DIY fever has gripped the nation this year as our home has become our sanctuary more than ever before.
A recent study carried out by B&Q polled 2000 consumers and discovered that nine out of 10 people believe their home is central to making life better.
It also showed that the increased time spent at home this year meant over half (53 percent) of Brits realised more DIY needed doing. Over two-fifths (42 percent) say they are more motivated to do DIY as a result of lockdown, and 35 percent feel more ambitious in the home improvement projects they want to tackle.
But to tackle all these jobs you’ll need the best power tools for getting your DIY jobs done.
Charles Powiesnik, Buying Manager for Power and Hand Tools at Homebase says: “This year’s demand for hand and power tools suggests that we’re much more prepared to take on DIY projects around the house and do it ourselves. We’ve seen a huge surge in customers decorating their homes, and with that comes the need to buy the right tools for the job.”
So, whether you’re putting up shelves in your home office or fixing a leaking tap, these power tools will help you get all those DIY jobs done.
Best DIY power tools
1. Black & Decker 18V Cordless Detail Mouse Sander
The Black & Decker Mouse Sander is one of the bestselling DIY power tools in the UK this year, probably because it’s so versatile and can quickly remove paint and prepare walls ready for wallpapering. It’s also brilliant for sanding furniture or shelves for a soft finish or to get ready for painting.
It’s also cordless, making it a versatile and very handy product.
Price: £80, Argos – buy here now
2. Black & Decker 2 Speed 18V Cordless Combi Drill with Kit Box
Take on any DIY task with this super-handy power drill that you’ll wonder what you did without.
Perfect for assembling flat pack furniture or hanging curtain rails, pictures or shelves, it’s brilliant for updating your interiors. It also works well in the garden for things like putting up outside lights.
Compact, cordless and lightweight, it’s also very efficient and can work on everything from concrete and bricks to wood and tiles. A DIY must.
Price: £48, Amazon – buy here now
3. Bosch IXO Cordless Screwdriver
Another must-have is a cordless screwdriver, and this Bosch version is a highly-rated bestseller.
Use it for tightening loose screws, assembling flat pack furniture (think beds, desks, bookcases, wardrobes, chairs or benches), fixing electronic goods, putting up shelves or joining cupboards. So what are you waiting for?
Price: £32.99, Amazon – buy here now
4. Black & Decker 216MM 1600W Corded Sliding Compound Mitre Saw
If you’re upping the ante with your DIY projects, this mitre saw will be extremely useful.
Designed for mitre, bevel and straight cuts, it can be used for cutting picture frames, skirting boards, architraves or any other mouldings. Compact and accurate, it also has an integrated dust bag to keep the space tidy.
Price: £180, Homebase – buy here now
5. Erbauer EXT 18V Cordless Jigsaw EJS18-Li
If you need to cut shapes or curves into wood, a jigsaw is a brilliant buy.
Whether you’re cutting holes for sinks, hobs and electric sockets, you’ll find a cordless jigsaw versatile for cutting tighter curves without being inhibited by a cord.
You can get very creative with a jigsaw and use it to make a pretty plant stand or hanging plant pot, your own chopping board, speaker covers, or shelves.
Price: £70, B&Q – buy here now
6. Bosch PHO 1500 Planer
A planer is perfect for giving saw cuts a neat finish, making your DIY projects look seamless and professional.
It’s also great for making sure your woodwork fits if, for example, a door was slightly too big you could shave off small bits until it fit properly.
And it can also be good for removing unwanted material on door frames and wooden beams.
Price: £58, Amazon – buy here now
7. Wickes 185mm Corded Circular Saw With Laser Guide 240V
If something needs more effort than a handsaw can provide, a circular saw is the best next step.
The compact, handheld version from Wickes is ideal for cutting large sheets of wood, and you could use it for anything from making a storage box to cutting kitchen worktops.
One happy customer said: “It’s successfully handled thick MDF shelving, cutting the bottom off a door to accommodate thicker pile carpet, trimming kitchen plinth to size, and decking railing.”
Price: £30, Wickes – buy here now
8. Dremel 8220-1/5 Cordless Multi-Tool Kit
Every house needs a good multi tool, which you can use for indoor and outdoor DIY projects.
This cordless tool can go from cutting and grinding to sanding and polishing in a variety of materials including metal, wood, glass and stone.
There’s even an LED light on the nose cap so you can keep working after dark. A versatile piece of kit.