Rotary Hammer vs Chipping Gun: Which One Should You Buy?

Rotary hammer vs chipping gun: a rotary hammer drills holes in concrete and masonry with a bit that spins and hammers at the same time, while a chipping gun only chips and breaks material apart without drilling a hole. If the job needs holes, the rotary hammer is the tool to reach for. If the job is breaking up concrete, tile or masonry, the chipping gun does the heavy work. Many rotary hammers also have a hammer-only mode, so the same tool can cover light chipping too.

Other tools worth a look

• ENEACRO SDS-Max Heavy-Duty Rotary Hammer DrillCheck price on Amazon
• Makita HR2641 1" AVT Rotary HammerCheck price on Amazon
• BOSCH HCK001 7 pc. SDS-Plus® Bulldog™ Rotary Hammer Bit SetCheck price on Amazon
• Seesii 9 Amp SDS-Plus Lightweight Rotary Hammer Drill forCheck price on Amazon
• DEWALT SDS Rotary Hammer DrillCheck price on Amazon
• Cordless Rotary HammerCheck price on Amazon

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Below: what each tool does, how the 4 tools in this guide stack up, and how to pick the right one for the job in front of you.

Rotary Hammer vs Chipping Gun: What Each Tool Does

A rotary hammer is a drilling tool with a hammering action built in. The bit spins while a piston drives it forward in rapid blows, so it cuts into concrete, brick and masonry faster than a plain drill. The rotary hammers in this guide use SDS-Plus bits, which lock into the chuck. The DESHUO listing states its rotary hammer can only be used with SDS-Plus bits, not with regular drills.

A chipping gun, also sold as a demolition hammer or jackhammer, has no drilling mode. It drives a chisel straight in and out to break, chip and scrape material away. The VEVOR tool in this guide is that kind of machine: a demolition jackhammer with 6 chisel bits for demolition, trenching, chipping and breaking holes in concrete, block, brick and tile.

The overlap sits in the middle. A rotary hammer with a hammer-only mode and a chisel bit can strip tile, chase a channel or chip a small patch of concrete. That is light chipping, not demolition. When the work turns into breaking a slab or a foundation, the chipping gun takes over.

The Gear in This Guide

The 4 tools below are ranked by capability for the jobs in this guide: drilling holes and chipping material. Each one is a corded electric tool, and each rotary hammer listing states 4 functions.

ENEACRO 1-1/4 Inch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill

The ENEACRO leads this group on stated power: a 13-Amp (1500W) motor, 7.4 Joules of impact energy, and a 6-speed dial covering 0-820 RPM and 0-4200 BPM. Its stated drilling capacity is 1-1/4 inches in concrete, 1/2 inch in metal and 1-9/16 inches in wood. The kit includes 3 SDS-Plus drill bits (8mm, 10mm, 12mm), 2 SDS-Plus 10-inch chisels, a 360-degree auxiliary handle, a replaceable carbon brush set, lubricating grease, a dust-proof cap and a heavy-duty carrying case. A mechanical safety clutch disengages the drive if the bit binds, and a dual-layer anti-vibration damping system cuts hand fatigue. At 12.5 pounds it is heavier than the DESHUO, so overhead work takes more effort, but the power and the kit make it the most capable rotary hammer here.

Seesii 13 Amp SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill

The Seesii runs close behind with the same 13 Amp and 1500W motor rating, 6J of impact energy and a 4000 BPM impact rate. Its stated maximum drilling sizes are 1.26 inches in concrete, 1.57 inches in wood and 0.51 inches in metal. It switches between Hammer Drill, Drill, Chisel and Chisel Alignment, with 6 speeds to match power to material hardness. The listing states a 3 Year Manufacturer warranty, the longest warranty term in this guide. The kit includes 3 drill bits (8/10/12mm), 2 chisels, an auxiliary handle, a depth gauge, a dust cap, grease, a spare carbon brush, a wrench and a manual, packed in a case. The safety clutch stops rotation if the bit jams. No weight is stated in the listing, so check the listing before judging how it handles overhead.

