Whether you want to chip off old, worn-out tiles, carve a hollow area for electric outlets, or perform similar tasks, a demolition hammer works best. These bad boys are made for pounding tough material such as concrete, tile, and the like, using their repetitive blowing motion.
If you are looking for the best demolition hammers, you are in luck. Below I have reviewed the top selection, so you can decide for yourself which unit is best for your needs.
Makita HM1203C 20-Pound SDS-Max Demolition Hammer
The Makita HM1203C 20-Pound SDS-Max Demolition Hammer is a powerful all-around tool that delivers 18.8 foot-pounds of impact energy (equivalent to 25.5 Joules). Bearing an SDS-MAX bit type, this demolition hammer has a 14-amp motor with a variable speed of 950 to 1,900 BPM (blows per minute), which is one of the highest among its class.
This corded demolition hammer weighs 20.3 pounds and has a length of 22-3/4 inches. Among its features worth mentioning include an LED service light to let you know when to replace the brushes and an LED power light in case of cord damage or switch failure – helpful notifications when you’re in the job site.
Because it has 12 angles that you can choose from, there’s little worry about putting yourself in an awkward position trying to remove some tiles or performing other demolition work. Aside from that, it also has constant speed control to maintain its speed under loads while the soft start keeps the demolition hammer’s precision during start-up.
It also has a rubberized ergonomic handle that’s soft to hold, which reduces user fatigue, especially if you tend to have sweaty hands. What’s more, its automatic brush cut-off tool enhances the lifespan of the demolition hammer.
Things I Like About This Product: It has a powerful impact on energy value and BPM as compared to similar demolition hammers of its class.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Although it has an ergonomic handle, unfortunately, it has no vibration control.
Bosch DH1020VC Inline Demolition Hammer
Next up in my list is the Bosch DH1020VC Inline Demolition Hammer, which can be used for both horizontal and vertical applications with its 12 lockable chisel positions for you to choose from. As with my previous pick, this one also has variable speed, which you can set from 850 to 1,800 BPM.
Its impact energy is 17 foot-pounds powered by its 15-amp motor. As it is a powerful demolition hammer, it has a convenient keyless SDS-MAX chuck type. Spanning at 27.5 inches long and 9 inches high, it weighs 25.1 pounds so it is a little heavier than the Makita hammer I mentioned above.
Another super-convenient feature is the dust extraction/collection hood compatibility – you can use either the HDC300 or the HDC400 to manage dust in your work area. Operating at 120 volts, this corded unit also comes with a carry case for easy transport.
The unique 360-degree auxiliary handle design (along with the padded rear handle) decreases user fatigue while the dial for setting the speed is easy to use. It also has vibration control technology for added comfort and it has a service light that notifies the user when you need to perform preventive maintenance.
Things I Like About This Product: It has comfortable handles and it has vibration control for less user fatigue.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The tool is a little on the heavy side compared to other demolition hammers.
Makita HM0870C 11-Pound Demolition Hammer
A slightly smaller, more beginner-friendly Makita HM0870C 11-Pound Demolition Hammer is ideal for light to medium-duty demolition jobs. It has a variable speed of 1,100 to 2,560 BPM with its 10-amp motor, delivering 8.4 foot-pounds of impact energy (equivalent to 11.4 Joules). Even under load, it has constant speed control and a soft start feature for precise accuracy.
Due to the slide switch, operating the demolition hammer is a breeze even when you’re in a rush. To keep the tool durable for long-term use, it has an automatic brush cut-off tool plus extended life brushes. It even has LED service lights to let you know when to perform maintenance on the tool.
With 12 angle settings, convenience is just around the corner when working at awkward angles when taking out tiles and other jobs done in tight spaces. This corded demolition hammer accepts SDS-MAX bits. As for the size, it spans at only 17-3/4 inches and weighs 11.1 pounds so it is not just lightweight but also portable and easy to store.
Things I Like About This Product: The tool is lightweight and easy to store so you won’t have problems transporting it from one place to another. It also has a high variable speed.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It is not as powerful as other demolition hammers of its class when it comes to impact energy.
