Comparisons
Products compared head to head
Two or three products side by side, with the differences that matter when you buy.
- SDS drill vs combi drill for brick, block and concretePiston hammer against ratchet hammer: how SDS and combi drills differ, typical hole sizes in brick and concrete, and when each is worth buying.
- Multi-tool vs reciprocating sawOscillating multi-tools make precise plunge and flush cuts; reciprocating saws make fast rough cuts. See which jobs suit each and whether you need both.
- Mitre saw vs circular saw for decking and flooringRepeatable square crosscuts against long rips and sheet cuts: when a mitre saw or a circular saw is the better buy, with decking and flooring examples.
- Mitre saw vs chop saw vs drop sawMitre saw, chop saw and drop saw are often used for the same tool in the UK. Learn what each name means and which one suits trim, skirting and decking.
- Makita vs Milwaukee cordless tools comparedMakita LXT against Milwaukee M18 for trades and keen DIYers, plus M12, Makita's twin 18 V tools and the 40 V XGT range, with a drill spec table.
- Impact driver vs impact wrench: hex bits or square drive?Hex bit holder against square anvil, typical torque ranges and why wheel nuts and large bolts usually call for an impact wrench, not a driver.
- Impact driver vs cordless screwdriverSmall cordless screwdrivers suit flat-pack and electrics; impact drivers sink long screws and coach bolts. Compare torque, size and when to use a drill instead.
- DeWalt vs Milwaukee cordless tools comparedDeWalt XR and FlexVolt against Milwaukee M18 Fuel, the two platforms most often weighed up on UK sites, with a bare drill spec comparison.
- DeWalt vs Makita cordless tools comparedTwo of the biggest 18 V platforms compared on tool range, batteries, ergonomics and warranty, with a compact drill spec table from each brand.
- Corded vs cordless SDS drill: which should you buy?Corded and cordless SDS drills compared on impact energy, runtime, weight and battery cost, and which jobs still suit a 240 V or 110 V model.
- Corded vs cordless circular sawCorded and cordless circular saws compared on power, cutting depth, runtime for sheet goods and decking, and when a 240 V or 110 V saw still makes sense.
- Compound vs sliding mitre saw explainedWhat compound and sliding mean on a mitre saw, the board widths that make a slide worth it, and the bench depth a sliding saw needs behind it.
- Combi drill vs impact driver: which do you need first?How a combi drill and an impact driver differ in action, bits and jobs, with a spec table and advice on which to buy first for UK homes.
- Combi drill vs hammer drill: is there a difference?Combi, hammer, percussion and impact drill all describe similar tools in the UK. Here is what each name means and which one suits your walls and jobs.
- Combi drill vs drill driver: do you need the hammer?The only real difference between a combi drill and a drill driver is the hammer mode. Here is when you need it, with a Makita spec comparison.
- Circular saw vs track saw for sheet materialRail guided plunge cuts against a standard circular saw with a clamped straight edge, compared by finish, accuracy, setup and cost.
- Circular saw vs reciprocating sawCircular saws make straight, accurate cuts in sheet and timber; reciprocating saws make fast rough cuts in place. See which suits your project and why.
- Circular saw vs jigsaw: straight cuts or curves?Straight, fast cuts against curves and cut outs: how circular saws and jigsaws differ and which to buy first for kitchen and decking jobs.
- Brushless vs brushed cordless drillsHow brushless and brushed motors differ in runtime, size and power from the same battery, and when a brushed cordless drill is still enough.
- Bosch Professional vs Makita cordless toolsBosch Professional 18V and AMPShare against Makita LXT: battery systems, tool ranges, home drill kits and the difference between green and blue Bosch.