Rank #1 in Best Pillar Drill 2026: 9 Ranked, and the Numbers That Don't Add Up
Bosch PBD 40 Bench Drill, 710W, 13mm Chuck
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Bosch PBD 40 is a corded bench drill with a 710W motor, a 13mm keyless chuck, and a digital readout for speed and depth. It tops our guide to bench drills, with a 4.5-star rating from 869 Amazon reviews. But the listing's spec sheet contains a number that doesn't add up: it claims 650 Newton Meters of torque from a motor that, at 2,500 RPM, works out to roughly 170 kW. The same sheet also lists a 220V voltage and a review histogram that sums to 100 despite the 869 total.
The headline figure here is the torque, but the numbers to trust are the 13mm chuck and the 13mm metal drilling capacity. The wood capacity is 40mm. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing, not from our own testing.
How those 869 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.5 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £279.00 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 (869 ratings) |
| Maximum power | 710 Watts |
| Maximum chuck size | 13 Millimetres |
| Drilling capacity metal | 13 Millimetres |
| Drilling capacity wood | 40 Millimetres |
| Maximum torque (as listed) | 650 Newton Meters |
| Voltage (as listed) | 220 Volts |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“lives up to the Hype, great small pillar drill... stable but so light and very easy to move around. Very easy to use with twist control on front, flexible for different materials. Decent torque but fades off a lower RPM if you press on too aggressively, but I need to be more patient.. high recommended. only niggle laser gets blocked by many of my bits so not as useful as I'd hoped... built in light is helpful though...”
Verified purchase“This pillar (bench) drill is the dogs doodahs, I was going to get a much cheaper in price and quality pillar drill but when I saw it was almost £100 cheaper on Amazon than others suppliers I thought get the one I wanted for once rather than one that's cheaper and affordable. I'm so glad I got this and didn't go for second best like I usually do. It screams quality. If you are looking for a pillar (bench) drill get this you will not be disappointed and if you get it when it's on offer win win.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Pillar Drill 2026: 9 Ranked, and the Numbers That Don't Add Up.
Questions people ask
What is the maximum chuck size on the Bosch PBD 40?
The listing states a maximum chuck size of 13 millimetres.
What is the drilling capacity in metal for the Bosch PBD 40?
13 millimetres, as listed.
What is the maximum torque of the Bosch PBD 40?
The listing states a maximum torque of 650 Newton Meters.
How many speeds does the Bosch PBD 40 have?
It has a 2-speed gearbox, as listed.
What is the price of the Bosch PBD 40?
The listed price is £279.00.
What is included with the Bosch PBD 40?
The scope of supply includes a parallel guide, a quick-action clamp, and it comes in carton packaging.
Comments
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