Corded drills are often lighter than their cordless cousins as there is no heavy battery pack. If you opt for a mains powered, corded drill, you will also need to use an extension lead. A cordless drill will give greater mobility as you can take it anywhere without having to tow an extension cable behind you. However, the most powerful cordless tools are usually more expensive than their corded equivalents.

Cordless drills are now powered by more efficient, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. This technology allows the battery to be fully charged quicker (often in less than 60 minutes) and holds more power for longer. What’s more, you can use the same battery with other power tools from the same brand, helping to reduce the cost of buying lots of batteries.

Corded power drills are rated in watts, typically ranging from 450 watts for basic models to around 1500 watts for the more powerful hammer drills. A higher wattage is better for drilling masonry, while if drilling into plasterboard, a lower wattage will suffice. For most basic home DIY jobs, a 550 watt drill is adequate.

Cordless drill power is measured in volts. The higher the voltage rating is, the more powerful the drill. Battery sizes typically range from 12V to 20V.