Department
Hardware & Tools
Power, cordless, air and hand tools for DIY and trade.
- Sections
- 6
- Buying guides
- 1
Cordless drills, power tools, hand tools and measuring kit are sold in kits that vary widely between retailers: one battery or two, a standard or fast charger, a case or a bag, or the tool body on its own. The numbers that decide whether a tool suits the job are its voltage platform, torque in newton metres, battery capacity in amp-hours, weight and whether the motor is brushless. Batteries are often the most expensive part, so it pays to stay on one brand's battery platform. Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.
As retailers are connected, every offer here is ranked by its total landed price — the item price plus standard delivery — with the time each price was checked. Some retailer links are affiliate links; a commission never changes which offer we label as the cheapest.
HOW
How to choose: hardware & tools
- Hardware & ToolsCordless drill buying guide: voltage, torque and brushless motorsDrill driver, combi drill or impact driver? Voltage platforms, torque, brushless motors and kit contents explained before you buy.Read the guide
- How we compareHow to read a price history and when to buyWhy a “was” price is not enough, how to read a price history chart, common price patterns and how HotWhatHow spots genuine drops.Read the guide
- How we compareDelivery costs, returns and the true landed priceHow delivery charges, free-delivery thresholds and returns costs change the real price — and how HotWhatHow ranks offers by total cost.Read the guide
How to choose
Choosing hardware & tools: what to look for
Three questions to ask yourself, and the specifications that matter for each answer.
1.What jobs will you mainly do?
- Furniture assembly and small fixings
- A light drill driver or 12 V tool is easier to handle for small fixings.
- Drilling into brick or masonry
- You need a hammer function (a combi drill) for brick and block.
- A bit of everything
- An 18 V combi drill with a hammer setting covers most household jobs.
2.How often will you use it?
- Occasionally
- A basic kit with one battery is often enough.
- Most weekends
- A brushless motor and a second battery reduce waiting for charges.
- Daily or for trade work
- Brushless motors and higher-capacity batteries suit daily use.
3.Which matters most in a kit?
- Maximum power
- Compare maximum torque figures measured the same way.
- Light weight
- Check the weight with the battery fitted, especially for overhead work.
- A spare battery included
- Kits with two batteries let one charge while you use the other.
Live top-3 recommendations, ranked against these rules, appear here once retailers are connected and hardware & tools are listed.
Products & prices
Live price comparison is being connected
We are connecting retailer feeds through affiliate networks. When hardware & tools are listed, every offer here shows its total price including delivery and when it was checked — and the cheapest is always labelled honestly. Until then, the buying guides and checklist on this page explain what to look for.
Hardware & Tools: common questions
What is the difference between a drill driver and a combi drill?
A combi drill adds a hammer action for drilling into masonry. A drill driver is lighter and suits wood, metal and screwdriving. Check whether the specifications list a hammer function.
Is a brushless motor worth it?
Brushless motors are generally more efficient and need less maintenance, which can mean longer runtime per charge. They usually cost more than brushed equivalents.
Should I buy a body-only tool?
If you already own batteries for the same brand and voltage platform, a body-only tool can be much cheaper. Check that the battery platform matches exactly.
What does amp-hours (Ah) mean on a battery?
It indicates capacity. A higher Ah battery runs longer between charges but is usually heavier.