HIlti TE 3000-AVR Jackhammer
When you think of jackhammers that you often see in construction sites, the HIlti TE 3000-AVR Jackhammer is the kind of demolition hammer that would come to your mind due to its vertical design. That’s because this beast packs 50 foot-pounds of impact energy, allowing you to perform demolition on big projects.
It uses an SR brushless motor that distributes weight evenly without affecting demolition performance. Since this is a package deal, it comes with bonus chisels and accessories. The included TE-H polygon self-sharpening chisels are ideal for general concrete demolition – up to about 14 inches of concrete thickness.
Due to the Active Vibration Reduction (AVR), it will feel less shaky and will cause less fatigue for the operator. Among the accessories included is a trolley, which allows you to conveniently transport the jackhammer or demolition hammer within the job site. It even has slots to carry the different chisels included.
Things I Like About This Product: For power, you can’t go wrong with this demolition hammer thanks to its 50 foot-pounds of impact energy. It also has Active Vibration Reduction (AVR) to reduce user fatigue.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It is only used for vertical applications and it is quite expensive compared to the other demolition hammers I reviewed here.
Bosch 11316EVS SDS-Max Demolition Hammer
The Bosch 11316EVS SDS-Max Demolition Hammer is a 14-amp option for you that provides 12.4 foot-pounds of impact energy with a variable speed of 900 to 1,890 BPM, which are good specs for a demolition hammer. It is also compatible with the HDC300 dust extraction/collection hood, as well as other SDS-MAX adapters like the HA1030 and HA1031.
Since this one has automatic bit locking, changing the chisel and locking it in place becomes a breeze without the use of external tools – and you can even position it in 12 different ways to tackle any tight or awkward position. What I like is the keyless chuck design, which also speeds up the changing of the chisel. This demolition hammer comes with its carrying case and has an 8-foot power cord.
It has a service minder light that tells you when it’s time to perform maintenance on the tool. Its weight is 23 pounds (which is pretty standard for most horizontal demolition hammers). Nonetheless, it has a 360-degree auxiliary handle with a padded rear handle (for absorbing vibrations) to help with user comfort when using it for long hours.
Things I Like About This Product: It has a keyless chuck design and tool-less bit locking so changing the chisel and/or locking it in place is fast and easy.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The impact energy doesn’t hit as hard as other demolition hammers of the same kind so it may take longer to crush some rocks.
Makita HM1307CB 35-Pound Demolition Hammer
As a powerful tool from my list, the Makita HM1307CB 35-Pound Demolition Hammer has 25.7 foot-pounds of impact energy, which means it can be used for medium to heavy-duty applications. To keep it running smoothly and to extend its lifespan, the tool has a soft start feature, constant speed control, and extended life brushes. It even has an LED service light for easy maintenance without guesswork.
Bearing a 16.4-foot power cord for easy maneuvering around the job site, it has a 14-amp motor with variable speeds ranging from 730 to 1,450 BPM. It falls under the breaker/demo class 35 and weighs 38.2 pounds with a length of 32-1/2 inches.
Another plus point that increases the tool lifespan is the function that turns off hammering mode when idling. Since it has a slide switch, operating the demolition hammer for continuous use is easy. The hammer accepts 1-1/8-inch hex bits and can be used for horizontal and vertical applications, which may include concrete demolition, landscaping, rod and stake driving, removal of asphalt, trenching, and the like.
Things I Like About This Product: It has strong impact energy as compared to similar demolition hammers of its class. The LED service light makes maintenance easy.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It does not have vibration control and can be louder than other similar demolition hammers.
XtremepowerUS Pro-Series Electric Demolition Hammer Set
If you want a complete job site set, the XtremepowerUS Pro-Series Electric Demolition Hammer Set is a good choice, since it comes with a 5-piece chisel set and other accessories. At 2,200 watts of power (110V 60 Hz), this powerful tool has 1,800 BPM for its no-load speed. Since it has a 360-degree handle, holding the demolition hammer won’t feel awkward during long hours of work.
