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Rankings re-checked weekly · Last re-checked 16 October 2026
·Prices updated daily·AI-assisted, run by Jaco Olwagen
Gen 4 of the M18 FUEL hammer drill flagship - POWERSTATE brushless motor, 158Nm peak torque, all-metal gearbox, skin only.
Why it's number one: Top score on power (158 Nm with hammer, the only drill in the 150 Nm band), the best build score with an all-metal gearbox and anti-kickback cutoff, a 9.4/10 from Pro Tool Reviews as its one critic score, and a 4.7-star Amazon rating from 82 owners.
The M18FPD3 is the fourth-generation FUEL hammer drill and the most powerful 18V drill Milwaukee has shipped on the M18 platform - up to 158Nm peak torque, the deepest M18 ecosystem in the country (200+ tools across drills, saws, vacs, and lights), and Milwaukee's AUTOSTOP anti-kickback system to protect your wrist on bind-ups. Sold here as a skin because Milwaukee's pricing on Australia-spec M18 5.0Ah kits has crept past A$700; if you're already on the M18 platform, the skin is the smart way in. Plain packaging from a parallel-import channel - the tool itself is identical to the local-retail flagship, but verify warranty terms with the seller if local Milwaukee warranty matters to you.
Power
10.0
Build
9.6
Battery
8.9
Owners
8.7
Owners is the 4.7★ Amazon AU rating from 82 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 10.0 (rubric 10): Card: 158 Nm peak torque with a hammer function, the 150 Nm-plus band; Pro Tool Reviews' Gen 4 review quotes the same 1,400 in-lbs.
Build 9.6 (rubric 9.5): Card: all-metal gearbox, 13 mm metal chuck and AUTOSTOP anti-kickback cutoff; length, sealing and LED are not stated, and it runs 2.0 kg plus with a 5.0 Ah pack.
Battery 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Brushless skin on M18, a professional platform with 5.0 Ah and larger packs in Australia (8), plus 0.5 because the card cites a 200-plus tool platform.
The GSB 18V-110 C is Bosch Professional's heavy-Nm brushless combi - the step up the line from the GSB 18V-21 brushed unit, with a brushless EC motor delivering 110Nm peak torque and Bosch's KickBack Control and Electronic Precision Control built into the trigger. Connect-Ready electronics let you pair the tool to Bosch's Toolbox app for usage data and theft tracking. Sold here as a skin in an L-BOXX case - the smart way onto the Bosch Pro 18V platform if you already own ProCORE batteries. Bosch Pro's cross-platform battery compatibility (every 18V Bosch Pro tool since 2008) is unmatched in this tier.
Power
8.9
Build
9.3
Battery
8.5
Owners
8.5
Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 220 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Card: 110 Nm peak torque with a hammer function, the 100 to 119 Nm band.
Build 9.3 (rubric 9): Card: 13 mm chuck, KickBack Control cutoff, Electronic Precision Control and Connect-Ready electronics in an L-BOXX; length, sealing and chuck material are not stated.
Battery 8.5 (rubric 8): Brushless skin on Bosch Professional 18V, a professional platform with 5.0 Ah and larger packs sold in Australia (8); no tool count or runtime figure on the card.
The DHP486 is the current heavy-duty combi in Makita's 18V LXT line and it replaces the long-serving DHP484 that held this slot. The headline change is torque: 130Nm peak against the DHP484's 54Nm, which moves this from a capable all-rounder into genuine masonry and hole-saw territory. Makita also swapped the plastic chuck for a 13mm all-metal keyless chuck, kept XPT dust and water sealing, and held the overall length to 178mm, so the extra grunt costs you nothing in reach. Two mechanical gears run 0-550 and 0-2,100 rpm with a 31,500 bpm hammer rate. At around A$239 it is only a little more than the outgoing DHP484 and it lands on the same LXT battery platform most Australian sheds already own, so existing 5.0Ah packs carry straight over. Note: this skin ships in plain packaging from a parallel-import channel - the tool is identical to Australian retail stock, but confirm warranty terms with the seller if local Makita warranty matters to you.
Power
9.3
Build
9.3
Battery
8.5
Owners
7.8
Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 667 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 9.3 (rubric 9): Card: 130 Nm peak torque with a 31,500 bpm hammer function, the 120 to 149 Nm band.
