Best SDS Drill UK: SDS Plus Hammers For Electricians
What is the best SDS drill for electricians?
For first fix in brick, block and concrete, a cordless SDS plus hammer in the 2.0 to 2.7 joule band is the right tool, and an 18V one lets you share batteries with the rest of the van. Of the five compared here, Bosch's GBH 18V-26F has the most impact energy among the cordless ones (2.6 J), the Makita DHR243 is the only cordless one with a with-battery weight listed (3.2 to 3.7kg), and Bosch's corded GBH 2-26 gives 2.7 J with no battery to run down. Every figure below is from the maker's own page.
This guide is about SDS plus hammers: the tool for cable chases, back-box and conduit fixings, and holes through masonry. For a combi drill that drives screws and drills wood and metal, see the best drill for electricians. You normally need both.
Key takeaways
- Buy an SDS plus hammer when brick, block or concrete holes are regular. A combi drill's hammer mode does not replace it.
- Impact energy on the pages compared runs from 2.0 J (Makita DHR243) to 2.7 J (Bosch GBH 2-26, corded).
- The optimum concrete range for the Makita and both Bosch tools is stated as 4 to 16mm and 8 to 16mm, which is where most cable, plug and anchor holes sit.
- Check the dust extraction option before you buy. Makita, Bosch and Milwaukee each list one on their pages.
- Weights are quoted on different bases (with battery, without battery), so compare them like for like before you decide.
Sources: Makita UK: DHR243 18V LXT SDS-PLUS rotary hammer, DeWalt UK: DCH273 18V XR 24mm SDS Plus hammer drill, Bosch Professional UK: GBH 18V-26F, Milwaukee Tool UK: M18 FUEL 4-mode 26mm SDS-Plus hammer (M18 FH), Bosch Professional UK: GBH 2-26
SDS drill comparison: five SDS plus hammers side by side
| Model | Impact energy | Concrete drilling (stated) | Weight (stated) | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DHR243 | 2.0 J | 24mm max, 4 to 16mm optimum | 3.2 to 3.7kg with battery | 18V LXT |
| DeWalt DCH273 | 2.1 J | 4 to 24mm | Not listed on the page | 18V XR |
| Bosch GBH 18V-26F | 2.6 J | 4 to 26mm, 8 to 16mm optimum | 3kg without battery | 18V |
| Milwaukee M18 FH-0X | 2.5 J | Up to 125 holes of 10mm x 50mm per 5.5Ah charge | Not stated | M18 |
| Bosch GBH 2-26 | 2.7 J | 4 to 26mm, 8 to 16mm optimum | 2.9kg | 830W, 110V or 240V |
A tool with more joules removes masonry faster, but it is also heavier and costs more. Pick on the holes you drill every week, not the largest one you might drill once.
Sources: Makita UK: DHR243 18V LXT SDS-PLUS rotary hammer, DeWalt UK: DCH273 18V XR 24mm SDS Plus hammer drill, Bosch Professional UK: GBH 18V-26F, Milwaukee Tool UK: M18 FUEL 4-mode 26mm SDS-Plus hammer (M18 FH), Bosch Professional UK: GBH 2-26
Makita DHR243: the 18V LXT option at 2.0 J
The Makita DHR243 is an 18V LXT, brushless, SDS-PLUS rotary hammer with a quick-change chuck. Makita lists 2.0 J of impact energy, a 24mm maximum concrete drilling diameter (4 to 16mm optimum), 27mm in wood and 13mm in steel. It has three modes: rotation only, hammering with rotation, and hammering only. The no-load speed is 0 to 950 rpm and the impact rate 0 to 4,700 per minute.
Makita gives the weight as 3.2 to 3.7kg with a battery fitted, so the figure moves with the battery you choose. Stated vibration is 15.8 m/s² for hammer drilling in concrete and 11.2 m/s² for chiselling. The page lists compatible Makita vacuum cleaners and dust extractors, and a dust collecting cap as an accessory.
It suits electricians already on Makita 18V LXT batteries who mostly drill 4 to 16mm holes.
DeWalt DCH273: 24mm with a rotation-stop mode
The DeWalt DCH273 is an 18V XR brushless 24mm SDS Plus hammer drill. The kit on DeWalt's page, DCH273H2T-GB, is listed with two 5Ah POWERSTACK batteries. DeWalt states 2.1 J of impact energy and holes of 4 to 24mm in concrete, brick and masonry.
The page lists a rotation-stop mode for light chiselling in plaster and tiles, an impact-stop mode for rotary-only drilling in wood and metal, anti-rotation control and an electronic clutch. DeWalt states a vibration level of 6.6 m/s². It does not list a weight, so check that in the shop against Makita's and Bosch's figures.
