| Power | 880 W |
| Impact Energy | 3.2 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 28 mm |
| Idle Speed | 0–1,150 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 0–4,400 impacts/min |
| Weight | 3.1 kg |
| Noise Level | 89 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
Best electric hammer drills for tough jobs
By Gustav Olsson Mar 15, 2025
Rotary hammers are powerful tools specifically designed to handle tough materials like concrete, brick, and stone.
When purchasing a rotary hammer, it's crucial to consider various factors to ensure you pick the right tool for your needs. Rotary hammers are indispensable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts, particularly when working with tough materials like concrete and stone. The right choice can make a big difference in efficiency and comfort. In this article, we’ll go over some of the best rotary hammers available, catering to both professionals and hobbyists.
What to Consider When Buying a Rotary Hammer
When choosing a rotary hammer, several key factors need to be considered to make sure you get the right tool for your project:
Power and Impact Energy
For tough materials like concrete, a rotary hammer with high power and impact energy is essential. A higher impact energy helps you drill more efficiently through these hard surfaces. If you're handling lighter tasks, a more budget-friendly model may suffice.
Weight and Ergonomics
Rotary hammers can be heavy, so selecting one that is ergonomically designed for comfort during extended use is important. A well-balanced tool will reduce user fatigue.
Durability and Build Quality
A good rotary hammer should be built to last. Durability is crucial for both professional and home use, especially when you plan on using it regularly.
Price
The price of rotary hammers can vary widely depending on the features and performance. It’s important to find a model that fits both your needs and your budget.
Speed and Versatility
Many modern rotary hammers come with adjustable speed and multiple functions like drilling, hammering, and chiseling. These features add versatility to the tool, making it adaptable to various materials and tasks.
Here’s a closer look at some of the top models available:
Selected products
Our selected Rotary Hammers
After reviewing the market, we have selected 8 Rotary Hammers from affordable options to premium models. See our recommendations below.
Price Range: 2,700 – 3,100 SEK
Metabo KHE 2860 Quick is a compact rotary hammer with 3.2 J impact energy and SDS-plus chuck for quick bit changes. Its ergonomic design and strong durability make it ideal for demanding drilling and chiseling tasks in concrete and brick.
- Three functions: Hammer drilling, drilling, and chiseling
- Metabo Quick: Quick change between SDS-Plus and quick-action chucks
- Robust design: Aluminum alloy housing for long durability
- Safety clutch: Protects the user in case of jamming
- Vibration levels during drilling are slightly high but are effectively reduced during chiseling
- Ideal for versatile applications thanks to the quick-change chuck system
- Lightweight and compact design, perfect for tight spaces
- Efficient and ergonomic for extended work sessions
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
8/10
Value for money
9/10
Total rating: 8.8/10
Price Range: 2,700 – 3,500 SEK
The Bosch GBH 2-28 F is a compact and powerful rotary hammer ideal for both professionals and DIY users. Perfect for drilling into concrete, stone, and brick – high performance in a lightweight, handy, and reliable tool.
| Power | 880 W |
| Impact Energy | 3.2 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 28 mm |
| Idle Speed | 0–900 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 0–4,000 impacts/min |
| Weight | 3.1 kg |
| Noise Level | 91 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
- KickBack Control for increased user safety
- Vibration Control for more comfortable operation
- Quick-change chuck for easy switching between SDS-plus and cylindrical drills
- Rotation stop for chiseling
- Overload clutch to protect user and machine
- Slightly heavier compared to smaller models, but the stability is beneficial during use
- High performance for both drilling and chiseling
- Effective safety features like KickBack Control and vibration damping
- Easy switching between drill bits with the quick-change chuck
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
9/10
Total rating: 9.0/10
Price Range: 3,300 – 3,800 SEK
The DeWalt D25333K is a great mid-range rotary hammer, offering a good balance between power and weight. It's ideal for professionals who need a reliable tool for everyday tasks in concrete, stone, and brick.