Build 9.3 (rubric 9): Card: all-metal 13 mm keyless chuck, XPT dust and water sealing, two mechanical gears and a 178 mm length; no anti-kickback cutoff, and 2.7 kg with a 5.0 Ah pack.
Battery 8.5 (rubric 8): Brushless skin on Makita 18V LXT, a professional platform with 5.0 Ah and larger packs in Australia (8); the card cites a 100-plus tool platform, short of the 200 bonus.
Pros
+ 130Nm peak torque - 2.4x the outgoing DHP484
+ All-metal 13mm keyless chuck replaces the plastic unit
+ Still compact at 178mm despite the power jump
+ XPT sealing and the 100+ tool LXT platform
Cons
− Skin only - you supply battery and charger
− Heavier than the DHP484 at 2.7kg with a 5.0Ah pack
− Plain packaging (parallel-import) - warranty differs from Australian retail
18V Brushless130Nm TorqueAll-Metal ChuckHammer FunctionLXT PlatformSkin Only
DeWalt's DCD805 is the brushless successor to the DCD796 and is the workhorse hammer drill of the XR line - 90Nm of torque, 2-speed gearbox, and runtime gains of up to 57% over the previous brushed DCD796. It trails the M18 FUEL on peak torque, but the XR battery ecosystem and lighter head weight (1.45kg) make it a strong all-day choice for tradies already on the platform. Sold here as a skin, which is the smart buy if you already own DeWalt batteries.
Power
8.5
Build
8.5
Battery
8.5
Owners
7.6
Owners is the 4.3★ Amazon AU rating from 186 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 8.5 (rubric 8): Card: 90 Nm torque with a hammer function, the 85 to 99 Nm band; Pro Tool Reviews' unrated DCD805 page quotes the same 796 in-lbs.
Build 8.5 (rubric 8): Card: 13 mm metal chuck and two-speed gearbox at a 1.45 kg head weight, the compact and balanced band; no kickback control or sealing is claimed.
Battery 8.5 (rubric 8): Brushless skin on DeWalt 18V XR, a professional platform with 5.0 Ah and larger packs in Australia (8); the card cites no tool count or runtime figure.
Pros
+ Up to 57% longer runtime vs the brushed DCD796 predecessor
+ Broad DeWalt XR battery ecosystem
+ Well-balanced 1.45kg head weight
+ Genuine brushless efficiency at this price point
Cons
− Skin only - battery and charger sold separately
− 90Nm trails Milwaukee M18 FUEL on peak torque
18V Brushless90Nm Torque2-Speed GearboxHammer FunctionXR PlatformSkin Only
The GSB 18V-45 is Bosch Professional's compact brushless combi skin and now the cheapest brushless path onto the Bosch Pro 18V platform - hammer function for masonry, a two-speed gearbox, an all-metal 13mm chuck, and full compatibility with every Bosch Professional 18V battery. The brushless motor gives it longer runtime and a cooler-running gearbox than the older brushed entry skins, while staying well under $150 body-only. Best buy on the Bosch Pro 18V platform if you already own a battery and charger and want masonry capability without stepping up to the pricier BITURBO models above it.
Power
6.3
Build
8.5
Battery
8.5
Owners
8.8
Owners is the 4.7★ Amazon AU rating from 188 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 6.3 (rubric 5): Bosch's GB page rates hard torque at 45 Nm with a 27,000 bpm hammer function, the 40 to 49 Nm band; the card publishes no torque figure.
Build 8.5 (rubric 8): Card: all-metal 13 mm chuck and two-speed gearbox; Bosch's page gives 1 kg without battery, but no kickback control, sealing or LED is claimed.
Battery 8.5 (rubric 8): Brushless skin on Bosch Professional 18V, a professional platform with 5.0 Ah and larger packs sold in Australia (8); no tool count or runtime figure on the card.
Pros
+ Cheapest brushless skin onto the Bosch Pro 18V platform
+ Hammer function for masonry drilling
+ All-metal 13mm chuck
+ Compatible with every Bosch Pro 18V battery
Cons
− Compact class - lower peak torque than BITURBO models
− Sold by a third-party AU seller, not Amazon direct
− Skin only
18V BrushlessHammer Function13mm Metal ChuckBosch Pro 18VSkin Only
Ryobi's ONE+ remains the default homeowner platform in Australia because a single battery powers 250+ tools across drills, mowers, blowers, and vacs. The R18DD3 is the modern compact entry skin - adequate torque for household tasks like assembling flat-pack, hanging shelves, and light woodworking, with the cheapest path into the largest consumer ecosystem in the country. Brushed motor means shorter runtime under load than the brushless tier above, but for occasional weekend DIY, that's not a problem.
