Makita DHR242Z Review

Drilling into brick, concrete, or stone is not just a matter of spinning a bit faster or pushing harder. Standard drill bits, even good quality masonry bits in a standard drill chuck, struggle and skate across hard surfaces because they lack the percussive hammer action that fractures the material ahead of the bit tip. This is where the rotary hammer drill — sometimes called an SDS drill — earns its place in the tool kit. Unlike a standard hammer drill that vibrates the chuck axially using a mechanical cam, a rotary hammer uses an electro-pneumatic piston mechanism to deliver powerful, rapid blows directly to the back of the SDS bit, which is free to slide independently within the chuck. The result is dramatically faster drilling in masonry and concrete, less physical effort from the operator, and longer bit life because the percussive energy is directed into the material rather than dissipated through the tool's structure. Modern cordless rotary hammers have reached the point where they genuinely compete with corded models for all but the heaviest demolition work, thanks to brushless motors and high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. For plumbers, electricians, HVAC installers, and general builders who spend their days fixing pipe clips, cable trays, junction boxes, and brackets to masonry walls, a good cordless SDS drill is one of those tools that quickly pays for itself in time saved and reduced physical strain. Choosing the right one means evaluating the impact energy, the drilling capacity in concrete, the availability of a chiselling or rotation-stop mode, and — crucially — whether the tool shares batteries with the rest of your cordless kit.

When choosing a cordless rotary hammer, the key specification is the maximum drilling capacity in concrete — typically between 18 mm and 28 mm for 18 volt class tools. This is the largest diameter hole the tool can drill in standard-density concrete under reasonable conditions, and it gives you a practical sense of the tool's capability. Impact energy, measured in joules, tells you how hard each hammer blow hits — more joules means faster drilling in hard materials and better performance with larger diameter bits. The number of operating modes is another differentiator: a three-mode tool offers rotation-only (for drilling wood and metal with an SDS-to-chuck adapter), rotation with hammer (for drilling masonry and concrete), and hammer-only (for light chiselling and tile removal). Two-mode tools omit the hammer-only function. Brushless motors are now standard in quality rotary hammers — they deliver more runtime per battery charge, run cooler, and have no carbon brushes to wear out and replace. The SDS-Plus chuck system is universal across this class of tool, accepting all standard SDS-Plus bits for drilling and chiselling. Finally, consider whether you need a kit with batteries and charger or a bare unit: if you already own compatible batteries from the same brand's platform, the bare tool saves significant money.

This review examines the Makita DHR242Z, an 18 volt brushless cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer drill sold as a bare unit without batteries or charger — intended for users already invested in the Makita LXT 18V battery ecosystem. We will walk through the three operating modes, the 24 mm concrete capacity, and the 450 newton-metre maximum torque, assess the build quality and ergonomics of the 2.7 kilogram body, and evaluate how the DHR242 performs across drilling, hammer-drilling, and light chiselling tasks. With 2,052 customer reviews averaging an excellent 4.6 out of 5 stars and a bestseller rank of #72 in Hammer Drills, this is one of the most-reviewed and highest-rated cordless rotary hammers on the market. We will draw on that substantial body of user feedback to assess real-world reliability, battery life, and any common complaints. Finally, we will lay out the use cases where the DHR242 excels — and the few scenarios where you might want a more powerful corded alternative.

The Makita DHR242Z is an 18 volt brushless cordless rotary hammer drill built around Makita's LXT battery platform. It delivers a maximum no-load speed of 950 revolutions per minute with an impact rate of up to 4,700 blows per minute under load, driven by an electro-pneumatic hammer mechanism that is fundamentally more effective than the cam-and-spring systems found in standard hammer drills. The SDS-Plus chuck accepts all standard SDS-Plus drill bits and chisels, and the maximum drilling capacity is rated at 24 millimetres in concrete, 24 millimetres in wood, and 24 millimetres in mild steel — though in practice the concrete capacity is the one that matters most for this type of tool. The maximum torque of 450 newton-metres is delivered through the hammer mechanism rather than pure rotational force, and it translates into brisk drilling performance in brick, block, and medium-density concrete. As a bare unit (the 'Z' in DHR242Z denotes a body-only tool), it does not include batteries or a charger — it is designed for users who already own Makita LXT 18V batteries and the associated charger, making it a cost-effective addition to an existing Makita kit.

