Cordless SDS drills are among the heavier-drawing tools on an 18V battery platform: drilling into concrete, masonry and stone with the hammer action running works the battery hard, so pack capacity has a big effect on how long you can drill between charges.
Below we compare the best battery options for SDS drills across Makita 18V LXT, DeWalt 20V MAX, and Milwaukee M18.
Quick Recommendations
| Use Case | Makita 18V LXT | DeWalt 20V MAX | Milwaukee M18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best all-round | BL1850B (5.0Ah) | DCB205 (5.0Ah) | 48-11-1850 (5.0Ah) |
| Best for heavy use | BL1860B (6.0Ah) | DCB206 (6.0Ah) | 48-11-1860 (6.0Ah) |
| Best lightweight | BL1830 (3.0Ah) | DCB204 (4.0Ah) | 48-11-1840 (4.0Ah) |
Starter packs by platform
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Before you buy: check that the size, fitting/bore and maximum-rated speed marked on the accessory match what your tool’s manual specifies. We have not physically tested these products; listings are compiled from published specifications. These are affiliate links.
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Which batteries fit which tools — cross-brand, adapters & Ah, decoded.
Why Battery Choice Matters for SDS Drills
SDS drills draw heavily on the battery, especially with the hammer action running. The makers do not publish runtimes for these tool and battery pairs, and we have not tested them. Runtime varies with the material, bit size and condition, and technique.
Our strong recommendation: 5.0Ah minimum for any serious SDS work. If you’re drilling more than a few holes, 6.0Ah is worth the extra weight every time. Keep a 3.0Ah as backup only.
Best Batteries for Makita SDS Drills
Makita’s 18V LXT powers SDS-PLUS rotary hammers such as the 24 mm DHR242Z and the smaller 18 mm DHR183Z.
Makita BL1850B — Best All-Round (5.0Ah)
The BL1850B is Makita’s 5.0Ah 18V LXT pack, and Makita UK lists it as a compatible battery for both the DHR242 and DHR183. It’s the minimum we’d recommend for regular SDS work. Makita does not publish a runtime, and we have not tested one.
Makita BL1860B — Best for Heavy Use (6.0Ah)
The BL1860B is Makita’s 6.0Ah 18V LXT pack and our pick for longer drilling sessions; Makita UK lists it for both the DHR242 and DHR183. Makita does not publish a runtime, and we have not tested one.
Makita BL1830 — Best Lightweight (3.0Ah)
The BL1830 is a 3.0Ah 18V LXT pack. It fits (Makita UK lists the BL1830B for both hammers), but we would keep it as a spare for occasional light anchoring rather than a primary SDS battery.
Best Batteries for DeWalt SDS Drills
DeWalt’s 20V MAX range includes the DCH273 24 mm SDS-plus hammer drill (sold in the UK as an 18V XR tool, DCH273N).
DeWalt DCB205 — Best All-Round (5.0Ah)
The DCB205 is a 5.0Ah DeWalt pack (US part number; DeWalt’s UK 5.0Ah 18V XR pack is the DCB184). It suits moderate anchoring jobs; for bigger tasks keep a spare on the charger. DeWalt does not publish a runtime for the DCH273, and we have not tested one.
DeWalt DCB206 — Best for Heavy Use (6.0Ah)
The DCB206 is DeWalt’s 6.0Ah 20V MAX pack and our pick for longer sessions on the DeWalt platform. DeWalt’s XR FLEXVOLT batteries also fit its 18V XR tools; we have no DeWalt runtime figures for them in an SDS drill.
DeWalt DCB204 — Best Lightweight (4.0Ah)
The DCB204 is a 4.0Ah pack. It is lighter but needs swapping more often; we would use it for a handful of holes in blockwork rather than sustained masonry work.
Best Batteries for Milwaukee SDS Drills
Milwaukee’s M18 platform includes the M18 FH 4-mode 26 mm SDS-Plus hammer and the M18 CHX.
Milwaukee 48-11-1850 — Best All-Round (5.0Ah)
The 48-11-1850 is Milwaukee’s US M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 pack (Milwaukee’s UK 5.0Ah M18 pack is the M18 B5). It suits a moderate SDS session. Milwaukee does not publish a runtime for these hammers, and we have not tested one.
Buy Milwaukee 48-11-1850 on Amazon
Milwaukee 48-11-1860 — Best for Heavy Use (6.0Ah)
The 48-11-1860 is Milwaukee’s US 6.0Ah M18 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 pack and our pick for longer sessions. Milwaukee lists it as an XC pack, not a HIGH OUTPUT pack; its HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 is a different part (48-11-1865).
Buy Milwaukee 48-11-1860 on Amazon
Milwaukee 48-11-1840 — Best Lightweight (4.0Ah)
The 48-11-1840 is Milwaukee’s US M18 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 pack. It is lighter but needs swapping more often; we would use it for occasional anchoring only.
Buy Milwaukee 48-11-1840 on Amazon
Full Comparison Table
| Battery | Platform | Capacity | Best For | Buy Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita BL1850B | 18V LXT | 5.0Ah | Moderate SDS work | Amazon |
| Makita BL1860B | 18V LXT | 6.0Ah | Heavy concrete drilling | Amazon |
| Makita BL1830 | 18V LXT | 3.0Ah | Emergency spare only | Amazon |
| DeWalt DCB205 | 20V MAX | 5.0Ah | Moderate SDS work | Amazon |
| DeWalt DCB206 | 20V MAX | 6.0Ah | Heavy concrete drilling | Amazon |
| DeWalt DCB204 | 20V MAX | 4.0Ah | Light anchoring | Amazon |
| Milwaukee 48-11-1850 | M18 | 5.0Ah | Moderate SDS work | Amazon |
| Milwaukee 48-11-1860 | M18 | 6.0Ah | Heavy concrete drilling | Amazon |
| Milwaukee 48-11-1840 | M18 | 4.0Ah | Occasional anchoring | Amazon |
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum battery for SDS drilling?
We recommend 5.0Ah minimum for regular SDS work. A 3.0Ah pack fits but needs swapping more often. For serious installation work, 6.0Ah is the better choice.
How many holes can I drill per charge?
The makers do not publish hole counts for these tool and battery pairs, and we have not tested them, so we do not estimate them. Hole size, bit condition and the hardness of the material all make a big difference; a larger pack drills more holes between charges.
Should I use 18V or 36V for SDS drilling?
For standard SDS-Plus drilling, 18V is the usual choice: Makita lists the DHR242 as an 18V, 24 mm SDS-PLUS rotary hammer, and Milwaukee sells the M18 FH as a 26 mm SDS-Plus hammer. For heavier work, look at a higher-voltage platform such as Makita 40V XGT or DeWalt FLEXVOLT (54V in the UK, 60V MAX in the US); those tools need that platform’s batteries.
Can I use FLEXVOLT batteries in a DeWalt 20V MAX SDS drill?
Yes. FLEXVOLT batteries are backwards compatible with DeWalt’s 18V XR (US: 20V MAX) tools, according to DeWalt; check your tool’s manual. See our DeWalt compatibility guide.
Do High Output batteries make a difference for SDS drills?
Milwaukee says its HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 pack (48-11-1865) delivers 50% more power and runs 50% cooler than its XC packs. Note that the 48-11-1860 recommended above is an XC6.0 pack, not a HIGH OUTPUT one. We have not tested either in an SDS drill.
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →
