# Combi drill vs hammer drill: is there a difference?

Source: https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/combi-drill-vs-hammer-drill
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Drill and Bit

**In short:** In the UK a combi drill is a hammer drill: one cordless tool that drills, drives screws with a clutch and adds a hammer action for masonry. Hammer drill and percussion drill usually describe the same mechanism, often on corded models without a clutch. An impact drill is sometimes a hammer drill and sometimes an impact driver, so check the photo and specs.

Shop for a drill in the UK and you will see combi drill, hammer drill, percussion drill, impact drill and hammer drill driver used almost interchangeably. Some of these names are the same tool, some are not, and one of them can mean two quite different things. This article untangles the labels, explains how the hammer mechanism works, and shows when a combi, a corded percussion drill or an SDS drill is the right buy for the walls in your house.

## What each name usually means

A **combi drill** is a cordless drill with three modes: plain drilling, screwdriving with an adjustable clutch, and hammer drilling. The word combi comes from combining a drill driver and a hammer drill in one body. DeWalt often calls the same thing a hammer drill driver, and Bosch Professional calls it an impact drill in some listings, which adds to the confusion.

A **hammer drill** or **percussion drill** uses the same idea: two ridged discs inside the gearbox ride over each other and push the chuck forward in rapid small pulses while it turns. Corded hammer drills often have no clutch, so they are drills first and poor screwdrivers. An **impact driver** is a different tool with a hex collet and blows that turn the bit, not push it.

| Label | Hammer action | Clutch for screws | Bit holder |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Combi drill | Yes | Yes | 13 mm keyless chuck |
| Hammer drill driver | Yes | Yes | 13 mm keyless chuck |
| Percussion or hammer drill (corded) | Yes | Often no | 13 mm chuck |
| Drill driver | No | Yes | 10 or 13 mm chuck |
| Impact driver | No, rotary blows | No, speed modes | 6.35 mm hex |
| SDS drill | Piston hammer | Safety clutch only | SDS plus or max |

UK labels and what to expect

## How the hammer action works

In a combi or percussion drill the hammer is mechanical. Two toothed rings click past each other and move the chuck forward a fraction of a millimetre thousands of times a minute. You supply the pressure, and the pulses help the masonry bit chip away at brick or block. That is why pushing hard helps up to a point, and why the bit gets hot.

An SDS drill uses a piston that throws a striker against the back of the bit. The energy per blow is far higher and it does not depend on how hard you push, which is why SDS drills sail through concrete that makes a combi drill struggle. See [SDS drill vs combi drill](https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/sds-drill-vs-combi-drill) for that comparison.

## Which walls each tool handles

A modern 18 V combi drill handles the typical UK home well: plasterboard, timber, soft red brick, mortar joints and lightweight blocks such as aircrete. Holes up to about 8 mm for wall plugs in brick are routine. Dense engineering brick, concrete lintels and concrete ceilings are where a combi slows down and the bit starts to glow.

If you hang a lot of shelves on solid concrete, or drill for 10 mm and larger anchors, a cordless or corded SDS drill earns its place. Our [cordless SDS drill guide](https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-cordless-sds-drills) covers that step up.

[See combi drill kits](https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-kits)

## Corded percussion drills: still worth it?

Corded hammer drills are light on cost and never run flat, which suits occasional masonry work. The trade off is the cable, the lack of a proper clutch on many models, and the fact that one combi drill can do drilling and screwdriving. Most people starting from scratch are better served by a cordless combi kit and, later, a cheap SDS drill for the hard walls.

If you already own a cordless drill driver without hammer, a corded percussion drill can fill the masonry gap. Check the listing for a clutch and a side handle.

## Where impact drill confuses things

Some sellers use impact drill for a combi or percussion drill, translated from the German Schlagbohrmaschine. Others use it for an impact driver. The photos give it away: a chuck with jaws means a drill, a short hex collet means an impact driver. Read the box contents and the torque figure, and see [combi drill vs impact driver](https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/combi-drill-vs-impact-driver) if you are unsure which you need.

Our explainer on [what a combi drill is](https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-combi-drill) goes further into clutch and gear settings.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is a combi drill the same as a hammer drill?** Yes, in practice. A combi drill is a cordless hammer drill that also has a screwdriving clutch, so it does both jobs.

**Can a combi drill drill concrete?** It can make small holes in concrete slowly with a sharp masonry bit, but for regular concrete work an SDS drill is much faster and easier on you and the tool.

**Is an impact drill a combi drill?** Sometimes. Check whether the tool has a jawed chuck and a hammer mode. If it has a hex collet, it is an impact driver.

**Do I need hammer action for brick?** For holes in brick and block, yes. Hammer mode is much faster than plain drilling. Switch it off for tiles, timber and metal.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-kits
- https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-cordless-sds-drills
- https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-for-home-use