What is it?
A budget power tool.
How will it change my life? I like to think I'm pretty handy around the house: bleeding radiators, fixing leaky taps and unblocking drains. It wasn't until our new flat-pack wardrobes arrived recently that my aptitude for DIY was truly tested.
Armed with only a Philips screwdriver, I set about assembling the pieces. For the first five minutes everything seemed to be going to plan. Well, if nothing else I had managed to locate all the necessary components and arrange them in neat piles on the bedroom floor.
So far, so good. But after the first screw struggled to go in, it quickly became apparent that this would not be as easy as I first thought.
Eventually, following the best part of a morning wrestling the pieces together, the first wardrobe was completed. A sense of accomplishment washed over me. This promptly evaporated, however, after I returned home from a lunchtime errand to discover the second wardrobe had already been erected and populated with assorted colourful dresses. My wife had done the unthinkable and borrowed an electric drill from a neighbour. Part of me was elated that the ordeal was over, but mostly I was embarrassed.
This was exacerbated the following day when I was given a good old-fashioned ribbing from family and friends. Apparently, the essential item in any man's tool kit is a decent cordless drill. I must have missed the memo.
Thank goodness then for Lidl's famed "aisle of surprise", where this week's latest batch of treasures includes the Parkside cordless drill. With an impressive spec for almost half the price of comparative rivals, it was worth a whirl.
Good points? Other than the obvious cost savings, the drill has all the features expected of tools in a much higher price bracket. The lithium-ion battery is charged within 60 minutes via the dedicated battery cradle which means you don't have to lug the tool to the nearest power outlet.
The 25 torque settings make most tasks a breeze, while the 2-speed gearbox provides options for drilling or screwing. The 18-volt, 1.3Ah drill has power without being overawing and is perfect for any level of user experience (or lack thereof).
Bad points? The design could be improved slightly to aid comfort when the drill is hung from a belt, but this is hardly a deal breaker.
Best for … Those starting out in the DIY world. It's lightweight, with reverse mode and integrated LED, making it a great all-rounder.
Avoid if … You need a power tool with more substantial power for bigger projects.
Score: 8/10.
l Parkside cordless screwdriver drill, £49.99 (lidl.co.uk)
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