Breaking concrete needs a durable and reliable sledgehammer as concrete breaking requires a lot of work and energy. The best way to pick the right sledgehammer for your project is to first find out the requirements of your job. You will need a heavy hammer head if your concrete is thick while a light head if the concrete is thin. You will need a sledgehammer with a long handle if you need to break walls, but you will need a short handle if you need to break flooring.
Therefore, choosing the right sledgehammer is an important part of any professional or DIYer’s tool arsenal. Head quality, head size, handle material, handle length and arrangement all play an important role when choosing your one.
The best sledgehammers will depend on the work you intend to do and the features of the tool. You need to know the features of each hammer so that you can choose the perfect one for yourself. Therefore, at dailyhandtools we have researched each hammer with different features and have come up with the best sledgehammers for breaking concrete to help you find the product that’s right for you.
Here are our top recommendations for sledgehammers. Just look at your needs and choose one for yourself.
Best Sledgehammers for Breaking Concrete Review
Here is the list of the best sledgehammers that you can choose for yourself.
If you don’t have time to read, just check out the list below according to your required specification.
- Best for heavy duty: Wilton BASH 36” sledgehammer
- Best for lightweight: Estwing sure strike 3-pound sledgehammer
- Best within budget: NEIKO 02849A 4 Lb Dead Blow Hammer
- Best with a long handle: Fiskars PRO 750620-1001 IsoCore 10 lb Sledge Hammer
- Best with hardwood handle: Truper 30919 10-Pound Sledge Hammer
- Best with fiberglass handle: Estwing 16-Pound Hard Face Sledge Hammer
- Best for multipurpose use: Wilton B.A.S.H 36″ Sledge Hammer, 6 Lb
1. Wilton B.A.S.H 36” Sledgehammer 20 Pound: Heavy Duty
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Features
- No-Slip Grip
- Unbreakable Handle Technology
- Lanyard Hole
- Ergonomic Design
- Steel Core Design
The Wilton B.A.S.H 36” sledgehammer (20 Lb) has a robust construction with a Hi-vis, drop-forged 46 HRV steel head which endures the most demanding applications.
It features an unbreakable handle technology with a steel core design that prevents breaking during overstrikes with a safety plate that locks the head firmly to handle dislodging.
The sledgehammer comes with an anti-vibe neck that is ergonomically designed to prevent injury from repeated job site use with a textured handle for a secure grip while striking.
The cool-looking trademark green head adds instant identification under any job site conditions.
2. Estwing sure strike 3-pound sledgehammer: Lightweight
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Features
- Alloy Steel
- Maximum Strength
- Highly Durable
- Versatile
- Lightweight
Since it is forged in one piece, it is the most durable and long-lasting striking tool available which is great for cracking thin concrete sheets.
It is comfortable to use and has a patented shock reduction grip which is great to be used with chisels, punches, nails and many more.
It is lightweight and easy to handle with a durable handle with a ribbed grip that offers a comfortable controlled grip to prevent slips.
3. NEIKO 02849A 4 Lb Dead Blow Hammer: Best Within Budget
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Features
- Steel Shot Filled Head
- Unicast Poly Molded Body
- Bright Colour
- Diamond Textured Non-Slip Handle
NEIKO 02849A 4 Lb Dead Blow Hammer is the best hammer within your budget range for breaking thin concrete sheets.
The Steel shot-filled head adds extra force to hammer blows and eliminates rebound & spark which is ideal for concrete work.
The unicast poly molded body prevents the hammer from wearing away between the head and handle and prevents sparks upon impact.
The bright neon colour gives it an attractive look making it easy to locate and differentiate between other hammers in your tool kit.
4. Fiskars PRO IsoCore 10 lb SledgeHammer: Long Handle
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Features
- 5X More Destructive Power
- Patented IsoCore Shock Control System
- Extra-Large Diameter
- 2X Less Shock
- Better Strike Accuracy
- 36 Inch Long
The FISKARS PRO sledgehammer will be the best choice if you are looking for one with a long handle.
It is 36 inches long with orange black colour that gives it an attractive look and high visibility with the Extra-large diameter driving face improving striking accuracy.
Wedged demolition face concentrates force for up to 5X more destructive power than traditional designs and directs debris to the sides, not back at you.
Patented IsoCore Shock Control System absorbs strike shock and vibration to reduce the punishment your body takes, transferring 2X less shock and vibration than wood handles
5. Truper 30919 10-Pound Sledge Hammer: Hickory Handle
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Features
- Shock Absorbent
- 36-Inch Handle
- 10-Pound Hammer
- Overstrike Protection
- Flat Handle
Truper 30919 10-Pound Sledge Hammer is made up of a good quality hickory handle and is very much suitable for heavy-demolition work.
