There are various rotatory hammer drills out there, and selecting the best for you can be quite difficult, because they all promise to be the best, yet they give little or no information about the rotatory hammer drills.
We know this, so we researched on the best rotatory hammer drills, and have come up with the few listed in this review, read through, to find out the best hammer drills and how they best suit you.
BUYER’S GUIDE
Before we proceed to the list, here are certain features you need to look t for. These features vary in every rotary hammer drill.
You have to make sure that the one you are going to buy has the features that you desire.
Motor
The first thing to look for in a rotary hammer is the kind of motor it uses. The motor can come either with brushed carbon or brushless carbons.
Usually, the motors that come with brushless carbons are more effective, as they do not produce much heat, resulting in more efficient battery time and more work in a single charge.
But, the brushed carbon models are less expensive than the brushless ones.
Power and Speed Delivery
Power and speed delivery are important functions. BPM (blows per minute) tell us how many hammer blows are done in a single minute.
The more power, and the more bpm a rotary hammer offers, the more powerful material it can drill through. If the power and the bpm offered are less, your rotary hammer drill is not going to perform heavy duty work well.
Mode Switch
Rotary hammers come with three modes. The first one is rotary drilling mode. It is used for soft materials like wood, in which you do not need extremely powerful pounds to make holes. The rotary hammer drilling mode is meant for drilling through stronger materials, like concrete or masonry, because it makes a pounding motion as well as the rotating motion.
The last mode is chiseling mode, meant for light breaking, like breaking tiles and stuff. You can get the hammer that has the modes best suited to your needs.
Chuck
The rotary hammers have a different chuck than the power drills. They have an SDS made up of plastic. SDS comes in two common sizes, that are SDS max and SDS plus.
These both come with different drill bit sizes. The SDS plus comes with drill bit sizes that are between 1-1/8 inches to 5/32 inches.
So you have to choose the SDS according to the size of the drill bits that you need. You should also consider these factors before going for any hammer drill:
Easy To Use
Many factors come into play for ease of use. The first of these factors are the tool-less operation of the chuck. Tool-less operation of the chuck enables for changing the bits without having any tool. In effect, you will enjoy quick bit changes and will save on time.
A 360-degree rotating auxiliary handle will help a great deal in approaching the work surface at any angle that you want. Also, a rotating handle will eliminate the possibility of developing blisters from the friction. There will be no movement between the hand and the handle. It is the handle that rotates.
The positioning of the trigger also allows for the intuitive use of the rotary hammer. On the above-listed rotary hammer, you will be switching between the multiple functions in a wink. To reduce fatigue, the manufacturers incorporate lock on speed buttons for a free running rotary hammer until you intervene.
Comfort
Comfort is a basic need in a rotary hammer. Anything that feels uncomfortable will discourage from using it the next time. You will be like, again! Not me. The comfort of the rotary hammer depends on, the grip mostly.
A soft grip handle with an ergonomic design gives the best in comfort. Torque reaction also cause discomfort, so the best rotary motors have a mechanism to minimize it.
Versatility
A versatile tool will see you through a range of applications without the intervention of other tools. Variable speed offers a great deal of versatility. The speed correlates to the torque that the motor delivers. Features such as the Vario-lock enable for achieving multiple bit angles.
Multiple bit angles and compactness work to see that you get access to tight spaces and beat the challenge of angles.
Accessories
Since the above-listed rotary hammers require no tool to change bits, we do not expect much of accessories. If the manufacturer goes ahead and provides a carry bag, then that will be a bonus on your side.
Corded Or Cordless
It would be unfair to be the judge on which is the best between the two, and still, it matters to some extent. I leave this to you as a personal decision. For a heads, up corded tend to be reliable unless the power goes out. On the other hand, if you carry an extra battery you can avoid the rotary hammer going dead on you.
