If you probably do a fair bit of woodwork then you may be asking, how much does a hammer drill cost? To answer this, you’ll need to consider the features, power, and versatility and even the materials used in the tool, brand and where it was made. The best hammer drill can easily bore through different materials, such as brick, stone, and concrete so the right one, can be worth their weight in gold. Our guide highlights the many benefits of hammer drills and will help you pick the best hammer drill for your needs and budget requirements.
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Best Hammer Drill Overall -Makita XPH12R Hammer Driver-Drill Kit
The Makita XPH12R 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact Brushless Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Driver-Drill Kit (2.0Ah) is a must-have for any mason, construction worker, or DIYer as it can drill through nearly any material. It is super durable, and the extreme protection technology incorporated into the design makes it resistant to any debris thrown at it.
Makita are known to make quality products and this one is no exception.It is also capable of surviving falls off buildings onto hard surfaces.
After doing a tonne of research on decent hammer drill-drivers, this one definitely has a good amount of torque and speed over the other LXT compact models and for this reason, became our top pick. Admittedly I’m biased towards Makita at times and I can use the battery in other tools such as my chainsaw.
The price isn’t too bad either for a mid-range tool and if you’re after a brushless, compact line, this drill is a no-brainer. You can shift between the modes easily and it’s well balanced in your hand. Decent battery life too and you can get a longer one, for extended use.
The reviews on this beast are quite favourable so it might be worth comparing to other product reviews if you’re not convinced.
To check out the price of the Makita XPH12R 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact Brushless Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Driver-Drill Kit (2.0Ah) click here.
THE GOOD:
- Only 25 minutes to charge
- Produces over 530 pounds of torque
- Brushless
- Powerful – 2000 RPM, and 30,000 BPM.
- Can be used on heavier materials such as concrete or stone,
- Light weight: weighs only 3.6 pounds
- versatile for both drilling and driving.
THE BAD:
- Some reported that the tool got stuck in ‘hammer drill’ mode
Best Premium Hammer Drill Option – DEWALT DCD996P2 MAX XR 3-Speed Hammer Drill Kit
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit, Brushless, 3-Speed (DCD996P2) is a cordless hammer drill with a brushless motor that increases its performance, making it very efficient.
This is a high performance product that can withstand a bit of abuse as DeWalt products tend to go the distance. It puts screws in without bogging down. The battery can get a bit heavy, so I always adjust which battery size I’ll use depending on the length of the job. There are two included in the kit.
I noticed that some reported the battery wasn’t secure (just rattled around) in the unit they bought, but we didn’t find this as an issue. DeWalt does offer a 3 year warranty on all their tools and they have pretty good customer support if something goes wrong.
It comes with a lot of power, but it handles like a dream and great for fast drilling in masonry.
To check out the price of theDEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit, Brushless, 3-Speed (DCD996P2), click here.
THE GOOD:
- Brushless, 3 speeds
- High performance
- Fast drilling in masonry
- LED spotlight
- 3 Year Warranty
THE BAD:
- Heavy (4.7 pounds)
- Some reported the battery was not secure
Best Budget Hammer Drill Option – SKIL 6445-04 120V Corded Hammer Drill
The SKIL 6445-04 7.0 Amp 1/2 In. Hammer Drill hammer driver-drill is the best hammer drill for home use and the best budget option on the market. Its simplicity, with no torque or speed settings, making it more suited for basic home use. However, even without these settings, it still offers a maximum speed of 3, 000 RPM. You can drill 3/8″ holes in aggregate without problem.
It has a powerful 7.0A motor that makes it ideal for chewing through the toughest materials. But it’s also light, making it easy to work with all day. It has a variable trigger that allows you to easily increase or decrease speeds depending on the use, which comes in handy when precision is needed. It has a ½ inch keyed chuck that can hold large diameter bits. The side assist handle allows for more control and accuracy.
Tools like this are basic and don’t come with all the bells and whistles. It is relatively simple, corded, and the lack of additional features keeps the price low. However, if you’re after a straight forward hammer drill without the high price tag, this little gem will get the work done.
To find more information about the SKIL 6445-04 120V Corded Hammer Drill click here.