Deshuo 1-Inch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill

The DESHUO is the easiest tool here with a stated weight to hold overhead: the title lists 7.2 lbs, while the bullets and spec table list 7.19 pounds, a small rounding difference in the listing. Its 9 Amp motor delivers 0-1,100 RPM and 0-5,300 BPM with 2.21 ft.lbs. (3 Joules) of impact energy. It has 4 modes: Rotary Hammer, Rotary Only, Hammer Only and Chisel position Adjustment, plus a variable speed trigger with a locking button and forward and reverse. The kit includes 3 drill bits, 2 chisels and a case. The listing states a 24 months warranty service and a built-in safety clutch, and it says the tool is ideal for DIY enthusiasts, not for heavy-duty demolition work. For drilling anchor holes and stripping tile, the light weight is the point; for breaking work, look at the VEVOR below.

VEVOR Demolition Jack Hammer

The VEVOR is the chipping side of this comparison, not a rotary hammer. Its MAX 2200W motor states 66J of impact energy at 1350 BPM, far above the rotary hammers here, and it comes with 6 chisel bits: pointed chisel, flat chisel, clay spade chisel, flat spade chisel, scraping chisel and big scraping chisel. At 62.0 pounds it is a ground-level machine, not a tool for overhead work. The 360-degree rotary handle and a locking button that holds operation help on long breaking sessions, and a suitcase carries the kit. The listing states a 110V supply and heavy-duty aluminum construction. No warranty term is stated. If the job is demolition, trenching or breaking holes in a slab, this is the tool in this guide built for it; if the job needs holes, pick one of the rotary hammers above.

How to Choose a Rotary Hammer

Start with the job. Drilling anchor holes in concrete calls for a rotary hammer with a stated concrete drilling capacity that covers the hole size: the ENEACRO lists 1-1/4 inches in concrete and the Seesii lists 1.26 inches, while the DESHUO lists a 1-inch SDS-Plus size. Stripping tile or chasing a channel calls for a hammer-only mode, which the 3 rotary hammers in this guide state.

Then weigh power against weight. The ENEACRO and Seesii both list 13 Amp and 1500W motors; the DESHUO lists 9 Amp and 3 Joules at 7.19 pounds, so it is the easiest of the tools with a stated weight to hold overhead and the weakest at breaking. The VEVOR lists 66J, but at 62.0 pounds it stays on the ground.

Check the kit and the warranty before buying. The ENEACRO, Seesii and DESHUO kits each include 3 drill bits and 2 chisels plus a case; the VEVOR kit includes 6 chisel bits and a suitcase. Warranty terms stated here are 24 months for the DESHUO and 3 Year Manufacturer for the Seesii; no warranty term is stated for the ENEACRO or the VEVOR. A safety clutch is stated for the DESHUO, the ENEACRO and the Seesii.

Finally, check power. All 4 tools here are corded electric, and the VEVOR lists a 110V supply. A corded tool runs as long as it is plugged in, which the Seesii listing notes as steady power without battery swaps. Plan for an outlet within reach of the work and a cord rated for the tool.

FAQ: garage tools

What does a rotary hammer do?

A rotary hammer drills holes in concrete, brick, stone and masonry using a bit that spins and hammers at the same time. The DESHUO lists a 1-inch SDS-Plus size, the ENEACRO lists 1-1/4 inches in concrete, and the Seesii lists 1.26 inches in concrete. The tools also offer a hammer-only mode with a chisel bit for tile removal and light chipping.

Is a rotary hammer a chipping gun?

No. A rotary hammer drills holes and can chip in hammer-only mode, while a chipping gun only chips and breaks material. The VEVOR demolition jackhammer in this guide has no drilling mode: it drives its 6 chisel bits straight into concrete, block, brick and tile.

What size rotary hammer do I need?

Match the stated drilling capacity to the hole. The DESHUO lists a 1-inch SDS-Plus size, the ENEACRO lists 1-1/4 inches in concrete and the Seesii lists 1.26 inches in concrete. For chipping, check the stated impact energy: 3 Joules for the DESHUO, 6J for the Seesii, 7.4 Joules for the ENEACRO, and 66J for the VEVOR demolition hammer.

How much is a rotary hammer?

This guide does not list prices, because listing prices change. Compare the stated power, drilling capacity, included kit and warranty term, then check the current listing for the model that fits the job.

Do I need a chipping gun if I own a rotary hammer?

Not for light work. A rotary hammer in hammer-only mode with a chisel bit strips tile and chips small patches. For breaking a slab, trenching or foundation removal, the VEVOR demolition hammer states 66J of impact energy and 6 chisel bits, work better suited to the demolition hammer than to the rotary hammers here.

Related: our cordless tools hub and the best air hammer for automotive picks. Also see the air tools category.