We have come up with a list of the best hammer drills for concrete.
Below you will find out everything you need to know about each one, why they might suit your needs and what is it about them that sets them apart from the others.
In short, why would you pick one of these for your professional or beginners’ drilling tasks on concrete?
Let’s begin with a buyer’s guide that will help you decide what you need.
Buyer’s Guide
Before we move to the selected drills, below is a list of factors that you should consider before choosing one for yourself.
Heavy Duty or Not?
You should always check before you buy the hammer, whether it is suitable for the task you want to perform or not.
Light duty hammer can drill holes up to half an inch wide. They aren’t able to deal with tough concrete.
On the other hand, heavy-duty hammers can drill a hole up to 5/8 inches. So get one according to the material you want to use it on.
Corded or Cordless?
This factor depends on how you work with the tool. If you have to work on hard materials, then you should go for a corded hammer.
However, if you want to carry it around and use it at different locations, then a cordless hammer would suit you better.
Convenience
An ergonomic handle, a lock-on button, variable speed triggers, and the weight of the tool are the factors are what users’ convenience depends upon.
You want an easy to use drill hammer, don’t you? Look for these features to make drilling better.
Top 15 Hammer Drills For Concrete Reviews
Below is the list of our top 15 picks for the best hammer drills in the market with their brief reviews and their pros and cons.You will find yours on this list.
1. TACKLIFE 1/2-Inch Electric Hammer Drill
This incredible hammer drill features a scaled depth gauge which helps to determine how deep the bit should go and a 360-degree rotatable side handle for the perfect grip.
The maximum speeds can be set with the help of the speed knob while the variable speed trigger allows changing speed.
Consumer comfort is ensured with the help of the lock-on button, which keeps one momentum permanently.
Loosen screws can also be tightened using this hammer drill with the forward and reverse switch.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle for an excellent, comfortable grip
- Cheap
- Strong and durable
Cons:
- Heavy
- Not for complex projects
2. SKIL 6445-04 Hammer Drill
SKIL 6445-04 has a 7 Amp Motor, ½ inch keyed chuck which can easily handle large diameter bits too.
The speed can be controlled during drilling using the Variable Speed Trigger. It also has a side assist handle which can be used if additional support is needed during the process.
The 2-finger trigger with lock-on option gives users great control over the tool and significantly improves the drilling experience.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Heavy duty
- Affordable
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Customer reports of sparking in the drilling house
- Overheats on hard material
3. Meterk 7.0 Electric Hammer Drill
It is an advanced drill, very easy to operate and convenient to use due to non-slip technology and adjustable speed.
It has a no-load speed of 3000 rpm. Another great thing is the dual-mode. You can switch between an electric drill and an impact drill.
The trigger can be locked to avoid fatigue as you will not have to hold.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- 7.0 Amp motor
- Durable
- Easy and safe control switch
- Dual-mode
- Non-slip and adjustable speed
Cons:
- Depth gauge does not measure depth accurately
4. DEWALT Hammer Drill DWD520K
This ½ inch, 10 Amp hammer drill kit, manufactured in China, is very comfortable to use.
It has a dual-mode to allow a user to switch between a hammer drill and drill depending on the nature of the task.
Patented DEWALT motor design produces 50% more power, and 10Amp gives excellent performance.
Soft grip handle and two-finger trigger add to the comfort, and metal gear housing and two-speed range make it useful for many tasks.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Two-speed range
- Easy to use
- Versatile
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Not very durable
5. GALAX PRO Impact Drill
This versatile hammer drill has dual functions and can both hammer and drill. One simple press of a button allows this change.
It has a 4.5 Amp motor which produces high power and has drilling capacities of 25mm in wood, 13mm in steel and concrete.
It has durable chuck with a diameter of ½”. Non-slippery and firm, the gauge indicates how deep the drill should go.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Lightweight and ergonomic
- Easy to use
- Lock-on button
- Reverse switch
Cons:
- Not Stable
6. Avid Power Hammer Drill
This hammer drill is highly efficient due to its 7.0 Amp pure copper motor. It produces very high power that drills in heavy-duty projects.
