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Hammer drills are designed for drilling into hard surfaces like bricks, concrete, or mortar. The best rotary hammer drills for concrete can handle stronger material much faster, compared to normal drills.
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Best Rotary Hammer Drills 2021 Reviews
#1 DEWALT Hammer Drill Kit DCD996B
These multi-functional drills can serve not just as a hammer drill but also as a screwdriver and a percussion drill. Talk about convenience.
The Dewalt DCD996B features all of Dewalt’s signature elements, namely powerful brushless and premium 3-speed motor, making it stand out in today’s market full of 2-speed drills. With this in hand, these Rotary Hammer Drills can handle a variety of surfaces faster with up to x2.8 speed at 0-38, 250 BPM. On the other hand, the brushless motor supplying 820 UWO (units watts out) helps deliver 57% more run time over other brushed motors.
This drill comes with a ratcheting chuck made from nitro-carburized metal, comfortable handle grips, and sealed coated switches. Every detail was taken into consideration for durable, heavy-duty use while avoiding moisture and dust-proof.
To crown it over, Dewalt DCD996B includes a 3-mode LED, ensuring the best lightning condition in the dark spaces.
[amazon box=”B01DR90MM6″]Pros:
- Brushless, 3-speed motor
- The LED light with a Spotlight mode
- Durable, sturdy material
Cons:
- Not include battery
Conclusion: Despite the price, this is the best Rotary Hammer Drills when it comes to both the powerful motor and runtime.
#2 MILWAUKEE 2607-20 Cordless Compact Hammer Drill
This 3.4-pound cordless hammer drill from Milwaukee is the answer for anyone who loves to have a heavy-duty yet lightweight tool. The 2607-20 hammer drill is perfectly designed to conduct any hard drilling works around the house, even if it is drywall or concrete.
You can switch between 3 drilling modes (driving, drilling or hammer drilling) by flipping the mode-selector on the top of the tool. This allows users to be flexible while working on different surfaces.
This hammer drill has a built-in LED lighting panel under the keyless chuck, which avoids shadows to meddle with your work. Milwaukee focuses on small details to ensure you would have precise holes bored while drilling in the dark.
One could also consider Milwaukee 2607-20 cordless hammer drill for its lithium-ion batteries.
[amazon box=”B00J9S1BCU”]Pros:
- This type of batteries generates much higher energy, yet a lower chance of bleeding rate than others.
- Lightweight and Versatile.
- Anti-shadow LED lights
- Long-lasting use of the hammer drill
Cons:
- Loosen/Unbalanced chucks.
Conclusion: A great tool at a good price tag. Want to own a multi-functional drill at an affordable price? This one is for you.
#3 MAKITA XPH12Z LXT® Cordless Hammer Drill
Manufactured by Makita, the leading brand for brushless motor technology, this XPH12Z 18V LXT® cordless hammer drill is known for its maximum power and runtime.
The hammer driver-drill has a compact design with a length is only 7-1/8″, allowing it to be used in small narrow spaces. It also weighs just 4.2 pounds, ensuring no muscle strain and fatigue for your hands while doing the drilling work. Despite its lightweight, the design will not interfere with the performance of the tool.
Makita provides users with a 2-speed brushless motor that can deliver from 500 to 2,000 RPM. The battery compatible with this hammer drill is an 18V lithium-ion battery.
[amazon box=”B01M4HGFRS”]Pros:
- Its lithium battery will work perfectly with the brushless motor, giving the best performance and runtime a tool could ever have.
- 2-Speed brushless engine
- Durable, Lightweight, compact design
- This product allows users to have total control over the power needed for different objects.
Cons:
- Battery not included in the package.
Conclusion: Lightweight and compact, yet still gives the best performances, this cordless hammer drill from Makita will not disappoint you. If you don’t mind the price tag, this might be the best tool you ever have.
