In general, hammer drills are designed to drill into wood, metal, and masonry like brick and mortar.
Concrete, on the other hand, is a different story.
Concrete is one of the hardest and most dense building materials, making it challenging to drill through.
If you want a hammer drill for drilling concrete and other extremely dense surfaces, look no further.
We picked and reviewed five products to help you determine which one is the best hammer drill for concrete.
Best Hammer Drill for Concrete Reviews
1. Milwaukee 2804-20 Hammer Drill/Driver
Milwaukee boasts a collection of premium products that feature its trademark innovations.
One of its best releases is the 2804-20 Hammer Drill, described as the “Industry’s Most Powerful Drill.”
Do you think it is powerful enough to handle drilling through concrete?
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Specially made for this edition of the hammer drill, the POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers up to 60 percent more drilling power than the competition.
It can reach torque levels of 1,200 in-lbs and RPM (revolutions per minute) of 2,000.
As a result, you get to enjoy fast, powerful drilling for your various tasks.
This type of motor is developed by Milwaukee as the ideal choice for professional handypersons.
With it, you’ll have impressive application speed, torque, and durability in a portable size.
Other qualities of the POWERSTATE include less operational noise and a rapidly cooling motor.
Thanks to this, you can be sure of long periods of maintenance-free performance.
Measuring 6.9 inches long and weighing 4.5 pounds, you will have better access to enclosed spaces and reduced accumulated fatigue.
Like many Milwaukee products, this hammer drill exhibits REDLINK PLUS Intelligence that promotes superior performance and delivers overload protection.
This cordless hammer drill has an all-metal ratcheting chuck, offering enhanced grip strength and resistance to corrosion.
You can rely on this feature to minimize damage to the device and its battery during heavy work.
As a result, you can be sure you will get the most use out of this hammer drill.
The RED LITHIUM XC5.0 power source ensures more drilling is done per charge.
At the same time, you will be impressed by its longer battery life, especially when compared to other battery packs.
Though it can pair with other batteries, we recommend using the brand’s signature battery pack for the best results.
Aiming at the correct spot to drill is not a problem with this hammer drill, as it comes with LED lighting at the base.
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Cons
2. DeWalt DCD996B
DeWalt is a USA-based power tool and hand tool company with a global presence across many countries.
You will find its tools used being used in the construction, manufacturing, and woodworking sectors.
Among its proudest creations is the DCD996B.
This hammer drill comes packed with numerous features that every DIY enthusiast will undoubtedly appreciate.
It offers fast and powerful outputs for quick application speeds and better runtime compared to other hammer drills.
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To deliver optimal power with maximum efficiency, the DeWalt DCD996B features a specially designed brushless motor.
It can provide up to 75 percent more runtime versus the more common 18V NiCad brushed variants.
You can expect it to deliver power and efficiency, as well as effectively lessen wobbles and breakage because of its high-performance transmission.
The DeWalt DCD996B features Three-Mode LED lighting that illuminates dark or confined areas with a brightness that far surpasses the previous release.
Besides its impressive brightness, the LED Spotlight Mode automatically shuts off after 20 minutes to save energy.
Putting aside the more significant LED light and color update of the torque collar, this release looks almost visually identical to the original DCD995.
For your convenience, this hammer drill works with any DeWalt 20V Max Lithium-Ion battery.
This means that you can pair it with other battery packs from a different brand if you prefer to use non-DeWalt batteries.
To achieve superior bit gripping strength, this power tool has a heavy-duty 1/2-inch ratcheting nitro-carburized chuck made of metal.
This metal chuck also comes with carbide inserts, contributing to this tool’s resilience against the elements.
Together with the hammer drill, the Tool Only package comes with a belt hook and a 360-degree side handle.
If you’re going to avail of the DWA2T40IR 40-piece IMPACT READY FlexTorq Screw Driving Set offered as a bundle, you will get a premium set of accessories that comes in a ToughCase+ system.
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3. GALAX PRO GP57325
The GP57325 hammer drill from GALAX PRO is a powerful, efficient tool that you can use on a variety of surfaces.
For short or long periods of drilling, this corded power tool offers a range of capabilities that others couldn’t hope to match.
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You can quickly switch between hammer and drilling functions with a simple press of the top button.
The hammer function is for drilling holes in concrete, while the drilling function is for drilling holes in steel plates and wood.
Because of this dual function, you will have an easier time handling diverse drilling tasks that usually require more than one set of drilling tools.
This tool offers increased handling and control as it weighs only 4.2 pounds.
Thanks to its lightweight, compact build, many will find it easy to use, even when working in confined settings.
You will also find a 360-degree auxiliary handle with anti-slip quality, which delivers enhanced comfort and optimal control.
For drilling concrete and steel, the machine can provide a maximum hole diameter of 13 mm.
This is primarily due to the powerful 4.5-amp copper motor that can reach up to 3,000 RPM.
You can also rely on the motor to provide improved durability and overload protection, as it is built with a safety mechanism.
