Milwaukee’s rotary hammer range, particularly the M18 FUEL line, is increasingly popular in the UK, especially among professional builders and tradespeople who already use Milwaukee’s M18 battery platform. All Milwaukee SDS rotary hammers use industry-standard SDS-Plus or SDS-Max systems, which means you’re not locked into Milwaukee-branded bits — any compatible bit from any manufacturer will work just as well. This guide covers every current Milwaukee SDS rotary hammer model and explains which bits will fit your machine.
Milwaukee’s SDS rotary hammers have exceptional dust extraction options, particularly the M18 CHX models with optional dust jackets. Once you’ve identified whether your model uses SDS-Plus or SDS-Max, choosing bits is straightforward — the SDS shank design is a universal standard across all brands.
Which SDS System Does Milwaukee Use?
SDS-Plus — the standard system used in Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL cordless range and their compact models. SDS-Plus bits have a 10mm shank and are available from 4mm to 32mm diameter. This is the system you’ll encounter on virtually all Milwaukee rotary hammers sold in the UK.
SDS-Max — used only in Milwaukee’s heavy-duty professional models rated 1100W and above. SDS-Max bits have a 20mm shank and are designed for demolition and high-power drilling. Milwaukee currently has limited SDS-Max offerings compared to their SDS-Plus range, but SDS-Max options do exist in their professional lineup.
If you own an M18 FUEL or other Milwaukee cordless rotary hammer, you almost certainly have SDS-Plus. Milwaukee does not use any proprietary shank systems — all bits marked as SDS-Plus or SDS-Max will fit your Milwaukee, regardless of brand.
Milwaukee SDS Rotary Hammer Model Compatibility Table
| Model Number | SDS System | Power / Voltage | Max Bit Diameter | Chuck Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M18 CHD (18V FUEL) | SDS-Plus | 18V Li-Ion | 13mm | Standard SDS-Plus | 1.9kg |
| M18 CHX-0 (18V FUEL) | SDS-Plus | 18V Li-Ion | 24mm | Standard SDS-Plus | 2.0kg |
| M18 BLHX-0 (18V brushless) | SDS-Plus | 18V Li-Ion brushless | 24mm | Standard SDS-Plus | 2.0kg |
| M18 FHX-0 (18V FUEL ONE-KEY) | SDS-Plus | 18V Li-Ion ONE-KEY compatible | 26mm | Standard SDS-Plus | 2.2kg |
| M18 CHM (18V FUEL SDS-Max) | SDS-Max | 18V Li-Ion | 32mm | Standard SDS-Max | 3.2kg |
| M18 FHM-0 (18V FUEL ONE-KEY SDS-Max) | SDS-Max | 18V Li-Ion ONE-KEY compatible | 32mm | Standard SDS-Max | 3.4kg |
Milwaukee SDS-Plus Compatible Bits
Any SDS-Plus bit will fit your Milwaukee SDS-Plus rotary hammer — whether it’s from Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Hilti, or any other manufacturer. SDS-Plus is an open standard, not a Milwaukee proprietary system. Bits are available from 4mm to 32mm diameter, though your practical maximum depends on your tool’s power rating.
For the popular M18 CHX-0 (24mm rated), a basic kit covering 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm will handle 99% of everyday masonry work. Larger bits (20mm, 24mm) are for specialist applications like large core holes. For cordless work, keep your primary kit under 16mm to preserve battery runtime.
The M18 FUEL range is known for excellent dust extraction options. Many models accept optional dust jackets that significantly reduce powder and debris — a major advantage on site. Any SDS-Plus bit will work just as well with these dust collection systems.
Milwaukee SDS-Max Compatible Bits
Milwaukee’s SDS-Max models (M18 CHM, M18 FHM-0) are professional-grade tools that accept any SDS-Max shank bit from any manufacturer. SDS-Max bits have a 20mm shank and are available from 10mm to 32mm diameter.
