sdsdrillexpert.co.uk

We couldn’t find SDS drill reviews – so we decided to do them ourselves

As far as we know we’re the web’s only in-depth site for advice, reviews and price comparison – there’s no like us.

If you’re new to the wonderful world of hammer drilling technology, why not see our page on SDS drills explained or, for help choosing one, see our SDS drill buyer's guide

All our content is written by our review team – one power tool retailer, one construction journalist and several powertool enthusiasts from various trades. As you can imagine, we have plenty of fun testing and reviewing the best models from leading manufactures.

So what is the right machine for you?

If you’ve come this far you probably know at least a little about powertools. Chances are you’re looking for a new drill because you need more power than your standard rotary hammer. The options below will help you narrow your choice to find the right make and model.

Corded SDS drills

There are 3 types of corded machines: lightweight (1.5-2.5Kg), medium (4kg) and SDS Max demolition hammer drills (5kg+). The weight and power you need will be determined by how you intend to use it. For occasional trade or DIY use a lightweight model may suffice; for heavy trade use you’re probably looking at a medium option; and for knocking through seriously thick concrete and breaking stuff up you’ll want one of the big boys. When making comparisons, pay specific attention to the impact energy in Joules (J) and the max drilling capacity (i.e. the max diameter of holes it can drill).

Cordless models

Cordless machines keep getting lighter and more powerful. The main things to consider are voltage and battery type. Do you need 18V/24V/36V? And should it be powered by traditional NiCad; newer NiMH or a sexy – but pricey - Lithium Ion (Li-ion) battery? Again, also look out for impact energy (J) and max drilling capacity. Read our guide to cordless drills

The right brand

This is the million dollar question. Bosch, Makita, DeWalt have the biggest market share; Hitachi are up and coming; Metabo and Hilti have produce excellent machines, and Draper are pushing hard. We try to be impartial and judge each drill on its individual merits (and price tag).

The best price

Of course you can pop into Argos and buy an powerdrill for thirty quid. But will it stand up to the kind of hammer you’re going to chuck at it? Mmm, maybe not. We try to stick to the best brands only and for each of the reviews we also find the lowest price from all the leading power tool retailers. So all in all, you have everything you need to get the best value machine.

And finally, a quick shout out for a friend who has recently launched a website Nothing But The Truth absolutely nothing to do with powertools but worth checking out if you're interested in the tools of marketing.

• Search the best deals

  • Brands: Bosch SDS Drills DeWalt Hitachi Makita SDS Drills Metabo SDS Max
  • Price Range: Under £100 £100 – £200 £200 – £300 £300-£400 £400 – £500 £500 – £600 £600 – £700
  • Power source: Corded Cordless

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• SDS Drill Buyer’s Guides

  • SDS drills explained
  • Cordless hammer drill guide
  • SDS Max guide
  • 36V reviews
  • 24V reviews
  • 18V reviews
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