Buying Guide: Impact Drill Versus Hammer Drill Versus Rotary Hammer Drill

Are you looking for a drill machine but cannot decide between an impact drill and a hammer drill?  We got you!  We have compiled the features that differentiate these two drill types to make your purchase decision easier.

Ten features of an impact drill:

1. High Torque: An impact drill is designed to deliver high torque, which is the rotational force that enables the drill to drill through tough materials such as concrete, metal, and wood with ease. High torque allows for faster and more efficient drilling.
2. Hammering Action: Impact drills have a hammering action feature that provides rapid impacts to the drill bit as it rotates, helping to break through hard materials like concrete. This hammering action increases the drill's effectiveness and speed when drilling into tough surfaces.
3. Variable Speed Control: Many impact drills come with variable speed control, allowing you to adjust the drilling speed according to the material you are drilling into. This feature provides better control and precision, especially when working with delicate materials.
4. Forward/Reverse Rotation: Impact drills typically have a forward/reverse rotation feature that allows you to switch between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. This is useful for tasks such as removing screws or drilling in tight spaces.
5. Chuck Type: Impact drills usually have a keyless chuck, which allows for quick and easy changing of drill bits without the need for a chuck key. This makes bit changes faster and more convenient.
6. Built-in LED Light: Many modern impact drills feature a built-in LED light near the drill bit, which provides better visibility in low-light conditions or when drilling in tight spaces. This helps you accurately drill where you intend to, increasing accuracy and reducing errors.
7. Ergonomic Design: Impact drills are designed with ergonomics in mind, featuring comfortable handles, grip textures, and well-balanced weight distribution to reduce user fatigue during prolonged use. This allows for a more comfortable and efficient drilling experience.
8. Battery-powered: Impact drills are often powered by rechargeable batteries, making them cordless and portable. This allows for greater mobility and flexibility in drilling tasks, especially in areas without access to electrical outlets.
9. Multiple Drilling Modes: Some impact drills come with multiple drilling modes, such as drilling, hammering, and screwdriving modes. This versatility allows you to use the drill for various tasks, making it a versatile tool for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.
10. Durability: Impact drills are designed to withstand tough conditions and heavy use. They are typically built with durable materials and engineered to be long-lasting, ensuring reliable performance even in demanding drilling applications.

A good example of an impact drill is the Bosch GSB 16 RE professional.

Overall, impact drills are powerful, versatile, and durable tools that are ideal for drilling through tough materials. They offer features such as high torque, hammering action, variable speed control, forward/reverse rotation, keyless chuck, LED lights, ergonomic design, cordless operation, multiple drilling modes, and durability, making them a popular choice for both DIYers and professionals alike.

In comparison here are 10 features of a hammer drill:

1. Hammering Action: A hammer drill is designed to deliver a hammering action along with rotational motion, allowing it to effectively drill through hard materials like concrete, brick, and stone. The hammering action creates rapid impacts that help break through tough surfaces.
2. High Impact Energy: Hammer drills typically have high impact energy, which is the amount of force generated by the hammering action. Higher impact energy allows for faster and more efficient drilling through hard materials.
3. Variable Speed Control: Many hammer drills come with variable speed control, allowing you to adjust the drilling speed to suit the material you are drilling into. This feature provides better control and precision, especially when working with different types of materials.
4. Forward/Reverse Rotation: Hammer drills typically have a forward/reverse rotation feature that allows you to switch between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. This is useful for tasks such as removing screws or drilling in tight spaces.
5. Chuck Type: Hammer drills usually have a keyless chuck, which allows for quick and easy changing of drill bits without the need for a chuck key. This makes bit changes faster and more convenient.
6. Built-in Depth Gauge: Many hammer drills come with a built-in depth gauge that allows you to set the drilling depth accurately. This is helpful when you need to drill holes to a specific depth, such as when installing anchors or fasteners.
7. Anti-Vibration Technology: Hammer drills may feature anti-vibration technology, which helps reduce the amount of vibration transferred to the user during operation. This helps reduce user fatigue and discomfort, especially during prolonged use.
8. Side Handle: Hammer drills often come with a side handle that provides additional stability and control during drilling. The side handle can be adjusted to different positions, allowing for a comfortable grip and improved drilling accuracy.
9. Corded or Cordless: Hammer drills are available in both corded and cordless options. Corded hammer drills provide continuous power supply, making them suitable for heavy-duty drilling tasks, while cordless hammer drills offer greater mobility and flexibility, allowing you to drill in areas without access to electrical outlets.
10. Durability: Hammer drills are typically built to withstand tough conditions and heavy use. They are constructed with durable materials and designed to be long-lasting, ensuring reliable performance even in demanding drilling applications.

