Getting the best hammer drill is not as easy as you might think. That’s why we have taken it to ourselves to do the homework on your behalf. After doing some tests on a number of hammer drills, we have found the following tools to be one of the most impressive.

You can also read other product reviews such as impact driver, framing hammer, screwdriver. 

7 Best Hammer Drills - Reviews

#1. SKIL 6445-04 7.0 Amp 1/2 Inch Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

At 13.75 inches long, this drill is relatively compact, though not as compact as some of the tools in our list. Before we go further, 6445-04 is a corded tool fitted with 8-foot cord. The power is fed into its 7-Amp motor, which rotates at a speed of 3,000 RPM with no load. That translates to a maximum of 51,000 beats per minute, a feature that makes easy work of heavy duty tasks.

This drill works on both concrete and wood. In concrete, you get a 1-inch drilling capacity, which is maximum. On the other hand, you get a maximum drilling capacity of 1-5/8 inches when working on wood. This makes it a versatile tool that packs enough punch to get you going.

There’s a 360-degree side handle designed for improved accuracy and control. What’s more, you get a depth rod that allows for easy adjustment of the drilled depth. Both handles are designed to be soft and non-slip to provide better grip and minimize hand soreness. This lets you work for longer, something that translates to increased productivity.

There’s a variable speed trigger that lets you customize the speed to fit the task at hand. 6445-04 hammer drill comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

Who Should Buy?

This hammer drill gives good value for those on a budget and delivers descent power. It makes a good choice for those that want a quality hammer drill for lighter use.

#2. DeWalt DW511 7.8-Amp VSR 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.4 / 5)

This hammer drill doesn’t disappoint either when it comes to compactness. It measures at just 11-1/2 inches long, a feature that makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. And before I forget, this hammer drill is specially designed for light-duty concrete and masonry drilling. That’s achieved via its dual-mode design, a feature that makes easy work of wood, concrete, steel and masonry.

DW511 is equipped with a 7.8-Amp motor that generates an output of 650 Watts. This motor gives you a maximum no-load speed of 2,700 RPM. The speed is subject to variation, something that’s achieved via the variable-speed trigger. At maximum speed, you get 46,000 beats per minute, which comes in handy during masonry work.

The drill capacity in concrete ranges from 5/32 inch to 3/8 inch. On steel, you get 1/2-inch drill capacity while on wood it’s 1-1/4-inch. There’s a side handle that rotates through 360 degrees for better accuracy and control. This drill gives you the convenience of an ergonomic grip that’s comfortable and non-slip.

This hammer drill doesn’t disappoint when it comes to warranty. You get a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year service contract and a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Who Should Buy?

This tool is lightweight and gives the convenience of easy control. Extensive use of this hammer drill is prohibited. That said, it makes a nice purchase for DIY enthusiasts in need of a mid-range hammer drill.

#3. Porter-Cable PC70THD 1/2-Inch VSR 2-Speed Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.4 / 5)

At 6.2 pounds, this hammer drill definitely makes it to the lightweight category. That means you experience minimum fatigue. What’s more, you get easy handling, especially when performing overhead drilling. This hammer drill sports a dual-mode design that lets it doubles as a drill.

That said, you get a more versatile tool that can be used of a range of material: metal, wood, concrete, brick, and more. The dual speed transmission lets you set the speed of the 7-Amp motor to two different levels: 0-1,100 RPM and 0-3,100 RPM. The first setting gives you the most torque while you get the most speed from the second setting.

To maximize its punch, this drill generates 52,700 beats per minute. In terms of drill capacity, you get a maximum of 1/2-inch in concrete, 1/2-inch in steel and 1-1/4-inch in wood. There’s a depth rod for improved accuracy and a side handle for better control and accuracy as well.

Both the handle and the mold body have a streamlined shape for increased comfort and reduced user fatigue. PC70THD hammer drill comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Who Should Buy?

This tool gives you that relentless working ability and comes lightweight for easy handling. The fact that it tends to get hot makes it a great tool for part-time home projects for the DIY weekend warrior.

#4. DeWalt DCD996B 20V Max Brushless 3-Speed Cordless Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

DCD996B packs more power in its 20-Volt lithium-ion battery. The battery drives the 3-speed brushless motor that generates an output of 820 Watts. This brushless motor has the convenience of improved efficiency, a feature that gives it 57% more run time. The speed can be set in the range of 0-450 RPM, 0-1,300 RPM and 0-2,000 RPM. What’s more, you get 38,250 beats per minute that provides fast drilling in masonry materials.

One cool thing about this hammer drill is that you get to work even when darkness sets in. This is made possible via the integrated LED lights adjustable to 3 different modes. One of them is the spotlight mode, which gives the most visibility in dark environments.

There’s a side handle that rotates through 360 degrees for improved accuracy and user control. DeWalt puts a 3-year limited warranty on this hammer drill.

Who Should Buy?

The hammer and torque rate of this hammer drill is quite impressive. It provides improved visibility and comes in a cordless design. That said, it makes a nice option for those that want more portability in a hammer drill.

#5. VonHaus Corded 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

This drill is equipped with a 6.2-Amp motor that packs a great punch. With it, you get a no-load speed of 2,800 RPM at maximum. However, you’ve got the convenience of adjusting the speed via the variable-speed trigger. That said, you won’t have problems matching the power with the task at hand.

