Corded & Cordless Hammer Drills [5 Best For Concrete]

There’s a drill that is best suited for that specific surface depending on what you’re planning to drill into.

In terms of drilling into concrete, you should utilize a drill that includes the necessary torque and power in order to drill into these kinds of surfaces with total success.

Whether you’re a construction worker who likes to work quickly and effectively, or a homeowner looking into carrying out tasks that need drilling into concrete, a cordless drill is usually a great idea since these are integrated in a manner that lets one maneuverer the tool conveniently because there’s no cable involved.

However, the issue comes when you want to seek a nice cordless drill that is also good for drilling into concrete.

Well, the good news is that this article will show you the top 5 best cordless and corded hammer drills you can find in the market.

5 Best Corded & Cordless Hammer Drills Reviews

1. DEWALT DWD520K 1/2-Inch VSR Pistol Grip Hammerdrill Kit

This cordless hammer drill is provided by a robust, 10 amp motor with a patented DeWalt exclusive design that produces increased overload protection and 50 percent more power. The result is improved value, durability, and productivity.

In addition, as versatile as it is powerful, this cordless hammer provides the convenience of a dual-mode feature that allows you to handle hammer drilling as well as a range of drilling applications in steel, wood, or masonry.

In particular, it comes with a half an inch capacity in steel, a 5/32 to 7/16-inch capacity in concrete, and a 1-1/2 inch capacity so you’re ready to take on a variety of tasks.

Additionally, you’ll enjoy increased control because of its 2-speed range which delivers greater control in high-speed, high-torque applications.

Moreover, to keep you working in comfort, DeWalt DWD520K comes with a soft-grip handle, a 360-degree locking slide handle with a soft grip for greater versatility and control, and a 2-finger trigger for accuracy.

Also, it only weighs 6 pounds and measures only 14 inches long for lightweight handling that reduces stress on your hands.

PROS:

• Portable
• Comes with a 360-degree locking side handle
• Metal gear housing
• Reliable
• 2-speed range
• Durable
• Dual mode
• 10 Amp motor
• Precise

CONS:

• Cords are weak for continual use
• Quite noisy for an electric drill

2. Makita HR2475 1-Inch D-Handle Rotary Hammer

This cordless hammer drill is an all-around product and offers a high level of performance, innovation, and reliability as you’ll expect from a Japanese company.

Makita HR2475 utilizes a 7-amp brushed motor that has been engineered, along with elements of its transmission to give optimum energy transfer from the input power to its drilling bit.

Some of these building solutions include dual ball bearing armature, a higher number of copper commutators, and field core interlocking steel laminators.

The level of performance it achieves places it firmly in the mid-range between the heavy-duty, 5-6 joule units and 2-mode rotary hammer drills.

Additionally, its maximum speed with no load is 1,100 RPM, and its piston can deliver up to 4,500 beats per minute and a max percussive power of 2.7 joules.

Obviously, these figures might not tell the whole story as to how effective this cordless hammer drill will be in terms of building site because this unit also utilizes a sequential impact timer that adjusts the frequency of the hammering cycles so that the bit impacts won’t overlap when you’re drilling.

Its manufacturer claims that this can increase speed effectiveness by up to 50%, which is corroborated with Makita HR2475.

PROS:

• Not so heavy
• Ergonomic handles
• The fully rotative nose grip
• Comfortable to operate
• Very versatile
• Comes with a powerful 7 Amp motor
• 3 mode operation
• Comes with a torque-limiting clutch
• Extended life brushes
• Comes with a variable speed control

CONS:

• Only 2.5 Joules
• Not heavy-duty performance

3. Bosch 11264EVS 1-5/8 SDS-Max Combination Hammer

This cordless hammer drill comes with a dual-mode selector for combination versatility – hammer-only or rotary hammer mode. This 13.0-Amp hammer gives 6.5 ft-lbs of impact energy, with a weight of only 15.2 pounds for a top performance-t-weight ratio.

Concrete works will appreciate the production in chiseling and drilling applications. Also, its vibration control and grip area give enhanced user comfort. Additionally, it provides constant response circuitry for constant load under pressure and a smooth start.

Moreover, Bosch 11264EVS provides operations of up to 2,900 BPM and an exceptional 6.5ft-lbs of impact energy for incredible productivity in all-day masonry tasks.

