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Buying guide

Best heavy duty combi drills for trade use

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    HiKOKI DV36DC: 155 Nm 36 V with Reactive Force Control

    The listing states 155 Nm, the highest torque figure in this guide.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    DeWalt DCD996P2: 95 Nm 3 speed kit with two 5 Ah packs

    The listing states 95 Nm of torque, enough headroom for large augers, hole saws and long screws in timber.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Bosch GSB 18V-110 C: 110 Nm with KickBack Control

    The listing gives 110 Nm and 82 mm wood drilling capacity.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Trade combi drills earn their place on jobs that would stall a home DIY drill: large augers through joists, 100 mm hole saws, long coach screws and hammer drilling in hard brick all day. The figures that matter are maximum torque, a metal chuck that holds bits under load, a side handle, and some form of kickback control that cuts the motor when a bit jams. This guide ranks heavy duty 18 V and 36 V combi drills by the torque each listing states, then by control features and the kit supplied. Only two models here clear 120 Nm on paper, the HiKOKI 36 V and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel. The rest are the strongest combi drills the other big brands list in this selection. Several are bare units, so the right choice often depends on which batteries you already own. A drill that shares your existing packs is usually better value than a stronger one on a new platform.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · HIKOKI

HiKOKI DV36DC: 155 Nm 36 V with Reactive Force Control

HiKOKI's 36 V brushless combi drill with 155 Nm, an aluminium gear housing and gyro based Reactive Force Control. The strongest drill here for augers and big hole saws.

In its favour

  • The listing states 155 Nm, the highest torque figure in this guide.
  • Reactive Force Control uses a gyro sensor to stop the motor when the bit binds.
  • An aluminium gear housing and improved cooling are listed for heavy, continuous loads.

Good to know

  • Sold without battery or charger, and it needs HiKOKI 36 V packs to reach full output.
  • The listing does not give the number of clutch settings.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: HiKOKI DV36DCW2Z 36V Cordless brushless Driver Drill with 155 Nm Tight...

No. 2 · DEWALT

DeWalt DCD996P2: 95 Nm 3 speed kit with two 5 Ah packs

A full size 18 V XR brushless combi drill with two 5 Ah batteries, a multi-voltage charger, side handle and TSTAK case. It suits trades and keen DIYers who want one drill for most jobs.

In its favour

  • The listing states 95 Nm of torque, enough headroom for large augers, hole saws and long screws in timber.
  • Three mechanical speeds give a slow gear for driving and a fast one for small bits in metal and masonry.
  • Two 5.0 Ah packs with charge indicators and a TSTAK case are in the box, so nothing extra is needed to start.

Good to know

  • The listing gives a weight of 1 kg, which looks like the bare body only; expect a heavier tool with a 5 Ah pack fitted.
  • Chuck size is listed as 12.7 mm and the bullet points are very short, so check the full DeWalt spec sheet.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: DeWALT | DCD996P2 XR Brushless Combi Drill | 18V 2 x 5.0Ah Li-Ion

No. 3 · Bosch Professional

Bosch GSB 18V-110 C: 110 Nm with KickBack Control

Bosch Professional's flagship 18 V combi with 110 Nm, KickBack Control and Bluetooth tool settings. A natural pick for anyone on the Bosch or AMPShare battery system.

In its favour

  • The listing gives 110 Nm and 82 mm wood drilling capacity.
  • KickBack Control and a solid metal chuck are listed features.
  • Bluetooth connectivity lets you adjust settings through a smartphone app.

Good to know

  • Bare tool, so batteries and charger cost extra if you are new to Bosch.
  • The listed 2 kg body weight rises further with a large battery fitted.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Combi Drill GSB 18V-110 C (max....

No. 4 · Milwaukee

Milwaukee M18FPD2: 135 Nm Fuel combi with 5 Ah pack

Milwaukee's M18 Fuel percussion drill, listed with one M18B5 5 Ah battery and the M12-18FC charger. The highest torque here, for heavy boring and site work.

In its favour

  • 135 Nm of torque is the highest figure in this guide, useful for self feed bits and large hole saws.
  • Listing includes a 5 Ah M18 battery and a charger that also takes M12 packs.
  • The listing mentions a 3 year UK and EU warranty.

Good to know

  • Only one battery is listed, so you will wait for a recharge on long days unless you buy a second pack.
  • The model code ends in -0, which normally means body only; confirm the battery and charger with the seller before ordering.
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Listing title: M18FPD2-0 18v Li-ion GEN3 Fuel Brushless Percussion Combi Drill 5Ah

No. 5 · HIKOKI

HiKOKI DV18DSDL: 92 Nm kit with 22 clutch positions

An 18 V HiKOKI combi drill kit with 92 Nm, 22 clutch positions and two 5.0 Ah slide batteries. A complete package for joinery and general building work.

In its favour

  • The listing gives 92 Nm rigid torque and 65 mm drilling capacity in wood.
  • 22 clutch positions are listed for controlled screwdriving.
  • Two BSL1850 batteries, a charger, side handle and stacking case are included.

Good to know

  • Masonry capacity is listed at 16 mm, so bigger holes call for an SDS drill.
  • The listing does not state whether the motor is brushless.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: HiKOKI DV18DSDLWPZ DV18DSDLWP Impact Drill 18V

No. 6 · Makita

Makita HP002G: 40 V max XGT combi with XPT sealing

A compact Makita XGT combi drill with a brushless motor and XPT dust and water protection. It suits trades who have moved to Makita's 40 V system for other tools.

In its favour

  • Runs on Makita's 40 V max XGT batteries, shared with its heavy duty tools.
  • XPT protection against dust and water splashes is listed.
  • A brushless motor and compact, handy design are stated.

Good to know

  • The listing gives 64 Nm, well below the other flagship drills here.
  • No batteries, charger or case are included, only the tool and a screwdriver bit.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Makita HP002GZ 40V Max Li-ion XGT Brushless Combi Drill - Batteries an...

More buying guides: Combi drills

Drill and Bit chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.