Best Hammer Drills
Hammer drills are power tools designed to drill through hard materials such as concrete, brick, and masonry using a combination of rotational and percussive actions. The rapid hammering action breaks up the material, while the rotation removes the debris from the hole. Hammer drills are available in both corded and cordless models, with varying levels of power, speed, and impact energy.
In this comprehensive review, we will explore the best hammer drills in 2023. Hammer drills are versatile tools that are essential for both professional contractors and DIY enthusiasts. These powerful tools can easily drill through concrete, brick, and other hard materials, making them indispensable for various construction projects. This review will cover the top hammer drills in the market today based on their performance, durability, and overall value.
Top 10 Best Hammer Drills of 2023:
1. DEWALT DCH273B 20V Max Brushless SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
The DEWALT DCH273B is a powerful and reliable hammer drill that offers excellent performance in various drilling applications. With its brushless motor, this tool delivers extended runtime and requires less maintenance. The DCH273B features DEWALT's SHOCKS Active Vibration Control® technology, which significantly reduces vibration, making it more comfortable to use for extended periods.
Key Features:
- 20V MAX battery platform
- Brushless motor
- SHOCKS Active Vibration Control®
- 2.1 Joules of impact energy
2. Bosch GBH18V-26DK15 18V EC Brushless SDS-plus® Bulldog™ 1 In. Rotary Hammer Kit
The Bosch GBH18V-26DK15 is a compact yet powerful hammer drill designed for heavy-duty work. The brushless motor ensures longer runtime and increased efficiency, while the SDS-plus® chuck allows for easy bit changes. This rotary hammer also features a KickBack Control system, which prevents sudden tool reactions in case of a bind-up.
Key Features:
- 18V battery platform
- Brushless motor
- KickBack Control system
- SDS-plus® chuck
- 1.9 Joules of impact energy
3. Makita XRH01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1" Rotary Hammer
The Makita XRH01Z is a powerful and versatile hammer drill that features an efficient brushless motor, providing longer runtime and reduced maintenance. The tool offers three modes of operation: rotation only, hammering with rotation, and hammering only. The XRH01Z also incorporates Makita's Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT), ensuring user comfort during extended use.
Key Features:
- 18V LXT battery platform
- Brushless motor
- Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT)
- 2.0 Joules of impact energy
4. Milwaukee 2712-20 M18 FUEL 1" SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
The Milwaukee 2712-20 M18 FUEL hammer drill delivers exceptional performance and durability. Powered by a brushless motor, this tool offers extended runtime and minimal maintenance. The 2712-20 features Milwaukee's proprietary REDLINK PLUS Intelligence, providing optimized performance and overload protection. The tool also incorporates an Anti-Vibration System (AVS) for reduced user fatigue.
Key Features:
- M18 FUEL battery platform
- Brushless motor
- REDLINK PLUS Intelligence
- Anti-Vibration System (AVS)
- 2.1 Joules of impact energy
5. Hilti TE 6-A36-AVR Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill
The Hilti TE 6-A36-AVR is a professional-grade hammer drill designed for heavy-duty applications. This tool features an Active Vibration Reduction (AVR) system, ensuring user comfort during extended use. The brushless motor provides increased runtime and reduced maintenance. Additionally, the TE 6-A36-AVR offers four modes of operation: drilling, hammer drilling, chiseling, and fine chiseling.
Key Features:
- 36V battery platform
- Brushless motor
- Active Vibration Reduction (AVR)
- 2.7 Joules of impact energy
6. Metabo HPT DH18DBLP4 18V Cordless SDS-Plus Brushless Rotary Hammer Drill
The Metabo HPT DH18DBLP4 is a powerful and versatile hammer drill with an efficient brushless motor, providing extended runtime and minimal maintenance. This tool offers three modes of operation: drilling only, hammer drilling, and chiseling. The DH18DBLP4 also features Metabo HPT's Reactive Force Control (RFC) technology, which protects the user from sudden tool reactions in case of a bind-up.
Key Features:
- 18V battery platform
- Brushless motor
- Reactive Force Control (RFC) technology
- 1.9 Joules of impact energy
7. Ryobi P222 18V ONE+ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill
The Ryobi P222 is a reliable and affordable hammer drill that offers solid performance for various drilling applications. This tool is part of the 18V ONE+ system, making it compatible with a wide range of Ryobi tools and accessories. The P222 features a three-mode selector, allowing for drilling, hammer drilling, and chiseling operations.
Key Features:
- 18V ONE+ battery platform
- Three-mode selector
- 1.2 Joules of impact energy
8. Festool BHC 18 Li 5.2 Basic Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill
The Festool BHC 18 Li is a compact and lightweight hammer drill designed for precision drilling tasks. This tool features an efficient brushless motor, providing longer runtime and reduced maintenance. The BHC 18 Li also incorporates Festool's Vibration Control System, ensuring user comfort during extended use.
Key Features:
- 18V battery platform
- Brushless motor
- Vibration Control System
- 1.8 Joules of impact energy
9. Skil Pwrcore 20 1/2" Brushless 20V Hammer Drill Kit
The Skil Pwrcore 20 hammer drill is a versatile and affordable option for DIY enthusiasts. This tool features a brushless motor, providing extended runtime and reduced maintenance. The Pwrcore 20 offers a two-speed gearbox and 17+1 clutch settings, allowing for precise control in various drilling applications.
Key Features:
- 20V Pwrcore battery platform
- Brushless motor
- Two-speed gearbox
- 17+1 clutch settings
10. BLACK+DECKER BCD996C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill
The BLACK+DECKER BCD996C2 is an affordable cordless hammer drill with a two-speed gearbox and an 11-position clutch for versatility. With a maximum RPM of 1,600 and 25,500 BPM, this tool is suitable for light-duty tasks and general home use.
Key Features:
- Affordable
- Two-speed gearbox for versatility
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with battery and charger
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Hammer Drill
When choosing the best hammer drill, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Power: The power of a hammer drill is measured in amps or volts. Look for a drill with a high power rating for increased drilling performance.
- Chuck size: The chuck is the part of the drill that holds the drill bit. A larger chuck size allows you to use larger drill bits, which is important for drilling larger holes.
- Speed settings: Look for a hammer drill with multiple speed settings to allow you to adjust the speed based on the material you're drilling.
- Hammer action: Hammer action is what sets a hammer drill apart from a regular drill. Look for a hammer drill with a high BPM (blows per minute) rating for increased drilling performance.
- Comfort and ergonomics: Look for a hammer drill with a comfortable grip and good balance to reduce fatigue during extended use.
- Durability: Look for a hammer drill made with high-quality materials that can withstand heavy use and last a long time.
- Brand and warranty: Consider the reputation of the brand and the warranty provided with the hammer drill to ensure you're getting a reliable product.
- Accessories: Look for a hammer drill that comes with useful accessories such as drill bits, carrying cases, and additional batteries if it is cordless.
By considering these factors, you'll be able to choose the best hammer drill for your needs and ensure that you get a reliable and effective tool that will last for years to come.
Conclusion
Overall, if you need to drill through tough materials such as concrete or masonry on a regular basis, a hammer drill is likely to be a more efficient and effective tool than a regular drill. While with a lot of patience and effort, a normal drill could work on these hard substances, it would likely end up damaging not only the drill bit but in some instances even the drill itself. Hammer drills were designed specifically for this task and if your line of work or projects require drilling into hard surfaces often, you'd do well to buy one, and we've found 10 of the best of them for you to choose from.