DeWalt 20V SDS Rotary Hammers: Which One Should You Buy?
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DeWalt is one of the most familiar names on any job site, and its 20V MAX battery platform powers everything from small drills to the SDS rotary hammers in this guide. A rotary hammer is the tool you reach for when a regular drill struggles in concrete, brick or stone: instead of relying only on spinning, it uses a piston to punch the bit forward thousands of times a minute, chipping through masonry far more easily. “SDS Plus” is the type of bit holder, a slotted shank that locks into the chuck and slides back and forth with each blow, so the bit does not slip. If you are shopping for a DeWalt 20V SDS rotary hammer for yourself or as a gift, knowing those two terms already puts you ahead.
These six models differ mainly in impact energy (measured in joules, a unit for how hard each blow hits), size, and whether you get batteries: they range from a compact 5/8-inch model through several 1-inch tools to two 1-1/8-inch heavy hitters, and only one kit includes batteries.
DeWalt 20V SDS Rotary Hammers Compared
| Model | Impact Energy | Modes | Vibration Control | Battery Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Rotary Hammer (DCH273B) | 2.1 J | Drill, hammer drill, chip | SHOCKS | No |
| DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Plus 1 Inch D-Handle (DCH133B) | 2.6 J | Drill, hammer drill, chip | Not listed | No |
| DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Plus Rotary 5/8 in. (DCH172B) | 1.4 J | Drill, hammer drill | SHOCKS | No |
| DEWALT 20V MAX Rotary Hammer 1-1/8 in. (DCH263B) | 3.0 J | Drill, hammer drill, chip | SHOCKS | No (tool only) |
| DEWALT DCH293B 20V Max XR Brushless | 3.5 J | Not listed | SHOCKS plus E-Clutch | No |
| DEWALT DCH273P2 20V Max Brushless SDS | 2.1 J | Drill, hammer drill, chip | SHOCKS | Yes, 5 Ah batteries |
DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Rotary Hammer for Overhead Anchor Work
Dewalt
DEWALT 20V MAX Rotary Hammer, SDS Plus, 1-1/8-Inch, Tool Only (DCH263B)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
DEWALT 20V MAX Rotary Hammer
Best for: Rebar dowelling and bigger holes
Pros
- 0 joules impact energy
- Drill, hammer and chip modes
- SHOCKS vibration control
Cons
- Specs confusingly list a battery
- Tool only
Best for: Tight spaces and small anchor holes
Pros
- Compact, 4.59 pounds
- SHOCKS vibration control
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Lowest impact at 1.4 joules
- No chip mode
Best for: D-handle fans doing structural anchoring
Pros
- 6 joules impact energy
- Three modes including chip
- Side handle and depth rod included
Cons
- No SHOCKS mention in listing
- Bare tool only
Best for: Overhead anchor drilling with existing batteries
Pros
- 1 joules impact energy
- Drill, hammer drill and chip modes
- SHOCKS vibration control
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Bare tool, no battery
- Listing omits weight
The DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Rotary Hammer, model DCH273B, is the bare-tool version of DeWalt’s popular 1-inch rotary hammer. “Bare tool” or “tool only” means you get the hammer itself but no battery or charger, which makes sense if you already own DeWalt 20V batteries. The description calls it an XR brushless model; brushless motors skip the small carbon brushes older motors use, which generally means less wear and better runtime.
The listing names 2.1 joules of impact energy, a rotating dial with three modes (drill for wood and metal, hammer drill for concrete, and chip for light chiseling with the rotation turned off), and the SHOCKS Active Vibration Control System, which reduces the shaking you feel at the handles. It also says the tool becomes OSHA Table 1 compliant, a US dust-safety standard, when paired with the DWH303DH On Board Extractor. Suggested jobs include rod hanging, seismic attachments, cable tray and strut mounting.
This is a light, balanced choice for someone drilling lots of anchor holes overhead. If you have no DeWalt batteries yet, the DCH273P2 kit below is the same core tool with batteries included.
DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Plus 1 Inch D-Handle for Structural Connections
The DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Plus 1 Inch Cordless Rotary Hammer with D-Handle, model DCH133B, steps up to 2.6 joules. The D-handle is a closed loop grip behind the motor, a shape many users find steady when pushing straight into a wall.
It uses a brushless motor with a German-engineered mechanism and the same three-mode dial as the DCH273. The listing says the box includes the rotary hammer, a 360° side handle and a depth rod, a small metal bar that stops you at the right hole depth. It suggests forming, rod hanging, structural connections, beam and column anchorage and steel stanchion mounting. The listing does not mention SHOCKS vibration control or a dust extractor pairing.
The DeWalt DCH133 rotary hammer suits a buyer who wants more punch than the DCH273 in a 1-inch tool and likes the D-handle grip. If lower vibration is the priority, the DCH273 or the 1-1/8-inch models list SHOCKS.
DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Plus Rotary 5/8 in. for Tight Spaces
The DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Drill, model DCH172B, is the compact member of the group. The description places it in the ATOMIC line, DeWalt’s compact tools, and it weighs 4.59 pounds with dimensions of 11.35 x 8.54 x 10.68 inches.
It delivers 1.4 joules, the lowest here, and its mode selector switches between drill and hammer drill only, with no chip mode listed. It still has a brushless motor and SHOCKS vibration control, and it is OSHA Table 1 compliant when paired with the DWH200D shroud and DWH161D1 dust extractor. Suggested jobs include rod hanging, concrete forming, cable tray mounting and railing mounting.