It drills up to 25mm into wood and 13mm into concrete and steel. No-load speed range of 0-3000 rpm and an adjustable speed knob gives you full control over the speed of the drilling process.
A 360-degree side handle provides excellent grip and a lid, when opened, has space for nails and screws smaller than 10 cm.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Dual-mode
- Adjustable speed
- Convenient
- Compact and lightweight design
- Reasonable price
Cons:
- Chuck does not fit in the hole.
- Thus, the bit cannot be tightened.
7. PORTER-CABLE Hammer Drill PCE141
This powerful 7.0 Amp motor comes with a cast metal gear housing that allows heat to dissipate. This and pistol grip handle increases comfort and durability.
It streamlines over-the mold body and is compact and lightweight.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Two-finger lock trigger
- High impact
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Batteries need to be replaced frequently
8. Bosch 1191VSRK-RT Hammer Drill
It is a 7.0 Amp motor with a high power impact allowing heavy-duty drilling. It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to operate.
The 360-degree auxiliary handle has built-in depth gauge for extensive range drilling maintaining the depth.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Comfortable
- High impact
- 360-degree auxiliary handle and depth gauge
Cons:
- Grease leaks out and into the fan
- Chuck is not sufficiently durable
9. VonHaus 10 Amp Hammer Drill
Very professional, this 10 Amp, ½” drill with pistol grip produces high power and impact. For high speed and torque applications, it has a 2-speed range.
Dual-mode allows both hammer and hammer drill modes and suits to a wide range of applications.
Easy to use, it is ergonomic and versatile.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Eight spare drill bits
- Aluminum gear housing and soft-grip handle
- High power and convenient
Cons:
- Poor quality, weak handle-breaks easily
- Chuck is of mediocre quality
10. Black+Decker BEHD201 Hammer Drill
This hammer drill comes with a 6.5 Amp powerful motor useful in a large variety of processes. It has a speed range of 0-2800 rpm.
The keyless single sleeve chuck has a diameter of ½ inch. It also has a three-position side handle for increased grip and comfort.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Comfortable and durable
- Powerful impact
- Versatile
- Easy to handle and operate
- No need for batteries
Cons:
- Not suitable for heavy-duty projects
11. Makita XPH12Z Cordless Hammer Drill
This cordless hammer drill delivers max torque of 530 in. Lbs.
The battery lasts a long time, and the brushless motor discontinues carbon brushes, allowing the BL Motor to have lowered temperature run and more efficiently for longer life.
It comes in variable two speed design (0-500 & 0-2,000 RPM) (0-7,500 & 0-30,000 BPM) which allows it to cover a wide range of drilling, driving and hammer operations.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Variable speed
Cons:
- Gets stuck in hammer mode
12. TACKLIFE 850W Hammer Drill
This drilling hammer is perfect for heavy-duty projects with its 7.1amp motor.
Variable speed adjustment between 0-3000 RPM and metal transmission, which increases the dissipation effect of the drill.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Long service life
- Great control and precision
Cons:
- Low quality
- Not for tough jobs
13. DEWALT Hammer Drill DWE5010
DEWALT hammer drill has a 7.0 Amp motor and a 360-degree handle with depth rod which is comfortable to hold and allows excellent control and precision.
The speed can be adjusted according to the surface to be drilled, and the tool can be used in dual modes.
It has a two-finger, rubber trigger which is soft and easy to press keeping the user comfortable and making the drilling process hassle-free.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Overload protection
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Heats up quick
14. Genesis 1/2″ 7.5 Amp Hammer Drill
Genesis Hammer Drill has a 7.5 amp motor which allows it to drill all hard materials, including concrete.
With its dual-mode, variable speed of 0-2800 RPM and ½ inch metal keyed chuck it is one of the best.
The chuck enables it to drill through materials with large diameters.
