Makita HR2641 1 in. AVT Rotary Hammer, SDS-Plus vs DEWALT D25133K 1 in. SDS Plus Rotary Hammer

The Makita publishes the highest impact energy here at 2.9 joules and adds anti-vibration, which is what you notice after an hour. The DEWALT gives 2.6 joules and the same three modes for meaningfully less money.

Makita HR2641 1 in. AVT Rotary Hammer, SDS-Plus

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The most impact energy in this comparison at 2.9 joules, with the anti-vibration system that decides how long you can keep using it.

• 2.9 joules of impact energy, the highest here and more than double the weakest tool in this group.
• An 8 amp corded motor, so the energy figure holds for as long as the job runs rather than fading with a battery.
• Three modes: rotation only, hammering with rotation, and chipping only, so it drills wood and steel as well as concrete and doubles as a light breaker.
• Makita's AVT anti-vibration system, which matters because this is a tool you press into concrete for long stretches.

• Corded, and the places you drill concrete are frequently the places without a convenient outlet.
• Heavier than the cordless tools here, which is felt on overhead anchor work.
• SDS-Plus tops out well below SDS-Max, so genuine demolition wants a bigger tool entirely.

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DEWALT D25133K 1 in. SDS Plus Rotary Hammer

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Within a tenth of a joule of the pick on energy, with the same three modes, for noticeably less money.

• 2.6 joules of impact energy, close behind the Makita and well ahead of both cordless tools here.
• Three-mode operation, so it covers drilling, hammer drilling and chipping.
• 0 to 1,500 RPM and 0 to 5,500 BPM from an 800 watt motor, both variable, so small bits can be started under control.
• Corded, so the energy figure is sustained rather than dropping as a pack drains.

• No anti-vibration system, which on a tool used against concrete for extended periods is a real difference from the Makita.
• Corded, with the same access problem as the Makita.
• 1 inch capacity in concrete, which is the SDS-Plus class ceiling rather than a fault of this tool.

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Makita HR2641 1 in. AVT Rotary Hammer, SDS-Plus - The most impact energy in this comparison at 2.9 joules, with the anti-vibration system that decides how long you can keep using it. Choose the DEWALT D25133K 1 in. SDS Plus Rotary Hammer instead if the default choice for a home or light trade user who drills concrete often enough to want a proper rotary hammer.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Rotary Hammers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).