#4 DEWALT MAX XR Cordless Drill Kit DCK299P2
This cordless drill kit from Dewalt includes 1 hammer drill, 1 impact driver, 2 Li-Ion batteries (5.0Ah), charger, 2 belt Hooks, 360° side handle, and a contractor bag. Such a good deal for anyone who loves a convenient kit.
The cordless hammer drill includes LED lights that will ensure everyone can work comfortably in the dark. The lights themselves also have 3 modes for it to be adjusted depends on users’ needs.
This drill uses 20V lithium-ion batteries for the best durability. The batteries are included in the package, along with a charger, all at your disposal.
[amazon box=”B01DQ19B1S”]Pros:
- 3-speed brushless engine
- Convenient combo kit
- Lithium battery for durability.
Cons:
- Expensive.
Conclusion: For its big price tag, this will be the best option for anyone who wants to purchase a kit with both a hammer drill and an impact driver.
#5 MAKITA XPH07Z LXT Hammer Drill
The XPH07Z LXT cordless hammer drill from Makita is equipped with a BL brushless motor that delivers 1,090in lbs of max torque. No doubt to say that this is one of the most powerful drills in the market nowadays.
To top it over, the 2-speed variety (550-2,100RPM) comes with a brushless motor that allows the tool to tackle a variety of surfaces without any hassles.
The cordless hammer drill, which runs on batteries, features a 3-stage LED gauge to let users know where the battery charge level is at. This one small but thoughtful details to show how Makita cares about their products.
[amazon box=”B00M46N19K”]Pros:
- Variety of 2 speeds
- BL brushless motor
- Has Star Protection Computer Controls.
Cons:
- Quite pricey.
Conclusion: If you have to deal with the hardest surfaces, this one will be a great choice for you. It’s one of the top performers in the market of the Rotary Hammer Drills.
#6 RYOBI P1813 Cordless Hammer Drill
This Ryobi’s kit includes a cordless hammer drill, 1 high-capacity battery, a charger, and a tool bag to store it all. All that you need in one package.
The powerful cordless hammer drill in this kit can deliver up to 750 in. lbs. of max torque. With 3 modes built-in, you can adjust the desired power for different materials just by switching the mode knob.
This drill comes with an 18V P108 battery, one of the largest batteries in Ryobi’s lineup. There is also a fuel gauge indicating the current status of the batteries, allowing users to take control over their tool’s time of usage.
[amazon box=”B01NA0658V”]Pros:
- Lightweight design
- 3-speed motor
- Magnetic bit holder.
Cons:
- No LED lights.
Conclusion: If you want to have a full combo kit with a good price, take Ryobi P1813 Cordless Hammer Drill into consideration. Being the best among Ryobi’s products, you will not be disappointed.
#7 Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 Cordless Hammer Drill
This cordless hammer drill coded 2804-20 from Milwaukee features a power state brushless motor. This engine is uniquely designed for the M18 fuel ½” drill driver, boosting up 60% power more than any other normal drills.
This design also allows the tool to work flexibly in different modes while users just need to switch between driving, drilling, and hammer drilling modes.
Milwaukee 2804-20’s drill uses a Red Lithium XC5.0 battery pack that delivers up to 1,200 in. lbs. of max torque. You won’t have to worry about the runtime.
[amazon box=”B079NBC7JN”]Pros:
- Power-state brushless motor
- Red Lithium XC5.0 batteries
- Red Plus Intelligence.
Cons:
- The handle could get hot after a while.
Conclusion: Prefer a compact tool with powerful, long-lasting batteries for the best durability? Yo should go for this drill.
#8 DEWALT XRP Hammer Drill DCD950B
Another product from Dewalt. This DCD950B cordless hammer drill features a patented 3-speed range from 500 to 2,000 RPM, as well as a high-performance, high-efficiency motor. Likewise, the drill can deliver up to 450 units of max power, allowing it to handle all materials. All for the best robust performance in any drilling work.
