best hammer drill

Best Hammer Drill for DYI Enthusiasts & Home Projects

January 31, 2021

Hammer drills function like standard drills, however, they include a back-and-forth hammering function that drives the screw into a material. They also have a clockwise or anti-clockwise drilling action. Furthermore, they offer combined capabilities of an impact driver, a regular drill and small jackhammer. When it comes to remodelling and renovating your home, you need the best hammer drill.

Hammer drills come in two models, cordless and corded. Cordless models offer convenience and tend to feel and function more like standard drills. However, they slow down as their batteries wear down. Corded drills offer higher drilling speed and more power. Your preference matters.

Choosing the best hammer drill depends much on how you plan to use it. Since there a lot of hammer drills from different brands, you need to choose wisely with no hassle. However, that is not an issue anymore. Here are the best hammer drills available for your home projects. We didn’t forget to list the major shopping considerations when buying the tool. Let’s begin!

1. DEWALT DCD996B 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill

dewalt best hammer drill

Dewalt DCD996B is arguably the best hammer drill when referring to cordless models. The fact that it is cordless makes using it super- convenient, no matter where you are working, it will still perform. It comes with a high-performance transmission brushless motor for fast application speeds and improved run time, offering you 2,250 RPM and 0-38, 250 BPM. This is 57% more run time over the brushed motor.

Dewalt DCD996B also features sealed switches to help prevent contamination from moisture or dust. A comfortable handle grips and a durable nitro-carburized metal ratcheting chucks for better grip as well as 3-mode LED with a spotlight mode for night-time working.

The hammer drill uses a battery with a maximum initial battery voltage of 20V. It is very powerful with this battery to an extent of getting away at full speed if not held using both handles. However, extremely hard jobs can shorten the battery’s runtime or overheat the drill bits.

Dewalt DCD996B hammer drill comes with no battery or charger, so you have to buy them after buying the drill. This is an additional cost that you should be ready to incur since it can’t function without the battery. Sadly, you can’t escape the fact that when you use this cordless drill, you rely on the battery runtime. This is something people with corded hammer drills never worry about.

Pros 

  • Effective hammer drill for DIY projects
  • Great power and handling
  • The LED spotlight is effective
  • It is a versatile tool
  • Very strong

Cons 

  • It is not durable
  • Defective clutch and trigger

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

skil hammer drill

Skil 6445-04 come with a 7-amp motor for tough applications. The motor is powerful and responsible for powering the ½ inch bits of the hammer drill. This hammer drill allows you to set any speed of your preference since it comes with a precise variable speed trigger as well as lock-on option. Furthermore, it has a ½ keyed chuck designed to accept large diameter bits when doing cutting and woodworking projects, making it a more versatile hammer drill.

Skil 6445-04 hammer drill feature a side assist handle that can be useful for accurate drilling. It also helps you increase its stability making the drilling experience more user-friendly. This kind of handles reduce the strain on your hands and give you a better grip.

Skil 6445-04 is the best hammer drill for casual users on the market. We noted that the many main parts are made of metal rather than plastic making it more durable. However, users complain that this hammer drill overheats. Other cases, reported that it starts to smoke and eventually burn without any warning.

Pros 

  • Sturdy and powerful
  • Great hammer drill for the price
  • Durable
  • Drill through concretes and bricks

Cons

  • Motor burns out after a few uses
  • Overheats easily

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3. Bosch 11255VSR Bulldog Xtreme Hummer Drill

Bosch Corded Variable Speed

Bosch 11255VSR hammer drill comes with a 7.5-amp motor that drives the drill to a speed of 300 RPM. It has a multi-function selector which offers three modes of operation; rotary hammer, hammer only as well as rotation only mode. It also features with a variable speed trigger, including reverse for accurate bit starting or easy fastener removing.

Bosch 11255VSR hammer drill is easy and comfortable to use especially while drilling overhead or downward since it has vibration control and an ergonomic handle. The grip is comfortable and the lightweight helps keep the action smooth. This hammer drill complies with OSHA silica table 1 dust compliance; it works with Bosch Pro+Guard dust solutions.

