The UK's bestCorded Hammer Drills2022 Review

German engineering firm Bosch hardly need an introduction. Their tools are used by professional tradespeople as well as savvy DIYers all over the world. There’re the green DIY level tools that are ideal for homeowners, and the blue tools for the pros that will be using them all day, every day. Designed with comfort and ergonomics in mind, the Bosch EasyImpact 550 is still a formidable beast.

One of the things I like about this drill is the lip built into the top of the rear handle. It’s in the ideal position for putting the right amount of forward pressure onto the drill bit and makes for a more comfortable drilling experience. There’s plenty of rubberised plastic on the rear to help dampen down the vibrations as well.

With a speed range of 50 – 3,000 rpm, and an impact rate 0 – 33,000 bpm, this is a fast and powerful piece of kit. You get 9 Nm of torque on the business end, and when you match that with its weight of 1.5 kg, it has a power to weight ratio of 366. Not bad for a DIY level tool.

This big green drilling machine is ideal for DIYers that need to make holes in just about anything, but don’t want the hassle of batteries and chargers. Supplied with a generous 2.5 m power cable, you might not even need to get the extension cord out!

US tool brand DeWalt is one of the most trusted names on building sites around the world. Their line of power tools is respected by savvy DIYers as well. The DeWalt DEWD024K percussion drill is a compact and powerful beast. It’s ready to punch through masonry and blockwork without breaking a sweat.

You can easily switch between regular drilling and hammer mode with the flick of a finger. The variable speed trigger is responsive and easy to get the hang of as well. The soft start is a welcome feature. Even though the drill produces plenty of torque, it doesn’t feel like it’s going to jump out of your hands.

Weighing just 1.8 kg, it’s the lightest hammer drill on my list. That doesn’t mean it’s a lightweight though. With a maximum rpm of 2,800 and 47,600 bpm impact rate, it’ll make short work of most drilling jobs.

The short overall length at 81 cm will help you get into tighter spaces than the competition. It’s the best compact corded hammer drill that I’ve come across. The icing on the cake is the excellent DeWalt carry case. It’s rough, tough and will keep your drill looking good for years.

The Bosch Professional GSB 13 RE is a hugely powerful corded hammer drill that’s built tough for trade use. Boasting an all-metal chuck and plenty of rubberised plastic on the grip, it’s as comfortable as it is strong.

Built with a lip at the top of the handle, you can operate the drill trigger with your index and little finger. This technique aligns your hand with the drill bit and lets you put the right amount of force into the job without it being uncomfortable. It makes the drill an extension of your arm.

There’s a well-placed lock-off button that allows you to take your finger off the trigger and concentrate on the drilling job at hand, provided you’re right-handed that is. You can also fine-tune the drilling speed with the setting wheel found on the trigger.

You get a big 650 Watt motor onboard that can push the chuck up to 2,800 rpm. In hammer mode, you get a massive 44,800 bpm. Couple this up with the mighty 10.8 Nm of torque, this drill won’t have any trouble getting through even the hardest brick, concrete, or masonry. Its 1.8 kg weight means this drill has a power to weight ratio of 472.

Japanese tool brand Makita make some of the best hammer drills around. I’m a huge fan of the Makita HP1640 percussion drill. It’s simple, uncomplicated, and powerful enough for most DIY jobs. If you’re looking for a top brand drill without the huge price tag, try this one out.

The pistol grip is nicely shaped for the hand. There’s plenty of soft rubberised plastic help keep down any vibrations as well. The long in-line finger grip is useful. It’ll help to keep everything steady on deep drilling jobs.

The 680 Watt motor isn’t the strongest on my list, but it keeps up with the competition. It spins up to a maximum 2,800 rpm. Providing an adequate impact rate of 44,800 bpm it’s got enough to do the business. You can drill holes in wood up to 30 mm, 16 mm in masonry and steel. Unfortunately, the max drilling capacity for concrete is just 25 mm.

Although this isn’t the most powerful hammer drill that Makita have ever made, it’s a reliable workhorse. The build quality is excellent, and the metal chuck feels solid. For the price it’s one of the best corded hammer drills available right now.

Manchester’s own VonHaus are becoming one of the UK’s more recognisable DIY brands, as well as selling lots of homewares as well. This incredibly powerful VonHaus 1,200 Watt impact drill is big, heavy, and features two switchable gears.

Compared with the relatively compact Bosch corded hammer drills on my list, this is a big piece of kit. Measuring 37.5 cm from nose to tail, this isn’t designed for getting into the tightest spots, but it’s strong enough to tackle whatever DIY project you put in front of it.

I really like the amount of metal on display with this drill. It’s a robust, solid drill that feels like it’ll last for a long time. The big side handle and depth stop are both metal, and you get an all-metal, traditional keyed chuck as well. This all adds to the weight, but it’s definitely not flimsy!

The big 1,200 Watt motor spins the drill bit up to 1,200 rpm in 1^st gear and 3,200 rpm in 2^nd gear. Even though this is a heavy drill, the power to weight ratio is still an impressive 400. So as long as you can handle it being on the large size, you can enjoy a tremendous amount of power for all sorts of jobs.

Part of the Futura Direct family of brands, Terratek make affordable power tools and equipment for DIYers that appreciate good value. Their 810 Watt hammer drill features a comfortable grip, all-metal chuck and a generous accessory kit.

For a relatively inexpensive bit of kit, the Terratek has a surprisingly ergonomic grip shape. There are rubberised plastic parts to help reduce vibration, and a lip on the top to help you drill straight. There’s a speed limiter dial on the variable speed trigger that should help you avoid overheating drill bits as well.

The 850 Watt brushed motor puts out a maximum 3,000 rpm and creates an impressive maximum 48,000 bpm in hammer mode. Weighing just 1.9 kg, it’s a reasonably lightweight drill to handle as well. With a combined power to weight ratio of 426, it’s almost as good as a drill three times the price.

What might clinch the deal for casual DIYers is the extensive tool kit that comes with the hammer drill. You get a sturdy plastic case, chuck key, five wood bits, five masonry bits, five HSS bits, ten screwdriver bits and a magnetic bit holder, several different shapes of die grinder bits, a wire wheel bit, utility knife, and screwdriver handle. That’s an awful lot for the money!

Germany’s Einhell are one of those dependable DIY brands. They keep producing honest tools that get the job done. I tested out the Einhell TC-ID 1000 E impact drill. It’s a powerful yet lightweight drill to use on wood, metal and blockwork.

The handle is quite comfortable but lacks the refinements of the best corded hammer drills around. You can lock out the variable speed trigger and switch between hammer and normal drilling easily though. The keyed chuck is all metal and easy to tighten down when you need it.

The huge 1,010 Watt motor powers the drill end up to 3,000 rpm. You get an impact rate of 48,000 bpm at max speed as well. Weighing 2,12 kg, it’s not a lightweight tool, but with a motor that size you can understand.  With a max drilling capacity of 32 mm in wood, 16 mm in concrete and 13 mm in metal, it’ll get the job done right.

I was happy to see a metal depth stop on this impact drill. It’s certainly sturdier than some of the plastic ones I’ve tried out. It’s more likely to last being dropped or knocked around on the job. If you need a heavy duty corded hammer drill on a budget, this is a solid choice.