Hammer Drill vs Drill/Driver: Which Do You Need?
Hammer rate across 7 tracked models
Blows per minute in hammer mode (hammer drills only). Matters for masonry. Range 27,000 BPM to 39,000 BPM, median 31,500 BPM. Models without a published value are left out.
27,000
29,400
31,800
34,200
36,600
- 17 of 34 rated models are hammer drills.
Rules of thumb
- Hammer mode adds a pounding action for brick, block and light concrete.
- For frequent concrete work, a rotary hammer (not covered here) is the better tool.
- A hammer drill can do everything a drill/driver can, at extra length and weight.
Next steps
Best cordless drills for drilling masonry & concrete →