Bosch 11255VSR hammer drill is versatile and has adequate power to remove tiles. However, some users complain about the cord not being of the best quality and may need to be replaced over a short period of time.

Pros

  • Easy to use and handle
  • It is versatile
  • Effective on tiles and concrete 
  • Comfortable to use

Cons 

  • Stops working after several uses
  • Grease leaks from SDS chuck 

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4. TACKLIFE Corded Hammer Drill 1/2 Inch

tack life corded drill

Tacklife corded hammer drill comes with a 6-amp motor that drives the drill to a high speed of 2800 RPM. It comes with a dual-mode selector, you can switch it to easily convert drill and hammer drill function. Hammer drill function initiates a pulsating action that helps drive bits through the hard surface. The drill mode has more controlled torque and is projected for drilling holes through softer surfaces like plastic or wood.

 This corded hammer drill comes with a precise variable speed trigger. It allows you to set any speed of your preference, which responds to the amount of pressure you apply. When it comes to offering better grip, Tacklife corded hammer drill features a 360° rotating supplementary handle which also adds flexibility. You as well get a keyed chuck in this corded hammer drill that is much safer than normal chucks and it is suitable for drill bits with 1/2inch or less to meet your requirements. 

Last but not least, Tacklife corded hammer drill comes with 10 drill bit set of different sizes and materials making this tool the best hammer drill for different types of applications. It offers you the freedom to choose one for yourself accordingly like drilling into metal, wood, masonry, plastic as well as concrete.

Pros 

  • Comes with extra accessories 
  • Great hammer drill for the price
  • Powerful and effective
  • Easy to handle and use

Cons 

  • Caught fire after a few uses
  • It is not durable

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5. Meterk 7.0 Amp Corded Hammer Drill

Meterk impact drill

Meterk corded hammer drill comes with a 7.0-amp pure copper motor that drives the drill to a speed of 3000 RPM. It comes with a dual-mode selector, you can switch it to easily convert drill and hammer drill function. Hammer drill function initiates a pulsating action that helps drive bits through the hard surface. The drill mode has more controlled torque and is projected for drilling holes through softer surfaces like plastic or wood. It is the best hammer drill for installing door, TV, window and furniture.

Meterk corded hammer drill comes with a variable speed trigger. It allows you to control drilling speed to your preference, which responds to the amount of pressure you apply. Separate forward and reverse switch helps you to tighten and loose bits easily. This feature is at the middle position of the handle; therefore, it locks the drill bits for safety.

Furthermore, Meterk corded hammer drill features an extra non-slip handle. This helps you increase its stability making the drilling experience more user-friendly. This kind of handles reduce the strain on your hands and give you a better grip. Conversely, it comes with a lock button to enable you to lock the speed with no constant grip on the trigger to lower fatigue.

Pros 

  • A sturdy and powerful hammer drill
  • Great for masonry 
  • Affordable price
  • Easy to use

Cons 

  • Not durable
  • Overheats and burns eventually 

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Major shopping consideration for the best hammer drill

1. Power source

As we mentioned earlier, hammer drills come with either a heavy-duty cord or a rechargeable power source options. However, there are pros and cons to both of them. While power is an important consideration, how you get that power is equally as crucial.

Corded hammer drills provide a continuous source of power and also tend to be more powerful than cordless models. They are more effective and dependable for long days on a job site. They also lend themselves to heavy-duty work like drilling through bricks. The only drawback is you have to trail a cord behind you everywhere you go. This can be tiring and time-consuming.

Conversely, cordless hammer drills are so convenient, especially if are working on lighter projects and need to access hard to reach areas. They are smaller, lighter and easier to manoeuvre than their corded counterparts. However, they are bound to run off the power after several hours of use.

Generally, nothing matches cordless models usability. Their portability and versatility make them more popular with DIYers. Conversely, nothing matches the never-ending power of a corded hammer drill.

2. Power 

Hammer drills have as low as 7amp, 10amp being highest motor power. More power is created from the big motor. If you want to work on a project that requires a heavy-duty hammer drill, look for a 9 or 10-amp motor that generates a lot of rotation.