It suits electricians on DeWalt's 18V XR batteries who want a kit with batteries included.
Bosch GBH 18V-26F: the most impact energy among the cordless picks
Bosch lists the GBH 18V-26F at 2.6 J of impact energy, 4 to 26mm in concrete with hammer drill bits (8 to 16mm optimum) and 3kg without the battery. The tool holder is SDS plus. The default variant, order number 0 611 910 000, comes with an auxiliary handle, a 13mm quick-change chuck, an SDS plus quick-change chuck and a 210mm depth stop.
Stated vibration is 15.2 m/s² for hammer drilling in concrete and 9.6 m/s² for chiselling. Bosch intends the tool for drilling and chiselling in concrete, masonry, wood and metal, and lists the optional GDE 18V-16 dust extraction unit for it. It works with Bosch Professional 18V batteries.
It suits electricians who drill larger or harder holes, and want the quick-change chuck so one tool also drives small bits.
Milwaukee M18 FH: four modes on the M18 system
Milwaukee's M18 FUEL 4-mode 26mm SDS-Plus hammer, listed here as the M18 FH-0X (article number 4933478500), states 2.5 J of impact energy. Its four modes are rotary hammer, hammer only, rotation only and a selectable chisel position. Milwaukee quotes up to 125 holes of 10mm x 50mm per charge of a 5.5Ah M18 HIGH OUTPUT battery, but the page names it a 26mm hammer and gives no optimum range or weight.
The page lists AUTOSTOP, which shuts the tool down if the bit binds, an all-metal gear case, and compatibility with the M18 FCDDEXL or FDDEXL dust extractors. The FH-0X listing shows a side handle, depth gauge and HD Box as standard equipment, and is a bare tool: you need M18 batteries and a charger.
It suits electricians already on M18 batteries who want a chisel mode for chasing.
Source: Milwaukee Tool UK: M18 FUEL 4-mode 26mm SDS-Plus hammer (M18 FH)
Bosch GBH 2-26: a corded SDS drill for long days
Bosch's corded GBH 2-26 is rated at 830W with 2.7 J of impact energy, 4 to 26mm in concrete (8 to 16mm optimum), 2.9kg and an SDS plus tool holder. The box holds an auxiliary handle, a 210mm depth stop and a carrying case. Stated vibration is 16.5 m/s² for hammer drilling in concrete and 12.1 m/s² for chiselling.
Bosch lists a 110V variant (order number 0 611 2A3 060) and a 240V variant (0 611 2A3 070). The 110V one is the version for sites that run reduced-voltage supply.
It suits long runs of drilling or chasing where battery swaps cost time, or a second hammer kept for the loft or the site cabin.
Source: Bosch Professional UK: GBH 2-26
Cordless or corded SDS drill?
Cordless is the better default for an electrician who moves between rooms and jobs: no extension lead, no reduced-voltage transformer, and the batteries fit the rest of the 18V kit. Corded earns its place when the work is sustained, such as a run of chases through a whole house or repeated holes through thick masonry, because the tool never stops for a battery. The Bosch GBH 2-26 shows the trade-off in the numbers: 2.7 J at 2.9kg, against the 2.6 J, 3kg bare of the cordless GBH 18V-26F, which then needs a battery on top.
If you run a Makita, DeWalt, Bosch or Milwaukee 18V system already, buy the matching hammer and avoid a second battery platform.
Sources: Bosch Professional UK: GBH 2-26, Bosch Professional UK: GBH 18V-26F
What should you check before buying an SDS drill?
- SDS plus: confirm the tool holder, because your existing bits need to fit.
- Impact energy and the hole sizes you drill: compare joules with the optimum range on the page, not just the maximum diameter.
- Chisel position: needed for chasing and lifting plaster. Milwaukee lists a selectable chisel position, DeWalt a rotation-stop mode for light chiselling, and Bosch lists chiselling as intended use.
- Dust extraction: look for a listed extractor or cap. Makita, Bosch and Milwaukee each name one for these models.
- Vibration: the declared figures differ between pages, so compare the same operation (hammer drilling in concrete) rather than a headline number.
- Bare or kit: a bare tool suits an existing battery platform. A kit suits a first purchase.
For the combi, impact driver and tight-access tools around this one, see the best drill for electricians guide. For the office side of an electrical business, see the electricians' job management guide.
Sources and references
Blake Folgado
Blake is a co-founder of Tradehand, a UK trades marketplace More from Blake