With the strategically-placed in-depth gauge, you can precisely identify how deep the bit needs to be to meet the requirements of your task.
A lock-on button located beside the trigger offers you the choice of keeping the GALAX PRO GP57325 in continuous operation.
However, for safety reasons, it is not always the best course of action if you are doing a repetitive task.
For changing drill bits, this hammer drill comes with a 1/2-inch clasp to allow such action.
You can control the speed via the trigger switch. If you hold the button with more pressure, you will have more power and speed.
Be extra careful when adjusting the power and speed.
At first, you might struggle to find your desired speed because you are not yet used to the trigger’s sensitivity.
Bit starting shouldn’t be an issue with the GALAX PRO GP57325 because it has a forward and reverse rotation function.
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4. SKIL HD182001
With its powerful motor and dynamic design, the SKIL HD182001 promises precise drilling in any task.
It is a 7.5-amp 1/2-inch hammer drill that features a variable-speed trigger with a lock-on function.
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The 7.5-amp motor on this tool is powerful enough to handle demanding projects on different types of surfaces.
Drilling with this high-torque motor ensures you’ll get fast, high-quality results regardless if you are doing it as a profession or as a hobby.
If you intend to do various drilling and hammer drilling tasks, this model will fit your needs.
With it, you will get two drill modes.
You can easily switch from drilling to hammer drilling, which is ideal if you aim to do multiple tasks in one go.
For heavy-duty work, the 1/2-inch keyed chuck is more than capable and lets you use large-diameter bits.
In regards to drill bits, you can take advantage of bundle offers from SKIL and avail of their high-quality bits tailored for a wide range of projects.
To customize the speed you prefer, this SKIL hammer drill has a two-finger variable speed trigger.
Not all surfaces have a consistent density, so having speed control makes it convenient to work in such circumstances.
In relation to the speed trigger, this hammer drill also exhibits a lock-on button.
As you may already know, some materials need a steady speed to drill through effectively.
With the help of the lock-on button, you can expect consistent, high-quality results without stressing your hands and arms too much.
Forward and reverse bit control allows your drill to enter and exit the hole it created with ease.
To ensure that you can withstand long periods of drilling tasks, this corded power tool comes with a soft-grip handle.
It provides you with enhanced comfort essential in any type of manual work, especially if you are experiencing fatigue.
The SKIL HD182001 comes with a depth gauge that delivers a specific benefit.
A depth gauge is a crucial component of a hammer drill because it determines how far you need the bit to be.
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5. CRAFTSMAN CMED741
The US-based power tool manufacturer CRAFTSMAN offers a vast array of power tools and other related products.
All of its creations aim to fulfill the needs of everyone, from professional workers to occasional artisans.
Among its best yet is the CRAFTSMAN CMED741, a hammer drill with a 1/2-inch chuck.
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The CRAFTSMAN CMED741 Hammer Drill boasts a maximum RPM of 3,100.
Combine that with the 52,700 BPM, and you can guarantee you will finish various drilling tasks with ease.
Similar to other hammer drills we tested, this one also exhibits a lock-on trigger, which allows for continued use.
For enhanced bit retention, the company utilized key chuck to deliver such quality.
The single-speed setting could very well be a deal-breaker for some, though.
As much as the company is confident about its impressive RPM and BPM numbers, it would be challenging to handle such power, especially if your body is tired from continuous work.
For those who like keeping their stuff organized, you’ll appreciate that the CRAFTSMAN CMED741 is compatible with the Versatrack Trackwall System.
It has a maximum limited warranty of three years, which is not very impressive as other models have a total warranty length of five years.
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Hammer Drill vs Rotary Hammer Drill
When you need to drive a screw or create a hole in a concrete surface, you’ll find two useful power tools to help you.
Both a hammer drill and a rotary hammer drill are capable of drilling into concrete.
As such, choosing between the two shouldn’t be complicated.
They both pound the bit as it rotates, crushing concrete in the process.
Their only difference is how they accomplish the pounding or hammering mechanism.
Hammer drills are the better option for you if you don’t drill as frequently and only work on simple home projects.
On the other hand, their higher strength and shock-absorbing characteristics are the reasons why pros prefer rotary hammers.
They can also withstand constant, everyday use, so they are the perfect choice for professional handyman work.
For simple home projects, you’ll find a much better use for hammer drills compared to its counterpart.
Never consider using a rotary hammer when doing your DIY projects because it’s too overpowered to produce accurate and smooth results.
Final Verdict
Upon comparing their features, pros, and cons, we pick the DeWalt DCD996B as the best hammer drill for concrete.
More than anything, the three-speed setting is what makes this hammer drill stand out.
Thanks to this feature, it is more flexible when it comes to what types of surfaces it can work on.
Furthermore, this power tool boasts an all-metal gearbox and a nitro-carburized metal ratcheting chuck.
These are superior materials when you compare them to the ones used on the other models.
To sum it all up, the hammer drill from DeWalt offers the complete package: power, versatility, features, and quality.
If you know you’ll be using it to its potential, you’ll never go wrong with this hammer drill from DeWalt.