Top 10 Best Hammer Drills 2023

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The world of power tools has come a long way in a short time. Whereas just a few years back we were limited – in terms of tools for home use – to simple drills, sanders and a couple of other items, the market is now saturated with some very impressive devices that mean just about any job around the home can be tackled by someone with a basic knowledge of DIY.

The humble power-drill, for example, has evolved in a quite spectacular way. Not only do the current models of the best hammer drill holes, but some can also be used as screwdrivers, and anyone who has ever used a power screwdriver will tell you just what a fantastic addition to the toolkit they can be.

What has remained quite static is that the same well-known brand names dominate the market; you will find that most of our selections in this top 10 of hammer drills come from name brands that you are familiar with.

This is because, when it comes to buying products such as this, consumers enjoy the reassurance of a brand they recognize; it gives them peace of mind that they are dealing with a maker who knows the market, and who has an idea of what the user wants. Hence, you may find more than one entry from the same maker, for which we make no apology!

Model	Features
Bosch PBH 2100 RE Rotary Hammer Drill Read Our Review	550 Watts Suitable for all applications including wood, steel and concrete Easy and quick change key-less chuck Choice between screw-driving, drilling, chiselling and hammering Automatic hammer and rotation switch off when using drill for specific tasks and surfaces
Ryobi R18SDS-0 Cordless Read Our Review	2500 Watts 1.3 Joules of impact energy makes drilling hard surfaces like concrete etc. easier 4 modes - chisel alignment, chisel rotary drill, hammer drill SDS style chuck for faster and easier bit changes and drilling LED light for improved visibility wherever you are working
Bosch Professional GB-H 220D Read Our Review	650 Watts Variable speed control between 0 and 300 RPM SDS style chuck for easier bit changing 3 adjustable functions Compact and lightweight design
Terratek 1500W Rotary Hammer Drill Read Our Review	1500 Watts Anti-vibration protection in rear handle reduces fatigue and other effects of vibration Sturdy carry case and 5 piece drill and chisel bit set Choice of hammer drilling, rotary drilling and chiselling functions 360 degrees handle on side tailors use to user and great for working in tight spaces
Makita HR2630 Read Our Review	800 Watts Three functions - rotary drill, hammer drill, or combined Adjustable speed trigger Torque limiter automatically stops the drill rotating if bit jams 40 adjustable angle settings for bit

So, we’re talking today about hammer drills; what makes a hammer drill different from your standard power drill, and why do you need one?

Let’s have a closer look at some of the best hammer drill does, and why you need one.

Best Hammer Drill

1: Bosch PBH 2100

We warned you above that there would be some very well-known brand names on this list, so we’ll begin with one of the most prominent of all.

Bosch has been in the market for power tools and many other items for a long time and has a deserved reputation for excellent products that guarantee reliability and ability at sensible prices. This hammer drill, the PBH 2100, is no exception and comes with a number of impressive credentials that make it one for your shortlist.

This model comes with a 550W motor, which is powerful enough for concrete and steel, and has a keyless chuck for ease of use when changing bits. It has switchable functions from hammering, chiseling, drilling or for use as a screwdriver, and the rotation can be stopped when it is used as a power chisel.

You can also stop the impact action if you want to use it as a standard drill. It’s good, typical of the brand, comes in a nice case and is not a bad price at all.

2: Ryobi R18SDS-0 Cordless

Another brand with a strong reputation is Ryobi, and this model is an interesting one in that it features an unusual ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to use.

It’s a clever shape, sort of an ‘L’, that allows the user to get closer to the action, and it is powered by a 2500watt motor – that is positively massive for a drill of any kind. It’s robust, strongly made and clearly built for the job, and also has a quick-change bit system for ease of use.

This one is also cordless hammer; this gives it added versatility meaning you are not restricted by a cord. The downside of that is that it will need recharging every now and then, and one other thing to note is that – as happens with a lot of tools from this maker – it is sold without a battery or charger.

This is because the chargers are universal, so you only need one to keep all your Ryobi tools going, or more than one if you use them regularly. We’re not sure about this aspect but will say it is a very good drill with all the functions of the above.

3: Bosch Professional GB-H 220D

Another model from Bosch is this one, and it is designed to be a compact hammer drill, yet one that is entirely suitable for use by professionals. It’s a neat and standard design with an added auxiliary handle, and comes with all the functions you require from a drill.

This one is powered by a 650W motor, that’s perfectly adequate for home use but we are not sure it will apply to all potential commercial operations, and it is easy to use.