| Power | 950 W |
| Impact Energy | 3.5 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 30 mm |
| Idle Speed | 0–1,150 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 0–4,100 impacts/min |
| Weight | 3.7 kg |
| Noise Level | 93 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
- Active vibration control with floating handle for reduced vibration
- Electronic speed and impact control for optimal performance
- Rotation stop for chiseling
- Mechanical clutch to prevent sudden torque during jamming
- Slightly higher weight, but this contributes to stability during heavy tasks
- Efficient drilling and chiseling in concrete and masonry
- Reduced vibration for increased user comfort
- Robust design for long durability
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
9/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 8.8/10
Price Range: 6,700 – 9,000 SEK
The Bosch GBH 5-40 DCE is a high-performance rotary hammer ideal for heavy-duty professional use. It’s great for drilling into concrete and stone and features top-tier impact energy and vibration control.
| Power | 1,150 W |
| Impact Energy | 8.8 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 40 mm |
| Idle Speed | 165–340 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 1,500–3,050 impacts/min |
| Weight | 6.8 kg |
| Noise Level | 93 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
- Vibration Control: For comfortable use during extended work periods
- Robust design: Metal components and optimized lubrication system for long service life
- Powerful motor: Delivers high impact energy for fast drilling and high material removal rates
- Slightly heavy for smaller tasks, but the performance makes it ideal for heavy-duty work
- Efficient drilling and chiseling in hard materials
- Ergonomic design for comfortable operation over long periods
- High durability due to robust components
Quality
10/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 9.3/10
Price Range: 7,300 – 10,000 SEK
The Makita HR4013C is a powerful rotary hammer with high impact energy and an anti-vibration system. Ideal for professionals and advanced DIYers needing a durable tool for heavy-duty drilling and chiseling in tough materials.
| Power | 1,100 W |
| Impact Energy | 8.0 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 40 mm |
| Idle Speed | 250–500 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 1,450–2,900 impacts/min |
| Weight | 6.8 kg |
| Noise Level | 93 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
- AVT (Anti-Vibration Technology) for extremely low vibration (4.8 m/s²)
- Electronic power adjustment and adjustable rotation speed
- Two functions: hammer drilling and chiseling
- Extra vibration damping in the handle
- Service light for carbon brush replacement and connection issues
- Slightly heavy for smaller projects, but ideal for demanding use
- Low vibration level for longer and more comfortable use
- Efficient drilling and chiseling in concrete and tough materials
- Robust and ergonomic design for heavy-duty tasks
Quality
10/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 9.3/10
Price Range: 8,600 – 10,000 SEK
The Metabo KHEV 5-40 BL is a powerful and durable rotary hammer with a brushless motor, built for tough drilling in concrete and stone. Ideal for professionals and advanced DIYers needing reliable performance in heavy-duty tasks.
| Power | 1,150 W |
| Impact Energy | 8.7 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 40 mm |
| Idle Speed | 350–500 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 2,900 impacts/min |
| Weight | 8.3 kg |
| Noise Level | 93 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
- Metabo VibraTech (MVT) for effective vibration reduction
- SDS-max tool holder for quick and easy bit and chisel changes
- Robust construction with metal components for long durability
- Two-speed options for task-specific adjustment
- Slightly heavy, but it adds stability for heavy-duty use
- Efficient vibration damping for increased comfort during long work sessions
- High performance for demanding drilling and chiseling
- Robust design capable of handling heavy-duty tasks
Quality
9/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 9.0/10
Price Range: 9,700 – 11,000 SEK
The Bosch GBH 8-45 D is a powerful SDS-max rotary hammer with high impact energy, perfect for drilling into concrete, stone, and tough materials. Its durable build makes it ideal for demanding construction work.
