Makita DHR264Z Review

There is a level of concrete drilling where a combi drill stops being 'slow' and starts being 'pointless.' When you are fixing unistrut to a concrete ceiling, anchoring steel columns to a reinforced slab, or core-drilling through a 300 mm foundation wall, you need more than rotation with a token hammer action — you need the focused, pneumatic punch of a rotary hammer that transfers real impact energy into the material with every blow. The best cordless rotary hammers now deliver that energy without a mains cable, running on high-voltage battery platforms that pair two 18-volt packs to deliver 36 volts of sustained power. But raw impact energy is only part of the story. The torque available at the chuck determines how well the bit clears debris from the hole, how it handles hitting rebar, and whether the tool stalls or powers through. For the professional fixer, installer, or builder who drills into concrete day after day — and who needs a machine that arrives with the accessories to start work immediately rather than after a separate shopping trip — the decision comes down to which rotary hammer in the fleet offers the right balance of impact, torque, weight, and out-of-the-box completeness.

Makita's DHR264 sits one step above the popular DHR263 in the brand's 36-volt cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer range. It shares the same twin-18V-battery architecture and 26 mm concrete drilling capacity, but adds substantially more torque — 35 newton metres versus the DHR263's 3 newton metres — and includes accessories that the lower model ships without, most notably the quick-change keyless drill chuck for using standard round-shank bits in rotary-only mode. The extra torque is not just a number on a specification sheet: it translates into the ability to drive large-diameter auger bits through timber, hole saws through plasterboard and chipboard, and core bits through masonry without the tool labouring or stalling. For the professional who needs a single machine to drill concrete anchor holes, bore timber framing penetrations, and run hole saws through panel materials — all on the same battery platform — the DHR264's higher torque and included chuck make it the more versatile workshop-to-site companion.

In this review we examine the Makita DHR264Z — the body-only 36V SDS-Plus rotary hammer. We cover the 35 Nm torque figure and what it means for real-world drilling beyond concrete, the included quick-change chuck and depth gauge accessories, the single-speed motor with variable trigger control, and how the 4.7 kg machine handles overhead and vertical work compared to lighter alternatives. We also place it in context against the DHR263 and competing dual-battery SDS-Plus machines, so existing Makita users can decide whether the step up in torque and accessories justifies the step up in price and weight.

The Makita DHR264 runs on the same 36-volt twin-battery architecture as the DHR263: two 18V LXT batteries slide into the base and connect in series to deliver full voltage to the motor. The motor drives an electro-pneumatic hammer mechanism that delivers up to 4,800 blows per minute through the SDS-Plus chuck, with a no-load rotational speed of 1,200 revolutions per minute. The headline difference from the DHR263 is torque: the DHR264 produces 35 newton metres at the chuck — more than ten times the torque of its sibling. This is not a typographical error, and it is not solely for concrete drilling (where impact energy matters more than rotational torque). The 35 Nm figure is what enables this tool to function as a genuinely capable rotary drill — driving large auger bits through structural timber, running hole saws through plasterboard and OSB, and boring through mixed-material assemblies where the bit transitions from timber to masonry and back. In concrete, the maximum drilling diameter remains 26 mm with an SDS-Plus bit — the same as the DHR263 — because the SDS-Plus format itself, not the motor, is the limiting factor at that diameter.

The DHR264 simplifies the user interface compared to the three-speed DHR263. It runs at a single speed range with a variable-speed trigger that gives you progressive control from a slow start for accurate bit positioning up to the full 1,200 RPM. The single-speed design reflects the tool's positioning as a robust, straightforward workhorse rather than a surgical instrument — set the mode, pull the trigger, and drill. The three operating modes remain: rotary-only for use with the included quick-change chuck and standard round-shank bits, rotary-hammer for SDS-Plus drilling in concrete and masonry, and hammer-only for light chiselling and demolition with an SDS-Plus chisel bit. Makita's Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT) is present here as on the DHR263, using an internal counterbalance to cancel a portion of the piston's vibration before it reaches the handles. The side handle rotates 360 degrees and locks at any position, with the depth stop rod clamping securely into the handle body. A rubber-covered D-handle and soft-grip side handle provide the primary vibration-damping contact points.

What genuinely sets the DHR264Z apart in practical terms is what comes in the box. Unlike the DHR263Z body-only package that ships with just the tool and side handle, the DHR264Z includes the Makita quick-change keyless drill chuck (part number 194079-2) — a valuable accessory that lets you switch instantly between an SDS-Plus bit and a standard round-shank drill bit without tools. Pop the SDS bit out, slide the chuck adapter onto the SDS interface, and you are drilling wood or metal with standard HSS bits in seconds. A depth gauge rod, cleaning cloth, and a tube of grease for the SDS bit shanks are also included — small items individually, but collectively they represent the difference between opening the box and starting work versus opening the box and placing an accessory order. The included grease is particularly important for SDS tool maintenance: a small smear on the bit shank before insertion dramatically extends the life of both the bit and the chuck mechanism, and Makita including a tube signals that they expect this tool to be maintained properly over a long service life.

The DHR264 weighs 4.7 kg with two 5 Ah batteries — 700 grams heavier than the DHR263 and a full 2 kg heavier than the DeWalt DCH263 single-battery brushless machine. This weight is a deliberate trade-off. The extra mass comes from a more substantial motor, a heavier-duty gearbox to handle the 35 Nm torque output, and the twin-battery architecture itself. The benefit is stability: when drilling large-diameter holes or applying heavy pressure, the tool's own mass helps keep it planted against the workpiece rather than chattering or dancing. The cost is fatigue during extended overhead work — holding 4.7 kg above your head while drilling into a concrete ceiling is a genuine physical challenge that will be felt after the first few holes. For tradespeople whose work is predominantly horizontal (walls, floors) or downward (slabs, foundations), the weight penalty is acceptable in exchange for the torque and robustness. For those doing significant overhead work — running cable trays and pipework across ceilings, for example — the lighter DHR263 or a single-battery brushless machine may be a more practical daily driver.

The DHR264 carries a 4.2 out of 5 star rating from 177 customer reviews on Amazon.fr and ranks 26th in the Rotary Hammers category — a strong performance in a category crowded with professional-grade machines. The body-only 'Z' designation means batteries and charger are not included; the tool is designed for existing Makita 18V LXT users who already own compatible batteries and chargers, which keeps the entry price at approximately €295 rather than the higher cost of a kit including batteries and a case. Makita's warranty covers manufacturing defects, and the extensive LXT battery compatibility means this tool slots into a battery fleet that may already be servicing a dozen other tools. For the professional fixer, steel erector, or general builder who needs a rotary hammer that can also function as a high-torque drill — and who values arriving on site with all the necessary accessories already in the box — the DHR264 represents a modest price premium over the DHR263 that pays for itself in the included chuck and the extra torque on the first job where the smaller machine would have stalled.

The Makita DHR264Z is designed for professional builders, steel erectors, structural fixers, and heavy-duty general tradespeople who already use the Makita 18V LXT platform and need a rotary hammer with exceptional torque for driving large bits and hole saws through mixed materials, plus the convenience of an included quick-change chuck for switching between SDS-Plus and standard drill bits on the job.