If you’re new to the construction industry or are a novice DIYer, you may be confused over which type of drill will get the job done the most effectively. And with so many drills available, such confusion is wholly understandable.

Some drills exist that can carry out a variety of functions, while others are designed for one specific task.

To help you figure out which type of drill would best match your requirements, here is a short guide to 5 of the most popular drill categories:

1. Cordless drills

Ideal for carrying out a range of domestic DIY tasks, standard cordless drills typically have two functions: to both tighten and loosen screws, and drill holes. Controlling the torque (or the drill’s driving power), low numbers on a drill control slow the drill down and give you a greater degree of control. If you’re new to using a cordless drill, you’d be advised to start with a low speed number and work your way up, as drilling too fast can strip screwheads or even cause damage to the drill bit.

For materials such as wood, a lower speed is more effective, while for brickwork and masonry, a higher speed generally works better.

Some cordless drills have a hammer function as well, enabling you to drill into masonry, but this isn’t suitable for bigger, structural tasks.

2. Hammer drills

With their hammering action and more power than a regular cordless drill, hammer drills are ideal for drilling holes into masonry work. With the hammer drill’s force applied directly to its bit, hammer drills are more commonly used in construction settings, or for concrete and masonry work on larger domestic project, such as full home renovations or major remodeling work.

However, while the primary purpose of using a hammer drill is for its hammering action, this setting can be switched off to enable it to be used just as a standard drill would.

3. Multi-use and combi drills

With all of the same great features of a drill driver, combi drills also have a hammering action, enabling them to be used effectively when drilling into brick and masonry work. With more than one function, these drills are ideal for projects requiring a number of different tasks, such as drilling holes into brickwork or masonry, and removing brickwork and masonry; a simple change of the drill tip is all that’s required. Note that these are almost always corded, though, so an electrical supply is needed for their use.

4. Rotary hammer drill

Rotary hammer drills work wonderfully well for drilling holes into materials like concrete and stone, but can also be used with great effect to remove tiles or walls with the help of a chisel inserted into the SDS holder of the chuck, in place of a drill bit.

Designed for drilling or chipping through tough materials such as brick and masonry, they are almost always corded, meaning an electrical supply is required for their use.

5. Demolition or jackhammer

Sometimes known as concrete breakers, demolition or jackhammers are the go-to tool for anyone trying to break down older structures, or those that are non-standard. Commonly used in construction and renovation projects, they are typically used to tear down slabs of tiles, concrete or brick walls, and are well suited to tasks of a heavy duty nature. From removing patios and tarmacked driveways, to concrete floors, the hammering action is explosive enough to break hard materials, while still being easy to move around, allowing for lower on-site operational costs and superior comfort, thanks to the lack of a compressor.