Drills, screwdrivers and hammer drills: how to choose the right one

Drills, screwdrivers and hammer drills: how to choose the right one

If you're searching Google for "drill," "cordless screwdriver," or "SDS-Plus hammer drill," it's because you want a tool that works right the first time—no impulse purchases, no returns, and no frustration when drilling concrete or tightening screws that "won't go in."
This guide was written with practical, "buyer-oriented" intentions: you'll learn which tool to use , which numbers matter (Nm, J, chuck, SDS), and which accessories you can't ignore.

1) First, the essential difference (what each tool does best)

Drill (to drill)

The drill is designed to drill holes in materials such as wood, metal, and plastic; some models add percussion for masonry. Leroy Merlin summarizes the difference well: drill = drilling , screwdriver = tightening/loosening screws .

Drill/screwdriver (2 in 1)

It's the "versatility champion" for the home: it drills and screws, usually with a clutch (torque ring) and 2 gears . A typical example from Makita cites a 2-speed mechanical gearbox and 21 clutch positions for fastening control.

Screwdriver (for fast and controlled screwing)

Ideal for assembling furniture, securing hardware, and installing equipment—especially when you have many screws . On clutch-operated models, you choose the torque to avoid stripping the screw head or damaging the material. (This is invaluable for anyone assembling IKEA, kitchens, shelves, etc.)

Screwdriver/impact wrench (for heavy-duty fastenings)

When the job calls for high torque (large screws, wood construction, difficult fastenings), Bosch Professional explains that these tools are used where it is necessary to tighten large diameters with high torque and with the advantage of working with almost no kickback .

SDS hammer drill / concrete drill (for "serious" concrete)

If your problem is: "the hammer drill won't move through the concrete," then you're in the territory of the rotary hammer drill (with percussion). This is where the keywords SDS-Plus / SDS-Max and impact energy in Joules (J) come in.

2) Quick guide by task: buy based on usage (not brand)

A) Furniture assembly and interior DIY

Recommended purchase: cordless drill/driver + bit kit
Why: versatility, torque control, and less fatigue.

B) Drilling in metal (clean holes)

Recommended purchase: drill (or drill/driver with drilling mode) + metal drill bits
Extra useful feature: the 13 mm chuck provides more room for larger drill bits.

C) Brick wall and lightweight masonry

Recommended purchase: percussion drill (for occasional drilling)
If it happens frequently: use an SDS rotary hammer.

D) Concrete, mosaic, anchors and repeated holes

Recommended purchase: SDS-Plus rotary hammer
Example (to understand scale): an 18V SDS-Plus rotary hammer might indicate 2.6 J , high blows per minute , and typical drilling diameters in concrete (e.g., 4–26 mm).

3) The 7 specifications that matter (and how to read them as a buyer)

3.1 Torque (Nm) — key to screwing

Torque is "the force to turn/tighten". For general use, it matters more than "volts" when you're screwing into hardwood or long screws.
Practical example: there are drills/screwdrivers with 60 Nm of torque and precision clutch/adjustments focused on fast and controlled work.

Good rule:

  • many screws / delicate material → clutch (multiple levels)

  • Hard fasteners / large diameters → consider impact (more torque)

3.2 Clutch (positions) — to avoid damaging screws or materials

The more positions, the better the fine-tuned control. One market example cites 21 clutch positions .

3.3 Chuck (10 mm vs 13 mm)

The chuck defines the maximum opening for the drill bit/tip. A quick-release chuck may specify a clamping width of 13 mm (very common in multi-purpose machines).

In practice:

  • 10 mm: enough for many things around the house.

  • 13 mm: more versatile (larger drill bits and more robust)

3.4 Percussion: percussion drill vs. hammer drill

  • Percussion drill : good for occasional drilling in masonry.

  • Hammer drill : best for concrete and repeated drilling, requiring less effort.

3.5 SDS-Plus / SDS-Max (docking)

For rotary hammers, the SDS chuck is a crucial factor. Leroy Merlin recommends prioritizing SDS chucks, citing the 4 splines (2 for reciprocating motion and 2 for rotation), explaining that the drill bit is not retained as in a classic chuck to withstand percussion.

3.6 Impact energy (J) — the key number for the drill

Bosch Professional (Portugal) provides a good overview by range: SDS-Plus hammers with impact energy in different ranges (and higher SDS-Max).
Translation: Specifically, "J" helps to understand how much the tool "bites" into the material.

3.7 Beats per minute (BPM) and revolutions per minute (RPM)

Specifically, BPM + J matter; in metal/wood, RPM + drill bit matter. Many products feature both (and this helps to compare models objectively).

4) What to buy: 3 successful "combos" in Portugal

Combo 1 — Home and DIY (best seller)

  • Cordless drill/screwdriver (2 speeds + clutch)

  • Kit of bits/tips + drill bits for wood/metal

  • (Optional) a compact screwdriver for small screws

Combo 2 — Wood and heavy fasteners

  • Drill/screwdriver

  • Screwdriver / impact wrench (for high torque and less kickback)

  • Impact bits (quality pays off)

Combo 3 — Concrete and construction/renovation work

  • SDS-Plus rotary hammer (if you frequently drill concrete)

  • SDS-Plus concrete drill bits

  • Chisel (if you need small tears/removal)

5) Purchase checklist (to use on the product page)

Checklist — Drill / Drill-Driver

  • Torque (Nm) sufficient for your fasteners

  • Multi-position clutch (control)

  • 10 or 13 mm chuck depending on the drill bits you will be using.

  • 2 speeds (drilling vs screwdriving)

Checklist — Rotary hammer (SDS hammer)

  • SDS-Plus (more common) or SDS-Max (heavier)

  • Impact energy (J) suitable for its use

  • Modes: drilling / percussion drilling / chiseling (if necessary)

FAQ

Are a drill and a screwdriver the same thing?
No. A drill is primarily for drilling , while a screwdriver is for tightening/loosening screws (although there are drill-drivers that do both).

What is SDS-Plus and why is it important?
It's a drill bit fitting for hammer drills; the SDS has grooves that allow for reciprocating and rotational movement and withstands impact better than a classic chuck.

What does "2.6 J" mean on a rotary hammer?
It's the impact energy (Joules). It helps compare drilling capacity in hard materials; many models display this value along with BPM/RPM and recommended diameters.

When is it worth buying an impact wrench?
When you need high torque (heavy fastenings, woodworking, repetitive work) and want to reduce wrist kickback.