When Arnold Schwarzenegger first started demonstrating Lidl's power tools a while back, you couldn't help but notice. And Lidl’s reputation for offering quality at low prices made this partnership a hard-to-ignore combination.
The Terminator actor certainly packed a punch armed with his Lidl chainsaw, cutting muscles into a wooden sculpture of himself in their advert, all while exclaiming "power in the palms of your hands" is needed to make a success of something.
But clever advertising aside, as a seasoned DIYer I wanted to see if Lidl's power tools really were a bargain compared to the offerings from its bargain basement competitor: Amazon. I’ve used own-brand tools before and have rarely been disappointed, but who will win in our head-to-head? Surely Arnie – who used to be a bricklayer (yes, really) – can't lose, right?
Lidl's drill versus similar on Amazon
Every DIY enthusiast needs a drill. It’s usually the first power tool that any aspiring DIYer acquires. The Parkside Performance Cordless Drill Driver Starter Set is the ideal starter kit for any DIY novice. It has everything – with a regular price of just £39.99 – including two rechargeable batteries with a charger, 20 torque settings, an integrated LED light, a keyless chuck, 25 screwdriver bits, and a variety of wood and masonry drill bits.
And like all good modern power tools, it’s compatible with any other cordless Parkside power tool that uses the X 12V TEAM series rechargeable batteries. For peace of mind, it comes with a 5-year warranty. I’d say that’s impossible to ignore at such a low price point.
Can you buy it on Amazon? No, but the highly rated Parkside PABS 20-Li X20V Cordless Drill is yours for £33, with no battery or charger. A more powerful Parkside option is the Parkside Cordless 20v Drill at £65. This includes a better battery and a charger, but nothing else. An alternative at a similar price point is the well-received Einhell Power X-Change Drill, available for £45 including battery and charger.
Winner: Lidl, those batteries being includes is a brilliant saving
A part of the Parkside X 20 V Team battery series (making it compatible with Parkside products), this cordless hammer drill comes with a 20V Li-Ion Battery 2.0 Ah battery, a 2-speed gearbox and a 60-minute quick charger with automatic charging shutdown.
Lidl's sander versus what you can find on Amazon
Another frequent visitor to a DIYer's toolbox is a sander. If you paint, and let's be honest, what DIYer doesn’t, a sander is the perfect tool if you're painting skirting boards, doors, windows or architrave. The Parkside Multi Sander from Lidl comes in at a very respectable £23. Features a hook-and-loop fastener, an integrated dust-collection box, a soft-grip ergonomic handle, and a 3-year warranty.
This isn’t available on Amazon, but there are some very smart alternatives like this BLACK+DECKER Mouse 55W Detail Sander for just £22. It fits neatly in the hand, is lightweight, and its teardrop-shaped sanding pad allows it to get into all corners.
Winner: It's a tie
Lidl tile cutter versus Amazon
If you’re a keen DIY tiler, Lidl's Parkside Wet Tile Cutter is almost a must-have at £45. It includes one diamond-cutting disc, a tool for changing the saw blade, and a three-year warranty. For a little extra, you can get the Vitrex torque master power tile cutter from Amazon. It's highly rated, cuts tiles up to 25mm thick and includes a 110mm diamond blade
Winner: Lidl
Lidl's wet and dry vac versus similar on Amazon
When you're done, don’t forget to clean up. A wet and dry vac speeds up the process, and once again, Lidl have a very competitively priced model – Parkside Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner – at £40. You’ll struggle to do any better at this price point, but the Draper 1250W 15L Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner from Amazon comes close, or even better when on offer at £35.
Winner: Amazon
Power tools to buy on Amazon
This budget-friendly tile cutter can cut tiles up to 25mm thick and includes a splash guard with variable height adjustment. Features a flip-up cutting table for 22.5 and 45 degree mitres and a 'No mess' water recirculation system.
Clean up is rarely the favourite part of any DIY project, but it's got to be done. And to do it well, a Wet & Dry vac like this offering from market leaders Karcher fits the part.
An electric corded orbital sander at a very competitive price. Features a durable 300W copper motor with six variable speeds. Includes a 0.3L dust bag and 10 various grit sanding discs.
Lidl's power tool accessories versus Amazon
Every power tool needs accessories, and Parkside haven’t forgotten this. You can get your hands on the Parkside Performance Hexagonal Wood Drill Bit Set and Parkside Performance Hexagonal Masonry Drill Bit Set, both for £4.99. These are hard-to-beat prices, but the Bosch 15-Piece Drill Bit Set on Amazon features both wood and masonry bits for just over £6.
When you need help with a DIY project, a small stepladder like the Parkside Folding Stepladder at £17.99 is perfect for a quick lift to reach the top of walls for painting and wallpapering. If you’re looking for something a little more robust, try the StepIt Premium 2 Step Ladder from Amazon.
If you need an extra pair of hands, but no one’s available to help, I find bar clamps are the perfect assistant. The Parkside Large Bar Clamps have a jaw width of 300mm and come as a 2-pack for just £6.99. Can you get them cheaper on Amazon? No, but these IRWIN QUICK-GRIP 150mm Mini Clamps are the perfect companion for smaller jobs, and they're less than a tenner.
Winner: Lidl
Lidl or Amazon?
Like Arnie famously said, “I’ll be back”, the next time I need a well-priced power tool. But will it be Amazon or Lidl? The boring answer is that it is most likely both depending on which tool I need, but if Arnie is really pinning me down on an either or answer, it's obviously going to have to be Lidl.
Power tools are the lifeblood of any good DIY project, so you need to make sure you have the right selection. Check out our best cordless drills, essential tools I buy on Amazon and jigsaw vs circular saw guides to make sure you are ready for your next DIY project.
