Best Rotary Hammer Drill 2022
Best Rotary Hammer Drill Review
At Wonkee Donkee, our experts work to test and review all of the different types and models of power tools available on the market. In this article, we provide our Best Rotary Hammer Drill Review, which was actually quite easy which was surprising to us. After testing all of the best rotary hammer drills available and discussing with real contractors on which tool they thought was best, there was a clear winner.
It was a standout winner. We thought about picking a selection of hammer drills for this article, as we don’t often just write about one model. But the results are so conclusive that this is the best rotary hammer drill available so we felt uncomfortable recommending anything else.
It’s a great tool, reliable, powerful and from one the world’s leading power tool manufacturers. It has a great track record from passing all of our tests with flying colours as well as glowing reviews from professionals that use it on a daily basis. So, without further adieu, here’s the best rotary hammer drill on the market right now.
Bosch 11255VSR SDS-Plus Bulldog Xtreme Rotary Hammer
The Bosch 11255VSR Bulldog Xtreme Rotary Hammer Drill and certainly a drill we love! When the designers came up with the plans incredible machine, it really shows they looked into and took notice of the needs of the construction worker, mason and DIYer alike. What really stands out is its amazing power, this drill can achieve up to 1,300 RPM and approximately 5,800 BPM.
Being a corded rotary hammer it is powered by mains electricity, so for those who are looking to put in some seriously long hours of drilling, there’s no fear of running out of power. This rotary hammer driver-drill will keep going for as long as you need it to – none of the professionals we spoke to mentioned about it needing cooling-off periods when used on heavy-duty projects. An advantage of this is that it means you can get on with the job at hand and get it completed quickly and efficiently.
Our one worry about this Bosch Hammer Drill is that it is corded, so it won’t have as much freedom or flexibility in the movement as a cordless option. However, the 11255VSR SDS-Plus model has a turret cord which offers a really good range of flexibility of movement – the only restriction is that you need to be close to a power source.
Another of the things we really like about this machine is that it comes with an SDS-Plus bit system. This makes changing bits a ‘piece of cake’ and better still you don’t need any tools! It also comes with 36 different bit positions that you can choose from, and it will always make sure you are working at the perfect angle. On the market today, the Bosch 1125VSR Bulldog Xtreme Rotary Hammer is simply the best option. This makes it an excellent and invaluable tool to have in anyone’s toolbox.
Guide to Buying a Rotary Hammer Drill
Now that you have read our Best Rotary Hammer Drill Review then next we thought it is important for you to look at some of the things you need to consider when deciding which rotary hammer drill to buy. At Wonkee Donkee, we always like to provide buying guides with all of our power tool reviews as it educates our readers to make their own decision on which is the best power tool to buy. Our goal is to explain what all of the different features and specifications of power tools mean and what tool will best suit your needs.
What’s a hammer drill for?
It may seem obvious, but one of the first things to think about is what you will be using your hammer drill for? Hammer drills have a rotating hammer action, which makes it perfect for drilling into hard surfaces like masonry and rock, compared to that of a regular drill. To put it simply, hammer drills make drilling into extremely tough surfaces a lot easier, faster and with less likely to damage your tools in comparison to standard drills. These are specifically designed for these heavy-duty tasks, so if you find yourself regularly needing to drill holes in these type of surfaces then you need a hammer drill.
Corded or cordless?
When trying to decide between a corded or cordless hammer drill you need to decide on how much work you want from the tool. If you’ll be working with a lot of tough materials you will need a drill that will give you a constant high power course. In this case, we would recommend a corded hammer drill. This is because they provide you with so much more power consistently, which allows you to complete tasks in less time.
On the other hand, another big thing to consider is the location of where you will be working. If you’ll only be working in areas where there’s limited access to a power source or the jobs are small then the cordless is the way to go. You also get a lot more flexibility when using a cordless hammer drill as you are not restricted by the cord.
A hammer drill or rotary hammer?
In your research of the different hammer drills available you will more than likely come across a drill called a rotary hammer. This type of drill’s action is much more powerful because of its piston mechanism. This works by twisting the drill bit as it punches back and forth as opposed to just staying in one position like a hammer drill.
The drawback of this mechanism is that rotary hammer drills are usually bigger, much heavier and more expensive. With that in mind, only go for the rotary hammer if you know you will be needing to drill larger holes.
The Top Features of a Hammer Drill
Power Source
Although power is a key feature equally important is the power source. Cordless drills are just fine for using in the home or for those lighter jobs. Having no long cable means they are easy to transport around and getting into those difficult places is much more convenient. They also offer versatility where the corded drill cannot, which makes them very useful indeed.
What they can’t give is the same amount of power. Corded hammer drills give you a higher number of rotations per minute (RPM), which allows you to get tough jobs done quicker without the need to stop and recharge batteries.
Amount of Power
Power will determine how fast you will be able to drill the holes that you need. As most of the surfaces you will be drilling will be extremely tough, then the more power, the better. Standard hammer drill motors are approximately 7 AMPS while larger ones about 10 AMPS. The larger the motor the greater the power you have to work with. But it’s worth remembering it will also it will be larger and heavier, important to keep in mind if comfort is important to you.
Variable Speed
Another useful feature to consider in a hammer drill is variable speed, as this can give you greater control when using it. A hammer drill with variable speed technology means you can be more accurate with your work, thus giving better results. Variable speed settings also mean that you will be able to carry out a much wider range of jobs, so sometimes you can get two power tools for the price of one.
A lot of hammer drills will allow you to use different drill bits which gives you the advantage of being able to work with much softer woods and metals. When working with softer materials it’s worth remembering to always be careful as hammer drills were designed for harder materials. Always select the right bit and increase the RPM – you don’t want to ruin what you’re working on or damage your drill bit!
Safety
Safety is perhaps not an exciting feature to look at, but one of the most important. Especially when using powerful tools like the hammer drill. Most hammer drills come with two handles, this not only offers safety but comfort too. It also gives the all-important stability while in use. Ergonomic, shock absorption technology a comfortable grip is something all the best hammer drills will offer. With corded hammer drills, this is especially important.
Depth Gauge
Depth gauges make drilling holes to a specific depth much easier, meaning you’ll make fewer mistakes and therefore save you time. Keeping an eye on the depth gauge whilst you drill will allow you to ensure a professional job is completed every time.
Keyed or Key-less Chuck
Many drills on the market today come with key-less chuck making it quick and easy for changing of bits. However, a hammer drill with a keyed chuck is much better. A keyed chuck needs a key to tighten it manually, this means that while the drill is in action you can be assured that the bit will stay in place. The key-less chuck option is convenient, but you should always double-check that your drill bit is properly secured before you use it.