The hammer is applicable for breaking concrete holes, trenching, stucco, tiles, foundation, slabs, and other demolition jobs. It comes with a set of bull point, flat, clay spade, scraping, and asphalt chisels, along with protective gloves, hex wrenches, and safety goggles.
It has speed control for handling specific tasks and an anti-vibration system to reduce the fatigue you may feel from all-day jobs. The demolition hammer accepts 1-1/8-inch hex bits. Because it has an impact energy of 55 foot-pounds, it will be ideal for heavy-duty tasks and industrial use.
Things I Like About This Product: It has 55 foot-pounds of impact energy, making it powerful for heavy-duty tasks. It also has a 360-degree handle to adhere to different angles.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The air vents and support handle are not made of thick gauge metal. It can be confusing at first on finding the on/off switch.
Mophorn 3600W Electric Demolition Hammer
Bearing a slim yet powerful design, the Mophorn 3600W Electric Demolition Hammer has an impact frequency of 1800 BPM. It has a swivel handle that can be rotated up to 360 degrees for operator comfort. Aside from that, it has a rear handle that is D-shaped and has vibration-absorbing properties.
For increased durability, it has a solid insulation protection shell that is backed by durable metal parts. To avoid overheating, it has vents near the protective lid. What’s more, it has a sheath nearby the cable root to protect its components. The demolition hammer comes with a 16-inch bull point chisel and a 16-inch flat chisel that you can easily attach.
This demolition hammer is applicable for general breaking projects, such as with concrete, trench, driving rods, asphalt removal, and the like. You can also use it for compacting loose materials if you have an attachment for that. Thanks to its copper core motor and large steel alloy cylinder, it will run smoothly for years with proper care.
The tool spans at a length of 37.4 inches and weighs 42.5 pounds. It comes with extras (aside from the chisels) such as gloves, carbon brushes, hex wrenches, and of course, the user’s manual.
Things I Like About This Product: It has durable and well-insulated parts plus overheat-reducing vents built for long hours of use.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: It is on the heavy side so moving it around the job site may be difficult.
DeWalt D25899K 21-Pound Demolition Hammer
Convenience is the best feature of the DeWalt D25899K 21-Pound Demolition Hammer and its large on/off rocker switch, which means easy operation with just one hand. Its 14-amp motor provides 13.2 foot-pounds (17.9 Joules) of impact energy. This SDS-MAX unit weighs 21.2 pounds so it has an average weight when compared with similar demolition hammers.
Because it has a strong speed of 2,040 BPM, it is applicable for medium to heavy-duty demolition jobs. To keep the tool’s lifespan long, it has a non-air pumping beat piece to keep dust away from the unit. What I like about this demolition hammer is the handle, which allows you to adjust it to 150 degrees and rotate it up to 360 degrees.
Since it has 12 positions for the chisel that are easy to configure with just one step, adjusting is quick and easy. Aside from that, the large size of the rear rubber handle makes operation comfortable for the user.
It even has dust seals that are spring-loaded to further protect its inner workings. Moreover, if you have the DWH053K chiseling dust extraction system then this tool is compatible with that for debris management on the job site.
Things I Like About This Product: It has a convenient handle and on/off switch design that allows one-handed operation.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Unfortunately, it has no vibration control on the tool.
DeWalt D25951K 29-Pound Inline Hammer
Also aimed at user comfort, the DeWalt D25951K 29-Pound Inline Hammer is an SDS-MAX demolition hammer that has 1,600 watts of power with up to 1,620 BPM of no-load speed from its 15-amp motor. What’s unique about this demolition hammer is that, since it is part of the DeWalt line that allows the DeWalt Tag system, you can label it, an easy way to keep track of your tool.
With its design, you will feel less vibration due to its constant speed and ergonomic handle design. Due to its impact energy of 17.7 foot-pounds or 24 Joules, it is built for the most common demolition jobs. It has 12 positions that allow you to choose the best angle for your needs.