It’s a mains model so you have a power cord to deal with, although it is good length so no problems there, and it features the usual chisel function for added versatility. As with most Bosch items it comes with a nice case.

This is perhaps an entry-level professional drill, maybe for the handyman, and as such, it is a sensible choice, and it does come with safety features such as an overload clutch.

It’s robust and comes with the added cache of the brand, and at the price, we feel it is perfectly worthy of being on our list.

4: Terratek 1500W Rotary Hammer Drill

Not one of the better-known brands, Terratek nevertheless has a great range of power tools that are very usable and well-made, and that comes at sensible prices.

This hammer drill kit – you get everything you need to start drilling including a full bit and chisel set – is no exception, and may well appeal to the occasional user who wants a hammer drill they can use as and when, and who doesn’t want to pay more for a brand name.

That said, it stands the test when lined up against some of the household names: it’s a 1500W drill – that’s far more powerful than both the Bosch models above – and comes with all the usual actions including a hammer, chisel, and drill.

It has a fast-change chuck that makes life a lot easier, and the rear handle is designed to absorb vibration or comfortable use. You get a nice case with it, it’s easy to switch between functions, it’s a corded model and it comes with a 2-year warranty, and at the price, it is worth looking at.

5: Makita HR2630

Makita has forged a reputation for producing top-quality power tools that are used professionally and in the home, and this excellent hammer drill is typical of the brand in that it is rugged, easy to use and very capable.

It’s a standard hammer drill in that you get three functions: you can use it as a rotation drill, as a hammer drill without rotation, or the two combined, and it is very impressive in all modes and extremely capable indeed.

As a corded model you can use anywhere you have a mains supply and don’t have to worry about charging. You get a variable speed control on the trigger, and it has a reversible option for added versatility.

This is an 800watt model which while not the most powerful here is perfectly good for domestic use. It comes with a side handle and a very durable and neat carry case too, and while it may not be the cheapest it is certainly a quality item that needs considering.

6: Wolf 1500W Heavy Duty

Wolf is a brand with a reputation for decent, high powered power tools at sensible prices, and this hammer drill – which comes with a lot of impressive attributes – is no exception.

It’s made to a robust and durable level and is powered by a 1500watt motor, so will make your life a lot easier when it comes to drilling masonry and other such materials. This is a corded model with a very neat design that is practical more than anything else.

You get three functions – rotary, rotary with hammer action, and chisel, so that covers all the bases where one of these is concerned. It comes with a full set of three drill bit and two specific chisel bits, it features a quick-change bit system and it is easy to switch between the functions.

A two-year warranty is perfectly adequate, it has a nice case for protection and at the price, we think it is certainly one that is worth considering.

7: Hitachi DH26PX

As one of the biggest companies in the world, with a finger in every conceivable pie, you would expect Hitachi to deliver the goods when it comes to power tools, and this very impressive and surprisingly affordable hammer drill is proof that they certainly do.

It’s very nicely made, is robust and clearly suitable for heavy-duty work, and comes with all the functions you need. It has the usual three functions and a useful angle adjustment for chiseling so it is very versatile.

This model is powered by an 830watt motor that gives it enough clout to handle any home job – although it may be a little lacking with larger projects – and it has specially designed handles and is intended to be a low-vibration drill.

It has an easy change bit system, you can move between the functions with the flick of a switch, and although it does not come with a case, at the price we think is very reasonable for what is clearly a quality item.

8: VonHaus 810W Hammer

Not a household name in the way that Bosch and Hitachi may be, VonHaus nevertheless has an excellent range of power tools that are all sensibly priced and can be considered a mid-range supplier.

This hammer drill, for example, is a nicely made very traditional design that offers all the functions you want from one of these – drill, hammer, chisel – and that comes with an 810watt motor that is plenty powerful enough for DIY use.

It is designed in the usual style to be comfortable to handle, and with an additional handle underneath for comfort, and is very simple to switch between functions.

It’s a corded model with a suitably lengthy power cable, it comes with a nice carry-case, and also includes an accessory set that includes bits, chisels and more, and at the price, we think it could be a very good choice for the occasional DIY user.

9: Einhell RT-RH 32 1250

Einhell is another brand that may not be as well-known as some of these, yet it is one that is highly respected among customers for a wide variety of well-made power tools such as this impressive and surprisingly affordable hammer drill.

This one is another corded model, and also comes with the three required functions: rotary, hammer, and chisel. It’s durable and strongly made so it will last the life, and is supplied with a set of drills and chisels, as well as a depth gauge stop and an additional handle.

This model has a 1250W motor – more than enough for your DIY work and perhaps plenty for commercial use too – and is corded, with a suitably long power cord. It has variable speeds by simple trigger action, is easy to use and features a quick-change bit action.