This drill also includes ½” self-tightening chucks, offering any heavy-duty work as the chucks tightened while operating, giving the better bit gripping strength. Alongside this, the tool also consists of LED lighting, perfect for users to work in dim-lit, narrow spaces.
All of the above is worked its way in one compact designed tool under 4 lbs (without batteries). It will leave your wrist muscles off then straining.
[amazon box=”B002RT7K3W”]Pros:
- 3-speed settings
- High-power, high-efficiency motor
- Work with any 18V Dewalt battery.
Cons:
- The package is bare-tool only.
Conclusion: If you’d love to have an all-in-one tool, this XPR Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver can meet all your requirements.
#9 PORTER-CABLE MAX Hammer Drill PCC620B
Comes as a handy tool for your drilling and masonry work around the house, this cordless hammer drill from Porter-cable features a compact, light design with just 7.8 inches of length and 2.75 pounds of weight (without battery). Your arms will be spared from strain and fatigue.
Despite its small construction, this hammer drill can deliver up to 480 in. lbs. of max torque, and 27,200 BPMs. This gives users the best experience drilling with a high-performance, heavy-duty tool.
The design includes a built-in LED light, for any work conducted in dark, dim places.
[amazon box=” B00MLSS1Y6 “]Pros:
- Lightweight, compact design
- High-performance motor
- 23 clutch settings for every application style.
Cons:
- No battery included.
Conclusion: This handy and powerful tool with 3-mode settings (drill, drive, and hammer) will give you better than what you pay for.
So, what is the hammering mechanism?
Hammer drills are specially designed with a drill bit pushed back and forth by a spring along the axis, while still spinning around. This resembles a hammer action.
Although the actual movement of the bit isn’t much, the hammering action is rapid, with thousands of BPM (blows per minute), hence the ability to break up the density of concrete or brick.
Recently, the majority of hammer drills are cordless, which means there is quite a lot of consideration needed to get the best Rotary Hammer Drills. Save yourself time. Here is our list of 9 best Rotary Hammer Drills for concrete in the market.
Buyer’s Guide – How to know your cordless hammer drill
When choosing the best cordless hammer drill, there are many factors you’d need to take into consideration. One good compatible cordless drill will benefit you more than you think. To save you the time of researching, we have the ultimate buyer’s guide below. Read to know more about what to consider while getting a new cordless hammer drill.
Speed range: RPM or BPM
Some people would just get the cheaper options with a single speed. Don’t cheap out on your masonry tool. Get those tools that have multiple speed settings, so you can get the most versatility out of it.
While reading the description for hammer drills, you’ll see two kinds of ranges: Revolutions per minute (RPM) and Blows per minute (BPM). This is because the drill moves in two directions while operating. The higher the number, the better the performance the tools will have. Especially with BPM, the higher the number, the stronger the force it generates.
however, it is important to note that a higher RPM and BPM means that your battery will run out quicker. Thus, consider what you need more, power or runtime.
Motor – Brushed or Brushless
Both of these 2 types of motors have their own pros and cons. While brushed motor can be low cost as for its simplified wiring, brushless, on the other hand, will be sold at high costs as it needs a commutating device and a controller. However, despite its price, brushless motor is still widely recommended since they have quite a few advantages regarding lifespan, performance, and efficiency.
You should choose an option featured all of the manufacturer’s signature elements, namely powerful brushless and premium 3-speed motor, making it stand out in today’s market full of 2-speed drills.
The best rotary hammer drill should come with a ratcheting chuck made from nitro-carburized metal, comfortable handle grips, and sealed coated switches. Every detail was taken into consideration for durable, heavy-duty use while avoiding moisture and dust-proof.
Chuck
Chuck is where you place your drill bits. Consequently, the chuck size will decide the limitation on the size of any drill bit you’d use. Thus, take this feature seriously also as it will obviously affect your drilling work, more than you know.
Normally, chuck sizes range from ¼ to ½ inch. And the majority of chuck used is usually at the size of ⅜ inch.
