The 8 Best Hammer Drills of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill/Driver Kit

$299 At Home Depot $280 At Walmart $280 At Walmart

Our Ratings

• Performance
  5/5
• Power
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

It might be only 6.9 inches long—making it one of the most compact hammer drills around—and weigh under 5 pounds with a battery in place, but this cordless tool doesn't lack in strength. We put it to the test and greatly appreciated how its compact size made it easy to use in confined spaces. But we loved how it drove large holes through wood and concrete without hesitation.

You can use this hammer drill to make holes up to 1/2-inch in diameter in steel, 5/8-inch in masonry or concrete, or 1-1/2-inch in wood. And unlike many other hammer drills, it has a clutch to reduce torque, which means you can also use it as a driver to drive screws; use a hammer drill without a clutch to drive a screw, and chances are good that you'll end up with a stripped screw or splintered wood.

It has a drill-only mode along with a hammer-drill mode, so it's very versatile. When in hammer mode, the maximum blows-per-minute is 33,000. A built-in LED work light adds illumination when using the tool in dimly lit locations.

While not every application calls for the power of this tool, if you need extra muscle to bust through concrete or masonry, you'll appreciate the extra torque—turning power—that this hammer drill provides; it's higher than most similar tools. And its all-metal 1/2-inch chuck is very durable while keeping bits securely locked in place without a wiggle. While not variable speed, it does have two-speed settings: low is 0 to 500 rotations-per-minute, while high is 0 to 2,100 rpm.

The brushless motor is designed to ward off overheating or overloading for a smooth performance, and the tool's handle and side handle have rubbery molding to help reduce vibration and add comfort. Plus, the tool has Milwaukee's AutoStop Control Mode for extra safety. This immediately stops the spin of the bit should it become bound or caught in the material being drilled.

This cordless drill comes with two 18-volt, 5 amp-hour batteries, so you can have one in use while the other charges, doubling your runtime. It also includes a hard carrying case and a metal belt clip. It does not come with any bits, however. While not everyone needs a hammer drill with this one's power, we highly recommend it for anyone who needs to drill through concrete or masonry regularly.

_{Power Source: Battery | Chuck Size: 1/2 inch | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill, drive | Maximum Speed: 2,100 RPM | Maximum Impact: 33,000 BPM}

Best Budget

BLACK+DECKER 6.5-Amp Corded Hammer Drill

$40 At Amazon $39 At Home Depot $49 At Walmart

It's undeniable that hammer drills can be quite expensive. But if you don't need all the bells and whistles, nor do you need the utmost power, then this reasonably priced option from Black+Decker is worth a look.
It has two modes: drill only or hammer drill. There's a variable-speed trigger—a nice plus on such an inexpensive drill—with a maximum speed of 2,800 rpm.

The maximum impact is an impressive 48,000 bpm. Adjusting the settings is a straightforward process with only a few options, making it easy to understand and modify. At 6.5 amps, this doesn't have the most powerful motor, nor is it designed for heavy-duty continuous use, but if you need a hammer drill for a few projects drilling into masonry, or you want to have a hammer drill on hand for occasional use, then this corded tool should be more than sufficient.

The 1/2-inch chuck is keyless, meaning you don't need any tools to swap out bits; note that the drill does not come with bits, so you will need to purchase those separately. The side handle can be set to three different positions for extra control, and at only 4.1 pounds, this shouldn't tire you out too quickly. Black+Decker recommends the drill for holes no larger than 1/2-inch diameter in masonry or steel or 1-1/2-inch in softwood.

_{Power Source: Corded | Chuck Size: 1/2 inch | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill | Maximum Speed: 2,800 RPM | Maximum Impact: 48,000 BPM}

Best Cordless

DEWALT 20-Volt Hammer Drill

$320 At Amazon $369 At Home Depot $339 At Walmart

Our Ratings

• Performance
  5/5
• Power
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Value
  4.3/5

While some cordless tools are weaker than their corded counterparts, that's not an issue with this powerful cordless hammer drill from Dewalt. It has a drill-only mode and a hammer drill mode, but it also has an adjustable chuck, so you can also use it as a drill/driver for fastening/loosening screws by setting it into drill-only mode and adjusting the torque to the lowest level.

