Spring is peak DIY season in the UK. Whether you're putting up shelves, refreshing a room with paint, building a deck, or assembling flatpack furniture, having the right power tools makes the job faster and the results better. Here's what to buy and what to look for.
Cordless Combi Drills
A cordless combi drill is the single most useful power tool you can own. It drills holes, drives screws, and with hammer action, handles masonry too.
What to look for:- Voltage: 18V is the standard for home DIY. It handles everything from flatpack assembly to drilling into brick. 12V models are lighter but lack power for tougher jobs.
- Brushless motors: More efficient, longer lasting, and more powerful than brushed motors. Worth the premium if you'll use it regularly.
- Battery: Look for at least 2.0Ah for light work, 4.0Ah+ for sustained drilling. Two batteries means one can charge while you work.
- Makita LXT (18V): The trade favourite. Excellent build quality and the largest accessory ecosystem. The DHP486 is their best-selling combi drill.
- DeWalt XR (18V): Popular with tradespeople and serious DIYers. Known for robust construction and strong motors.
- Bosch (18V): Their green (home) range offers great value. The blue (professional) range competes directly with Makita and DeWalt.
Sanders
Sanding is the job nobody enjoys but everyone needs to do. The right sander turns hours of hand-sanding into minutes.
Types:- Random orbital sander: The all-rounder. Best for general sanding of flat surfaces — furniture, doors, shelves. Leaves a swirl-free finish.
- Detail sander: Triangular pad gets into corners and tight spots. Essential for window frames, skirting boards, and furniture details.
- Belt sander: Aggressive material removal. Use for stripping paint from large surfaces or levelling rough timber. Not for fine finishing.
Jigsaws & Circular Saws
For any project that involves cutting wood — decking, shelving, trim work — you need a saw.
Jigsaw: The most versatile cutting tool for home DIY. Cuts curves, straight lines, and can handle wood, plastic, and thin metal with the right blade. Look for variable speed and orbital action for faster cutting. Circular saw: For long, straight cuts in sheet materials and timber. More accurate and faster than a jigsaw for straight lines. A 165mm blade handles most home projects.Paint & Decorating
A fresh coat of paint is the fastest way to transform a room. Spring's moderate temperatures and lower humidity make it the ideal time to paint both indoors and out.
Interior paint:- Dulux: The UK's most trusted brand. Their Easycare range is washable and scuff-resistant — perfect for hallways, kitchens and kids' rooms.
- Crown: Strong competitor to Dulux with excellent coverage. Their Breatheasy range is low-odour, which matters when painting with windows closed.
- Farrow & Ball: Premium option for a distinctive, chalky finish. Higher price per litre but genuinely different results.
Hedge Trimmers
Spring growth means hedges need their first trim of the year. A powered hedge trimmer makes this job significantly faster than hand shears.
Cordless vs electric:- Cordless: Freedom of movement, no cable to accidentally cut. Battery life of 45-60 minutes is enough for most gardens. Look for 18V minimum.
- Corded electric: Unlimited runtime and lighter weight (no battery). Better for smaller gardens where you can reach hedges from a power point.
Battery Platform Guide
If you're buying multiple power tools, sticking to one brand's battery platform saves significant money. One set of batteries powers every tool in the range.
The big three platforms:- Makita LXT (18V): Over 300 tools share the same battery. The widest range available. Batteries are widely available and competitively priced.
- DeWalt XR (18V/20V Max): Around 200 tools in the range. Strong in heavy-duty applications. FlexVolt batteries bridge the gap to 54V tools.
- Bosch Professional (18V): Excellent tool quality with a growing range. Good value for money, especially in kits.