Also, it comes with an electro-pneumatic impact system that optimizes impact force and reduces vibration at the same time.

At 15.2 lbs, it delivers an amazing power-to-weight ratio. Its turbo power feature gives 1 20 percent boost to the combo hammer when operating hammer-only mode.

And lastly, with constant response circuitry, Bosch 11264EVS provides soft-start operation.

This saves a significant amount of time by handling bit walking and skating when it is time to drill in order to ensure precise hole placement. Also, this circuitry ensures consistent speed under load and offers overload protection.

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTqCMLJoGac

PROS:

• Patented cord turret that reduces wear
• Integrated with an auto-max variable-speed dial
• Turbo power delivers up to 20% more power
• Constant response circuitry
• Unmatched power-to-weight ratio
• SDS-Max Bit system
• Vibration control
• 13 Amp motor
• The side handle provides ergonomic and leverage control

CONS:

• The trigger lock can stay on when the unit is unplugged

4. Skil 6445-02 7.0-Amp 120-volt 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill

Skil 6445-02 hammer drill delivers excellent value for its price. So if you’re looking for a good hammer drill and hesitating to spend a fortune, then this hammer drill is the right choice for you. It’s almost as powerful as the high-end hammer drills on the market.

Thus as long as you’re not planning to do a lot of heavy drilling tasks in hard materials like masonry or concrete, it can do the job. Additionally, it is slightly heavier than your average hammer drill but not so heavy that it’s uncomfortable to use anymore.

Moreover, since it’s a corded drill, you will have no issues with batteries. Despite its low price, it comes with a number of beneficial features such as a detachable side-assist handle, forward/reverse speed, a 2-finger trigger with lock-on, and a variable speed trigger.

It does not come with any keyless chuck but many prospective buyers prefer a keyed chuck. So if you really need a keyless chuck, you can purchase a keyless chuck attachment.

Overall, Skil 6445-02 hammer drill may not entirely suit professionals who need a powerful hammer drill for intensive drilling around the house. Simply put, you get a good hammer drill for a very reasonable price.

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWItAu1kv68

PROS:

• Drilled easily through concrete walls
• Comes with 2-finger trigger with a lock-on for increased control
• Comes with a variable speed trigger
• Side-assist handle for controlled, precise drilling
• Powerful 7 Amp motor
• Excellent for masonry-use

CONS:

• It tend be too powerful
• Super noisy

5. Ryobi P222 Ryobi One+ 18V SDS Rotary Hammer

This cordless hammer drill is a compact yet very powerful rotary hammer drill that delivers users a sturdy power tool with no shortage of creature comforts. For impressive performance on even the toughest jobs, this product simply gives impact speeds of up to 5,000 BPM.

Moreover, it features a 3-mode selector so you can select between using the tool as a chiseling mode, rotational drilling, and rotary hammer.

The SDS-Plus chuck lets you for tool-free, safe, and quick bit changes while on the task.

In addition, its variable speed trigger lets users fine-tune their power output in order to match their task, enhancing the user’s precision.

Also, this hammer drill features an LED in order to aid visibility on the job and an enhanced GripZone over mold on its handle to use this tool on long, taxing jobs and get a comfortable working experience.

Overall, Ryobi P222 is definitely not the most powerful rotary hammer drill you would ever purchase. Nevertheless, for its price, the power tool definitely punches above its weight. It not just performs great but also has good designs.

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Z6Jle5Adk

PROS:

• Not too heavy
• The lithium-ion batteries would only take around 20 minutes for a full charge
• A lot more punch than conventional cordless drills
• Its torque is excellent
• Versatile and works really well on multiple masonry surfaces
• Features a 3-mode selector
• Comes with a variable speed trigger
• Compact
• Very powerful
• Durable

CONS:

• Does not come with any battery nor charger
• Tend to wobble a bit while drilling

Best Cordless Hammer Drill – Buyer’s Guide

Power

The total power output is most likely one of the most crucial factors you must consider when choosing a hammer drill.

Nonetheless, battery-powered units are not as simplistic as electric ones. There are some powerful factors you must consider, and the first one is called Voltage.

Fortunately, most modern units come with 18V-20V batteries which can provide more than enough power for longevity and consistency.

One last thing you must crucially consider is the amperage because the more Ah a battery has, the longer it can last while operating.

