Why is the same drill half the price at one shop?

Almost always because it is the bare tool with no battery or charger. The batteries are the most expensive part of a cordless kit, so check the box contents before comparing prices.

Does the battery brand matter?

More than the drill does. Batteries are not interchangeable between brands, so your first cordless tool decides what every later one costs.

Are trade shops cheaper than Amazon for tools?

Frequently, yes. Screwfix, B&Q and Wickes are regularly cheapest in this category and are missing from most price comparisons, which is exactly why they are worth checking.

Cheapest place to buy a cordless drill in the UK

Half the listings are for a drill with no battery in the box.

Updated 25 September 2026 · 1 min read

Bare tool versus kit is the whole comparison

Cordless tools are sold two ways: as a bare tool, and as a kit with one or two batteries and a charger. The same drill appears under both, with names differing by a suffix, at prices that are not remotely comparable — the batteries are usually the most expensive part of the package.

If you already own batteries in that brand’s system, the bare tool is dramatically the better buy. If you do not, a bare tool is useless until you spend more than the drill cost.

The battery platform is the real purchase

Buying a cordless drill is really committing to a battery system. Every subsequent tool from that brand shares the batteries, and tools from other brands do not. The first purchase decides what the next five cost.

That makes the cheapest first drill frequently the most expensive decision, if it locks you into a platform with a thin or costly range.

What actually drives the price

Batteries included, and their capacity. The dominant factor by far.
Combi versus drill driver. A combi adds hammer action for masonry. Worth having in a British house with brick walls.
Brushless motors, which cost more, last longer and run longer per charge.
Trade versus DIY ranges. The same brand often runs both, with materially different build and price.

Before you buy

Decide whether you are buying into a battery platform or already own one.
Read the box contents on every listing.
Compare bare tool plus batteries bought separately against the kit price.
Check Screwfix, B&Q and Wickes as well as the general retailers — trade shops are frequently cheapest here.
Check whether a second battery is worth more to you than a higher specification.