BEST HAMMER DRILLS
- DEWALT D25263K D-Handle SDS Rotary Hammer
- Bosch 11255VSR Rotary Hammer Drill
- Bosch RH328VC 1-1/8-Inch SDS Rotary Hammer
- Makita HR2475 1” Rotary Hammer
- Hiltex 10513 1-1/2 Inch SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
- DEWALT DCH273B SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
- Makita XRH05Z 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless
- VonHaus Rotary Hammer Drill
- Milwaukee 2712-20 Rotary Hammer
- MPT SDS-Plus Hammer Drill
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| DEWALT D25263K D-Handle SDS Rotary Hammer
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0 joules impact energy for fast drilling and chipping speed
5 amp high performance motor Integral clutch reduces sudden, high torque reactions if bit jams 2 Year Free Service Compatible with D25301D drilling dust extraction system. |
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| Bosch 11255VSR Rotary Hammer Drill
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HammerHook – allows quick tool storage during the job
D-handle design – ideal for overhead and downward drilling applications SDS-plus® bit system – tool-free bit changes with automatic bit locking |
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| Bosch RH328VC 1-1/8-Inch SDS Rotary Hammer
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Integral clutch
Multi-function selector Variable speed 3 finger trigger 8-ft cord minimizes the need for an extension cord |
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| Makita HR2475 1” Rotary Hammer
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Torque limiting clutch engineered to prevent gear damage by automatically disengaging gears if the bit binds
Variable speed trigger enables user to match the speed to the application for greater versatility Ergonomic “D-shaped” handle with rubberized soft grip for increased comfort Recessed lock-on button for continuous use |
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| Hiltex 10513 1-1/2 Inch SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
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The SDS is equipped with a 100-watt motor, which enables it to deliver a consistent performance. With this motor, you can rely on the Hiltex for continuous use
The rotary hammer is built with emphasis on versatility as you can use this on solid steel, brick and concrete The rotary hammer has a 360° auxiliary handle, providing comfort and grip. The textured grip also ensures the tool does not slip while you use it |
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| DEWALT DCH273B SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
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Brushless motor for efficient performance and runtime
1 Joules impact energy for fast drilling in concrete Lightweight design ideal for overhead applications OSHA Table 1 Compliant when paired with DWH303DH On Board Extractor |
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| Makita XRH05Z 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless
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Two 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion batteries deliver the power and run time for corded demands without leaving the 18V LXT® platform
Makita-built motor delivers 0-1,250 RPM, 0-5,000 BPM and 2.2 ft.lbs. of impact energy for faster drilling Vibration-absorbing handle engineered for increased operator comfort Dust extraction capability with Makita Dust Attachment, #193472-7 (not included) |
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| VonHaus Rotary Hammer Drill
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Anti-vibration mechanism
Auxiliary handle |
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| Milwaukee 2712-20 Rotary Hammer
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It is powerful for its size
the product does not wear out with time It has a hook to hang it from |
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| MPT SDS-Plus Hammer Drill
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The hammer functions in all three modes
The motor is 8.5 amperes 360 degrees handle offers comfortable use You can use it on any material |
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DEWALT D25263K D-Handle SDS Rotary Hammer
D25263K 1-1/8″ SDS+ Rotary Hammer Kit is a light weight, low vibration, high-performance drill designed for demands of today’s contractor. The durable German engineered mechanism delivers 3.0 joules of impact energy that delivers up to 15% faster speed of application that professionals demand.
The Active Vibration Control® technology employed delivers reduced user vibration for less user fatigue and greater productivity.
| PROS | CONS |
| Active vibration control | Not portable (It is corded) |
| High impact energy | |
| High-performance motor | |
| Rotating brush rings | |
| Integral clutch |
Bosch 11255VSR Rotary Hammer Drill
The Bosch 11255VSR 1 In. SDS-plus® Bulldog™ Xtreme Rotary Hammer is a versatile, handy tool that features a robust 8.0 Amp motor. From anchoring to large material breaking, it gets the job done right the first time.
Engineered in the tradition of legendary Bulldogs, this powerful hammer delivers 2.0 Ft.-Lbs. of impact energy and 0-5,800 no-load BPM, but it weighs just 6.7 Lbs. The multifunction mode selector allows users to easily select among three modes of operation: rotary hammer, rotation only and hammer only.
| PROS | CONS |
| The hammer comes in all three operational modes | It does not drill very quickly |
| you can change bits without tools | It does not last very long |
| Vibration control option is present | |
| The handle is ergonomic |
Bosch RH328VC 1-1/8-Inch SDS Rotary Hammer
Bosch is the home of the world’s best selling hammers. Bosch hammers have reduced vibration without any reduction in performance. The SDS-plus® rotary hammer, works harder, lasts longer, and vibrates less. It has the fastest chiseling and drilling in its class. In. addition, it provides the longest life, with lowest vibration levels.
| PROS | CONS |
| Vibration control | It is too powerful for wood drilling (I bet that sounds like more of a pro than a con) |
| Clutch minimize torque reaction | |
| Three modes of operation | |
| Comfortable grip |
Makita HR2475 1” Rotary Hammer
Makita’s versatile HR2475 1-inch Rotary Hammer (Accepts SDS-PLUS) delivers more efficient hitting in a compact size for faster, more productive work. The HR2475 is powered by a 7 AMP motor that delivers a no load speed of 0-1,100 RPM, with 0-4,500 BPM and 2.7 Joules of impact energy. Three-mode operation includes “Rotation Only,” “Hammering with Rotation” and “Hammering Only” for multiple applications.
| PROS | CONS |
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Hiltex 10513 1-1/2 Inch SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
The Hiltex rotary hammer packs sufficient power for most DIY and home improvement activities. With its 5 ft./lb. impact energy you can even use this for the occasional heavy-duty project.
