Best Hammer Drill (2026): 5 Picks for Concrete, Wood and Metal

A shelf bracket on a concrete wall, a lag bolt into a stud, a hole for a wall anchor in brick: a hammer drill turns those jobs from a long afternoon into quick work. This guide compares the best hammer drill picks for concrete, wood and metal, ranked by what each listing states.

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Picks for the garage

#	Product	Shop Score	Buy
1	DEWALT 20V MAX XR 1/2 Inch Brushless Cordless	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Deshuo 1" SDS-Plus Lightweight Concrete Rotary	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	DEWALT DCD799B 20V MAX* ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Milwaukee Electric - M18 Fuel. 1/2 Hammer	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Milwaukee Electric - M12 Fuel. 1/2 Hammer	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

DEWALT 20V MAX XR 1/2 Inch Brushless Cordless

DEWALT·9.7/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 20V MAX XR 1/2 in brushless cordless hammer drill with 2,100 in-lbs of max torque, a 3-speed all-metal transmission and a pivoting LED work light.

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Pros

• 2,100 in-lbs of max torque for large diameter holes in metal, wood and concrete
• Up to 275 holes per charge, at 2.6 seconds per application
• ANTI-ROTATION system shuts the drill down when rotation is excessive
• 1/2 in ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide inserts

Cons

• Battery not included, so a 20V MAX battery is needed before the first job
• At 4.96 lb it is the heaviest cordless drill in this set
• TOOL CONNECT chip is sold separately
• 15.5 in long, so it needs more shelf space than the compact picks

2

Deshuo 1" SDS-Plus Lightweight Concrete Rotary

DESHUO·9.6/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 9 Amp corded SDS-Plus rotary hammer drill with 4 functions, 0-1,100 RPM, 0-5,300 BPM and 2.21 ft.lbs of impact energy, sold with a case, 3 drill bits and 2 chisels.

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Pros

• 4 functions cover rotary hammer, rotary only, hammer only and chisel angle adjustment
• 0-5,300 BPM and 2.21 ft.lbs (3 Joules) of impact energy for concrete, cement, brick and masonry
• Case, 3 drill bits and 2 chisels included, plus a 1/2 in adapter for regular drill bits
• Safety clutch disengages torque transmission if the bit binds

Cons

• Corded, so it needs a power outlet and a cord that reaches the work
• At 7.19 lb it is the heaviest drill in this set
• The maker states it is not suitable for heavy-duty demolition work
• The 1 in SDS-Plus chuck takes SDS-Plus bits, so regular drill bits need the adapter

3

DEWALT DCD799B 20V MAX* ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES

DEWALT·9.5/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 20V MAX ATOMIC compact 1/2 in brushless cordless hammer drill with a 6.49 in head length, up to 1,650 RPM and up to 28,050 BPM.

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Pros

• 6.49 in head length for hard to reach areas
• Up to 1,650 RPM and up to 28,050 BPM with 552 UWO
• 2.53 lb, the lowest weight among the cordless picks
• 1/2 in ratcheting chuck and on-tool LED work light

Cons

• Battery not included, so a 20V MAX battery is needed before the first job
• No warranty term is stated
• No case or bits are stated in the box
• The 6.49 in length is the tool head length only, so the full length with a battery is longer

4

Milwaukee Electric - M18 Fuel. 1/2 Hammer

Milwaukee·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2 in hammer drill/driver with an all-metal chuck with carbide teeth, a mechanical clutch and an all-metal belt clip.

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Pros

• 1/2 in all-metal chuck with carbide teeth for grip and bit retention
• Mechanical clutch for consistency in driving fasteners
• Hammer drill mode for fast drilling into brick, block or concrete
• The maker claims the most runtime in class with 5.0Ah batteries

Cons

• No torque, speed or impact figure is stated
• No warranty term is stated
• 4.25 lb
• No LED work light is stated

5

Milwaukee Electric - M12 Fuel. 1/2 Hammer

Milwaukee·9.4/10 Shop Score

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The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/2 in hammer drill-driver with a brushless motor, a 1/2 in all-metal chuck and a mechanical clutch, at 2.6 lb.

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Pros

• 2.6 lb for tool belt portability and less fatigue
• Brushless motor for subcompact drilling and driving
• 1/2 in all-metal chuck for grip and bit retention
• Mechanical clutch for consistency in driving fasteners

Cons

• No torque, speed or impact figure is stated
• No LED work light is stated
• No case, bits or battery are stated in the box
• No voltage is stated on the listing

Compared on paper

Specs are the manufacturer’s ratings as listed, collected 14 November 2026.