The Batteries

The vital factor here is to keep an eye on the values. As we’ve said above, voltage and amperage are the two main factors you must consider before buying one cordless hammer drill.

Aside from that, you must make sure that you check whether the manufacturer includes some batteries or not. In fact, many of them don’t include batteries for particular reasons, thus you must make additional investments.

That’s why many models are seemingly budget-friendly but once you’ve realized that they come as bare power tools, you won’t see them as affordable anymore because of the fact that you’ll have to purchase extra batteries.

However, batteries aren’t certainly expensive in the first place but it’s a fact that you still need to spend.

In addition, the charger is also a necessity for every kit. It is highly advisable that you go with fast charging stations if you have the budget for it. Though if it’s hard for you to spend some extra dollars to fast charging, you can consider purchasing two batteries.

Torque

Torque is the unit of rotational force that you typically link with power tools. The higher the torque of a hammer drill, the more power you will be able to give onto a drill bit through a given amount of time and surface.

Moreover, higher torque is normally the product of a more powerful motor and larger battery.

Here’s a great tip. Don’t think of purchasing a drill since it can dish out the highest number of RPMs. It’s true that high torque is impressive but that normally comes at a higher price value. 

Performance is key

When we’re talking about the performance of a cordless hammer drill, we need to talk about battery life, torque, and speed among other factors.

Since discovering Lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices, power tools obtained the ability to be compact and mobile, charge faster, and work for a longer period of time.

Most powerful hammer drills use 18V-20V, or higher watts or voltage in order to deliver optimum speed and torque. Overall, the higher the voltage, the higher the hammer drill’s impact and its overall performance.

For a hammer drill, you need a powerful motor. Additionally, a powerful motor can work at a very fast pace. The speed is measured in rotations per minute times blows per minute.

On the other hand, for extra heavy-duty work, it’s ideal to get a 2000 RPM because the torque can be termed as a twisting power crucial for every hammer drill.

So if you’re planning to engage yourself in a heavy-duty task, settle for hammer drills that come with higher torque. If you get one that provides adjustable torque settings, this would also be very useful.

You can adjust how much torque you need depending on the material you’re working with.

The scale of Work Expected to be Done

Depending on the amount of workload you need to do, you also have to choose the right power. If you have intentions of working on a little DIY project, then there’s no need to buy a 20V hammer drill.

The materials you’re working with can affect the amount of power that you seek. Materials like plastics and wood are easy to work with.

You can adjust the speed and torque to get the right impact power. In addition, you must remember that materials like stone and brick require more power in order to get through.

If you get the right motor then you can easily work on these kinds of materials easily.

Safety and ease of use

For every tool that you wield, they need to have some safety features.

These safety features can be a lock mechanism that precludes the power tool from going off needlessly. Also, the brake mechanism is crucial so that a user can stop whenever they need to make sudden adjustments.

Hammer drills that lack lock features or brake mechanisms tend to be prone to over-screwing which must always be avoided.

For convenient attachments and detachments, a keyless chuck comes to your service. Some extra tools to help you in attaching and detaching are not entirely needed because these mechanisms are already installed as a matter of convenience.

One more thing when it comes to ease of use is the addition of LED lights that are normally included in these power tools. These lights are meant to serve as visibility tool when you’re working in a tight corner or poorly lit area.

You can find models that come with battery life indicators in the market, so you can see if your batteries have power.

The ergonomic functions are other things you must consider because these functions are very convenient to make things even smoother. This feature makes sure that your hands don’t suffer from too many vibrations or blisters.

These are all convenient features that may not be that needed but do come in handy.

Conclusion

Cordless hammer drills are impressive power tools. However, it’s quite difficult to find one that will turn out to be a good investment.

If you’re seeking power and portability, then this is the category you must be researching. Nonetheless, make sure that you have still a budget in your wallet that’s capable of enduring the current diverse market.

Cordless hammer drills aren’t as pricey as one could think, however they certainly aren’t that cheap.

In case you’re a hard-core professional, then you most likely already know that these power tools aren’t the best choice for specific demanding tasks because of the inconsistencies related to batteries and their limitations.

We’ve covered most of the top-rated models on the market at the moment, and went deeper into each detail of each one.

Now, as far as your budget goes, if you are on limited bucks, make sure you invest smartly because there’s an alarming number of subpar models on the market that are really cheap but aren’t worth of effort.

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