The 5 Best Cordless Drills for Concrete and Masonry (2026)
A regular drill — even a good one with a hammer mode — hits a wall in concrete. Literally. The moment you're setting anchors, running conduit, or drilling into a foundation, you need an SDS-plus rotary hammer: a tool built around a pneumatic piston that hammers the bit independently of rotation. This guide covers cordless SDS-plus rotary hammers only, because that's what actually works in concrete and masonry without a cord.
This guide is research-based, not sponsored. Rankings come from manufacturer spec sheets, owner reviews across major retailers, and expert roundups. Nobody sent us free tools and nobody paid for placement. Here's what the data says actually matters, and which rotary hammers earn their keep.
What Actually Matters in a Rotary Hammer
Impact energy, measured in joules or foot-pounds. This is the single most important number. A 1.9-joule hammer drills small anchor holes all day; a 2.1-joule-plus hammer keeps its speed in harder aggregate and larger diameters. Ignore "drilling capacity" claims and look at the impact energy rating.
Blows per minute (BPM). Impact energy does the heavy lifting, but BPM determines how fast you advance. Most 18V/20V cordless rotary hammers sit between 3,950 and 4,900 BPM — enough for anchor holes up to about 5/8 inch in standard concrete.
Vibration control. Rotary hammers shake. A lot. Active vibration control (every brand has its own name for it — DeWalt's AVC, Milwaukee's AVS, Bosch's vibration dampening) measurably reduces hand-arm vibration, which matters the moment you're drilling more than a handful of holes.
Dust extraction compatibility. Concrete dust is silica — breathing it is a genuine health hazard, and OSHA cares. The better hammers on this list accept an on-board HEPA dust extractor that captures dust at the bit. If you're drilling indoors or overhead, this feature matters more than raw power.
Your battery platform. If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX, Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT, or Bosch 18V batteries, the platform decision is mostly made for you — a bare tool that runs on batteries you own is always the smart buy.
The Picks
DEWALT DCH273B 20V MAX XR 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Why it wins overall. The DCH273B is the cordless rotary hammer that expert roundups keep ranking at or near the top, and the spec sheet explains why: 2.1 joules of impact energy — the highest in this class — with 0–4,600 BPM and a brushless motor. Owners consistently report it drilling 1/2-inch anchor holes in poured concrete at speeds that used to require a corded tool.
The Active Vibration Control system keeps it tolerable through long sessions, and the three-mode selector (drill, hammer drill, chip) makes it genuinely versatile — it can knock tile off a wall as well as set anchors. It also accepts the D25303DH on-board dust extraction unit, which matters if you're working to silica standards indoors. The 20V MAX battery platform is the deepest in the industry, so you'll never hunt for compatible batteries.
Weaknesses. It's sold as a bare tool, so DeWalt 20V MAX outsiders need to budget for batteries and a charger. At around $250–300 bare it's not the cheapest option, and it's heavier than the compact models — overhead work gets old fast.
Best for: The man who wants the most capable cordless rotary hammer in its class and owns (or plans to own) DeWalt 20V MAX batteries.
Check current price: DEWALT DCH273B 20V MAX XR 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Milwaukee 2712-20 M18 FUEL 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Why it wins for Milwaukee owners. Milwaukee's M18 FUEL rotary hammer puts out 1.7 foot-pounds of impact energy at up to 4,900 BPM — the fastest hammer rate on this list — driven by the POWERSTATE brushless motor. Owner feedback across retailers consistently praises how fast it drills 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch holes in concrete relative to its size, and the Anti-Vibration System (AVS) keeps it manageable during production work.
The three-mode operation (rotary hammer, hammer-only, rotation-only) covers drilling, light chipping, and standard drilling, and the all-metal gear case is built for jobsite abuse. Expert roundups rank it as the pro's pick in the M18 lineup, which is saying something given how deep that lineup runs.
Weaknesses. It's the priciest bare tool on this list at around $400, and at the time of writing some distributors showed thin stock — worth confirming availability before you commit. The dust extraction attachment is sold separately and adds cost.
Best for: The committed Milwaukee M18 owner who does production drilling and wants the fastest hammer in the class.
