening an item to the wall with a screw such as a shelf bracket or TV bracket.
Some hammer drills also feature a rotation lock which allows the user to attach a chisel bit that can be used to remove the old floor and wall tiles from a kitchen or bathroom.
What is a hammer drill vs a regular drill?
A typical drill driver can drill and screw-drive into multiple materials such as wood, plastic, metal and plasterboard. A hammer drill (or rotary hammer) is used primarily to drill holes into masonry materials such as brick, concrete and stone. Both drill types use different accessories and hammer drills typically can't be used for screw-driving functions.
What is the difference between a drill driver and a combi drill?
A drill driver is a compact, multi-purpose tool primarily designed for drilling holes and screwing into softer materials, whereas a combi drill offers additional capabilities, notably a hammer function for working with tougher surfaces.
The key difference lies in their power and functionality: a combi drill provides significantly higher torque and the option to switch between drilling, screwdriving, and hammer drilling, making it suitable for a broader range of tasks. However, this added versatility comes with increased size and weight, making a combi drill less convenient for prolonged use or precision work. In comparison, a drill driver’s lightweight, compact design makes it ideal for delicate or frequent screw-driving tasks, especially in confined spaces.
If your projects involve masonry or harder materials, a combi drill is the better choice; for lighter, more controlled work, a drill driver’s precision and ease of handling are usually preferred.
Browse Ryobi’s range of power tool drills and screwdrivers.