Because of its inline design, it is usable for both floor and wall demolition jobs. The design of the handle is a floating type to reduce the vibration levels to only 8.8 m/s2. Because of its soft-start feature, the operator will feel at ease when using it for industrial jobs.
It is easy to change the blade so it minimizes downtime when you’re working on a task. Thanks to the recoil reduction, handling is also simplified. It is backed by a 3-year warranty.
Things I Like About This Product: It has an ergonomic handle design that reduces vibrations. The inline design allows you to use it horizontally or vertically.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The tool is a little on the heavier side for demolition hammers.
Makita HM1812X3 AVT Breaker Hammer with Cart
If you need a transport method to deliver a heavy yet powerful jackhammer then the Makita HM1812X3 AVT Breaker Hammer with Cart is a solid choice. It’s 70 pounds and comes with four steel breaking bits and a sturdy cart. Equipped with a 15-amp motor, this demolition hammer delivers 53.9 foot-pounds of impact energy (72.8 Joules), which makes it ideal for heavy-duty tasks.
Since it has Advanced AVT, vibrations are reduced to only 6.5m/s2, while the housing also minimizes machine fatigue. Additionally, it turns off hammering during idling to help tool and motor longevity without wasting electricity. Also, there is a convenient LED service light that notifies the user for potential cord damage, switch failure, and brush replacement.
Because of its 16.4-foot power cord, you can maneuver around the work area without the need for extensions. What’s more, it has an automatic brush cut-off feature to reduce potential tool damage. Because its lifting handle is recessed, you will feel comfortable for hours of operation.
Things I Like About This Product: It comes with a cart so moving a heavy demolition hammer or jackhammer from point A to point B within the job site is easy.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: While the cart is good for storing the unit, it is not for holding the jackhammer while using so you’d have to hold it down with strong arms when toting the machine.
The Methodology: What I Considered When Picking the Demolition Hammers Featured Above
If you want to know how I picked the demolition hammers that I reviewed above, here are some criteria that I used:
1. Type of Demolition Hammer
There are different types of demolition hammers out there, such as the following:
Inline – this is used for both horizontal and vertical applications, which means you can use it for chipping off tiles from the wall or from the floor (or even for breaking concrete and asphalt). If you want a versatile tool that is applicable for both floor and wall demolition jobs, this is the type of hammer to choose.
Jackhammer or vertical – these types are only used for floor or vertical applications, hence they are bigger and usually heavier. These are the typical jackhammers you see on construction sites and in popular media. They are the best choice for asphalt removal and if they are very heavy, they need a carrying cart for transport.
Horizontal – these are usually handheld so they tend to be much lighter in weight compared to the vertical ones. However, their impact energy is not as strong since they are only designed to remove tiles from walls, demolish stucco, and similar materials.
2. Impact Energy
The impact energy is measured in foot-pounds or Joules and is the primary measurement of a demolition hammer’s power. Jackhammers or vertical hammers range around 50 foot-pounds while horizontal and inline handheld demolition hammers tend to be around 11 to 20 foot-pounds.
3. Blows Per Minute
Abbreviated as BPM, this refers to the speed of hammering per minute. A good rule of thumb is that most units that have high impact energy tend to have a slightly slower BPM than those that have lower impact energy.
4. Ease of Handling
This refers to the construction of the handles. Are they comfortable to hold? Do they make you feel fatigued after a hard day’s work?
A well-built demolition hammer should have a comfortable handle that allows the operator to feel at ease. It’s best to use a handle that has padding, which absorbs some of the vibrations from the motor so you will feel less fatigued at the end of the day.
The design of the handle is another factor to be considered, especially since demolition hammers are not exactly lightweight as compared to other tools (let’s say, a drill). A D-shaped handle helps minimize shaky hands because of its ergonomic design. Some of my picks above even have “floating” handles that absorb vibrations.