THE GOOD:
- 7 Amp motor for tough applications
- Variable speed trigger
- 1/2″ chuck
- Great for light duty masonry and concrete drilling
- Low cost
- Reverse mode
THE BAD:
- Corded with a short power cord
- Plastic casing
- Not for professionals (better for DIY)
Best lightweight Hammer Drill For DIY – Ryobi P214 ½ Inch Hammer Drill
Sometimes you don’t need a drill with all the bells and whistles. The Ryobi P214 One+ 18 Volt Lithium Ion 1/2 Inch 600 Pound Torque Hammer Drill/Driver (Tool Only) with Handle is a simple tool that gets the job done. It has a 2-speed mode that allows you to speed up things or increase torque. The soft-grip handle and the two-finger trigger help increase stability, comfort, and control.
If you like LED lighting, one is included to make precision easier (Some argue that the light could be brighter.) We like the clutch override feature for seamless changes between drilling and driving. The battery life is surprisingly decent, and the bit organizer will keep you working without having to go back and forth between toolkits to grab different bit sizes or screws.
On the downside, it has no depth gauge, and while the timer is a great feature, there’s no timer on it, meaning once the trigger is released, it turns off.
For a cordless tool, it packs a lot of torque plus it’s light at only 3.94 pounds. Be mindful that no battery is included so you’ll need to use an 18V one+. I’d recommend the RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ 1.5 Ah Compact Lithium-Ion Battery with this drill. It works great and it’s not too expensive. The One+ battery serves a large group of many Ryobi tools, really any 18V battery should work with this tool.
So if you’re after a lightweight, low cost tool for DIY and don’t mind the plastic material, you’ll be able to drill holes in wood, plastic and metal and drive screws and bolts in Drive mode.
To find more information about the Ryobi P214 One+ 18 Volt Lithium Ion 1/2 Inch 600 Pound Torque Hammer Drill/Driver (Tool Only) with Handle (Non-Retail Packaging) click here.
THE GOOD:
- Keyless chuck
- Low cost
- Light Weight, 3.94 pounds
- Powerful – 2000 RPM, and 30,000 BPM.
- 1,600 RPM and 24,000 BPM for powerful performance
- Clutch overide
- versatile for both drilling and driving.
THE BAD:
- Tool only (so you’ll need to use your own battery/charger or purchase one)
- Plastic casing
- More for DIY than professionals
Best Heavy Duty Hammer Drill – Bosch 11255VSR 120-volts BULLDOG Xtreme Rotary Hammer Drill
The Bosch 11255VSR Bulldog Xtreme – 8 Amp 1 Inch Corded Variable Speed Sds-Plus Concrete/Masonry Rotary Hammer Power Drill with Carrying Case is a well designed drill. It boasts incredible power ideal for the toughest applications and is great for professionals and DIYer’s who need a bit of grunt. As the name suggests, this hammer drill offers a lot of power. The 7.5 Amp motor is capable of producing 1300 RPM and 5800 BPM delivering 2ft/ pound of impact energy.
It has three operation modes: rotary hammer, rotation only, and hammer only. This, coupled with the variable-speed trigger, increases its precision and versatility. It has a D-handle that makes the drill easier to use. Bosch makes quality products and this tool with an excellent build is durable and reliable. The drill is corded, making it ideal for those looking to log in some serious drill time without running out of power. The disadvantage though, is that the range is limited as you need to plug it in. Still, at least the cord is a turret cord, that’s as durable as the device, thus increasing the drills lifespan, flexibility, and range of movement.
Admittedly, it is quite heavy and weighs over 10.4 pounds. Might get a bit tiring after extended use. Plus, it’s not as fast as other comparable ones – especially for the price point they’re asking. This Bosch bulldog is great at ripping into concrete in hammer mode and can easily chisel it’s way through floor tile and masonry.
One criticism is that the air exhaust will blow dust into your face at some angles. You may need to change the way you hold it as you move it around as unfortunately the exhaust is not adjustable.
To find more information about the Bosch 11255VSR Bulldog Xtreme – 8 Amp 1 Inch Corded Variable Speed Sds-Plus Concrete/Masonry Rotary Hammer Power Drill with Carrying Case click here.
