DeWalt shrank the SDS-Plus hammer to one-handed size without gutting the impact energy. For anchor work overhead, it changes the job.
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The Verdict
If your day involves more 6–10 mm anchor holes than 20 mm through-holes, the DCH172 is the smarter buy. You give up top-end capacity and gain a tool you can hold overhead all afternoon.
Tools Soko score: 9.2 / 10
Pros and Cons
What we liked
- 1.1 J impact energy in a genuinely one-handed body
- Lowest overhead fatigue of any SDS hammer we have tested
- Excellent dust port integration with the DWH161 extractor
- Runs on the same 18V packs as the rest of the DeWalt line
What we didn’t
- Not the tool for repeated holes above 16 mm
- No rotation-only mode for driving
- Kit price climbs quickly once you add the extractor
The Full Review
The compact SDS category has been quietly getting better for years, and the DCH172 is where it stops being a compromise. DeWalt’s stated 1.1 J of impact energy sits at the top of the one-handed class, and in our test block it drilled 8 mm holes in C25 concrete at an average of 4.1 seconds across thirty holes.
What matters more than the raw number is where the tool puts that energy. The motor sits inline rather than on top, so the balance point falls almost exactly under your wrist. Drilling a ceiling anchor line, our tester logged 40 minutes of near-continuous overhead work before calling it — roughly double what the full-size DCH273 allowed in the same position.
Runtime is the honest weak point. On a 5.0 Ah pack we averaged 62 holes at 8 mm before the pack tapped out. That is a working morning for most fixing work, but a second battery is not optional if you are anchoring all day.
Dust extraction deserves a mention because DeWalt got the integration right. The DWH161 clips on without adapters and pulls the hole clean enough that anchors seat first time. On any job with an indoor dust spec, that pairing is the reason to choose this hammer over a cheaper one.
Scorecard
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Drilling speed | 9.0 / 10 |
| Ergonomics | 9.5 / 10 |
| Runtime | 8.5 / 10 |
| Build quality | 9.5 / 10 |
| Value | 9.0 / 10 |
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chuck | SDS-Plus |
| Impact energy | 1.1 J (EPTA) |
| Blows per minute | 0–5,000 |
| No-load speed | 0–1,000 rpm |
| Max capacity, concrete | 16 mm |
| Weight, bare | 2.0 kg |
| Battery platform | DeWalt 18V XR |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $219 | In stock | Check price |
| Jumia | $232 | In stock | Check price |
| Builders Warehouse | $245 | Out of stock | Check price |