How the points were given

Each hammer drill is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. The DEWALT DCD1007B states an anti-rotation system and the DESHUO states a safety clutch, so those 2 earn points on safety. The same 2 state a clear warranty term, so the other 3 earn 0 on warranty.

Shop Scores range from a low of 9.2 to a high of 9.8, with each tool positioned by its weighted points proportionally, and more points always yields a higher score.

What the listings tell you

We read 5 hammer drill listings. 4 of the 5 state a 1/2 in chuck, while the DESHUO uses SDS-Plus with a 1/2 in adapter for regular drill bits. 2 carry 20V, 1 runs on a 9 Amp corded motor, and 2 are Milwaukee M18 and M12 models. 2 state a clear warranty term, and none states a safety certification.

Buying guide: your best hammer drill

Torque and impact energy

The makers state power in different units, so read the figure with the unit. The DEWALT DCD1007B lists 2,100 in-lbs of max torque, the DESHUO lists 2.21 ft.lbs (3 Joules) of impact energy, and the DEWALT DCD799B lists 552 UWO. The 2 Milwaukee drills state no torque, speed or impact figure, so their place in the ranking rests on chuck, clutch and weight.

Corded or cordless

2 of the 5 run on 20V batteries, 1 runs on a 9 Amp corded motor, and 2 are Milwaukee M18 and M12 models. The 2 DEWALT drills are tool only, so the battery is a separate purchase, while the DESHUO plugs into an outlet and never needs a charge. A corded drill suits a long session in one spot, and a cordless drill suits moving around the garage and the yard.

Chuck and bits

4 of the 5 take 1/2 in bits in a metal chuck, and the DEWALT chucks are ratcheting. The DESHUO takes SDS-Plus bits and comes with a 1/2 in adapter, so regular drill bits fit in drill only mode. It also comes with 3 drill bits and 2 chisels in a case, while the other 4 listings state no bits in the box.

Weight and size

Weights run from 2.53 lb for the DEWALT DCD799B to 7.19 lb for the DESHUO. The Milwaukee M12 weighs 2.6 lb, the Milwaukee M18 weighs 4.25 lb, and the DEWALT DCD1007B weighs 4.96 lb at 15.5 in long. A lighter drill suits overhead work and long sessions, while the heavier DESHUO suits steady work on concrete.

What comes in the box

Only the DESHUO lists a case, with 3 drill bits and 2 chisels inside. The 2 DEWALT drills are tool only, and the TOOL CONNECT chip for the DCD1007B is sold separately. The 2 Milwaukee drills list a belt clip on the M18 and no case, so check the box contents before the first job.

Garage Fit Check

• Measure the space: the DEWALT DCD1007B is 15.5 x 4.0 x 8.5 in and the Milwaukee M18 is 11.0 x 9.0 x 4.0 in, so check the shelf space before the first job.
• Power: 2 of the 5 run on 20V batteries, 1 runs on a 9 Amp corded motor, and the 2 DEWALT drills are tool only, so the battery is not included.
• Storage: only the DESHUO comes with a case, so plan a spot for the other 4 drills and their bits.
• Check the chuck: 4 of the 5 take 1/2 in bits, and the DESHUO needs its 1/2 in adapter for regular drill bits.

FAQ: garage tools

What is the best hammer drill for concrete?

For concrete, the DESHUO DS-LD26C is the rotary hammer in this set, with 0-5,300 BPM and 2.21 ft.lbs (3 Joules) of impact energy for concrete, cement, brick and masonry. Its rotary hammer mode is made for drilling in concrete, and it is the only SDS-Plus rotary hammer in this set.

Do I need a battery for the DEWALT drills?

Yes. The 2 DEWALT drills are tool only: the DCD1007B states the battery is not included, and the DCD799B is listed as tool only. A 20V MAX battery from the same system powers them.

What size chuck do these hammer drills take?

4 of the 5 take 1/2 in bits in a metal chuck. The DESHUO uses SDS-Plus bits and comes with a 1/2 in adapter, so regular drill bits fit in drill only mode.

How heavy are these hammer drills?

Weights run from 2.53 lb for the DEWALT DCD799B to 7.19 lb for the DESHUO. The Milwaukee M12 weighs 2.6 lb, the Milwaukee M18 weighs 4.25 lb, and the DEWALT DCD1007B weighs 4.96 lb.

What warranty do these hammer drills carry?

The DEWALT DCD1007B carries a 3 year limited warranty and the DESHUO carries 24 months of warranty service. The other 3 list a manufacturer warranty with no term stated.

Related: the drill hammer hub, our best cordless drill picks and the best heavy-duty rotary hammer drill roundup.