3. Variable speed

Different work projects require a drill to run either at faster or slower speeds to improve accuracy and penetration while avoiding any damage to the drill itself. The best hammer drill features either a trigger control or a variable speed setting dial that lets you adjust the operating speed. To determine if a drill has variable speed setting, search for a dial that indicates the numbers from 1 to 2 or sometimes 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest setting.

A trigger control that responds to the amount of pressure you apply, giving a greater degree of speed control. Some DIYers want a drill to operate at the same speed throughout while others want this personalized control. However, a trigger control tends to be most beneficial when the user does not have a free hand to adjust the speed.

4. Comfort 

Operating a hammer drill when you in discomfort can be difficult. Therefore, it is good to look for a drill with an extra handle to help you increase its stability making the drilling experience more user-friendly. If the hammer drill does not have an extra handle, get one with comfortable padding with an ergonomic design. This kind of handles reduce the strain on your hands and give you a better grip.

5. Drive mode

Some regular drills as well as hammer drills feature a setting known as drive mode, which is basically used for driving and removing bits. This drive mode removes the pulsating force of the hammer setting and instead engages the force-adjustment setting for accurate work like driving bits into a deck. This low-power setting helps ensure that the force of the hammer drill won’t strip the screws. A hammer drill with drive mode is indicated with a symbol that resembles a bit on the mode control switch.

6. Depth gauges

Being aware of how deep to drill the hole eliminates the guesswork and increases your accuracy. However, if you don’t have a depth gauge, shawl a strip of tape around the drill a bit to mark when you have reached the right depth.

7. Drill mode

Most hammer drills have a button that allows you to switch between normal operation and hammer mode. It is indicated with a symbol that resembles a drill bit. Alternatively, it can be marked by a variable speed setting ranging from 1 to 3. Hammer mode has a more controlled torque and is projected for drilling holes through softer surfaces like plastic and wood.

8. Hammer mode

Hammer mode is a setting on every hammer drills usually indicated with a symbol that resembles a hammer. This mode initiates a pulsating action that helps drive a bit through hard surfaces like bricks and stones. Additionally, (to the increased hammering torque) the hammer drill maintains its rotational capabilities to drill through hard materials, close to combining a jackhammer and an auger, although to a lesser degree.

9. Keyed chuck

A keyed chuck locks the bit in place manually and it stays in position. With a keyless chuck, you will get a more convenient way of changing drill bits, however, you lose that confidence that the bit is fixed in place. With the exertions of a hammer drill, you need to know the bit will stay in the chuck by all means.

10. Safety features 

You require a sufficient level of safety when working with power equipment to prevent accidents from happening. This feature has a great effect on user feedback. That’s the reason why many tools these days are manufactured with extra safety features to ensure that users are safe every time they use the tools. Some features you need to check out on a hammer drill are overheating protection as well as integral clutch.

11. Weight 

The weight of a hammer drill will affect your control while operating it. The pressure on your arm while operating the tool affects the duration of the task you are doing. Therefore, a hammer drill should have a proportional weight to the motor power it holds so that you can maximize your work without straining your arm too much.

12. Additional features

Some hammer drills may offer additional features that can help you add a touch of comfort or complete a project faster. These options comprise a 360-degree supplementary handle for the best grip possible in enclosed spaces or a built-in flashlight to help you see what you are doing without the need to hold a separate light source.

Conclusion 

When using a hammer drill, make sure you use the best hammer drill bits. Another option is using chisels. Conversely, take caution when using this tool. Always wear a dust mask to avoid breathing in masonry dust. Also, wear eye protection to prevent debris from getting into your eyes. Furthermore, you need to apply the right amount of pressure when using this tool to avoid damaging the tip of the drill bit or the motor.

With that said, purchasing a handy power tool needs careful consideration. We have listed all the factors you need to know about hammer drills. We believe that you have read them and that you will make a wise when shopping for a hammer drill.

Our best tool is Dewalt DCD996B cordless hammer drill. The fact that it is cordless makes using it super- convenient, no matter where you are working, it will still perform. It has a powerful brushless motor and 3-mode LED with a spotlight mode for night-time working. Additionally, it features sealed switches to help prevent contamination from moisture or dust. We can’t forget to mention that it has Amazon’s Choice badge. The main drawback is that it doesn’t come with a battery and a charger.

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