# SDS drill and rotary hammer vibration and noise: 429 models compared

> 429 SDS drills and rotary hammers from 14 makes: makers’ declared vibration and noise, with the time to the HAVS action value and 85 dB(A).
> Web page: https://complyonsite.com/data/power-tools/sds-drills

Declared vibration and noise for 429 SDS drills and rotary hammers from 14 makes, each figure taken from the maker’s own manual or data sheet and linked to it. See how long each one takes to reach the legal limits, or open it in the calculator.

Updated 4 October 2026. Sources checked September 2026.

- **Models**: 429
- **Models**: 395 with vibration, 398 with noise
- **Median declared vibration**: 13.5 m/s²
- **Median declared vibration**: Action value after 16 min
- **Median declared noise**: 93 dB(A)
- **Median declared noise**: 85 dB(A) after 1 h 16 min
- **HSE typical in use**: 10–21 m/s²
- **HSE typical in use**: Real work, not a test bench

These are makers’ test figures, not your site

A declared figure comes from a standard test of a new tool. Worn discs and bits, hard materials and poor upkeep push real use higher. HSE’s typical range for this kind of tool in use is **10 to 21 m/s²** ([HSE Table 1](https://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/assessrisks.htm)).

Use the declared figure to choose between tools. For an exposure assessment, use measurements of your own work where you have them.

## Compare SDS drills and rotary hammers

Both charts update with the choices above them. Download either as SVG, and the spread as a summary CSV.

## SDS drills and rotary hammers: vibration against noise, model by model

Each dot is one of 364 models whose maker declares both figures. Lower and further left is quieter and lower in vibration. Point at or tap a dot to see the model; click it to go to its row.

Source: makers’ declared figures. Chart: [ComplyOnSite](https://complyonsite.com/data/power-tools/sds-drills#models-chart), [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Dotted lines mark how long a person could use a tool at that declared figure before reaching the vibration action value (across the top) or 85 dB(A) (down the right), on that tool alone. Real work is often higher: see the notes below the chart.

## SDS drills and rotary hammers: how the declared figures spread

Half of the 395 SDS drills and rotary hammers with a declared figure are at or below 13.5 m/s², which reaches the action value after 16 min of use. HSE’s typical in-use range for this kind of tool is 10 to 21 m/s².

Source: makers’ declared figures. Chart: [ComplyOnSite](https://complyonsite.com/data/power-tools/sds-drills#spread-chart), [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Data (CSV): Summary figures calculated by ComplyOnSite from makers’ declared values. Reuse them with credit to ComplyOnSite and a link to https://complyonsite.com/data/power-tools/sds-drills. The underlying values are the makers’ own declarations.

### In numbers

Spread of the declared figures

| Figure | Models | Lowest | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile | Highest |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Declared vibration m/s² | 395 | 2.5 | 8.7 | 13.5 | 17.0 | 27.5 |
| Declared noise dB(A) | 398 | 83 | 88 | 93 | 98 | 110 |

**Models by make (14)**

| Make | Models | With vibration | With noise |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Makita | 166 | 153 | 166 |
| Bosch Professional | 88 | 88 | 88 |
| HiKOKI | 56 | 56 | 36 |
| Hilti | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| DeWalt | 28 | 19 | 18 |
| Metabo | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Milwaukee | 12 | 12 | 11 |
| Einhell | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| FLEX | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| SPIT | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Ryobi | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Bosch DIY | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Festool | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| FEIN | 1 | 1 | 1 |

## Every SDS drill, model by model

Search by make or model number, filter, and sort by vibration or noise. Times are for that tool alone at its declared figure: the action value is 2.5 m/s², the limit value 5 m/s². Each figure links to the maker’s document it came from.

## How to read these figures

- **Declared vibration (m/s²) and K**: The vibration total value the maker declares for a stated job, measured to a standard such as EN 62841. K is the maker’s stated uncertainty. Where a tool has several figures, the table shows the highest at the newest standard, as the HAVS calculator does; the calculator lets you pick the others.
- **Action value after, limit value after**: How long a person could hold the tool running before their daily exposure reaches the exposure action value (2.5 m/s² A(8)) or the exposure limit value (5 m/s² A(8)), on that tool alone. Time with the tool running in the hands, not time on site.
- **Declared noise, dB(A)**: The sound pressure level at the operator (LpA) the maker declares. Sound power (LwA), which makers also print, is a different figure and not a level at the ear, so it is not shown or used for times.
- **85 dB(A) after**: How long at that level before a person’s daily exposure reaches the upper exposure action value, 85 dB(A), on that tool alone.
- **Older standard**: Measured to a standard since replaced (EN 50144, ISO 8662). These often read lower than the same tool would today.

## Sources and reuse

Every figure comes from the maker’s own manual, data sheet or product information, linked in its row; 221 documents in all for this page. The makers have not reviewed or endorsed this page. ComplyOnSite is not affiliated with any of them.

### Reuse

Our charts and our wording are free to reuse under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): credit ComplyOnSite and link to the page. That licence covers only our charts and wording, not the figures in them or in the tables and downloads. The model figures are the makers’ own published declarations, shown here each linked to the document it came from; ComplyOnSite does not license them and does not offer them as a download. For a model’s figure, cite the maker’s document.

Spotted a wrong figure? [Tell us which one](mailto:hello@complyonsite.com?subject=Data%20library%3A%20a%20figure%20to%20check) and we will check it against the source.

### How to cite this page

ComplyOnSite. SDS drill and rotary hammer vibration and noise: 429 models compared. Updated 4 October 2026. https://complyonsite.com/data/power-tools/sds-drills. Accessed [day month year]. Source: makers’ declared figures.