Check current price: Milwaukee 2712-20 M18 FUEL 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Bosch GBH18V-26DN 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer
Why it wins for kit value. The Bulldog name has meant "compact rotary hammer that refuses to die" for decades, and the current brushless D-handle model (GBH18V-26DN) carries that forward: 1.9 foot-pounds of impact energy, 0–4,350 BPM, and Bosch's KickBack Control, which shuts the motor down if the bit binds — a real wrist-saver in rebar-adjacent work.
The D-handle design gives you better control and leverage than pistol-grip compacts, and owners consistently report the vibration dampening as among the best in class for long overhead sessions. It accepts the GDE18V-26D HEPA dust extraction attachment for silica-compliant indoor work. The kit version with battery and charger typically runs around $350, which undercuts the DeWalt and Milwaukee flagships while delivering comparable real-world drilling.
Weaknesses. Bosch's 18V platform, while solid, is shallower than DeWalt's 20V MAX or Milwaukee's M18 — if you're building a whole cordless shop, the ecosystem is thinner. The older compact GBH18V-26 bare tool has been discontinued by some distributors, so make sure you're buying the current D-handle (DN) model.
Best for: The best balance of drilling power, vibration control, and price — especially as a complete kit.
Check current price: Bosch GBH18V-26DN 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer
Makita XRH01Z 18V LXT Brushless 1-Inch SDS-PLUS Rotary Hammer
Why it wins for Makita owners. The XRH01Z is Makita's brushless 1-inch SDS-plus rotary hammer, and it's the right pick over Makita's older brushed models: the brushless motor delivers impact energy in the ~2-joule class with 0–4,700 BPM, and — critically — it accepts the DX01 on-board HEPA dust extractor, which the brushed XRH04 does not. Owners consistently report fast, clean anchor holes and notably low vibration for the output.
The three-mode selector and variable-speed trigger give it real versatility, and it runs on Makita's 18V LXT platform — the largest cordless lineup in the industry, so your batteries are already paid for if you're in the ecosystem. Around $315–400 as a bare tool, it's priced competitively with the DeWalt and Milwaukee flagships.
Weaknesses. Like most picks here, dust extraction is an add-on cost, not included. It's a full-size rotary hammer — if you want something pocketable for the occasional 1/4-inch hole, this isn't it. Makita's published impact-energy figures vary by source, so treat the exact joule number as approximate.
Best for: Makita 18V LXT owners who want a brushless, dust-extraction-ready rotary hammer without switching platforms.
Check current price: Makita XRH01Z 18V LXT Brushless 1-Inch SDS-PLUS Rotary Hammer
Metabo HPT DH18DBLQ4 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Why it wins for value. The Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi) DH18DBLQ4 delivers 1.9 foot-pounds of impact energy at 1,050 RPM and 3,950 BPM — squarely in the same class as tools costing twice as much — for around $180–220 as a bare tool. It includes Reactive Force Control, which stops the motor on sudden bit bind-up, and it accepts the optional 402976M HEPA dust extraction attachment.
Owner feedback consistently highlights the build quality — this is the old Hitachi engineering DNA, metal where it counts — and expert roundups regularly flag Metabo HPT as the value pick that doesn't feel like a compromise. If you're buying your first rotary hammer and don't want to spend flagship money, this is where the smart money goes.
Weaknesses. The 18V MultiVolt platform is far smaller than the big three ecosystems — fine if this is a one-off purchase, limiting if you want to build out. The 3,950 BPM hammer rate is the slowest on this list, so production drilling takes a bit longer. Availability is strongest through online retailers rather than big-box stores.
Best for: Maximum rotary hammer per dollar — the right pick for occasional concrete work on a budget.
Check current price: Metabo HPT DH18DBLQ4 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Rotary Hammer | Impact Energy | Max BPM | Modes | Vibration Control | Dust Extractor Option | Approx. Price (bare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCH273B | 2.1 J | 4,600 | 3 | Active Vibration Control | D25303DH | ~$250–300 |
| Milwaukee 2712-20 | 1.7 ft-lb | 4,900 | 3 | Anti-Vibration System | Sold separately | ~$400 |
| Bosch GBH18V-26DN | 1.9 ft-lb | 4,350 | 3 | Vibration dampening + KickBack Control | GDE18V-26D HEPA | ~$350 (kit) |
| Makita XRH01Z | ~2.0 J | 4,700 | 3 | Anti-vibration housing | DX01 HEPA | ~$315–400 |
| Metabo HPT DH18DBLQ4 | 1.9 ft-lb | 3,950 | 3 | Reactive Force Control | 402976M HEPA | ~$180–220 |
Prices are approximate street prices and shift with sales. Specs from manufacturer data; joules and foot-pounds are not directly interchangeable across brands' test methods.