A great example of a hammer drill is the Bosch Rotary Hammer GBH 2 - 26 F

In summary, hammer drills are powerful tools designed for drilling through hard materials like concrete and masonry. They offer features such as hammering action, high impact energy, variable speed control, forward/reverse rotation, keyless chuck, built-in depth gauge, anti-vibration technology, side handle, corded or cordless operation, and durability, making them suitable for professional applications and heavy-duty drilling tasks.

So what are the main differences between impact drill and hammer drill?

1. Drilling Mechanism: Impact drills use a rotary motion with a hammering action that provides rapid impacts to the drill bit as it rotates, while hammer drills use a hammering action that delivers a back-and-forth motion in addition to the rotary motion. Hammer drills are specifically designed for drilling into hard materials like concrete, brick, and stone, whereas impact drills are more versatile and suitable for a wider range of materials.
2. Application: Hammer drills are primarily used for heavy-duty drilling tasks that require drilling into hard materials, such as concrete, masonry, and stone. They are commonly used in construction, woodworking, and other professional applications. Impact drills, on the other hand, are more versatile and can be used for a wider range of tasks, including drilling into various materials like wood, metal, and plastic, as well as driving screws and fasteners.

• Hammering Action: Hammer drills deliver a back-and-forth hammering action that is specifically designed for breaking through hard materials. Impact drills, on the other hand, provide a rapid hammering action that is more focused on creating impacts to assist in drilling, but not as effective for heavy-duty drilling into hard materials compared to hammer drills.

1. Torque and Impact Energy: Hammer drills typically have higher torque and impact energy compared to impact drills. The higher torque and impact energy of hammer drills make them more suitable for heavy-duty drilling tasks that require greater force to penetrate hard materials. Impact drills, while still powerful, generally have lower torque and impact energy, which makes them better suited for lighter drilling tasks and driving screws.
2. Vibration: Hammer drills tend to generate more vibration during operation due to their back-and-forth hammering action, which can be more taxing on the user and may cause more user fatigue compared to impact drills. Impact drills, on the other hand, generate less vibration during operation, making them generally more comfortable to use for extended periods of time.

While both impact drills and hammer drills are power tools used for drilling, they have key differences in their drilling mechanisms, applications, hammering action, torque and impact energy, as well as vibration levels. Hammer drills are specialized tools for heavy-duty drilling into hard materials, while impact drills are more versatile and suitable for a wider range of tasks. The choice between an impact drill and a hammer drill depends on the specific drilling needs and materials you work with.

Another common question that comes up when purchasing a drill is whether there is a difference between a rotary hammer drill and a hammer drill.

The answer is Yes. While both types of drills are used for drilling into hard materials such as concrete, masonry, or stone, they have different mechanisms and are designed for different levels of drilling performance.

A hammer drill uses a pulsating hammering action to generate impact force while rotating, allowing it to drill into hard materials. The hammering action is typically generated by a mechanical clutch that causes the chuck to move back and forth rapidly, delivering impacts to the bit. Hammer drills are typically used for light to medium-duty applications and are suitable for drilling holes in materials such as wood, metal, and softer masonry.

On the other hand, a rotary hammer drill, also known as a rotary hammer or a hammer drill/hammer chisel, uses a more powerful mechanism to generate impact force. It uses a piston-driven mechanism that delivers a more powerful and continuous hammering action, allowing it to drill into harder materials such as concrete and tough masonry. Rotary hammer drills are typically used for heavy-duty applications and are designed for drilling large holes and chiseling tasks in hard materials.

We hope the above information will help you make the best decision when buying a drill suitable to your needs.