Clutch
Small component but important. A clutch is inserted between parts of the drill, allowing the motor to power up the other components of your tool. Every drill has a different clutch setting, high clutch for harder surfaces and low clutch for anti-stripping.
Weight
Consider the masonry work you’ll be doing, you’ll know if you’d need a heavy or lightweight cordless hammer drill. If you’re working on hard surfaces, heavy drill means heavy-duty, ensuring you can do the job effortlessly. However, if you just want to do some drilling work around the house which has lots of narrow areas, you should get the lightweight, compact drill, for it won’t strain your arms off.
The best rotary hammer drill should ensure no muscle strain and fatigue for your hands while doing the drilling work. Despite its lightweight, the design will not interfere with the performance of the tool.
Dimension
Like weight, the dimension of a drill can also affect your working time. Small compact design will allow you to reach those small areas comfortably, while a bigger one will feel more sturdy. This feature depends mainly on personal feelings while using the tool.
Batteries
Batteries come as an irreplaceable cordless hammer drill as it totally functions on batteries. However, since batteries for hammer drills usually are on the expensive side, you will need to have a charger to recharge your batteries after it drains. Read carefully about the battery runtime each drill offers.
LED lightings
LED lightings will come really handy every time you need to work in dim-lit places. You will not need a helper to use flashlights for your project, which will be both a hassle and time-consuming.
Warranty
This factor is something one should always check on while buying any machines. Almost all drill brands offer warranty for their products. Read the warranty carefully and check what is included in the warranty package so you’ll have a better idea of what you’re covered for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How can I know if the cordless hammer drill is right for me?
Answer: Know what you need. Consider what kind of jobs you’ll be working on, this will help you acknowledge which features of the tools will help with your work. List out those features and compare them to our rotary hammer review, you will figure out which cordless hammer drill is best for you. For example, if you need an all-in-one product, a combo kit will be the best option for you. For example, if you need an all-in-one product, a combo kit will be the best option for you. or if you need a high-performance tool, you might want to consider one with a brushless motor.
Question: How to distinguish the cordless feature?
Answer: Rotary Hammer Drills, run by rechargeable batteries, come in handy for portability. This innovative invention allows users to take the hammer drill anywhere needed to get the work done, rather than having to stay in one place near an electrical outlet. Rotary Hammer Drills are perfect for outdoor works and hard-to-reach areas. To top it over, having a cordless hammer drill means you won’t have to worry about damaged and split cords. Nowadays, Rotary Hammer Drills with lithium-ion batteries can be even more powerful than the other corded drills.
Question: Which voltage should I choose?
Answer: Depends on the size of your masonry work. Normally, an 18V battery can handle your regular hammer drilling job. If you’re working with heavier objects, you might go for 20V.
Question: Can I use the hammer drill as a regular drill?
Answer: Yes. A cordless hammer drill can do pretty much everything a normal drill can do. You can just turn off the hammer function and you’re good to go.
Question: Why would I need a brushless motor?
Answer: There are a lot of advantages when it comes to brushless as there is almost no friction involved.
First of all, it avoids overheating and brokedown problems. Secondly, the brushless motor is also lighter, compared to other brush units. This will help avoid a lousy noise and too much vibration. Hence the more comfortable use and better performance.
Last but not least, since they work more effortlessly, they use less power. This will help the battery lifetime of a tool last longer.
No wonder why it is sometimes considered a ‘smart’ motor.
Our verdict
While functioning, the hammer drill uses a hammering mechanism, which generates repetitive rapid hammer-like motion against the object’s surface. This allows the tool to bore a hole in any incredibly sturdy surfaces effortlessly.
There is a huge variety of Rotary Hammer Drills in the market and we all know it’d be such a hassle checking all of the products available. Moreover, checking all the features and notes to consider while choosing a drill can sweat people out.
Hence, with our buyer’s guide and list of the best 9 cordless hammer drills, we hope to save your time and give you all the necessary information. Now, it’s your turn to put your personal needs out and pick the best drill for yourself.