The DHR242 features three operating modes selected via a collar switch on the body: rotation-only for drilling wood, metal, and plastic using an optional SDS-to-chuck adapter; rotation with hammer for drilling masonry, brick, and concrete with SDS-Plus bits; and hammer-only for light chiselling tasks such as removing wall tiles, chasing channels for cables, and breaking out small sections of render or plaster. This three-mode versatility is what separates a proper rotary hammer from a simple hammer drill — the chisel function alone justifies the tool for tradespeople who regularly need to remove tiles or make small openings in masonry. The brushless motor is a significant feature: it eliminates the friction and electrical losses of carbon brushes, converting more of the battery's stored energy into useful work. In practical terms, this means the DHR242 delivers competitive runtime on a 5.0 Ah battery — enough for a full day of typical installation work on a single charge for most users, and certainly enough that a second battery on the charger keeps you running continuously. The motor is electronically controlled with an anti-restart protection system: if the battery is removed and reinserted while the trigger is locked on, the tool will not start until the trigger is released and pulled again, preventing accidental starts that could cause injury or damage.

In the hand, the DHR242 feels solid and well-balanced. At 2.7 kilograms without a battery — roughly 3.3 kilograms with a 5.0 Ah pack fitted — it is light enough for overhead drilling into ceilings for cable tray fixings and for working at ladder height without excessive arm fatigue. The grip is Makita's characteristic ergonomic design with a soft, non-slip rubber overmould that stays comfortable during extended use. The forward-reverse switch is positioned for thumb operation, and the operating mode selector collar is clearly marked and clicks positively into each position. An LED job light illuminates the drilling area — useful when working in poorly lit spaces like under-stair cupboards, inside electrical cupboards, or in rooms where the power has been isolated during renovation work. The SDS-Plus chuck allows one-handed bit insertion: pull the collar back, push the bit in until it clicks, and release — the bit is locked securely and can slide axially within the chuck as the hammer mechanism strikes it. Bit changes are genuinely fast, which matters when you are switching between a 6 mm drill bit for wall plugs and a 20 mm bit for pipe penetrations multiple times per day.

The DHR242Z is sold as a bare unit — just the tool body in a cardboard box, no batteries, no charger, no carry case. This keeps the price down for users who already own Makita LXT batteries and a compatible charger. If you are new to the Makita platform, the kit version (DHR242RF or DHR242RMJ depending on the battery configuration) includes batteries and a charger and may offer better overall value than buying the bare tool plus batteries separately. For users already running Makita LXT tools, the bare unit is the smart buy — the money saved versus a kit can go towards SDS-Plus bits and chisels. The tool is compatible with the full range of Makita LXT 18V batteries from 1.5 Ah to 6.0 Ah, though for a power-hungry rotary hammer, the 4.0 Ah, 5.0 Ah, and 6.0 Ah packs are recommended for meaningful runtime. An optional depth stop rod is available for setting consistent drilling depth — useful for repetitive anchor installations where every hole needs to be the same depth for expanding anchors or chemical fixings.

The DHR242 measures approximately 369 × 120 × 256 millimetres in its packaged dimensions — the tool itself is more compact, around 330 mm in length — making it one of the more compact rotary hammers in the 24 mm class. Makita backs the DHR242 with a one-year manufacturer warranty, with spare parts guaranteed to be available for at least one year after purchase — though in practice Makita's spare parts support extends far longer through their extensive European service centre network. Customer feedback is exceptional both in volume and quality: 2,052 ratings averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars on the French Amazon storefront make the DHR242 one of the most reviewed and highest-rated cordless rotary hammers on the platform. It holds a bestseller rank of #72 in the Hammer Drills category and #58,382 overall in DIY & Tools, reflecting consistent sales and strong user satisfaction. Reviewers consistently praise the balance of power and weight, the brushless motor's runtime efficiency, and the practical value of the three-mode operation — particularly the chisel-only mode for tile removal and light masonry demolition. At a bare-unit price around 205 euros, the DHR242Z offers excellent value for Makita LXT users who need a capable cordless SDS drill without paying for batteries they already own.

The Makita DHR242Z is ideal for electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, and general builders who are already invested in the Makita LXT 18V battery ecosystem and need a lightweight, three-mode cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer for drilling anchor holes, running cable and pipe penetrations through masonry, and performing light chiselling work without being tethered to a power outlet.