The Hiltex is most effective when it is used on concrete, but you can still get excellent results when used on other materials as indicated in the features list above. No matter what you’re working on, it’s easy to fine tune the Hiltex because of its multiple modes.
| PROS | CONS |
| Comes with multiple modes | Not compatible with SDS max chisels |
| Comfortable to hold | More suited for light-medium tasks than heavy duty |
| Easy to adjust | |
| Durable motor |
DEWALT DCH273B SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
The DCH273P2 20V Max XR Brushless 1” Rotary Hammer is a high-performance drill that is powered by a DEWALT brushless motor and a durable German engineered mechanism that delivers 2.1 joules of impact energy. Coupled with its light weight design and SHOCKS® Active Vibration Control® technology, this hammer is ideal when used in overhead applications.
| PROS | CONS |
| Brushless motor gives extra runtime and durability. | The machine doesn’t come with the battery. So, you have to buy the battery separately. |
| Lightweight of about 6.39 pounds | |
| Vibration control feature is added that is very useful. | |
| Easy operation and deliver the smooth and exceptional experience |
Makita XRH05Z 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless
The Makita 18V X2 LXT® Lithium-Ion (36V) Cordless 1” Rotary Hammer (model XRH05Z, tool only) is powered by two 18V LXT® batteries, delivering the power and run time for corded demands without leaving the 18V platform. With 2.2 ft.lbs. of Impact Energy and 4,800 BPM, the XRH05Z Rotary Hammer is engineered to meet the demands of corded 1” drilling and hammering concrete applications without having to drag around a cord.
It’s part of Makita’s expanding 18V Lithium-Ion series, the world’s largest cordless tool line-up powered by an 18V Lithium-Ion slide-style battery. Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries have the fastest charge times in their categories, so they spend more time working and less time sitting on the charger.
| PROS | CONS |
| Ergonomic handle | The auxiliary handle does not rotate |
| Handle absorbs vibrations | |
| Fast drilling action ( Up to 5000 BPM) | |
| 2 -finger trigger | |
| Two 18V batteries give more runtime |
VonHaus Rotary Hammer Drill
The VonHaus 10 Amp Electric Rotary Hammer Drill has a 10amp motors that deliver powerful impact energy to complete heavy-duty projects on masonry and solid steel. It has a multifunctional function that includes the use of the tool either for chiseling only, hammering and rotation or rotational function only.
It can work well across any position for maximum control, all thanks to the 360degree swivel handle it is made of.
| PROS | CONS |
| The 10 amp motor offers high impact power | The hammer is only good for DIY projects |
| It offers a variety of speeds to choose from | Does not perform heavy-duty jobs very well |
| The hammer offers all three modes |
Milwaukee 2712-20 Rotary Hammer
The Milwaukee 2712-20 rotary hammer is an ergonomic rotary hammer drills that come with a large impact force and the ability to drill through any kind of surfaces no matter how tough or hard they may be. This is the advantage it has over so many other standard hammer drill- the ability to drill to almost all surfaces. Also, 2712 is heavier with a weight of about 3.5 lbs.
This device has the ability to swivel for 360 degrees for easy positioning. The grip handle is very comfortable to handle, offering some additional control as it can be mounted either left or right.
| PROS | CONS |
| Fair drilling ability | The 3.0amp battery might not be enough for long-lasting use |
| Minimal vibration | |
| Sturdily built |
MPT SDS-Plus Hammer Drill
This device is made to give optimum performance. It comes with three different operation modes. The three different functions include switch from drill mode, chisel(groove) mode, and hammer drill mode. This type of operation allows the user to use the tool switching between modes without stress.
It comes with an 8.5 Amp high-performance motor with 0-4500/min impact rated and 930r/min no-load speed help to complete heavy-duty projects. This device is among the professional rotary hammers that have broad application.
| PROS | CONS |
| Three operation mode | A bit weighty |
| Durable |
CONCLUSION
If you are confused or overwhelmed on the type of rotary hammer drill you need for your work especially when there are many products available in the market, with this review, you should have a great knowledge on the best rotatory hammer drills, you might want to also purchase any of the reviewed rotatory hammer drills, if so you should.