Power
6.6
Build
7.0
Battery
6.6
Owners
8.5
Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 1,674 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 6.6 (rubric 5.5): Card: 50 Nm torque, the 50 to 64 Nm band, minus 0.5 because it is a drill driver with no hammer function.
Build 7.0 (rubric 6): Card: compact brushed body with a two-speed gearbox; chuck size and material, LED and length are not published on the card or Ryobi Australia's pages.
Battery 6.6 (rubric 5.5): Brushed skin on Ryobi ONE+ (5) plus 0.5 because the card cites a 250-plus tool platform; the buyer supplies the pack.
Pros
+ Cheapest path into the 250+ tool ONE+ ecosystem
+ Lightweight and well-balanced
+ Adequate 50Nm for typical homeowner tasks
+ Wide Bunnings-adjacent battery support nationwide
Cons
− Brushed motor - shorter runtime under load
− 50Nm limits use on heavier masonry or lag-bolt work
− Skin only
18V Brushed50Nm TorqueCompactONE+ PlatformSkin Only
The EasyImpact 18V-40 is Bosch's home 18V hammer drill kit and the budget pick that punches well above its weight - because it includes a 2.0Ah battery, charger and case at this price, you don't need an existing ecosystem to start using it. 40Nm of peak torque, 2-speed gearbox, 20 torque settings and a 13mm chuck cover every typical homeowner task: flat-pack assembly, hanging shelves, light masonry anchoring into brick or block. The Bosch Home 18V Power For All battery is cross-compatible with dozens of Bosch garden and DIY tools (mowers, hedge trimmers, drills), so this kit doubles as the entry point into a growing consumer platform. Brushed motor means shorter runtime under sustained load than the brushless picks above - if you're drilling daily, step up to the Pro tier - but for weekend projects and the occasional masonry job, this is the most complete starter kit on Amazon AU under A$120.
Power
6.3
Build
7.0
Battery
7.0
Owners
8.4
Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 142 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Power 6.3 (rubric 5): Card: 40 Nm peak torque with a hammer function, the 40 to 49 Nm band.
Build 7.0 (rubric 6): Card: 13 mm chuck, two-speed gearbox and 20 torque settings on a brushed home-range body; no metal chuck, kickback control or sealing is claimed.
Battery 7.0 (rubric 6): Brushed kit on Bosch Home and Garden 18V Power for All (5) plus 1 for the single 2.0 Ah pack in the box; the card cites dozens of tools, not 200, and no runtime figure.
Pros
+ Includes 2.0Ah battery, charger and case - true starter kit
+ Hammer function for masonry anchoring
+ 20 torque settings + 2-speed gearbox cover most tasks
+ Bosch Home 18V Power For All battery shared across the DIY range
+ Made in Europe - 3-year warranty with online registration
Cons
− Brushed motor - shorter runtime under sustained load
− 40Nm modest vs Pro-tier brushless picks
− 2.0Ah battery is the single included pack - upgrade to 4.0Ah for longer jobs
18V Brushed40Nm TorqueHammer Function13mm ChuckBattery IncludedBosch Home 18V
We score cordless drills across four category-specific dimensions: Power & Torque (peak Nm, hammer impact rate, gearbox stages), Battery & Runtime (included Ah, ecosystem size, runtime under load), Build & Ergonomics (weight, balance, chuck quality, grip texture), and Value (kit completeness vs price tier). Specs are sourced from manufacturer data and triangulated against hands-on reviews from Pro Tool Reviews, Tools In Action, and Australian trade publications. Customer feedback is drawn from Amazon AU review aggregates. We only rank tools that are readily available on Amazon Australia with reasonable shipping.
Scored on Power and torque 45%, Build and ergonomics 30%, Battery and runtime 25%, plus owner ratings and critic reviews
Brushless motors are now standard above A$150 and worth the upgrade. You get longer runtime per charge (often 50%+ improvement), longer tool life, and noticeably better performance under load. A brushed drill is still fine for occasional DIY, but if you're using the tool weekly, go brushless.
