Rank #1 in Best SDS Drill 2026: 10 Ranked, and Why the Amps Don't Add Up
Makita DHR202Z 18V SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Body Only)
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Makita DHR202Z is a battery-powered SDS-Plus rotary hammer, an 18V LXT tool sold as a bare unit — no batteries and no charger in the box. At £89.94 it takes the top spot in our guide to SDS drills, and it carries 4.7 out of 5 from 3,966 Amazon ratings.
Its own spec table is why it sits where it does in that guide. The listing gives 18 Volts, 1 Amp and 450 Watts of maximum power on the same page. Eighteen volts at one amp works out at 18 watts, so the voltage, amperage and power lines do not agree with each other — the same kind of gap the guide flags on other SDS hammers. The table also lists 40 speeds directly beside a variable speed trigger, and ticks "Is Electric: Yes" for a tool whose power source is given as battery. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing, not from any test of our own.
How those 3,966 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.7 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £89.94 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 out of 5, from 3,966 reviews |
| Voltage | 18 Volts |
| Amperage (as listed) | 1 Amps |
| Maximum Power (as listed) | 450 Watts |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1,100 RPM |
| Maximum Chuck Size | 20 Millimetres |
| Item Weight | 3.23 kg (package listed at 3.4 kg) |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Fantastic drill for the price. It's a shame that it doesn't come with any batteries or charger and they are expensive to buy separate. I actually bought some knock off batteries and charger from Amazon which work fine with it. I've had no problems with it yet and use it all day in all 3 settings doing mainly brickwork and masonry drilling.”
Verified purchase“Used to drill 80mm hole through brick walls, does this as good as any battery drill”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best SDS Drill 2026: 10 Ranked, and Why the Amps Don't Add Up.
Questions people ask
Does the Makita DHR202Z include batteries and a charger?
No. The product title states that batteries and charger are not included, and the listed contents are the DHR202Z itself, one side handle and one depth stop.
What do the power figures on the listing say?
18 Volts and 1 Amp, plus 450 Watts of maximum power. 18 Volts at 1 Amp comes to 18 Watts, so those two figures do not reconcile.
How many speeds does the Makita DHR202Z have?
The listing states 40 speeds, while the same listing also describes a variable speed trigger — an unusual pairing on a rotary hammer.
Is the Makita DHR202Z corded or cordless?
The listing says "Is Electric: Yes" and "Power source: Battery Powered". With an 18V LXT battery and no charger supplied, it is a cordless tool, so the "Is Electric" line looks like a stock field.
What is the maximum chuck size?
20 millimetres, as listed, with a one-touch sliding chuck for quick bit changes.
What do Amazon reviewers say?
It holds 4.7 out of 5 from 3,966 ratings. Reviewers describe drilling brick and masonry with it and drilling an 80mm hole through brick walls.
Comments
Reader comments are not checked against the manufacturer's claims above.
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