The 60-Second Decision Guide
- You own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries → Buy the Check current price: DEWALT DCH273B 20V MAX XR 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer. Most impact energy in class, best all-arounder.
- You own Milwaukee M18 batteries → Buy the Check current price: Milwaukee 2712-20 M18 FUEL 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer. Fastest hammer rate, pro-grade build.
- You own Makita 18V LXT batteries → Buy the Check current price: Makita XRH01Z 18V LXT Brushless 1-Inch SDS-PLUS Rotary Hammer. Brushless with dust-extraction support.
- You own Bosch 18V batteries (or want the best kit value) → Buy the Check current price: Bosch GBH18V-26DN 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer. KickBack Control is genuinely useful.
- You're buying your first and watching the budget → Buy the Check current price: Metabo HPT DH18DBLQ4 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer. Same class of performance for roughly half the money.
- You're drilling indoors or overhead regularly → Whichever you buy, add the matching HEPA dust extractor. Silica dust is not optional safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my regular cordless drill handle concrete if it has a hammer mode? For a few small holes in soft brick or mortar, yes — a hammer drill/driver will get through. For real concrete, anchors, or anything over 1/4 inch, no. A rotary hammer's pneumatic mechanism delivers several times the impact energy per blow. Using a standard drill on concrete is slow, burns out bits, and overheats the tool.
What does SDS-plus actually mean? It's a chuck system (Slotted Drive System) where the bit slides back and forth in the chuck to transfer hammer blows directly. SDS-plus covers bits up to about 1-1/8 inch; SDS-max is the bigger, heavier-duty system for demolition-scale work. For the drilling on this list, SDS-plus is the right size.
How much impact energy do I actually need? For anchor holes up to 1/2 inch in standard residential concrete, anything in the 1.7–2.1 joule/foot-pound class on this list is plenty. Larger holes (5/8–3/4 inch) or harder aggregate reward the top of the range — that's where the DeWalt's 2.1 joules earns its keep.
Do I really need dust extraction? If you drill concrete indoors, overhead, or regularly: yes. Concrete dust contains crystalline silica, which is a serious lung hazard, and OSHA has a permissible exposure limit. The on-board HEPA extractors for these tools capture dust at the source and are far more practical than a helper holding a shop vac.
Can a rotary hammer drill through rebar? Sometimes, with a rebar-cutting bit — but hitting rebar with a standard masonry bit will stop you cold or snap the bit. If you suspect rebar, use a rebar cutter bit or relocate the hole. KickBack Control (Bosch) and Reactive Force Control (Metabo HPT) exist precisely because bit bind-ups happen.
Are the batteries interchangeable between brands? No. DeWalt 20V MAX, Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT, Bosch 18V, and Metabo HPT 18V batteries are all proprietary and physically incompatible. That's why the platform decision matters — the bare tool is cheap compared to a full battery ecosystem.
The Verdict
Buy the Check current price: DEWALT DCH273B 20V MAX XR 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer if you want the single most capable cordless rotary hammer in this class — it leads on impact energy, takes dust extraction, and runs on the deepest battery platform in the business. If you're already invested in Milwaukee M18 or Makita 18V LXT, buy the Check current price: Milwaukee 2712-20 M18 FUEL 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer or Check current price: Makita XRH01Z 18V LXT Brushless 1-Inch SDS-PLUS Rotary Hammer respectively — both are within striking distance of the DeWalt, and staying on your platform is worth more than a fractional spec advantage.
On a budget or buying your first? The Check current price: Metabo HPT DH18DBLQ4 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer delivers the same class of performance for roughly half the money, and the Check current price: Bosch GBH18V-26DN 18V Brushless 1-Inch SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer remains the best-balanced kit buy. Whichever you choose, buy quality SDS-plus bits and — if you're drilling indoors — the matching dust extractor. The tool is only half the setup.