When choosing between a hammer drill and a drill driver, the type of use plays a crucial role. Indeed, while the cordless drill offers better screwing performance, the corded drill, on the other hand, is excellent for drilling tasks. However, it should be noted that other criteria come into play when choosing this tool.
This guide offers some tips for choosing a cordless drill driver.
📋 Key points: Personally, I consider that choosing an 18V motor is essential to cover 90% of domestic DIY needs. For me, it is the best compromise between power and maneuverability. Opting for a model with a torque of at least 40 Nm guarantees that you will never get stuck during a difficult screwing into dense wood.
Choice According to Use and Frequency of Use
If you mainly plan to screw, opt for the cordless drill driver. However, if drilling is your priority, favor the corded drill, which is more powerful though less maneuverable. However, to choose a good cordless drill driver, you should consider your budget. Nevertheless, know that choosing a reputable brand guarantees better quality and durability, with equal performance.
🌍 Did you know? A brushless type cordless motor offers up to 40% higher efficiency than a standard motor. This means that with the same battery, you can screw many more screws before needing to recharge.
The battery drill is ideal for versatile tasks, combining screwing, unscrewing, and drilling. It offers great maneuverability and appreciable energy autonomy for sites without access to electricity or occasional projects, such as assembling a garden shed. You can also attach various accessories to its chuck (cutter, mixer, etc.) of variable size (10 or 13 mm).
📍 My experience: In June 2024, I bought an entry-level model for 45 euros to build a tropical wood deck. I realized after only two hours that the 1.5 Ah battery was totally insufficient for this type of continuous effort. The lesson learned is clear: always invest in at least 2.0 Ah if you plan work lasting more than 30 minutes.
However, note that the cordless drill, especially the hammer drill driver, can drill up to about 13 mm in hard materials. Nevertheless, this requires more time and energy, which can quickly drain the battery.
🌟 Advantages:
– Total freedom of movement
– Versatility for drilling and screwing
– Increasingly lighter models
🔍 Drawbacks:
– Dependence on battery life
– Battery weight (for 5 Ah+)
– Price of new batteries
Unlike corded drills, the hammer mode is often an option to check before purchase if you plan to drill hard materials.
Choice according to characteristics identical to drills
| Intended use | Voltage (V) | Torque (Nm) | Battery (Ah) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small assembly / Decoration | 10.8 V – 12 V | 15 – 25 Nm | 1.5 Ah |
| Regular DIY | 18 V | 35 – 55 Nm | 2.0 Ah |
| Heavy work / Intensive | 18 V – 36 V | 60 Nm and up | 4.0 Ah and up |
| Concrete drilling (Hammer) | 18 V | 50 Nm and up | 2.5 Ah |
A drill, whether corded or cordless, has several essential components: a chuck, a motor block (with or without brushes), a handle, and a trigger for its operation.
⚠️ Common misconception: Letting your battery fully discharge before recharging it. With modern Lithium-Ion batteries, this is a mistake. A deep discharge can damage the chemical cells. It is better to recharge as soon as the power weakens.
Characteristics such as the number of revolutions per minute, hammering, and torque vary depending on the drill technology and must be adapted to the intended use. The minimum and maximum values of these characteristics differ between corded and cordless drills.
Although a rotary hammer can sometimes be used instead of a drill for major drilling work, a drill cannot replace a rotary hammer or chisel. The hammer function alone is not sufficient when drilling large holes in concrete or reinforced concrete.
To help users make their choice, some manufacturers provide information on the maximum drilling diameters for each material (wood, steel, concrete) in the descriptions of their drills. The accessories and tools are compatible with both types of drills.
💡 Tip: To avoid stripping your screw heads or splitting the wood, always set the torque ring to a low number at the start. Gradually increase until the screw is flush with the surface of the material.
Choice according to chuck models
Regarding chucks, they play a crucial role in the drilling capacity of the drill. There are three types:
The keyed chuck
Also known as the classic chuck, it requires a key to be tightened. It mainly equips entry-level corded drills, with 10 mm or 13 mm keyed chucks.
The self-tightening chuck
Also called a self-locking chuck, it is much more convenient because it allows you to quickly change the bit or drill without a key. This type of chuck equips most cordless drills and some mid-range corded drills. It is available in diameters of 10 mm or 13 mm and is tightened by hand.
The SDS chuck
It is generally intended for rotary hammer drills, but some high-end corded drills offer interchangeable chucks that allow the use of a wider variety of SDS shank concrete drill bits.
These chucks have the particularity of locking the drill bit directly without the need for screwing or a key thanks to grooves on the shank of the bits.
Estimez le couple moteur (Nm) dont vous avez besoin selon vos travaux :
*Ceci est une estimation minimale pour un travail confortable.
In conclusion
To choose a quality cordless drill, the frequency of use, accessory features, and chuck models are some criteria to consider. However, the budget and the scope of the work to be done should not be overlooked.
