# Best cordless SDS drills Source: https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-cordless-sds-drills Publisher: Drill and Bit. Picks are based on what the Amazon listings state, not on hands-on testing. Method: https://drillandbit.co.uk/how-we-pick When a combi drill starts to struggle in hard brick, concrete lintels or engineering block, an SDS plus hammer drill is the next step. Its piston mechanism delivers far more blow energy, measured in joules, and the SDS shank lets the bit slide back and forth in the chuck. Most cordless models also offer a chisel only mode for lifting tiles and chasing small channels. This guide compares 12 V, 18 V and twin 18 V SDS plus drills using the impact energy, concrete capacity and modes each listing states, and it spells out what is in the box. Many SDS drills are sold as bare units, so check you have a suitable battery and charger. SDS drills can kick if a bit jams: hold the side handle, use the clutch and kickback features, scan walls for cables and pipes, and wear eye, ear and dust protection as the manual and HSE guidance advise. ## Products ### 1. DEWALT DCH263N-XJ 18V XR Brushless 28mm SDS-Plus Hammer Drill - Bare Unit Impact energy: 3.0 J; Concrete capacity: 4 to 28 mm; Modes: Rotary, hammer, chisel; In the box: Tool and side handle (no battery) A brushless DeWalt 18 V XR SDS plus hammer with three modes and a 28 mm capacity, sold bare. The strongest single 18 V option here for anchors and fixings. In its favour: - The listing gives 3.0 J of impact energy and holes from 4 to 28 mm in concrete, brick and masonry. - Rotation stop mode handles light chiselling in plaster, tiles and render. - Compact, ergonomic design with a side handle included. Good to know: - Bare unit: no battery, charger or case in the box. - The listing does not state the weight with a battery fitted. ### 2. Milwaukee M18FH-0 18v Cordless Fuel 26mm SDS Rotary Hammer Drill Body Only, Black Impact energy: 2.5 J; Concrete capacity: 26 mm; Modes: 4 modes; In the box: Body only, no box Milwaukee's M18 Fuel SDS plus rotary hammer with 2.5 J and four modes, supplied body only. A strong match for anyone already on M18 batteries. In its favour: - The listing states 2.5 J of impact energy and up to 26 mm in concrete. - Four operating modes are listed, covering drilling, hammer drilling and chiselling. - Brushless Fuel motor shares the large M18 battery range. Good to know: - Body only with no case, battery or charger. - The listing gives few details on vibration control or weight with a pack. ### 3. Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Rotary Hammer GBH 18V-22 X (incl. L-BOXX 136) Impact energy: Not stated; Concrete capacity: Not stated; Modes: Not stated; In the box: Tool, L-BOXX 136, side handle, depth gauge Bosch Professional's brushless SDS plus rotary hammer with a OneChuck that also takes round and hex shank bits. Supplied in an L-BOXX without battery. In its favour: - OneChuck accepts SDS plus, cylindrical and hex bits without swapping chucks, according to Bosch. - KickBack Control and constant speed motor are listed. - Comes with an auxiliary handle, depth gauge and L-BOXX 136. Good to know: - Impact energy and concrete capacity are not stated in this listing. - No battery or charger is included, so budget for both if you are new to Bosch. ### 4. DeWALT | XR SDS + Rotarty Hammer | 18V 2 x 2.0Ah Li-Ion | DCH172D2-GB Impact energy: 1.4 J; Concrete capacity: 16 mm; Modes: Rotary hammer, rotary only; In the box: 2 x 2.0 Ah batteries DeWalt's ultra compact brushless SDS plus rotary hammer listed with two 2 Ah batteries. Light at 1.8 kg without a battery, it suits fixing work and overhead drilling. In its favour: - The listing states 1.4 J, up to 4,980 bpm and 16 mm in concrete. - Weight is 1.8 kg without battery, with an LED and a tether point for work at height. - Listed with two 2.0 Ah XR batteries, unlike most SDS drills here. Good to know: - There is no chisel mode, so it cannot remove tiles or chase channels. - A charger is not clearly listed in the contents; confirm before ordering. ### 5. Bosch Professional Combo-kit GSB 18V-45 Plus GBH 18V-22 (with 2 Batteries 4.0 Ah, Charger GAL 18V-40, in Tool Bag) Impact energy: Not stated; Concrete capacity: 6 to 10 mm (ideal range); Modes: Not stated; In the box: Combi drill, 2 x 4.0 Ah, GAL 18V-40, bag A Bosch Professional kit pairing the GBH 18V-22 SDS drill with the GSB 18V-45 combi drill, two 4 Ah batteries and a charger. Everything for masonry and wood. In its favour: - The GBH 18V-22 is described as ideal for 6 to 10 mm holes, with KickBack and Vibration Control. - Includes a second drill, the GSB 18V-45, for wood up to 35 mm and screws. - Two 4.0 Ah AMPShare batteries and the GAL 18V-40 charger are in the bag. Good to know: - Impact energy is not given in the listing, so compare with Bosch's spec sheet. - A larger outlay than a single SDS drill if you already own a combi drill. ### 6. Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Rotary Hammer GBH 18V-22 (with SDS Plus, Ideal for Drilling 6 mm to 10 mm Holes, Kickback Control and Vibration Control, incl. Inlay, L-BOXX) Impact energy: Not stated; Concrete capacity: 10 mm metal (listed); Modes: Not stated; In the box: Tool, L-BOXX 136, depth gauge Bosch Professional's compact 18 V SDS plus drill for 6 to 10 mm holes, supplied in an L-BOXX with no battery. Good for plug and anchor holes in masonry. In its favour: - Vibration Control and KickBack Control are listed to reduce strain and jams. - Constant speed motor gives more holes per charge, according to Bosch. - Works with the GDE 18V-12 extractor attachment for cleaner drilling. Good to know: - No battery or charger in the box, only the tool, case and depth gauge. - Best suited to holes of 6 to 10 mm, so not the drill for large anchors or cores. ### 7. Makita DHR263ZJ Twin 18V Li-Ion LXT Rotary Hammer SDS Plus Supplied in A Makpac Case - Batteries and Charger Not Included Small,Blue Impact energy: Not stated; Concrete capacity: 26 mm chuck capacity; Modes: Rotary, rotary hammer, hammer only; In the box: Tool in Makpac (no batteries) A Makita SDS plus rotary hammer that runs on two 18 V LXT batteries in series for 36 V. Sold in a Makpac case without batteries or charger. In its favour: - Two 18 V packs drive a 36 V motor, according to Makita, for heavier masonry work. - Three modes, including hammer only for chiselling, are listed. - One touch slide chuck for SDS plus bits. Good to know: - Needs two LXT batteries at once, and none are included. - The listing shows 4.6 kg and gives no impact energy figure. ### 8. Brushless Hammer XR 12V SDS-Plus® 1.1J 2 Modes Without Charger/Battery with TSTAK Case Multicoloured Impact energy: 1.1 J; Concrete capacity: Not stated; Modes: 2 modes; In the box: Tool in TSTAK case (no battery) A small 12 V brushless SDS plus hammer from DeWalt, rated at 1.1 J, in a TSTAK case without battery or charger. For light fixing holes where size matters most. In its favour: - The 12 V XR platform keeps size and weight down for overhead and light work. - Brushless motor with two modes, according to the listing. - Supplied in a stackable TSTAK case for storage and transport. Good to know: - 1.1 J is the lowest impact energy here, so larger holes in concrete will be slow. - Bare unit and the listing is light on detail, including capacity in concrete. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.