5. Weight and/or Transport
Usually, demolition hammers aren’t lightweight. The lightest that you can find on the market is about 11 pounds or so, with an average between 20 to 30 pounds. Inline and horizontal demolition hammers tend to be on the lighter side while the vertical jackhammers are typically heavier, with some units weighing up to 70 pounds.
If you are eyeing on a vertical jackhammer, it should come with a wheeled cart for easy transport. Fortunately, my vertical demolition hammer picks above all have durable carts that will carry the accessories such as the other chisel bits as well.
While we know that user fatigue comes as an inconvenience when using heavy demolition hammers, sometimes, the added weight means increased durability, as compared to cheaply-made demolition hammers that lack quality features.
6. Service Lights
An LED service light is present in most of my picks above. This is an excellent feature because it helps you to identify when to perform maintenance (even preventive maintenance). For instance, it could notify you about the brushes, the cord, or the switch if any problems needed to be addressed.
By choosing a tool with a service light, you don’t have to depend on guesswork or take it to a service center all the time. It also extends the lifespan of your motor and tool since you’re preventing the brushes from wearing out by replacing them right away.
7. Vibration Control
We all know that vibration is a pain when it comes to handling power tools. However, when using a demolition hammer you have no choice but to endure the shaking, pounding, and vibrating. This is why having vibration control mechanisms in your tool is a big plus.
For instance, the demolition hammer could have a well-designed handle or a special technology that reduces the vibrations you will feel when handling the tool.
8. Cord Length
Cord length can be an important factor for some when deciding on a job site demolition hammer. A longer power cord means that you can travel around the area without the need for an extension cord, allowing you to get jobs done quicker and more conveniently.
9. Chisel Adjustability
The majority of the demolition hammers out there have at least 12 settings for the chisel position and angle – and you can lock it in place. This allows you to operate the hammer from different angles without having to be in an awkward position, straining your back, arms, and legs.
Chisel adjustability is a feature for nearly all demolition hammers nowadays, and it’s especially useful for tiling projects.
10. Bit Changing Mechanism
Just like with other power tools, changing the bit (in this case, the chisel) should be easy and fuss-free to up productivity in your everyday work (or one-shot project).
11. Variable Speed
Most of the demolition hammers I picked above have variable speeds. This is important for demolishing areas without breaking too much material.
12. Extras Included
Many demolition hammers on the market come with extras. However, the most notable ones would be the vertical jackhammers, which usually include 3 to 5 ready to use chisels, as well as a transport cart.
13. Durability
To maintain durability, the housing and the components should be well-built. A plus point would be an anti-overheating system which includes a good motor design and side vents. Brushless motors tend to be more durable than traditional brushed ones, albeit pricier.
14. Warranty Period and Policies
Having a long warranty period puts your mind at ease, especially if you want to use the tool for industrial needs. If there are any problems, the company’s customer service should be friendly and approachable.
Summary
If you want the best demolition hammer for all-around jobs, I would suggest the Makita HM1203C 20-Pound SDS-Max Demolition Hammer due to its high impact energy and BPM while having an ergonomic handle. The Bosch DH1020VC Inline Demolition Hammer is also a good choice for comfort, albeit heavier than the Makita model. Another unit that has high impact energy is the Makita HM1307CB 35-Pound Demolition Hammer.
For those who are on a tight budget, your best bet is the Makita HM0870C 11-Pound Demolition Hammer, which is not only lightweight but also easy to store. If you want the best inline demolition hammer, the DeWalt D25951K 29-Pound Inline Hammer is a good choice.
If you are eyeing tools with convenience, some units I’d recommend are the Bosch 11316EVS SDS-Max Demolition Hammer with its keyless chuck design, the XtremepowerUS Pro-Series Electric Demolition Hammer Set with its 360-degree handle, and the DeWalt D25899K 21-Pound Demolition Hammer and its one-handed operation design.
For heavy-duty demolition jobs, I think you will like the HIlti TE 3000-AVR Jackhammer and the Makita HM1812X3 AVT Breaker Hammer with Cart. When durability is a priority, the Mophorn 3600W Electric Demolition Hammer has well-built housing and motor-preserving parts.