SDS MAX vs SDS Plus bit Guide

There are 3 different types of SDS: SDS plus, SDS top, and SDS max. The main difference between these 3 types is their size. SDS plus is the most common type of drill bit and has a diameter ranging from 4 millimeters to 30 millimeters. In this SDS guide, we will compare all of them and help you find out which one you need!

What is SDS

SDS stands for Slotted Drive System. SDS hammer drill bits are ideal for drilling into tough, dense materials. Therefore SDS hammer drills are most commonly used for masonry, stone, metal, and dense wood types.

What makes SDS bits different than regular bits? SDS bits are locked in place instead of manually fastened. Therefore these bits do not slip and are held in place tighter than regular drill bits. SDS drill bits are easy to use and swapping between different bits is easier than ever.

Is it worth buying an SDS hammer drill?

If you are working with dense materials often, it is probably a good idea to choose an SDS hammer drill. Even though they can be a bit more expensive we think over time these drills are worth it.

Here you can find a list of our favorite SDS-type hammer drills.

Pros and cons of using SDS hammer drills:

Difference between SDS, SDS Plus, and SDS Max

The main difference between SDS MAX vs SDS Plus is their size. SDS plus are the most common and have a shank diameter of 10 millimeters. SDS Max drill bits are a bit more rugged and have a shank diameter of 18 millimeters. Therefore SDS Max is more commonly used for demanding jobs and ensures maximum strength.

In general, SDS-plus masonry drill bits are minimal 110 mm in length and can be up to 1500 mm long. SDS-max bits on the other hand are often between 12 to 21 inches (300 to 530 mm) long.

SDS Max bits are more commonly used for chipping guns or large rotary hammer drills.

The best SDS Plus hammer drill bits

Bosch 6 Piece SDS-plus Bit Set

our score: 9.4

• Great value for money
• High quality Carbide bits
• Best Precision drill bits

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