The lock-on button can be used when the drill is to be used at a permanent speed for a long time, making the tool user-friendly.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Metal depth gauge for precision
- Ergonomic grip
Cons:
- Not for heavy-duty projects
15. Bosch 11255VSR Rotary Hammer Drill
This hammer drill with an 8 amp motor has three modes: rotation only, rotary hammer and hammer only.
It features a variable speed trigger, an ergonomic D-handle design enhancing user control and ensuring their comfort.
Its Vario lock positioning offers 36-bit positions for an optimized chiseling angle.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Vibration control
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Doesn’t last long
- Not for heavy-duty jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a hammer drill for concrete?
Concrete is a durable material to drill into. You may damage your drill if you are not using the right drill bits attached to it.
But when you are using a hammer drill, it will make the process easier and smoother.
Hammer drill is comparatively more advisable for heavy-duty work and would be recommended if you have to drill into something like a concrete surface.
Will a hammer drill go through concrete?
A hammer drill is the best to make holes in bricks, mortar, and concrete blocks.
It will smoothly go through the concrete as it is perfect for light masonry. It is the best gadget to drill holes into hard surfaces and can also handle the occasional gap in poured concrete
Can I use a hammer drill as a regular drill?
Hammer drills are mostly made drilling into hard surfaces like brick and concrete.
Some hammer drills do give an option to change back into regular exercises and work like one.
It will do all the works of regular drills if opted the right drill bits.
Can a cordless drill concrete?
Cordless drills might face a little problem, but I can drill through concrete. However, you do need to put caveats around the drill for better use.
But overall, the cordless drill can somehow quickly drill through hard surfaces like brick and concrete.
Can I drill a hole in concrete without a hammer drill?
A hammer drill is usually used for hard surfaces like concrete and brick and is more preferred as a choice, but you can still use a regular drill for this work.
A regular drill can operate on hard surfaces, but you would need the right drill bits for that.
Hence, a regular drill can be an option to drill through concrete, but a hammer drill is recommended for this purpose.
Can I use a normal drill for concrete?
Yes, a normal drill can be used to drill into concrete. You would need the drill bits made for hard surfaces for that.
If the right drill bits are opted out, the standard drill can go through concrete and make holes into it.
What screws should I use for concrete?
Concrete screws that can be used come in 3/16- and 1/4-inch diameter, in lengths up to 3-3/4 inches.
Both hex-head and Phillips-head styles are recommended for concrete drilling. They can be used block and brick.
Can a hammer drill be used as to a jackhammer?
A jackhammer is mostly used for heavy-duty work, and the best possible alternative for it is a rotary hammer.
A jackhammer gives out more power and has more strength while a hammer drill might not give the same output of power as a jackhammer.
Hammer drills are used for heavy work, but it still cannot match a rotary hammer or a jackhammer on a heavy-duty basis.
What’s the difference between a hammer drill and an impact drill?
Hammer drill is mostly used for heavy-duty work like making holes into hard surfaces i.e. concrete, brick, and others while impact drill is used for screwing drivers into a wall.
Hammer drills do have an option to change back to a regular drill and do the light work.
The impact drill is only used for driving screws and nails into not that hard surfaces like walls.
Can I use a metal drill bit for concrete?
When it comes to drilling in solid concrete, the drill bits need to be stronger and sharper. Mostly, the drill bits that can easily drill into concrete are called masonry drill bits.
They are made from stronger material and would not get destroyed after heavy use. Metal drill bits are good for light work mostly.
You can still use metal drill bits for drilling in concrete, but it is advisable to use drill bits that are made of tungsten carbide which are relatively strong.
Can I use an impact driver to drill concrete?
Impact drivers are usually used for light work like drilling into walls and driving screws and bolts into wall surfaces.
Impact drivers are not advised to be used for the concrete surface as it is a hard one.
Its rotating function is good for screws and bolts, and it works best for this purpose but not for drilling holes into concrete or bricks.
Conclusion
We hope that our buyer’s guide has been helpful and you know what to look for in a hammer drill for concrete.
You’ll find the perfect drilling mate for yourself amongst our top picks.
