Combi Drill vs SDS Drill

Use a combi drill for mixed DIY and occasional smaller masonry holes. Use an SDS rotary hammer for repeated concrete drilling, harder masonry or work where the combi progresses slowly and overheats bits.

Different hammer mechanisms

A combi drill adds percussion to a conventional drill. An SDS rotary hammer uses a dedicated impact mechanism and SDS bit retention, delivering hammer energy more effectively into masonry.

That makes SDS the specialist rather than simply a combi with a larger torque number.

What each does well

The combi remains convenient for wood, metal, screws and occasional brick. SDS excels in concrete and may provide hammer-only chiselling on models designed for it. Check the exact modes: not every machine has the same functions.

Do not compare torque alone

SDS performance is commonly described with impact energy and masonry capacity, whereas combi listings emphasise torque. Treating those figures as one ranking is misleading. Bit type, diameter and the material all matter.

The drill finder selects the class first so an SDS product cannot outrank a combi for furniture work, or vice versa.

See Bosch Professional’s official SDS-plus range for published capacities and modes.