Hammer drills are probably the most common power tool found in any home. When taken proper care of, hammer drills can last you a lifetime. Therefore a cordless hammer drill is an important investment. In this guide, we will help you find the best cordless hammer drill on the market today!
What makes the best cordless hammer drill?
There are a couple of things you want to look for in a good cordless hammer drill.
A cordless hammer drill should have enough power for the task you are going to use it for. In general, a higher RPM is better, and the stronger the motor the better the drill. In the end, the best cordless hammer drill is the one that offers the best value for money.
Our criteria for the best cordless hammer drill:
- Power – In general a hammer drill with more RPM is better.
- Battery life – Having a good battery for your hammer drill will make a big difference.
- Price – Look what you’re paying for, if it seems too good to be true it probably is.
- Warranty – A good cordless drill manufacturer should believe in their own product.
In this guide, we will take a look at regular hammer drills. These are great for most drilling jobs in, and around the house. If you are looking for a more powerful rotary hammer drill you should read: The best DEWALT hammer drill/rotary hammer drill
These are the best cordless hammer drills:
DEWALT DCD996B 20v Max cordless hammer drill
BuyDEWALT DCD996b hammer drill
Our score: 9.4
- Powerful drill
- Least expensive
- Known brand
- Longest warranty
- Best price/quality
If you ask us, the best cordless hammer drill on the market today is the DEWALT 20v Max XR. This hammer drill has a voltage of 20 volts and a high-efficiency brushless motor. This drill gives you a 75% longer runtime! This is great because you have to worry about charging batteries less often.
Bit holding strength
We also like the bit gripping strength of this drill. It has a 1/2-inch ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck. This makes it great for heavy tasks like drilling in concrete or dense wood. The grip strength of the chuck makes sure your bits will not break.
Grip and accuracy
Holding this drill is a pleasure and we found that the grip is great in almost any circumstance. This hammer drill also has a 3 mode led-spotlight to give you ultimate precision when there is less visibility.
Who should buy this hammer drill?
Honestly, everyone should consider buying this amazing cordless hammer drill! Whether you are working in a wood workshop, doing demanding concrete drilling or you are just a home DIY’er this drill can handle every task you throw at it!
DEWALT cordless hammer drill specs:
| MAX torque | 550-inch pounds |
| Speed | 2200 RPM |
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Voltage | 20 volts |
| Weight | 3.49 pounds |
| Max power | 400 watts |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 7.8 x 9.5 inches |
Makita XPH12Z 18V LXT
BuyMakita XPH12z hammer drill
Our score: 9.0
- Longest battery life
- Good warranty
- Decent price/quality
At a close second place comes the Makita XPH12Z 18V LXT. Another great drill for almost every job. It is a bit more expensive than our favorite drill at number one but for good reason.
This is an 18-volt cordless hammer drill. This means a bit less power output and slower charge but the drill will last for longer periods of time.
Grip and accuracy
We love the grip of this drill. It is a bit more sturdy than the other hammer drills on this list. The small LED spotlight on this hammer drill is a nice bonus and works great when you need it.
For who is this hammer drill?
The Makita XPH12Z 18V LXT is the best hammer drill if you are not using it for really demanding jobs. Are you looking for an affordable long-lasting hammer drill at home or for light projects? Then this is probably the best drill for you!
Price
Although the price of the Makita drill is a bit higher compared to others on this list, we still think it’s worth the money. Makita is known for making quality products that could last you a lifetime. You can buy the drill on Amazon as well as a kit including this drill.
Makita cordless hammer drill specs
| MAX torque | 530-inch pounds |
| Speed | 2000 RPM |
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Voltage | 18 volts |
| Weight | 3.19 pounds |
| Max power | 350 watts |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 7.8 x 9.5 inches |
Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL
BuyMakita XPH12z hammer drill
Our score: 8.9
- Most powerful
- More expensive
- American company
- Shortest warranty
The famous American founded Milwaukee is known for producing great premium hammer drills. This means they also come with a big price tag. However, we believe this drill is worth the money if you actually need it.
This is another 20-volt hammer drill with a lot of power. If you are doing long days of heavy-duty work then this might be the best drill for you.
Grip and accuracy
As you can see in the picture above the Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL has an interesting add-on. It offers an extra, removable, handle on the side of the drill giving it more overall stability. Sure it has its uses, but to be honest we didn’t need the extra grip. We felt it would be more likely to break or bend our drill bits.
For who is this hammer drill?
This hammer drill is for people that need to get heavy work done quickly. If you are drilling holes in heavy concrete or hardwood this might be the best drill for you.
Price
Like we said before, theMilwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL has a premium price. If you need the power this hammer drill has to offer it is definitely worth the money. You can buy this drill as a standalone tool or in a kit on Amazon.
Milwaukee cordless hammer drill specs
| MAX torque | 600-inch pounds |
| Speed | 2500 RPM |
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Voltage | 20 volts |
| Weight | 3.60 pounds |
| Max power | 420 watts |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 7.8 x 9.5 inches |
Related: Hammer drill vs Impact driver
Not sure whether you should get a hammer drill or an impact driver? Read our guide:
