13 best rock drills according to experts

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Every modern owner has such a useful tool as an electric drill. It allows you to drill small holes in wood, plastic or metal. But when it is necessary to hang a portrait on a concrete wall, the thought of buying a puncher comes. You cannot do without this device when renovating housing, when it is necessary to dismantle plaster, old tiles, and draw new wiring lines. The design of the hammer drill, in contrast to the drill, provides for a simultaneous rotational and impact action. Thanks to this arrangement, the drill fits into a concrete or brick wall like soft wood. The choice of hammer drills on the domestic market is huge, each user requires a model with a certain set of parameters.

Criteria for choosing a reliable rock drill

Special attention should be paid to the following characteristics.

1. The performance of a rock drill is influenced by the power of the electric motor, the impact energy and the frequency of impacts. It is important to achieve the perfect balance here, otherwise, in the pursuit of power, you can purchase a heavy and inconvenient device.

2. A 220 V household network or a battery can be used as a current source. Network models are lighter and more efficient. Cordless rock drills are good as mobile tools for small jobs.

3. The weight of a hammer drill only at first glance does not seem to be a very important indicator. But when you have to work for a long time from a stepladder or on an outstretched arm, it is better to sacrifice productivity by choosing a lightweight and compact device.

4. The versatility of the punch in some cases seriously helps the master, allowing you to save on the purchase of other construction tools. The presence of an additional chuck for conventional drills allows you to have a drill and a screwdriver at hand, and thanks to the chiseling function, the device is able to replace a hammer and chisel.

Our review includes the best rock drills. When determining the winners of the rating, the following criteria were taken into account:

1. technical capabilities;

2. price;

3. expert opinions;

4. user reviews.

Rating of the best rotary hammers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best inexpensive hammer drills for home: budget up to 7000 rubles	1	Bort BHD-900	RUB 3,640
	2	Makita HR2470	RUB 7,259
	3	BOSCH PBH 2900 FRE	–
The best rotary hammers in terms of price-quality ratio	1	DeWALT D25144K	RUB 9,940
	2	Makita HR2450FT	RUB 10 360
	3	BOSCH GBH 3-28 DRE	RUB 14 589
Best cordless rotary hammers	1	Makita BHR242RFE	RUB 24,429
	2	AEG BBH 18 Li-402C	RUB 24,090
	3	Bosch GBH 18 V-EC 0	RUB 14,699
	4	Interskol PA-10 / 14.4R-2	RUB 10 330
The best professional rock drills: impact energy from 12 J	1	AEG PN 11 E	RUB 49 690
	2	Makita HR5201C	RUB 37,930
	3	DEWALT D25601K	RUB 29,078

The best inexpensive hammer drills for home: budget up to 7000 rubles

To make cosmetic repairs in an apartment, it is not necessary to buy an expensive puncher. If you need to hang a picture, move an outlet, drill holes in concrete for anchors or dowels, a budget device with a power of up to 900 W and an impact energy of up to 3.5 J.

Bort BHD-900

Rating: 4.8

The Bort BHD-900 model became the leader of our rating among budget rock drills. The experts appreciated not only the lowest price among classmates, but also the advantage in many technical parameters. First of all, it is worth highlighting the power of 900 W and the impact energy of 3.5 J. For these important indicators, complete superiority over the eminent competitors Bosch and Makita. The device can handle concrete without any problems when drilling holes with a diameter of 30 mm. The hammer drill also has a reverse system that allows you to retrieve the tool when the drill gets jammed.

Professionals and amateurs have identified some of the weaknesses of the apparatus. The chuck quickly develops backlash, so you should not rely on drilling accuracy. Replaceable tools are also included in the kit.

Advantages

• low price;

• maximum hole in concrete 30 mm.

• high power and impact energy;

disadvantages

• short power cord;

• unreliable cartridge.

Makita HR2470

Rating: 4.7

Makita punchers need no special introduction. The Makita HR2470 model has become an improved modification of the famous 2450 device. The manufacturer has equipped the novelty with a vibration-proof pad, which was clearly lacking in its predecessor. The cartridge was also improved, it became more reliable to hold the drill. The hammer drill has the second place in the rating in terms of power consumption (780 W), which, in combination with an impact energy of 2.4 J and a frequency of 4500 beats / min, makes it possible to obtain high performance at the output.

The device has a record thickness of holes in wood (32 mm), and when drilling concrete, you will have to limit yourself to a 24 mm drill. Having improved the ergonomic parameters, the manufacturer was able to reduce the weight of the hammer drill to 2.6 kg.

Advantages

• soft drilling in concrete without strong vibration;

• neat case;

• long cable;

• ease of use;

disadvantages

• beating of the cartridge;

• chiselling mode is not completely disabled when drilling;

• poor equipment;

BOSCH PBH 2900 FRE

Rating: 4.6

All Bosch rotary hammers are considered powerful, comfortable and reliable tools. This BOSCH PBH 2900 FRE home appliance has good hammer drilling, which is made up of high impact energy (2.7 J), power (730 W) and maximum impacts per minute (4000). The device easily makes holes in wood with a diameter of 30 mm, and works well on concrete (26 mm). When using a hollow crown, the maximum hole diameter is 68 mm.

The device is equipped with all the useful functions of a modern punch. This is an electronic speed control, and a depth limiter, and a spindle lock. The balanced combination of different parameters made it possible to fix the weight of the perforator at around 3 kg.

Advantages

• universal properties;

• all control buttons are at hand;

• reliability and durability;

disadvantages

• thin case;

• short power cord.

The best rotary hammers in terms of price-quality ratio

On the market, you can find affordable rock drills that are able to withstand a major overhaul in a house or apartment. It is ideal for home use.

DeWALT D25144K

Rating: 4.9

The DeWALT D25144K rotary hammer is recognized as the winner in our rating in terms of value for money, both by the expert community and by ordinary users. The device was favored by such indicators as power (900 W), impact energy (3.2 J), impact frequency (5350 beats / min). With this machine, you can make large holes in wood (30 mm) and concrete (28 mm). The set includes a 3-jaw chuck for conventional drilling, allowing for high machining accuracy. In addition, the model can also be used as a screwdriver.

Experts also found the weaknesses of the device. In shock mode, the model vibrates strongly and creates a powerful noise effect (89 dB). It is good that the holes are drilled quickly due to the high frequency of impacts.

Advantages

• high performance;

• protection against jamming and overload;

• universality of application;

disadvantages

• noisy work;

• strong vibration.

Makita HR2450FT

Rating: 4.8

Despite the fact that the Makita HR2450FT rotary hammer was inferior in the ranking, its excellent technical characteristics did not escape the attention of experts. Somewhat more modest than the DeWALT D25144K are such indicators as power (780 W), impact energy (2.7 J) and impact frequency (4500 beats / min). But this is not a professional tool, whose task is to hammer walls or ceiling for a long time and quickly. Convenience and comfort in work is important for the amateur operator. It is for these moments that Makita remains at his best.

The hammer drill is equipped with a safety clutch, a rubber grip on the handle and a spot light. You can switch from hammer drilling to conventional drilling by quickly replacing the SDS-plus chuck with a 3-jaw chuck. In addition, the device has the lightest weight (2.9 kg) among competitors.

Advantages

• optimal impact force;

• affordable price;

• comfortable work;

disadvantages

• short-lived cartridges;

• spontaneous extraction of the borax is noted.

BOSCH GBH 3-28 DRE

Rating: 4.8

With its massive appearance, the BOSCH GBH 3-28 DRE perforator proves the seriousness of the device. In terms of its power parameters, it is practically not inferior to the leader of the rating. However, the high price and heavy weight become constraints to take a higher step. The model is equipped not only with a powerful motor (800 W), but also with an anti-vibration system, which makes the work convenient. A spindle lock is available for quick replacement of the drill or drill.

The blue color of the punch body indicates the professional purpose of the model. Therefore, for the durability of work, a common man in the street need not worry. To prevent cable breaks, the manufacturer made a swivel mount.

Advantages

• efficient drilling in wood and concrete;

• handle with vibration protection;

• trouble-free work;

disadvantages

• high price;

• unreliable suitcase.

Best cordless rotary hammers

More and more construction tools are offered on the market in a wireless version. When the household electrical network is far from the construction and installation work, a cordless hammer drill will come to the rescue. Although its basic parameters are inferior to network models, sometimes mobility becomes the main trump card.

Makita BHR242RFE

Rating: 4.8

The first place in the rating of the Makita BHR242RFE cordless rotary hammer provided a combination of positive aspects. It is not the most powerful among competitors, for example, the impact energy is 2 J, and the impact frequency is 4700 beats / min. But at the same time, the device is capable of making large holes both in wood (27 mm) and in concrete (24 mm). The original method of attaching the battery was used by Japanese designers. It has flexible mounting to reduce vibration and extend battery life. Therefore, despite the relatively modest capacity of 3 Ah, it works for a long time and charges quickly.

An SDS-Plus chuck is used for fastening replacement tools, into which drills with a diameter of 32 mm can be installed. The drill chuck is not supplied.

Advantages

• effective vibration protection;

• reliable protection against dust;

• original battery mount;

disadvantages

• high price;
• noise during work.

AEG BBH 18 Li-402C

Rating: 4.8

The most powerful and brutal in the review is the AEG BBH 18 Li-402C perforator. It earned the second place thanks to a record impact energy of 2.3 J. Combined with a maximum impact rate of 4200 bpm, the device is capable of making the largest holes in various materials, from 13 mm in metal to 50 mm in concrete. Although the device weighs more than its competitors (3.5 kg), it has a positive effect on reducing the vibration level.

The battery has the highest capacity (4 Ah), but it discharges quickly. The second battery does not have time to recover, due to which there is a forced stop in work.

Advantages

• high impact energy;

• effective vibration protection system;

• low noise;

disadvantages

• there is no waist suspension;

• high price.

Bosch GBH 18 V-EC 0

Rating: 4.7

It is somewhat unusual to see the professional Bosch GBH 18 V-EC 0 rotary hammer on the third line of the rating, and not the sole leader. But objectively the device is inferior to Makita and AEG in terms of impact energy (only 1.7 J). For example, where competitors can do the job easily, Bosch is powerless. This is evidenced by the maximum dimensions of holes in wood (20 mm) and concrete (18 mm). Compactness and lightness (weight 2.3 kg) can be added to the perforator's asset.

It is unlikely that the model should be classified as a professional tool. In addition to the lack of performance, the rock drill quickly runs out of battery. The developers did not think about the protection against dust. The created swirl blows it into the cartridge and battery.

Advantages

• compactness;

• precise operation of the safety clutch;

• light weight;

disadvantages

• weak battery;

• unreliable dust protection;

• modest performance;

Interskol PA-10 / 14.4R-2

Rating: 4.6

The small perforator Interskol PA-10 / 14.4R-2 won the hearts of experts not with its outstanding power and performance indicators, but with its compactness and versatility. Thanks to its light weight of 1.4 kg, the operator can switch from hammer drilling to screwdriving screws. Although the parameters of the battery are very modest (voltage 14.4 V, capacity 1.3 Ah), it charges in just 1 hour. Having a second replaceable current source in stock, you can work continuously throughout the day.

The device deserves a high place in the rating, since it allows you to work at height without operator fatigue. When turned on, the indicator shows the battery charge, which is a useful option.

Advantages

• compactness, minimum weight;

• low price;

• versatility;

disadvantages

• ineffective backlighting;

• weak dust protection in the button area.

The best professional rock drills: impact energy from 12 J

Professional rotary hammers have maximum power and impact energy. They usually have a narrow functionality, limited to hammering and conventional drilling. Chiseling is sometimes a necessary function.

AEG PN 11 E

Rating: 5.0

In a tough competition, the AEG PN 11 E rock drill became the leader in this category. Its strengths are power (1.7 kW) and impact energy (27 J). At a speed of 1950 bpm, these parameters are enough to make huge holes in different materials. In stone and concrete, the diameter is 50 mm, and when using a hollow crown – 150 mm. To control this monster, the manufacturer has equipped the device with a soft start and an idle limiter.

The hammer drill is recommended for professional work. It has an efficient vibration damping system and a comfortable grip. The indicator helps to monitor the wear of the brushes, and when a critical point is reached, the motor turns off. The model does not have a chiseling mode, so it will not work to chop stones or concrete.

Advantages

• high performance;

• durability;

• smooth start;

disadvantages

• high price;
• no chiseling mode.

Makita HR5201C

Rating: 4.9

The Japanese hammer drill Makita HR5201C won the second line of our rating due to the optimal combination of price and technical parameters. It is inferior to the leader in power (1.5 kW) and impact energy (19.7 J). Combined with a maximum impact rate of 2150 bpm, the device is capable of making the largest hole with a hollow crown (160 mm). In the reviews, users claim that they can easily cope with the processing of any material.

The model is convenient for professional work, it has a D-shaped handle, a brush wear indicator, a drilling depth limiter. The purchase of this rotary hammer looks preferable not only due to the lower price than AEG, but also due to the presence of the slotting mode.

Advantages

• excellent performance;

• smooth engine start;

• reliability;

disadvantages

• inconvenient to work in a confined space;

• the additional plastic handle wears out quickly.

DEWALT D25601K

Rating: 4.8

In the top three, the DEWALT D25601K rotary hammer has the most modest performance indicators. It has low power (1250 W) and impact force (12 J). But the model compares favorably with lightness (6.8 kg) and a low price. In addition, users admire the durability and unpretentiousness of the device. We were surprised by the DEWALT designers and effective vibration protection. They used an active vibration damping system and a damped main stick mount.

The chain drive mechanism, which works in an oil bath, also looks unusual. Therefore, the device does not heat up even after prolonged use. A safety clutch equipped with a two-stage torque control has also become a useful feature.

Advantages

• original design;

• light weight;

• affordable price;

disadvantages

• limited performance;

• expensive maintenance.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.