Best Drill for Concrete Walls (2026 Guide)

If you need to drill into concrete walls — for anchors, electrical boxes, shelving, or structural connections — you need the right drill. A regular drill will fail. Here is exactly what to buy and why.

What Kind of Drill Do You Need for Concrete Walls?

There are three tools that drill concrete. Which one you need depends on hole size and frequency:

Tool	Best For	Max Hole Size	Price Range
Hammer Drill	Homeowners, occasional use, holes under 1/2"	1/2"	$80–$250
SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer	Contractors, frequent use, holes up to 1-1/8"	1-1/8"	$150–$400
SDS-Max Rotary Hammer	Commercial, large holes, demolition	2"+	$300–$700+

Best Drills for Concrete Walls in 2026

Pick	Type	Impact Energy	Power	Best For
Bosch GBH18V-26D	SDS-Plus rotary hammer	2.0 J	18V cordless	Contractors, daily use	Price →
DeWalt DWD520	Hammer drill	— (10A)	Corded	Homeowners, holes to 1/2"	Price →
DeWalt DCH273B	SDS-Plus rotary hammer	2.1 J	20V cordless	DeWalt battery owners	Price →
Makita HR2475	SDS-Plus rotary hammer	2.7 J	Corded	Best value under $200	Price →

Best Overall: Bosch GBH18V-26D (SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer)

The Bosch GBH18V-26D delivers 2.0 joules of impact energy — enough for any residential anchor hole up to 1 inch. Brushless motor, vibration control, and compatibility with the Bosch 18V ProCORE battery system make this the go-to choice for contractors drilling concrete walls daily. Drills a 3/8" hole in concrete in under 10 seconds.

• Impact energy: 2.0 joules
• Chuck: SDS-Plus
• Weight: 5.5 lbs
• Best for: Wedge anchors, sleeve anchors, Tapcon installations

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Best for Homeowners: DeWalt DWD520 (Corded Hammer Drill)

For homeowners drilling occasional anchor holes in concrete walls, the DeWalt DWD520 is the most reliable corded hammer drill available. The 10-amp motor handles carbide masonry bits up to 1/2 inch without bogging down. Corded means no battery to run out mid-job — important when you are drilling multiple holes for a shelving project or TV mount.

• Power: 10 amps
• Chuck: 1/2" keyless
• Modes: Drill, hammer drill
• Best for: Tapcon screws, small anchors, occasional concrete work

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Best Cordless Hammer Drill: DeWalt DCH273B (SDS-Plus)

If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, the DCH273B is the obvious choice. It delivers 2.1 joules of impact energy — matching or beating most corded SDS hammers — with the freedom of cordless operation. The three-mode selector (drill, hammer drill, hammer only) handles everything from anchor holes to light chiseling.

• Impact energy: 2.1 joules
• Chuck: SDS-Plus
• Battery: 20V MAX (sold separately)
• Best for: Contractors already in the DeWalt ecosystem

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Best Budget Option: Makita HR2475 (Corded SDS-Plus)

The Makita HR2475 is the most affordable professional SDS-Plus rotary hammer that will actually last. At under $200, it delivers 2.7 joules of impact energy — more than most cordless SDS hammers at twice the price. The trade-off is cord management, but for a shop or fixed work site that is rarely a problem.

• Impact energy: 2.7 joules
• Chuck: SDS-Plus
• Power: 7 amps
• Best for: Budget-conscious contractors, high-volume anchor installation

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What Drill Bit Do You Need for Concrete Walls?

The drill is only half the equation. You need a carbide-tipped masonry bit matched exactly to your anchor size.

• For hammer drills: standard round-shank carbide masonry bits
• For SDS rotary hammers: SDS-Plus carbide bits — do not use standard bits in an SDS chuck
• Bit diameter must match anchor specification exactly — see our Drill Bit Size for Concrete Anchors chart

Common Mistakes When Drilling Concrete Walls

• Using a regular drill: Without hammer mode you will overheat the bit and make no progress. Always use hammer mode for concrete.
• Wrong bit type: Standard HSS twist bits will fail immediately on concrete. Only carbide masonry bits work.
• Not cleaning the hole: Concrete dust in the hole reduces anchor strength by 30-50%. Always blow out holes with compressed air before installing anchors.
• Drilling too close to edges: Minimum edge distance for most anchors is 5-6 times the anchor diameter. Too close and the concrete will spall.
• Using hammer mode on tile: If you are drilling through tile to reach concrete behind it, start in regular mode through the tile then switch to hammer mode for the concrete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of drill do I need for concrete walls?

You need a hammer drill at minimum for concrete walls. For occasional holes under 1/2 inch use a standard hammer drill. For frequent work or holes larger than 1/2 inch use an SDS-Plus rotary hammer. A regular drill without hammer mode will overheat and fail on concrete.

What is the best drill for concrete walls in 2026?

The Bosch GBH18V-26D SDS-Plus rotary hammer is the best overall for contractors. For homeowners the DeWalt DWD520 corded hammer drill is the most reliable option. For cordless the DeWalt DCH273B SDS-Plus matches corded performance with 20V MAX batteries.

Can I use a regular cordless drill on concrete?

No. A regular cordless drill without hammer mode will not make meaningful progress on concrete. It will overheat the bit and stall the motor. You need hammer mode engaged with a carbide masonry bit. For hard concrete or holes larger than 1/2 inch upgrade to an SDS rotary hammer.

What drill bit do I need for concrete walls?

Use a carbide-tipped masonry bit matched exactly to your anchor size. For hammer drills use round-shank carbide bits. For SDS rotary hammers use SDS-Plus carbide bits - do not use standard bits in an SDS chuck. The bit diameter must match your anchor specification exactly.

What is the difference between a hammer drill and an SDS rotary hammer for concrete?

A hammer drill uses a cam mechanism delivering light impacts - good for occasional holes up to 1/2 inch. An SDS rotary hammer uses an electropneumatic piston delivering 5-10x more impact energy - drills faster, handles larger holes, and is far more efficient for frequent concrete work. SDS is the professional choice for concrete walls.

Related Guides

• Hammer Drill vs Rotary Hammer — Which one do you actually need?
• Best Masonry Drill Bits (2026) — Right carbide bits for concrete walls
• Drill Bit Size for Concrete Anchors — Every anchor, every bit size
• How to Drill Into Concrete Safely — Step-by-step technique
• Best SDS Rotary Hammers (2026) — Full buying guide
• Drill Bit Selector — Instant bit recommendation