The M18 CHM and M18 FHM-0 are unusual in the cordless market — they’re compact enough for one-handed use (at 3.2-3.4kg) but powerful enough to drive SDS-Max bits. This makes them popular for overhead work like core drilling and breaking into concrete ceilings. SDS-Max bits are more expensive than SDS-Plus, but these tools can justify that investment.
Milwaukee Recommended Drill Bits — MX4 Series
Milwaukee’s branded bit range is the MX4 series — a premium carbide-tipped design with a 4-cutter head. MX4 bits are specifically engineered to match the torque and RPM profiles of Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL rotary hammers. They’re available in both SDS-Plus and SDS-Max configurations.
Buy Milwaukee MX4 SDS drill bits on Amazon
Milwaukee also produces standard SDS-Plus and SDS-Max bit sets that are reliable and competitively priced. If you’re building a toolkit around M18 FUEL, Milwaukee-branded bits integrate well with the ecosystem — many come in Milwaukee-branded storage boxes compatible with their other accessories.
Third-Party Compatible Bits
You can absolutely use third-party SDS-Plus and SDS-Max bits in your Milwaukee. Many excellent manufacturers produce bits that meet the standard specification:
Bosch — German-made SDS-Plus-5X and SDS-Plus-7X bits. Often cheaper than Milwaukee-branded options and excellent quality.
Heller — German brand, trusted across UK trades. Known for precision engineering and durability.
Alpen — Swiss manufacturer. Produces premium SDS bits in all diameters, particularly strong in SDS-Max larger sizes.
Irwin — American brand, widely available. Good general-purpose SDS bits at competitive prices.
Erbauer — B&Q’s house brand. Budget-friendly for DIY, not recommended for heavy professional use with M18 FUEL.
For the M18 FUEL cordless range, we recommend Bosch SDS-Plus-5X as the best value-to-quality option. For M18 FUEL doing heavy professional work, Milwaukee’s MX4 series is worth the investment for durability and optimised performance. For SDS-Max work, consider Alpen bits for premium quality.
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Makita or Bosch bits in my Milwaukee M18 CHX-0?
Yes, completely. Any SDS-Plus bit works in any SDS-Plus tool. Your M18 CHX-0 will drive Makita Nemesis bits, Bosch SDS-Plus-5X, Heller, or any other brand-name SDS-Plus bit. Milwaukee does not use a proprietary shank system.
What’s the difference between Milwaukee MX4 and Bosch SDS-Plus-5X bits?
Both are excellent mid-range options with 4-cutter carbide head designs. MX4 is optimised for Milwaukee tools, SDS-Plus-5X for Bosch. In practice, performance is nearly identical. Bosch bits are often slightly cheaper — buy whichever is available and cheaper at your supplier.
How many SDS-Plus bits should I buy for my M18 FUEL?
Start with a mixed kit covering 4mm to 16mm in 2mm increments (7 bits). This handles 95% of everyday masonry and concrete work. Add larger bits (20mm, 24mm) only as specific jobs require them. For cordless use, larger bits rapidly deplete batteries, so keep your primary kit compact.
Is there an M18 FUEL SDS-Max option?
Yes. Milwaukee makes the M18 CHM (standard) and M18 FHM-0 (ONE-KEY). Both use SDS-Max and are rated for 32mm bits. These are specialty tools for heavy-duty work; most M18 FUEL users work with SDS-Plus models like the M18 CHX-0.
Can I use a SDS-Max bit in my M18 CHX-0?
No. SDS-Max bits (20mm shank) do not fit SDS-Plus chucks (10mm). Your M18 CHX-0 uses SDS-Plus exclusively. SDS-Max bits only fit the M18 CHM and M18 FHM-0 models.
SDS-Plus Drill Bit Sets — Where to Buy
Milwaukee SDS drill bit sets on Amazon
For more on Milwaukee cordless tools and battery compatibility, visit our Milwaukee M18 battery compatibility guide. For broader SDS information, see our complete SDS drill bit compatibility guide.
