Updated June 2026. Specs and prices verified from Amazon product pages. Picks cover daily concrete drilling, heavy demolition, and budget kits with batteries included.
A cordless drill does not count as a concrete tool. What you need for setting anchors, breaking up spalled slabs, or running conduit through a poured wall is a rotary hammer, which adds an electro-pneumatic hammer mechanism on top of rotation. The spec that matters most is impact energy, measured in joules (or foot-pounds). A cordless drill rated for 1.4 J punches a 3/16-inch hole in concrete in seconds; a 6.7 ft-lb SDS-max machine chips out a sidewalk patch. Voltage, BPM (blows per minute), chuck type (SDS-Plus vs SDS-max), and weight all decide whether the tool fits the daily work or sits in the truck. Below are five cordless rotary hammers that earn their spot, organized by the job they do best.
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Specifications sourced from Amazon product pages on 2026-06-29. Prices and stock fluctuate; verify before purchasing.
| Rotary Hammer | Price | Impact / BPM | Chuck | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCH273B | $295 | 2.1 J, 0-1100 RPM | SDS-Plus 7/8 in. | Best overall daily driver |
| Bosch GBH18V-40CN | $486 | 6.7 ft-lbs, 0-5000 BPM | SDS-max 1-5/8 in. | Heavy demolition, big anchors |
| Makita XRH04Z | $164 | 0-1200 RPM, 0-4000 BPM | SDS-Plus 7/8 in. | Value pick, long runtime |
| Berserker 111Pro | $100 | 2.8 J, 0-5100 BPM | SDS-Plus 1-1/8 in. | Budget kit with batteries included |
| DEWALT DCH172B | $199 | 1.4 J, 0-1100 RPM | SDS-Plus 5/8 in. | Compact, light-duty anchor work |
The DCH273B is the cordless SDS-Plus hammer most concrete crews keep on the bench for anchor drilling. It delivers 2.1 joules of impact energy at up to 1100 RPM, which is enough to sink 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch anchors in reinforced concrete all shift without complaint. The brushless motor stretches runtime on a 5.0Ah 20V MAX pack, and the three-position dial lets you switch between drill, hammer drill, and chipping modes without losing your grip. The SHOCKS active vibration control noticeably reduces the buzz at the handles, which matters when you drill two hundred holes in a shift.
It is a bare tool, so you bring your own 20V MAX battery and charger. At roughly 6 pounds, it is light enough to run overhead without fatigue and short enough to fit between rebar mats. The 20mm (7/8-inch) SDS-Plus chuck covers the anchor sizes most concrete contractors use. OSHA Table 1 compliant when paired with the DWH303DH onboard dust extractor, which is the only realistic way to drill dry into concrete slabs on a regulated jobsite.
Verified specs: 20V MAX, battery powered, brushless motor, 2.1 J impact energy, 0-1100 RPM, 20 mm (7/8 in.) SDS-Plus chuck, 5 Ah compatible battery capacity, 3 application modes (drill / hammer drill / chip), 5.95 lb (2.7 kg) bare tool. Bare tool only.
When the job moves past anchor drilling into slab breakout, chipping, or 1-inch plus anchors, the Bosch GBH18V-40CN is the only single-battery cordless tool on this list that keeps up with corded. It delivers 6.7 ft-lbs of impact energy (EPTA-rated) and 5000 BPM through a 1-5/8 inch SDS-max chuck, which is corded-hammer territory in an 18V package. The BITURBO brushless drive is engineered to use Bosch's 8.0Ah CORE18V ProFactor battery at full output, and the tool is only rated for that kind of work when paired with it.
The tradeoff is weight. At 15.4 pounds tool-only, this is a two-handed machine, not something you run overhead for an hour. Kickback Control drops the motor if the bit binds, which is a real safety feature when chiseling horizontal surfaces, and the Vario-Lock rotates and locks the chisel into twelve positions so you can hold the tool at the angle your shoulders can survive. Anti-vibration damping in the handle and hammer tube is the main reason it is usable for a full day of chipping. This is the pick for crews whose cordless hammer also has to be a demolition tool.
Verified specs: 18V PROFACTOR, battery powered, BITURBO brushless motor, 6.7 ft-lbs (EPTA) impact energy, 0-480 RPM, 0-5000 BPM, SDS-max 1-5/8 in. chuck, 15.4 lb bare tool, variable speed, Kickback Control, Anti-Vibration System, Vario-Lock chisel positioning, soft start. Bare tool only.
The Makita XRH04Z is the value pick here, and the reason is simple. It is a 7/8-inch SDS-Plus cordless rotary hammer at roughly $160 bare tool that runs on the same 18V LXT packs most crews already own, so the total cost of ownership is one of the lowest on the list. The Makita-built motor delivers 0-1200 RPM and 0-4000 BPM, with synchronized rotation and impact for faster drilling. Three modes cover rotation only, hammer with rotation, and hammer only, which is everything a concrete contractor needs for anchor drilling, light chipping, and removing forms.
The torque-limiting clutch is the feature worth calling out. If a bit binds in rebar, the clutch disengages the gears automatically instead of spinning the tool out of your hands. That is the kind of safety feature that pays for itself the first time you hit embedded steel. At 7.38 pounds, it is in the middle of the weight range here, and the shock-absorbent handle protects the battery housing if the tool gets set down on aggregate. It uses Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries and chargers, which is the whole point of the value argument. This is the best choice for crews already on the Makita 18V platform.
Verified specs: 18V LXT Lithium-Ion (per product title and Compatible Devices line; Amazon spec table lists "120 Volts," which contradicts the cordless product listing and appears to be a data error), battery powered, 0-1200 RPM, 0-4000 BPM, 10 mm (7/8 in.) SDS-Plus chuck, 3-mode operation (rotation only / hammer with rotation / hammer only), torque-limiting clutch, 7.38 lb, 18 in. length. Compatible with Makita 18V LXT batteries and chargers. Bare tool only.