This is the right fit for DIYers hanging shelves on a basement wall, mounting a TV bracket on brick or working between joists. For larger holes or any chiseling, one of the 1-inch models is the better tool. For wood and metal jobs that never touch masonry, a regular DeWalt 3-speed hammer drill may be all you need.
DEWALT 20V MAX Rotary Hammer 1-1/8 in. for Rebar Dowelling
The DEWALT 20V MAX Rotary Hammer, model DCH263B, moves up to the 1-1/8-inch class with 3.0 joules of impact energy. It keeps the familiar three-mode dial, brushless motor and SHOCKS vibration control, and it becomes OSHA Table 1 compliant when paired with the DWH205DH On Board Extractor.
Listed jobs lean toward heavier construction: forming, #3 to #5 post-installed rebar dowelling (drilling holes to insert steel reinforcing bars), tilt wall support, beam and column anchorage and steel stanchion mounting. The specifications mention a 5 Ah lithium-ion battery, but the title clearly says tool only, so expect the bare tool and confirm before buying.
Choose the DCH263B if you drill bigger holes in concrete regularly and want the chip mode too. For the very hardest concrete and all-day work, the DCH293B hits harder still.
DEWALT DCH293B 20V Max XR Brushless for All-Day Heavy Drilling
Best for: All-day, large-diameter concrete drilling
Pros
- Highest impact at 3.5 joules
- E-Clutch bind-up protection
- SHOCKS vibration control
- Retractable utility hook
Cons
- Tool only
- Listing omits chip mode
The DEWALT DCH293B 20V Max XR Brushless 1-1/8-inch L-shape rotary hammer is the most powerful model here at 3.5 joules. “L-shape” describes a layout where the motor sits upright below the barrel, giving a longer, more balanced body for sustained drilling.
Its standout feature is E-Clutch, which the listing describes as enhanced control in a bind-up, when the bit snags on rebar and the tool tries to twist in your hands; it helps limit that sudden torque reaction. It also has SHOCKS vibration control, a brushless motor for all-day runtime, a retractable utility hook and dust management readiness with the D25304DH. The listing does not specify its mode options.
The DeWalt DCH293B XR brushless suits pros and serious renovators drilling large holes in hard concrete. It is more tool than most homeowners need; a first-time buyer will usually be happier with a 1-inch model.
DEWALT DCH273P2 20V Max Brushless SDS Kit for First-Time Owners
Best for: First-time owners without DeWalt batteries
Pros
- Comes with 5 Ah batteries
- 1 joules impact energy
- Three modes, SHOCKS control
Cons
- Listing omits charger details
- Same power as bare DCH273
The DEWALT DCH273P2 20V Max Brushless SDS Rotary Hammer is the kit version of the DCH273: the same 2.1 joules, three-mode dial, SHOCKS vibration control and brushless motor, but with 5 Ah batteries named in the title. The listing does not spell out the charger, case or exact battery count, so check the box contents on the product page.
The description highlights its light weight for overhead work and says it is dust extraction ready for the D25303DH. The specs list a metal drilling capacity of 0.5 inches.
The DeWalt DCH273P2 kit is the easiest gift pick for someone new to the 20V platform, because it works out of the box. If the recipient already owns DeWalt batteries, the DCH273B bare tool delivers the same performance. Anyone starting from scratch might also look at a DeWalt 20V drill and impact driver combo kit to build a battery collection.
How to Choose the Right DeWalt Rotary Hammer
Do you need a rotary hammer at all. For occasional small holes in brick, a hammer drill may do. If you drill concrete regularly, set anchors, or want chiseling, a rotary hammer is much faster and easier on your arms.
Match impact energy to the job. 1.4 joules (DCH172B) handles small anchor holes; 2.1 to 2.6 joules (DCH273, DCH133) covers most DIY and trade work; 3.0 to 3.5 joules (DCH263B, DCH293B) is for larger holes and harder concrete.
Think about modes. Want to chip tile or clean up concrete edges. Pick a model with chip mode; the compact DCH172B does not list one.
Batteries or tool only. Only the DCH273P2 lists batteries. Every other model here is a DeWalt rotary hammer tool only, best for people already on the 20V system. You can read more about battery-powered DeWalt drilling in our DeWalt rotary hammer drill guide.
Comfort and dust. SHOCKS reduces handle vibration on most models here. For indoor concrete work, look at the matching dust extractor each listing names.
FAQ
What does SDS Plus mean?
SDS Plus is a bit shank design with slots that lock into the chuck while letting the bit slide forward and back with each hammer blow. You push the bit in to install it, with no chuck key needed.
Which DeWalt rotary hammer should I buy as a beginner?
The DCH273P2 kit is the easiest start because it includes batteries. If the buyer already has DeWalt 20V batteries, the DCH273B or the compact DCH172B are good choices.
Is the DCH273B the same tool as the DCH273P2?
Both list 2.1 joules, three modes, SHOCKS and a brushless motor. The P2 listing adds 5 Ah batteries; the B version is the bare tool.
What is chip mode used for?
Chip mode stops the bit from spinning so it only hammers, letting you use a chisel bit to remove tile, chip concrete or clean up masonry.
Can I use a rotary hammer on wood?
Yes, in drill-only mode with the right bit or adapter. The DCH263B specs list a wood drilling capacity of 2.06 inches.
Which model hits hardest?
The DCH293B at 3.5 joules, followed by the DCH263B at 3.0 joules.