This tool doesn’t disappoint when it comes to pinpoint drilling. That’s easily achieved via the integrated depth gauge, a feature that provides improved drilling accuracy. VonHaus hammer drill is quite versatile as it can be used on wood, steel and masonry. On wood, you get a drill capacity of 1.25 inches. On the other hand, steel and masonry gets you a drill capacity of 0.47 inch and and 0.62 inch respectively.

As mentioned earlier, this hammer drill is more of a complete package. With it, you get a 9-piece drill bit set and a mold case that provides safe and convenient storage. This tool comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

Who Should Buy?

This hammer drill is priced well and comes with a drill set to get you started right away. What’s more, it can adapt to many situations. This makes it a versatile tool for DIY home projects.

#6. DeWalt DWE5010 1/2-Inch Single Speed Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

This hammer drill sports a dual mode that lets it double as a drill for wood, masonry and steel. These drilling applications are made easier with the powerful 7-amp motor that generates an output of 550 Watts. This single speed motor generates a maximum speed of 2,800 RPM. What’s more, you get 47,600 beats per minute in hammer mode.

In terms of drill capacity, you get 1/2-inch in steel, 1-1/4-inch in wood and 5/32 to 3/8-inch in concrete. This hammer drill is built with user comfort in mind, ranging from the rubberized 2-finger trigger to the ergonomic grip handle.

There’s a 360-degree side handle and depth rod designed for improved accuracy, versatility and better user control. This tool comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Who Should Buy?

This tool comes in as the most lightweight in the list and is compact enough for use virtually anywhere. It gives you the convenience of a hassle-free operation. That said, it makes a good choice for those that want a light-duty hammer drill.

#7. Neiko 10506A Reversible Hammer Drill

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

Starting with the weight, this hammer drill comes in at 5 pounds. This makes it lightweight enough for overhead drilling and extended use. The 12-inch length is quite compact for a hammer drill. That said, you won’t have much trouble getting it to operate in compact spaces.

Driving the hammer drill is a 4.2-Amp motor that gives a no-load speed of 2,800 RPM at maximum. The speed is subject to variation to let you match it with the task at hand. You get a maximum drill-hole diameter of 13 mm and 16 mm in steel and concrete respectively.

This tool doesn’t come economical in price alone. It’s designed to be compatible with drill bits from other brands. The housing material is of a hard plastic to ensure increased durability.

The handles are easy to grip and are rubberized to add something extra to their ergonomic comfort. Neiko 10506A comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

Who Should Buy?

This tool comes light and has a case that’s built to last. It’s priced low and provides the convenience of a reversible chuck. This makes it an economical tool for the regular home users.

Hammer Drills vs. Rotary Hammers

Is there any difference between a hammer drill and a rotary hammer? Well, these two names are often used interchangeably. However, the truth of the matter is that they are two different tools designed specifically for drilling screws into concrete and other hard materials.

#1. Drill capacity

One difference between the two tools is the drill capacity. More often, a hammer drill comes in handy when drilling in relatively softer materials, such as light-duty masonry or concrete. Most often, it has a drill capacity of up to 3/8-inch in diameter. On the other hand, rotary hammers pack enough power to bore larger holes (greater than 1/2 inch) in harder materials.

#2. Operating mechanism

The mechanism used by these two tools is quite different. When drilling, a hammer drill operates by a rapid back and forth action of rotate-and-hammer. This tool bores into concrete without burning the bit. Rotary hammer employs the same mechanism of rotate-and-hammer. However, it’s piston driven to generate a more powerful hammer action.

#3. Weight

When it comes to weight, rotary hammers tend to be heavier. They weigh in the range of 14 to 18 pounds. Hammer drills on the other hand are quite lightweight and weigh in the range of 4 to 8 pounds.

#4. Scale of project

Lastly, rotary hammers find great application in large scale projects, such as professional construction and construction sites. Hammer drills perform light-duty work involving amateurs and DIY homeowners.

Things to Consider When Buying Hammer Drill

#1. Power types

When it comes to power types, there are two main options: corded and cordless hammer drills. Corded hammer drills are perfect for those that want something lighter but with more power. The steady supply of power gives them a longer run time.

On the other hand, cordless hammer drills give the convenience of high mobility. This means that you can take them with you wherever you go. The inclusion of a battery makes them slightly heavier compared to corded drills.

#2. Weight

Weight matters when purchasing a hammer drill. And when talking about weight, it’s advisable that you go lighter. A lighter hammer drill will help minimize fatigue and make it easier to do overhead tasks. In short, you get comfortable extended use that translates to more productivity.

#3. Size

Chances are that you’re going to work in some spaces that are quite tight. That’s why you need a hammer drill that sports an all-fitting size. That said, you should choose a compact hammer drill that’s got a shorter length. This will give you no trouble when maneuvering in tight spaces.

#4. Brand

Not all products are made the same. Hammer drills are no exception either. Each brand has its own unique design that creates some differences in performance and quality. That said, you need to go for trusted brands that have been known to deliver. Examples of brands to look for are DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, Porter-Cable, Neiko, Skil, VonHaus, among others.

#5. Warranty

A warranty is what guarantees the quality of a particular product. Therefore you need to choose a hammer drill that comes with a warranty. Most often, they sport a warranty of 1 to 2 years. However, it’s not uncommon to find brands that provide up to a 3-year limited warranty.

Read More: Hammer Drill vs. Impact Driver: Which Is Better For You?

Resources: familyhandyman, popularmechanics, popularmechanics