The Berserker 111Pro is the only pick on this list that ships as a complete kit, which changes the math. For about $100, you get the rotary hammer, two 4.0Ah 20V batteries, a 3A fast charger, three SDS-Plus drill bits, a point chisel, a flat chisel, and a storage case. For a contractor who needs a second rotary hammer for a helper, or who does not own any 18V or 20V tool ecosystem yet, that bundle is hard to beat at the price.
The brushless motor delivers 2.8 joules of impact energy (listed as 2.1 ft-lbs), 0-1150 RPM, and 0-5100 BPM through a 1-1/8 inch SDS-Plus chuck. Four modes cover drilling only, hammer with drilling, hammer only, and chisel position adjustment, which matches the mode selection on tools costing three times as much. At 7.2 pounds, it is light enough for overhead anchor work. The tradeoff is durability and ergonomics. The plastic housing and battery electronics are not in the same class as DEWALT, Bosch, or Makita, and the 4.0Ah packs will not match a brand-name 5.0Ah pack for cycle life. But for occasional concrete work or as a backup kit, the value is real.
Verified specs: 20V DC, battery powered, brushless motor, 2.8 J (2.1 ft-lbs) impact energy, 0-1150 RPM, 0-5100 BPM, 1-1/8 in. SDS-Plus chuck, 4 modes (drill / hammer with drill / hammer only / chisel adjustment), 7.2 lb, adjustable side handle, built-in LED. Kit includes 2x 4.0Ah batteries, 3A charger, 3 SDS-Plus bits, point chisel, flat chisel, and case.
The DCH172B is the lightest and shortest cordless SDS-Plus hammer in the DEWALT 20V MAX line, and it is the right pick when the work is 3/16-inch and 1/4-inch tapcons, not 1/2-inch anchors. It delivers 1.4 joules of impact energy at 0-1100 RPM through a 5/8-inch SDS-Plus chuck, which is enough for fasteners into poured concrete and masonry block but not the tool for rebar-heavy slabs. The brushless motor and German-engineered hammer mechanism are the same family as the DCH273B, just detuned for weight and runtime. SHOCKS active vibration control is included.
The case for the DCH172B is comfort and reach. It is the right tool when you are working in a ceiling, in a crawlspace, or up against a wall where a longer hammer does not fit, and you are setting small anchors all day, not big ones. The mode selector switches between drill and hammer drill only, no chipping. It is OSHA Table 1 compliant when paired with the DWH200D shroud and DWH161D1 dust extractor. If most of your concrete work is light and repetitive, the lower price and lighter weight make more sense than the DCH273B.
Verified specs: 20V MAX, battery powered, brushless motor, 1.4 J impact energy, 0-1100 RPM, 5/8 in. (0.63 in.) SDS-Plus chuck, 2 modes (drill / hammer drill), brushless motor, compact and lightweight, reverse rotation, keyless chuck listed in features. SHOCKS active vibration control. Bare tool only.
Get the DEWALT DCH273B if you want one cordless SDS-Plus hammer for daily anchor drilling in concrete, with 2.1 J of impact and chipping mode for the occasional small breakout. Get the Bosch GBH18V-40CN if the job is demolition and big anchors, where 6.7 ft-lbs through an SDS-max chuck is what the work actually demands. Get the Makita XRH04Z if you are already on Makita 18V LXT and want a no-frills value pick with a torque-limiting clutch. Get the Berserker 111Pro if you need a second kit or have no battery platform yet, since two batteries and a charger ship in the box. Get the DEWALT DCH172B if the work is mostly small tapcons in tight spots where a compact, lighter hammer fits and a heavier one does not. The right rotary hammer is the one sized to the hole you actually drill, not the one with the biggest number on the box.
A hammer drill uses a cam-driven mechanism that taps the bit while it spins. A rotary hammer uses an electro-pneumatic piston that delivers a real impact blow measured in joules. For concrete, the rotary hammer punches through faster and lasts longer because the load is not transferred to the gear train. The picks in this guide are all rotary hammers, not hammer drills.
SDS-Plus is the smaller chuck system, rated for bits up to about 1-1/8 inches and impact energy in the 1 to 4 joule range. SDS-max is the larger system, rated for bits up to 1-5/8 inches and impact energy of 5 to 20 foot-pounds. Most anchor drilling uses SDS-Plus. Slab chipping and big anchor work uses SDS-max. The DEWALT, Makita, and Berserker picks here are SDS-Plus. The Bosch GBH18V-40CN is SDS-max.
For 3/16-inch and 1/4-inch tapcons and small sleeve anchors, 1.4 to 2.1 joules is enough. That covers the DEWALT DCH172B and DCH273B and the Berserker 111Pro. For 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch anchors run all day, 2.1 to 3 joules is the sweet spot. For 3/4-inch and larger anchors or chipping work, you want 6 foot-pounds or more, which means SDS-max and a tool like the Bosch GBH18V-40CN.
No. The DCH273B, DCH172B, Makita XRH04Z, and Bosch GBH18V-40CN all ship as bare tools. If you do not already own batteries and a charger for that platform, the total cost can double. The Berserker 111Pro is the only pick here that ships with two batteries and a charger in the box, which is why it is the budget recommendation for crews starting from zero.
The brushless models from DEWALT, Bosch, and Makita are rated for daily jobsite use and carry the standard tool warranties from each manufacturer. The Bosch PROFACTOR line carries a five-year limited warranty on the tool and a 180-day money-back guarantee. The Berserker is built for intermittent use and is not in the same durability class as the name-brand brushless models.
Last updated: June 2026