| Power | 1,500 W |
| Impact Energy | 12.5 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 45 mm |
| Idle Speed | 165–300 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 1,475–2,700 impacts/min |
| Weight | 8.2 kg |
| Noise Level | 105 dB(A) |
| Product page | Link |
- SDS-max tool holder for quick bit and chisel changes
- Robust construction with metal components for long service life
- Powerful motor with high impact energy for fast drilling and high material removal rates
- Relatively heavy, but provides stability for heavy-duty tasks
- Perfect balance between power and weight for various SDS-max tasks
- Long durability due to robust metal components
- Efficient drilling even in tough materials
Quality
10/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
7/10
Total rating: 9.0/10
Price Range: 10,000 – 12,000 SEK
The Makita HR5212C is a powerful rotary hammer with high impact energy and low vibrations, built for tough jobs in concrete and stone. Its robust design and SDS-max chuck make it ideal for demanding professional applications.
| Power | 1,510 W |
| Impact Energy | 20.0 J |
| Drill Ø (Concrete) | 52 mm |
| Idle Speed | 150–310 rpm |
| Impact Frequency | 1,100–2,250 impacts/min |
| Weight | 11.9 kg |
| Noise Level | 98 dB(A |
| Product page | Link |
- AVT (Anti-Vibration Technology) for extremely low vibration performance
- Two functions: hammer drilling and chiseling
- Electronic power adjustment and adjustable rotation speed
- Vibration damping in the handle for increased user comfort
- Service light for carbon brush replacement and connection issues
- High weight may be demanding for some users, but the power compensates for it
- High impact energy and drilling capacity for demanding tasks
- Very low vibration levels for comfortable and safe operation
- Robust construction with advanced technology for long service life
Quality
10/10
Ease of use
9/10
Performance
10/10
Value for money
8/10
Total rating: 9.3/10
Compare products
| # | Product | Power | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metabo KHE 2860 Quick | 880 W | 2,700 – 3,100 SEK |
| 2 | Bosch GBH 2-28 F | 880 W | 2,700 – 3,500 SEK |
| 3 | DeWalt D25333K | 950 W | 3,300 – 3,800 SEK |
| 4 | Bosch GBH 5-40 DCE | 1,150 W | 6,700 – 9,000 SEK |
| 5 | Makita HR4013C | 1,100 W | 7,300 – 10,000 SEK |
| 6 | Metabo KHEV 5-40 BL | 1,150 W | 8,600 – 10,000 SEK |
| 7 | Bosch GBH 8-45 D | 1,500 W | 9,700 – 11,000 SEK |
| 8 | Makita HR5212C | 1,510 W | 10,000 – 12,000 SEK |
Summary
Choosing the right hammer drill depends on your specific needs, whether you are a professional or a DIY enthusiast. For professionals who need maximum power and performance, models like the Bosch GBH 5-40 DCE and Makita HR5212C are excellent choices, offering exceptional impact energy and durability for heavy-duty tasks. If you're a DIYer or need a lighter option for smaller projects, models such as the Bosch GBH 2-28 F, Dewalt D25333K, or Metabo KHE 2860 Quick may be sufficient, as they provide a good balance between price and performance.
For those looking for a tool that combines high impact energy with good ergonomics, the Metabo KHEV 5-40 BL and Makita HR4013C are great alternatives, as they offer both power and user-friendliness.
When making your choice, consider factors like impact energy, weight, ergonomics, and durability to ensure you get the best tool for your needs, whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist.
FAQ
Look at impact energy (J), speed (rpm), chuck type (SDS-plus or SDS-max), power (W), and features like rotation stop or chiseling mode. Also consider if you'll be drilling into concrete, brick, or stone.
A rotary hammer is far more effective in hard materials like concrete and masonry. It uses a pneumatic hammering mechanism that delivers higher impact energy with less effort from the user.
For light-duty work, 2–3 J is sufficient. For heavier drilling, look for 4 J or more. Power between 700–1,100 W is typical. SDS-max is used for the most demanding jobs.
Keep the chuck and ventilation areas clean, lubricate the SDS chuck if needed, inspect the power cord, and replace worn carbon brushes in brushed models. Store it dust-free and dry.
Yes, for heavier work where you need consistent, maximum power over time. Cordless offers mobility, but electric models are ideal when you have steady access to power.
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