The handle is designed for comfort and to limit vibration, it features an overload safety device, and you also get a nice carry case for the drill and all the bits. It’s a good model at a sensible price, so worth a second look.

10: DeWalt XR Lithium Iron

We finish our list with a drill from a brand that could never be omitted: this DeWalt, by far the choice of workmen looking for quality, superior tools that do a job to the best possible ability.

It’s the usual neat design from this brand and, as they tend to be, is a battery-powered model so you have no limiting cord. You also get two batteries – suitably powerful to give the drill enough power for even the heaviest of jobs – and a charger so you can always be on the go.

This is a high-end drill, make no mistake, designed for both DIY and professional use, and it comes with all the features and is easy to switch between them. It is very simple and quick to change the bits, and it is ergonomically designed so is comfortable to use with limited vibration.

You also get a quality DeWalt hard case too. There is one thing we should say, and that is you pay for DeWalt quality – by quite some margin. If, however, you want the best, this is the leader of the pack.

That’s our list of the top 10 best hammer drills completed, then, but which one is for you? Before we try and give you a verdict, let’s remind ourselves of the important factors you need to consider when you are choosing one of these.

Best Hammer Drill - How It Works

The electric power drill is s staple of any toolkit. It’s versatile, easy to use and cheap to buy, comes with a variety of bits, and allows you to tackle any job around the home that might need holes drilling. So, for putting up cupboards, hanging doors, and many more jobs, you need a drill that can do the job.

Now, the standard electric drill works in a rotary fashion: a powerful motor – you can get different powered versions – spins the chuck which holds a bit, which bores a hole in wood, metal or other materials, and does so quickly, safely – as long as the correct precaution is taken – and efficiently.

This is all very well until you try using one on masonries – such as concrete, brick or other such substances.

Then you may find that your standard power drill comes a little bit unstuck; some of the more capable models may well do the job, but an average, off-the-shelf version will most likely struggle. This is where your hammer drill comes into the picture.

A hammer drill looks and works much the same as a standard drill, with one major difference: in addition to the rotary action, it also performs with a series of very short, very hard hammering motions – forward and backward – so it chips into the masonry as well as boring into it.

This has many benefits and the added power of the motion means it will clear even the most difficult of masonry very quickly.

A quick reminder about safety: always wear goggles when drilling masonry as debris can cause damage, follow the manufacturer instructions, and never let children use powerful power tools such as a hammer drill as they can be dangerous.

Important Features of the Best Hammer Drill

Whether you are buying a hammer drill for occasional home DIY use, a one-off job or for professional use, you need to think about certain factors when you choose the one you are going to use. Let’s have a look at the main points to consider:

Power – how powerful do you need your jammer drill to be? Those featured here range from 550W, which would be decent for minor home jobs, to 2500W which is firmly in the professional range, with plenty of options in between.

Corded or Not – most of the above operate via a mains power cord, but two of our choices are cordless. The latter has obvious advantages, but the required batteries and chargers make them more expensive.

Functions – only consider a drill if it can perform rotary drilling, rotary with hammer action, and hammer chisel action; all of the above offer these functions, so you’re OK there.

Accessories – check what you get with your package; with one of the cordless models, for example, you need to factor in extra money to but the battery and charger, as the maker assumes you are going to buy all your power tools from their range. Most – but not all – come with a carry and storage case, which is a handy option, and you only get bits and chisels with some of the above, so read through carefully for the best deal.

That’s about it for choosing the best hammer drill, so which do we recommend? Let’s wrap things up!

Let’s Wrap It Up!

We’ll start by saying that each of the above models does the job it’s intended for, and as such, they are all worthy of your consideration.

If however, you intend to be using your hammer drill a lot and want a model that is guaranteed to do the job, we recommend very strongly that you save up the extra cash and buy the DeWalt.

This is a brand that really does know what it’s doing when it comes to power tools, and it shows in the excellent, versatile and very capable drill we have featured here.

If you want a tool for occasional use – perhaps one to add to your toolkit for an imminent job and that may be brought out again in the future – there are a few that will do the job.

The Bosch models are both good quality and usable machines, if a little underpowered, while the VonHaus is also a very nice machine at a good price.

For us, for the home user with a budget, the choice comes down to the Hitachi model; it’s from a maker that guarantees the quality, is a perfect mid-range machine that is capable of tackling any DIY job, and is sensibly priced in the market.

That’s it from us, so we hope we’ve gone some way to helping you find the best hammer drill for your DIY requirements.