Every household has a toolbox filled with electrical appliances that you use for fixing, mending, installing, and creating.
Hammer drills are one of those key items that people use in order to drill in walls, floors, etc. to hang paintings or other fixtures.
It is only necessary that you own a drill that is of excellent quality and supreme performance, and this article will give you all the details you may need to buy a powerful hammer drill.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Hammer Drills
- OUR TOP PICK: SKIL 6445-04
- RUNNER-UP: DEWALT DW511
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Milwaukee 2704-20
Comparison of the Best Hammer Drills
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What is a Hammer Drill, and How Do They Work?
A hammer drill is a piece of equipment that is used to penetrate hard surfaces to create crevices so that you can hang a painting or fix something in your home. It works in circular motions with powerful thrusts in order to break through surfaces such as brick or concrete. With a hammer drill, it doesn’t perforate and makes its way through; rather, it grinds only what is in front of the tip of the drill.
In a hammer drill, the whole area that is surrounding the bit is not damaged, but only the portion you drilled into. These are usually powered with electro-pneumatic power, which is a mesh of electricity and pressurized air, which helps the crank to rotate and pulverize.
How to Choose a Hammer Drill
There are two types of hammer drills that exist in the market. One is a corded hammer drill, and the other is a cordless hammer drill. In order to decide what type is best suited for you, you must consider the following key factors in the product:
Power and Impact Power
The power of the hammer drill is determined by its main motor, whose energy is measured in watts. If you are dealing with hard and brittle surfaces like concrete, you need every ounce of power to make sure that your job is done as fast as possible. Corded rotary hammer drills have power, which is measured in amps, while cordless ones are measured in voltage.
Speed and Hammering Speed
Speed is measured through RPM or rotations per minute. Hammer drills have a speed of 3500 RPM, while rotary hammering drills function at a speed of 1500 RPM.
Drilling Depth
This is one of the key factors that need to be considered when purchasing a hammer drill. The depth that your drill can reach is measured in millimeters, and you need the most drilling diameters if you want to penetrate really tough surfaces such as wood or metal.
Review of the Best Hammer Drills
Now that you know how to choose a hammer drill, let’s look into the best ones that are for sale, and which one is the best suited for you.
Best Overall:
SKIL-6445-04
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers state that the variable speed trigger is calibrated well, and pushes through the concrete walls like kids chomping on candy. The half-inch chuck is also a great addition to the hammer drill for tight drilling. Users find it to be a strong and sturdy machine which works beautifully.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This powerful drill can penetrate through the hardest walls, and the design is engineered well for customer-friendly usage by ensuring comfort and support for the hands for consistent and accurate drilling. There is no hassle of getting any battery or charger as it is a wall-powered drill.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a practical all-rounder drill that can be used for all types of surfaces for all purposes. This is particularly a good buy if you are looking for a home-based hammer drill, which is used occasionally for small-time purposes or for heavy-duty reasons as well.
Bottom Line
It is of no surprise to say that this is one of the most reasonably priced and great buys out there for hammer drills. The advanced features, user-friendly design, and great price all add up to the notion of this being a high-end piece of machinery for anyone looking for the best hammer drill.
Runner-up:
DEWALT DW511
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users report that the drill is super powerful and penetrates through concrete like butter. It is also super quick, and the battery is long-lasting, which means that it can be used for many different jobs. Overall, users were pretty much satisfied with it and recommended it to others.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find this unit to be one of the best since it has a really robust, brushless motor that ensures a fast and long-wearing experience. It is also very comfortable to use because of the ergonomic features that make it very user-friendly.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a multipurpose tool that can be handy for anyone who wants a hammer drill with great performance. It is an amazing piece of equipment for handymen, in particular, who can use this in different jobs. This is also meant for households that need hammer drills for occasional use.
Bottom Line
This device is the best rotary drill available in the market. The design is engineered for users’ comfort and efficiency, and the battery works for several hours before needing a charge. It has all you would need for light drilling.
Best for the Money:
Milwaukee 2704-20
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The users find this hammer drill to be very durable and long-wearing and super-efficient for heavy-duty purposes. It has a lot of power and is comfortable to use, and has a variable chuck. It also has a screwdriver selector to limit over-torquing.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a small but powerful tool that weighs less but performs more. It is compact but has 1200 lbs. of torque. It also comes with a handy clip holder for increased portability. All of these features make it stand on top of many other units.
Who Will Use This Most
This hammer drill is capable of drilling into hard surfaces such as stone, brick, and concrete. It is a good tool for masonry-drilling and is a great piece of equipment. If you want an outstanding drill with stellar performance and a budget-friendly price, this product is for you.
Bottom Line
This device is compact, portable, durable, and powerful. It has innovative features and an ergonomic design that makes this hammer drill quite a bang for the buck.
Best Rotary Hammer Drill:
DEWALT DCH273B
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to users, this tool is really powerful and super easy to use! It eliminates the hassle of the cords. It can drill through the walls like a hot knife slicing through butter, and is really strong. It also operates smoothly and does the job really fast.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This hammer drill can produce up to 4600 blows per minute and an RPM of 1100. It is lightweight but super powerful and comes with a retractable utility hook that can be used for portability and for storing it in your storeroom. It is also designed ergonomically for a user-friendly experience.
Who Will Use This Most
Because of its lightweight structure and SHOCKS Active Vibration Control technology, this type of hammer drill is best used for overhead applications such as ceilings, or underground workers who want to fix something above them.