THE GOOD:
- 7.5 amp powerful rotary tool motor produces 0 1, 300 RPM and 0 5, 800 BPM
- 3 modes of operation; Rotation only, rotary hammer, and hammer only mode
- Variable speed trigger with reverse
- Works with Bosch PRO+GUARD dust solutions
- automatic bit locking
- Great for professional use
THE BAD:
- Cheaply made plastic case (does hold drill and short bits but too small to hold longer 18″ bits)
- Heavy (10.4 pounds)
- Expensive
The Benefits of Hammer Drills
Hammer drills are useful tools for professionals and DIYers and help you produce wood projects that sell. If you require other tools, you may want to check out our guide on the different types of hand tools and their uses. Hammer drills are similar to cordless drills (they also look similar), as they both use a rotational force to drive screws in. Hammer drills use a forward motion (like an actual hammer), making them more effective in certain situations over a regular drill.
Hammer drills are great for drilling on surfaces that are too hard for a normal drill to chew through, such as concrete. They are also perfect for construction use performing demolition, chiseling, and drilling tasks. They are also more powerful, meaning they can do the same job as a regular drill but in less time.
Corded vs. Cordless
When picking a hammer drill, its power source is as important as the power it has. Corded hammer drills offer more rotations per minute (RPM), thus providing more power. This means you can get the job done despite its difficulty and in a shorter time. On the other hand, cordless hammer drills offer a great deal of versatility that cannot be matched by corded ones. They allow you to move around without lugging a long cable with you and get to those hard to reach places. However, their portability comes at a price; they are not as powerful.
Safety measures and Drilling modes
Safety is a crucial factor when dealing with powerful tools such as hammer drills. A common safety and comfort feature of a hammer drill is having two handles; this offers stability during use. The best hammer drills have two handles that are ergonomic and offer a comfortable grip and absorb shock, which is great for very powerful drills. Unless you are looking for a hammer drill exclusively for masonry, you need to get one with different modes for drilling into different surfaces and materials. This ensures you don’t damage the surfaces and doubles on safety.
Chucks
A chuck is a lot where a drill bit is inserted, and its size limits the size of the bits you can use. Chucks come in various sizes, such as 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch, and can be keyed or keyless. If a chuck is keyed, you need a key to unlock it if you want to change the bit. However, keyless chucks don’t require keys. You just loosen the chuck by hand and change the bit. Keyless chucks are becoming very popular because they are easier to change; however, for hammer drills, keyed chucks provide an extra level of safety because you can manually tighten the chuck, ensuring the bit stays in place even through rigorous work.
Variable Speed
With a hammer drill, the variable speed feature is useful as it gives you more control. This, in turn, increases your accuracy and precision as you work. The different speeds allow you to handle different tasks increasing the usefulness of your hammer drill. What you have to do is focus on selecting the right bit and setting the appropriate RPM.So this is a crucial feature if you are using your drill hammer on more than masonry.
Power
With a hammer drill, you need power. Bigger, faster, more powerful drills are great at tackling tough jobs while smaller ones are lighter and more versatile. If you need a hammer drill with more power, then go for a model with high RPM, a lot of amps, and hammering speed. However, if you want something lightweight and versatile, go for a model with lower specs.
Depth gauge
If you want to drill several holes at a specific depth, having a depth gauge is a useful feature. It makes it easier to get more consistent work and reduces errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between a hammer drill and an impact hammer?
A hammer drill creates holes in various materials by hitting it consistently like a hammer. On the other hand, the impact drill uses a rotary motion rather than a hammering one to create the holes. Impact drills are used to drive in nuts, screws, nags, and bolts.
- What’s the difference between a hammer drill and a rotary hammer?
Unlike a hammer drill, the rotary hammer drill is a very powerful device featuring a piston. It is also larger and weighs more, making it great for drilling on harder surfaces.
- Can a hammer drill be utilized as a regular drill?
This is dependent on the brand and manufacturer. If it only has a hammer mode, you can’t use it as a normal drill. However, some drills have both hammer and drill settings but ensure you have the proper bits.
- Can you use a normal drill on concrete?
Yes, however, it won’t be easy, and it will take a lot longer as it doesn’t have enough torque. Hammer drills are stronger and faster, making them more efficient for chewing through concrete.
Hammer drills have come a long way in recent years, with models getting smaller and packing quite a punch. With the wide variety of hammer drills available, it can be hard finding the right drill for your needs. With our guide on how much does a hammer costs and the top features to look out for, you can confidently pick the best hammer drill.