Voltage & Torque
18V (or DeWalt's 20V MAX, which is the same thing measured differently) is the standard for serious work. Look for 50-60Nm minimum for general drilling; 90Nm+ for driving lag bolts, large hole saws, or masonry; 135Nm if you're a tradie. 12V subcompact drills are great for furniture assembly and tight spaces but undergunned for anything heavier.
Battery Platform & Ecosystem
The battery platform matters more than the drill itself. Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 18V XR, Makita LXT, and Bosch Professional 18V each have 100+ tools - once you're in, switching is expensive. Ryobi ONE+ has the largest consumer ecosystem in Australia (250+ tools). Buy into the platform you'll grow with, not just the cheapest skin.
Chuck Size
13mm metal chucks accept the widest range of bits including large hole saws and big spade bits. 10mm chucks are lighter and fine for general drilling but limit you on bigger jobs. Keyless ratcheting chucks (most modern drills) hold bits more securely than basic keyless chucks.
Skin vs Kit
A 'skin' is the tool only - cheaper but assumes you already own batteries and a charger for that platform. A 'kit' includes 1-2 batteries plus a charger. If it's your first tool on a platform, get the kit. If you're already invested, skins save you 30-50% vs duplicate batteries.
A cordless drill is the single most-used tool in any Australian shed, and the gap between a great one and a mediocre one shows up the first time you have to drive a long batch screw into hardwood. We've compared the cordless drills you can actually buy on Amazon AU - cross-referencing manufacturer specs against real-world reviews from Australian tradies, professional publications, and the long tails of Amazon AU customer feedback.
The market has bifurcated. At the top, brushless 18V platforms from Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch Professional now deliver torque figures (90-135Nm) that used to be the preserve of corded SDS hammers, with battery runtimes that genuinely outlast a working day. At the bottom, Ryobi ONE+ and Ozito PXC have dropped the barrier to entry for DIYers to under A$100 - albeit with smaller ecosystems and noticeably more weight per Nm of output.
Where you land depends on what you'll actually use the drill for. If you renovate a house every few years, the budget tier is more than enough. If you're driving fixings into structural pine every day, you want a brushless skin with the largest ecosystem you can afford. We've ranked all seven across Premium, Best Value, and Budget tiers, so you can match a tool to your hand and your wallet without falling into a marketing hole.
Compare Top Picks
Can't decide between our top two? See how they stack up head‑to‑head.
For anyone using a drill weekly, yes. Brushless motors deliver 30-50% longer runtime per charge, last 2-3x longer than brushed motors before service, and perform noticeably better under sustained load. The premium has shrunk to about A$50-100 at the value tier, which most regular users recoup in battery life alone within a year.
Should I buy a 'skin' (tool only) or a kit?+
Buy the kit if it's your first tool on that battery platform - you need at least one battery and a charger to use the drill, and standalone battery prices are punishing. Buy the skin if you already own batteries on the same platform - you'll typically save 30-50% versus buying a kit with duplicate batteries you don't need.
How much torque do I actually need?+
50Nm is enough for flat-pack assembly, hanging shelves, and general homeowner DIY. 60-80Nm covers most renovation tasks including decking screws and hole saws up to 50mm. 90Nm+ is what you want for lag bolts, masonry hammer drilling, large hole saws, and any kind of daily pro use. Anything over 135Nm is overkill for everything except specialised structural work.
Is the 12V subcompact tier worth considering?+
Yes, but as a second drill - not your primary. 12V drills (Milwaukee M12, Bosch GSR 12V, Makita CXT) are excellent for cabinetry, furniture assembly, and tight spaces where an 18V tool won't fit. They're not capable of heavier drilling or masonry work, so most owners end up with one of each.
Which platform should I buy into long-term?+
Pick the platform whose tool range fits the work you'll actually do, not the cheapest drill skin. Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt 18V XR dominate the pro segment with 200+ tools each. Makita LXT is the most popular Australian trade platform. Ryobi ONE+ has by far the largest consumer ecosystem (250+ tools spanning yard, garage, and home). Once you're in, switching is genuinely expensive - so pick deliberately.
Do I need a hammer drill or a standard drill driver?+
If you'll ever drill into brick, concrete, or masonry - even occasionally - get the hammer drill. The hammer function adds negligible weight and minimal cost (most modern combi drills include it). A drill-driver only model is fine if your work is timber, plasterboard, and metal exclusively.