Bottom Line
This high-performance drill is equipped with a brushless motor and engineered with a German mechanism to give you the best operation that is seamless and effortless. If you are a fan of ease and convenience, this unit is the best option for you.
Best SDS Hammer Drill:
Bosch RH328VC
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This hammer drill allows for effortless and quick drilling, penetrating through brick, concrete, and stone. According to users, it performs flawlessly. It provides a great combination of power, impact energy, and comfort for the user because of its vibration control technology.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This drill is much lighter than its competitors and can be used with one hand. It is quick, powerful, and efficient, and can push through the surface like it’s no big deal. It can sink into surfaces with minimal effort and is a beast inside out.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great handy tool for those who like doing DIY projects in their homes as well as for commercial use. It is a great replacement for an ordinary standard drill and is also a great option if you want to take out floor tiles in the washroom.
Bottom Line
If you want a device that has the best features and delivers great power to weight ratio, then look no further because this is the best SDS Hammer drill that you can find in the market. It provides excellent value for your money and is versatile.
Best Brushless Hammer Drill:
Makita XPH07Z 18V LXT Brushless 1/2" Hammer Driver-Drill
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This drill is super impressive and has unbelievable power. It works seamlessly without making much noise and is really a pleasure to use. It can operate smoothly and delivers incredible heavy-duty performance. It also gives a strong grip to the user.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This hammer drill comes with advanced features and uses fast-charging technology and prevents any malfunctions from disturbing the performance of the drill. It also has an ergonomic design and is pretty reasonably priced for such a heavy-duty machine.
Who Will Use This Most
This drill is not suited for beginners or occasional drillers, but rather for the professionals who drill holes for a living. It’s a workhorse tool and shines best when it is exposed to heavy-duty tasks and intense projects.
Bottom Line
This drill is an incredibly powerful, compact, and is a great, high torque drill with a smooth response. It is clearly a strong contender in the market to other heavy-duty hammer drills and is a great option for construction workers.
Best Cordless Hammer Drill:
Milwaukee 2607-20
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users state that the product promises good value for the money, and the drill and screwdriver are super powerful. The battery works for long periods of time and is really easy to use. It is also well-constructed and indestructible, which means that it is durable, making it a good investment.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This hammer drill is one of the most powerful tools that deliver extraordinary performance and power without straining your hand. It is lightweight and compact and can be traveled around with easily as well. It is also the fastest in concrete drilling.
Who Will Use This Most
This hammer drill is specifically designed for hardcore and intense construction projects and for people who have to work in really harsh conditions. The metal casing and durable design make it a very useful tool for rugged workplaces like these.
Bottom Line
If you are on the hunt for the best cordless hammer drill, then look no further because this sturdy, robust, and high performing tool will fulfill all your important job needs by delivery efficiency at less time.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality Hammer Drill
There are several reasons why you should invest in a high-quality hammer drill for your projects. If you want to know the advantages of purchasing a hammer drill, then keep on reading.
Built for Hard Surfaces
If you have a common standard drill, it might be really difficult for you to use it on hard surfaces or for heavier tasks. A hammer drill is perfect for penetrating through concrete, wood, brick, metal, and has excellent power and high performance.
Intense Projects
If you are a construction worker whose job is to install and create buildings, these jobs require a lot of energy and power; thus, investing in a good quality hammer drill becomes necessary. You cannot expect a normal drill to work on really tough surfaces like metal because it would be impossible. For large-scale projects, investing in a hammer drill is a necessity.
SKIL 6445-04
No Need for Hammer
When you purchase a hammer drill, the name itself suggests that it is a hammer and drill combo, which means that you do not need to purchase a hammer separately. Thus, it also saves costs while upgrading power and speed, which in turn decreases the time spent on your project.
Conclusion
This article was designed to aid you in choosing the best hammer drill fit for your personal needs. Whether you are a construction worker or a normal member of the household, everyone needs a drill handy at their home. Hopefully, this article gave insight on which unit is better suited for you.
People Also Ask
Now that you know which hammer drill is applicable for your drilling needs, here are a few frequently asked questions addressed below so that all your doubts can be cleared once and for all.
What is the Purpose of a Hammer Drill?
A hammer drill is more powerful than a standard drill and is used to penetrate through brick, stone, concrete, metal, and mortar. It is used for heavier purposes than a standard drill and to break through brittle surfaces.
Can You Use a Hammer Drill as a Regular Drill?
Yes, you can use a hammer drill as a regular drill if you put the hammer drill into “drill only” mode. However, it could have some limitations depending on the model, but ideally, it is more versatile than a standard drill.
Can a Hammer Drill Break up Concrete?
A hammer drill cannot essentially break up concrete, because that is the task of a jackhammer, but it can create holes in concrete and chisel it. A hammer drill doesn’t come with the rotation bit that allows for breaking slabs of concrete.
Can You Use a Hammer Drill to Drive Screws?
Yes, a hammer drill can be utilized to drive screws with an adjustable clutch an appropriate screwdriver bit; however, an impact drill is better suited for this kind of job, as its main job is to drive screws.
Can You Use a Hammer Drill to Remove Lug Nuts?
No, you cannot use a hammer drill to remove or even loosen lug nuts, because this task is for an impact driver. You can try, but it will not work perfectly and can cause disruptions in your hammer drill. An impact wrench will be better suited for this job.