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Hammer drills are the most common drilling tool found in households around the world. They are the go-to tool for drilling holes in concrete, wood, and various types of metal.
But with so many hammer drills available it is often hard to decide which one of them is the best for you. On top of that, they can be quiet expensive and the last thing you want to do is spend to much on a expensive drill you actually don’t need.
In this guide we help you find the best cordless hammer drill for concrete and other materials alike.
What makes the best hammer drill
There are 2 types of hammer drills: Regular hammer drills and Rotary hammer drills. The difference between them is that rotary hammer drills are specifically designed for dense materials. Regular hammer drills can be used to do light drilling work as well as turning in screws.
The ideal cordless hammer drill for concrete is, in most cases, a rotary hammer drill. But if you are looking for a tool that can do more than just drilling concrete a regular hammer drill is a good alternative.
Here are some things you want to look for when buying a cordless hammer drill:
- Power – When drilling in dense materials you want a drill with a high RPM.
- Battery – Having a good battery for your hammer drill will save you time.
- Price – A drill that will not break the bank but still performs very well.
best cordless hammer drill for concrete
Most cordless hammer drills have a hammer setting that allows them to drill in concrete and other dense materials. They will get the job done, however, keep in mind they are not specifically designed for this type of drilling.
Here is a list of our favorite cordless hammer drills:
Best Overall
DEWALT 20v Max DCD996B
- 2250 RPM
- 3-year limited warranty
- 20-Volt Motor
Pros and cons
According to our experts
The DEWALT 20v Max DCD996B has an excellent build quality.
This hammer drill can be used with DEWALT’s Flexvolt battery technology.
You get what you pay for but the price of this drill is a bit high.
Description
The DEWALT 20v Max DCD996B is the best cordless hammer drill for concrete. It has a powerful 20-volt brushless motor that can deliver a speed of up to 2250 RPM. Together with the right drill bit this drill is ideal for dense materials like concrete, steel, and hardwood.
We also like the bit gripping strength of this drill. It has a 1/2-inch ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck. The grip strength of the chuck will reduce the risk of breaking your drill bits.
DEWALT battery combo deal
Are you also looking for a DEWALT battery? This DEWALT combo deal comes with 1 battery and a charger.
Best Budget
Makita 18V XPH12Z
- 2000 RPM
- 2-year limited warranty
- 18-Volt Motor
Pros and cons
According to our expertsThis is an Excellent hammer drill if you are on a budget, it offers great value for money.
For this price the RPM and BPM is very high and it is usable for the most common drilling jobs.
This drill is 18-volt which makes it less ideal for concrete, steel, and hardwood.
Description
The Makita XPH12Z LXT is the best cordless hammer drill if you are on a budget. It has a 18 volt motor and a maximum speed of 2000 RPM. It is usable for most tasks that do not require lots of power. Brick, wood, and metal can easily be drilled with the Makita XPH12Z.
If you want to drill concrete or other dense materials this might not be the best option for you. The Makita XPH12Z might be able to perform, but the battery will drain very fast.
Makita also has a corded, more powerful rotary hammer drill, the: Makita HR2475.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2804-20
- Best build quality
- Most expensive hammer drill
- 5-year Limited Warranty
Pros and cons
According to our expertsThis 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.
The Makita M18 Fuel hammer drill is a bit more expensive than other drills with the same specs
Description
The famous US-based 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.
The Makita M18 Fuel offers an extra, removable, handle on the side of the drill giving it more 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.
Best rotary hammer drill for concrete
Rotary hammer drills are specifically designed to drill large holes in concrete and other hard materials. Generally speaking they are more expensive but often the only alternative to a cordless hammer drill.
Here are our favorite Rotary hammer drills for concrete:
Best Rotary hammer drill
DEWALT 20V DCH263B
- 1165 RPM maximum speed
- 1-1/8-Inch drill bit size
- 3.0 Impact joules
Pros and cons
According to our expertsThis is the best DEWALT rotary hammer drill if you are on a budget. It offers very good value for money.
We like the D grip of this drill. In our opinion, it is more stable than a traditional grip.
It is a corded hammer drill making it less ideal for remote drilling jobs.
Description
The DEWALT DCH263B is the best Rotary hammer drill for concrete. It has a powerful motor that deliveres a speed of 1165 RPM. This drill has a SDS chuck allowing large drill bits up to 20 millimeter. This makes it the perfect tool to drill large holes in steel and concrete.
Hammer drill overview
| Hammer drill | Torque | Speed | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
 DEWALT DCD996B | 550-inch pounds | 2200 RPM | 9.4 |
Makita XPH12Z | 500-inch pounds | 2000 RPM | 9.0 |
Milwaukee 2804-20 | 600-inch pounds | 2500 RPM | 8.9 |
Final thoughts
Overall we think the DEWALT DCD996 is the best hammer drill for concrete. It has plenty of power, comes at an affordable price, and best of all has a 3-year limited warranty. Read our guide: Best DEWALT hammer drill, if you want to compare more DEWALT hammer drills.
Good luck!