We tested it in our lab and accidentally left the torque a bit too high while driving screws; it drove the screw right through the board and then split the board in half. However, with speed and torque properly adjusted, the drill easily and effectively drove screws, drilled holes in wood, and drilled large holes in concrete bricks. Powered by the included 20-volt, 5 amp-hour battery (you get two of them, so one can be charging while the other is in use), this workhorse easily muscles through the wood to create holes up to 1-1/2-inch in diameter or masonry and metal for holes up to 1/2-inch in diameter.

The drill has three speeds: low is 0 to 450 rpm, medium is 0 to 1,300 rpm, and high is 0 to 2,000 rpm. There are 11 torque settings on the electronic clutch, so you can adjust the turning force higher or lower as needed. When in hammer mode, the maximum is 38,250 bpm. No tool is needed to swap out bits from the 1/2-inch, all-metal chuck.

Another nice feature is the built-in LED light, which has three intensity settings. While we feel that this professional-level tool—which carries a professional-level price tag—might be overkill for the casual DIYer or light use around the house, it's well worth the price if you need a beast that doesn't blink at drilling through concrete, brick, stone, wood, metal, or other hard materials. Note that it does not come with any bits.

How It Performed Long-Term

After six months of testing this drill, we can confirm that this hammer drill is excellent at drilling pilot holes into studs and driving wood screws. We've used it at least twice a month for projects up to 60 minutes long and every time, we're grateful we have it. Even during long periods of work, the battery has never faltered.

Even though we accidentally dropped it during a project, causing some scuffs on the housing, the drill itself remained unscathed. This further demonstrates its remarkable strength and its aptitude to handle rough use.

_{Power Source: Battery | Chuck Size: 1/2 inch | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill | Maximum Speed: 2,250 rpm | Maximum Impact: 38,250 bpm}

Best Heavy-Duty

Makita Cordless ½-Inch Hammer Driver-Drill Kit

$284 At Amazon $369 At Home Depot $340 At Walmart

Our Ratings

• Performance
  5/5
• Power
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Features
  4.5/5
• Value
  4/5

Not everyone needs the power of a professional hammer drill, but if you do, then we recommend this heavy-duty cordless tool from Makita. During testing, we were extremely impressed with this hammer drill's performance. It bored holes without any effort through wood and concrete blocks, and we were glad for the side handle, which helped keep the drill steady while it amped up the torque.

However, we did find that it had too much oomph for driving small screws, even with the clutch turned down. It easily drove and seated large screws, though, without stripping them or splitting the wood board we drove them into. The drill is powered by an 18-volt, 5 amp-hour battery, and it comes with two, so you can have one charging while you work. However, during our testing sessions, the battery barely budged from full charge.

This drill has a compact design, making it easier to use in small spaces. There are two speed settings: low is 0 to 550 rpm, and high is 0 to 2,100 rpm. You can set the tool to drill only or into hammer drill mode. When the hammer function is on, it delivers a maximum of 31,500 bpm.

The all-metal, 1/2-inch chuck is keyless, so you can easily swap out bits (none are included, however.) The rubberized soft grips help reduce the vibrations to your hands and arms, and there's an LED work light to brighten your work area. You also get a sturdy carrying bag to store and tote the tool, its batteries, and the charger.

_{Power Source: Battery | Chuck Size: 1/2 inch | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill | Maximum Speed: 2,100 rpm | Maximum Impact: 31,500 bpm}

Best for DIYers

Skil 7.5-Amp Corded Hammer Drill with Bit Set

$83 At Amazon $90 At Walmart $80 At Lowe's

Most hammer drills do not come with any bits, meaning that you need to purchase those separately. However, this sturdy corded hammer drill from Skil comes with 100 bits of varying sizes and types, including bits for drilling into masonry, steel, and wood, as well as screwdriver bits. Plus, there's a plastic organizer case to hold the bits and a case for the drill itself.

The drill itself has a 7.5-amp motor and can be switched between drill-only mode and hammer drill mode. It does not have a clutch or a mode for driving, so if you plan on using it to drive screws, you'll need to take care to go slowly or risk stripping your screw. There's a variable-speed finger trigger with a top speed of 3,000 rpm. When in hammer-drill mode, the maximum is 48,000 bpm.

The drill has a comfortably padded handle to reduce vibration, as well as a side handle for extra control. While not a heavy-duty drill for use on major projects, this is a nice addition to any DIYer's workshop or tool collection. It's very reasonably priced, as well. The one downside is that you'll need to use the included key to swap out bits; the chuck is not keyless. But you should be able to find an appropriate bit for just about any project you tackle.

_{Power Source: Corded | Chuck Size: 1/2 inch | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill | Maximum Speed: 3,000 RPM | Maximum Impact: 48,000 BPM}

Best for Concrete

Eneacro Heavy Duty Rotary Hammer Drill

$128 At Amazon View On Sears.com

If you need a heavy-duty drill to bore through concrete, stone, metal, or wood, or chip away concrete or other masonry, then you'll love the power of this 13-amp corded rotary hammer drill from Eneacro. This beast can drill holes up to 1-1/4-inch diameter in concrete, thanks to its powerful industrial motor.

It has four modes: drill-only for boring into wood or metal; hammer drill for making holes in concrete, bricks, or stone; hammer-only for light demo work on concrete and masonry; and chisel for chipping away or scoring concrete, stone, and masonry. The tool has a safety clutch to prevent it from jerking your wrist should the bit become bound and anti-vibration technology to help reduce fatigue and strain on your hands and arms.

This rotary drill does not have variable speed; there's a one-speed setting with a maximum of 820 rpm. The maximum impact when using the hammer modes is 4,200 bpm. And as befits a tool with this much power, this is a large and heavy drill. It's almost 15.5 inches long and 10 inches tall, and it weighs 12.6 pounds, so you'll want to take frequent breaks while using it.

Note that, like other rotary hammer drills, the chuck is SDS; you can only use SDS-Plus bits with this tool. However, it comes with three twist drill bits of varying sizes and two chiseling bits, one pointed and one flat. It also includes a plastic carrying/storage case for the drill and its accessories.

_{Power Source: Corded | Chuck Size: SDS | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill, hammer, chisel | Maximum Speed: 820 RPM | Maximum Impact: 4,200 BPM}

Best Corded

DEWALT 7.8-Amp Corded Hammer Drill

$127 At Amazon $129 At Home Depot $129 At Lowe's

While corded tools are not as popular as they once were, thanks to ever-improving battery technology, some people still prefer not to worry about battery charge or want a light and easy-to-use tool. For those people, we recommend this corded hammer drill from Dewalt.

It has a 7.8-amp motor with plenty of power for drilling into concrete and other hard materials, and its 8-foot cord gives you enough room to maneuver as needed while you work. Plus, at only 4.3 pounds, it's relatively light, and it has a 360-degree side handle along with a rubber-covered trigger for comfortable use without too much vibration.

The drill can be used in drill-only or hammer-drill modes. It has variable speed control up to a maximum of 2,700 rpm and a maximum impact of 46,000 bpm when the hammer function is on. The 1/2-inch chuck requires no tools for swapping out bits, which do not come with the tool. Depending on the bit used, you can drill holes up to 1/2-inch diameter in metal, 5/8-inch in concrete or masonry, and 1-1/2-inch in wood.

_{Power Source: Corded | Chuck Size: 1/2 inch | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill | Maximum Speed: 2,700 RPM | Maximum Impact: 46,000 BPM}

Best Rotary

Bosch Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill

$219 At Amazon $219 At Home Depot

Unlike many rotary hammer drills, this one is relatively lightweight at 6.7 pounds, which makes it much easier to use for lengthy drilling sessions or when drilling overhead. This is a corded tool with an 8-amp motor and three modes of use: drill-only for drilling into wood or steel, hammer drill for drilling into concrete or masonry, and hammer-only for chipping or scoring concrete and other masonry.

When using the tool in the hammer-only mode, you can adjust the bit through 36 positions to get just the right angle for your task. Plus, its D-shaped back handle and easy-grip forward handle give you excellent control when working in awkward positions.

The drill has variable speed control with a maximum speed of 1,300 rpm and a maximum impact of 5,800 bpm with the hammer mode on. Like other rotary hammer drills, it has an SDS chuck that can only accept SDS or SDS-Plus bits.

Should the bit become bound, the tool will automatically disengage to prevent injury to your wrist; however, it does not have any specific anti-vibration system to muffle vibrations to your hands and arms. No tool is required to swap out the bits, which you'll have to purchase separately. It comes with a sturdy carrying case.

_{Power Source: Corded | Chuck Size: SDS | Operating Modes: Drill, hammer drill, hammer | Maximum Speed: 1,300 RPM | Maximum Impact: 5,800 BPM}