The 3 best sds hammer drills🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Methodology v1.0.0 · computed 13 Jun 2026 · how we rank · AI-drafted, pending editor review
SDS hammer drills use a piston-driven hammer action and a quick-change SDS chuck to bore into concrete, brick and stone with far less effort than a standard drill. The best ones deliver strong impact energy, comfortable vibration control and a reliable mode selector. Our top three are scored from aggregated UK reviews rather than chosen by us.
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1Best Overall
DeWalt DCH273 18V XR Brushless SDS Plus Hammer Drill
DeWalt
Medium confidence · 3 sourcesNarrow win — +0.7 pts over #2
93.1
/ 100 · n=231
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What to look for in sds hammer drills
- •Impact energy in joules and maximum drilling diameter in masonry.
- •Operating modes, such as drill, hammer and chisel functions.
- •Vibration control, weight and grip comfort for overhead work.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between SDS and a normal hammer drill?
- SDS uses a dedicated piston mechanism for much greater impact, ideal for concrete. A standard hammer drill relies on clutched friction and suits softer brick and lighter masonry.
- Do I need SDS-Plus or SDS-Max?
- SDS-Plus covers most home and trade drilling up to moderate diameters. SDS-Max is a larger system for heavy demolition and very large holes on bigger building sites.
- Can an SDS drill also chisel?
- Many models include a chisel mode that stops rotation while keeping the hammer action, letting you chase channels, remove tiles or break out small areas of masonry.