DeWalt 20V MAX XR 1-1/8 in. Brushless Cordless SDS Plus L-Shape Rotary Hammer Kit

Why this rotary hammer earned a spot in my truck

I’ve used a lot of SDS-Plus hammers over the years, and the DeWalt cordless rotary hammer in this class hits a practical sweet spot: enough impact energy to feel “cordless without compromise,” but still compact and balanced enough to live on your hip or up a ladder all day. After several weeks drilling anchors, boring pass-throughs, and doing light chipping, it’s become my default SDS-Plus on jobs where dragging cords would slow me down.

Design and ergonomics

This is an L‑shape SDS‑Plus with a brushless motor and a 1-1/8 in. capacity. Bare, the tool sits under 9 lb; with the included 9.0 Ah FLEXVOLT pack it’s a bit over 10 lb. The balance is excellent—centered close to the grip—so the nose doesn’t dive when you line up on a mark. The 360° side handle locks down solidly and has enough length to give real leverage on larger bits. The mode dial is simple and positive: rotation only, hammer drill, and chip. There’s also a chisel position lock for orienting flat chisels, which saves time when you’re scaling or popping tile.

The retractable hook is a small but smart touch. I hang the tool on studs and scissor lifts constantly; the hook keeps it out of the dust and off the floor. It’s sturdy enough not to feel like an afterthought.

Power and drilling speed

Rated at 3.5 joules (about 2.6 ft‑lb), this hammer lands in the higher range for SDS‑Plus cordless tools. In concrete that I’d call “standard commercial” (3,500–4,000 PSI), I averaged:

• 3/8 in. x 3 in. anchor holes: roughly 70–80 holes per 9.0 Ah pack
• 1/2 in. x 4 in. anchor holes: roughly 35–45 holes per 9.0 Ah pack
• 5/8 in. x 6 in. holes: steady progress, but runtime drops quickly; plan on 20–25 holes per pack

Drilling speed is confident and consistent. Compared head‑to‑head with a corded SDS‑Plus of similar impact energy, the DeWalt kept pace for 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. anchors, slowing a bit on 5/8 in. and larger. It’s not pretending to be an SDS‑Max, and if you live in 1 in. holes all day, you’ll want a bigger class. For typical anchor work and utility drilling up to 5/8 in., it’s right where it should be.

Vibration and control

DeWalt’s SHOCKS Active Vibration Control does noticeable work here. The handles stay comparatively calm, so I can drill a couple dozen anchor holes without feeling like I’ve been wringing a paint shaker. The E‑CLUTCH anti‑rotation system also behaved exactly the way I want it to. When a 1/2 in. bit kissed rebar, the motor stopped immediately and held the tool in place without yanking my wrist. Reset and back to work in a second—no drama.

Trigger control is smooth, and the ramp into full speed is predictable. That matters when you’re trying to start a hole perfectly on layout marks, especially with larger bits that can skate.

Chipping and light demo

In chip mode, the tool is nimble and effective for what it’s designed to do: tile removal, small chase cuts, knocking down high spots, removing spalled edges, and chasing out mortar. With a 1 in. chisel, I had no problem stripping a bathroom floor and backsplash without feeling underpowered. It’s not a breaker, and it won’t love extended heavy demo in hard concrete, but for light-to-medium tasks it’s efficient and easier on your arms than many peers.

Dust management

Pairing the tool with DeWalt’s on‑board DWH304DH extractor brings the setup into OSHA Table 1 compliance for common drilling tasks. The extractor slides on cleanly and feels secure. Suction is solid with a HEPA filter installed, and collection is genuinely good on typical anchor holes. You do pay a weight and visibility tax—working with the extractor attached is bulkier and your sightline to the bit tip is a bit crowded—but on occupied sites or interior remodels the tradeoff is worth it. When I needed the most control (overhead or in tight corners), I often ran a HEPA vac with a helper instead of the onboard unit.

Batteries, charger, and runtime

The kit includes two DCB609 9.0 Ah FLEXVOLT batteries and a fast charger. That’s the right pairing for this tool. The 9.0 Ah packs keep voltage sag to a minimum when you lean on the hammer, and they give enough runtime to get through most half‑day anchor runs without swapping every few minutes. In my use, a fully depleted 9.0 Ah pack was back to full in about 90 minutes on the included fast charger. With two packs in rotation, I never waited on a battery.

One thing to note: the 9.0 Ah packs add noticeable weight compared to a compact 5.0 Ah. If you’re mostly doing light anchors and overhead work, a lighter pack can make the tool feel even more balanced, with the tradeoff of shorter runtime.

Build quality and service

The brushless motor and German‑engineered hammer mechanism feel tight and durable. After a mix of drilling and chipping, I’ve got no rattles, no wobble at the chuck, and the mode selector still clicks with authority. The kit box is sturdy and keeps the tool, side handle, depth rod, charger, and packs organized. It’s bulky, but it does the job. DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee—reassuring on a tool you’ll actually push hard.

What I like

• Strong impact energy for the class; drills 3/8–1/2 in. anchors quickly and cleanly
• Excellent vibration control; less fatigue over long runs
• E‑CLUTCH stops rotation immediately on binds
• Two 9.0 Ah FLEXVOLT packs included; practical, all‑day workflow with the fast charger
• Simple, reliable mode dial with chisel position lock
• Dust extractor compatibility for OSHA Table 1 compliance
• Retractable hook that’s actually useful on site

What could be better

• On‑board extractor adds bulk and crowds the sightline; best for straight‑ahead holes
• With 9.0 Ah batteries, the tool gets heavy over a long overhead session
• Kit box is large; great for storage, less great for tight service vehicles
• Not the right tool for heavy chipping or 1 in.+ holes in hard concrete—step up to SDS‑Max for that

Who it’s for

• Commercial and residential pros drilling frequent anchor patterns up to 5/8 in.
• Remodelers and facility techs who value cordless flexibility and dust control
• Concrete, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades who need a go‑to SDS‑Plus for daily tasks
• DIYers tackling serious projects who want pro performance without cords—though it’s probably overkill for occasional light use

The bottom line

This DeWalt rotary hammer delivers the combination I look for in an everyday SDS‑Plus: real power, low vibration, and a cordless system that doesn’t slow me down. The included 9.0 Ah packs and fast charger make the kit work‑ready, the E‑CLUTCH and SHOCKS systems add meaningful safety and comfort, and the overall build feels ready for jobsite abuse. It won’t replace an SDS‑Max for heavy demo, and the on‑board extractor isn’t ideal in tight quarters, but those are expected boundaries for the category.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for pros and serious users who routinely drill anchors and do light chipping in concrete and masonry. It’s fast, controlled, and genuinely cordless in practice—no compromises for the work it’s built to do. If your workload leans toward heavy demolition or 1 in.+ drilling in hard concrete, pair it with an SDS‑Max in the kit. For everything else in the SDS‑Plus range, this is a dependable, efficient choice that earns its keep.