The handle is designed to be 36-Inch long with an industry standard for better strength and comfortable hold.
It is also equipped with a shock absorbent poly guard for over-strike protection which is best suited for commercial as well as residential use.
6. Estwing 16-Pound Hard Face Sledge Hammer: Fibreglass Handle
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Features
- Alloy Steel Forged Head
- Fibreglass Handle
- Ergonomic Design
- Textured Grip
- Thick Handle
Estwing 16-Pound Hard Face Sledge Hammer is designed for demolition with a 36-inch long ergonomic handle that provides excellent arc swing for maximum impact.
The 16-pound hammer head is forged from durable alloy steel and is induction hardened to 50-55 hrc for better hardness.
Has been provided with a dual-injection handle which is infused with over 70% fibreglass for unmatched strength & durability.
The thicker handle and rubber overlay below the striking head provides increased overstrike protection.
7. Wilton B.A.S.H 36″ Sledge Hammer, 6 Lb: Multipurpose Use
Features
- No-Slip Grip
- Unbreakable Handle Technology
- Lanyard Hole
- Ergonomic Design
- Steel Core Design
The Wilton B.A.S.H 36”(6 Lb) sledgehammer has a robust construction with a Hi-vis, drop-forged 46 HRV steel head which endures the most demanding applications.
It features an unbreakable handle technology with a steel core design that prevents breaking during overstrikes with a safety plate that locks the head firmly to handle dislodging.
The sledgehammer comes with an anti-vibe neck that is ergonomically designed to prevent injury from repeated job site use with a textured handle for a secure grip while striking.
The cool-looking trademark green head adds instant identification under any job site conditions.
Things To Consider When Choosing the best Hammer
There are many sledgehammers in the market of different weights, materials, costs and many more. This creates confusion about what parameters to keep in mind before selecting your tool.
When searching for a sledgehammer, it’s important to understand how the tool will be used so you don’t end up buying the wrong tool for your job.
Here are some of the parameters you need to consider while selecting a hammer for yourself.
1. Intended use
There are many sledgehammers and each of them has been designed for a specific purpose. So, you need to make sure what work you want to perform with your hammer.
You will need a heavy head hammer if you intend to do heavy construction work, a lightweight one for home use, one with a long handle for a greater amount of force, etc.
If you need a sledgehammer for small projects around the home, a three-pound hammer might be a good choice. However, if you’re knocking down a wall or breaking up concrete, you may need a 10-pound model or more.
Sledgehammers with wooden handles are more appropriate for working around electrical circuits, metal handles for increased durability and fibreglass handle if you want to opt for a lightweight one.
2. Material
The material of the head and the handle plays a very important role in the quality of the hammer. It is always advised to go for drop-forged or hardened steel heads as soft steel cannot bear heavy use.
Sledgehammer handles are usually made of wood, fibreglass or steel and you can choose one that suits your requirements.
- Wooden handles have been used in hammers since a long time due to the fact that it absorbs impact and vibration, thus reducing strain on the user’s hands. But on the other hand, they are prone to cracking, splintering and other damages.
- Fibreglass is more durable than wood and is also shock resistant. It also provides resistance to electricity up to a great extent. However, when you go for a fibreglass handle, it is important to look at the quality of the fibreglass as low-quality fibreglass can be fragile.
- Steel is the strongest and can resist impact as compared to others. However, they are quite heavy and give stress to your hands. If you consider durability, go for a one with rubber-coated steel handle which minimizes vibrations while increasing control.
3. Head Weight
The weight of the head plays an important role in the amount of force the user can have which is proportional to the amount of damage the tool can do.
Therefore, the most important criterion while choosing the weight of the head is the type of job you are going to deal with.
- Lightweight sledgehammer: These are between 3-6 pounds and almost resemble a hammer. These are perfect for small demolition projects like cracking floor tile or tub surrounds.
- Medium weight sledgehammer: These are between 7-15 pounds. They are categorized as heavy-weight sledgehammers and are perfect for home improvement projects like breaking concrete floors and concrete walls.
- Heavyweight sledgehammer: The ones that are 20 pounds, or more are counted under heavy weight sledgehammer. These are massive hammers with long handles and are intended only for professional use. These are best for demolition projects for breaking very hard concrete or stones.
4. Shaft Length
The length of the shaft defines the amount of power you will be able to impart to your working object. It also plays a great role in the area you are working in.
A longer handle will provide more leverage and make it easier to generate force, but it may also be more difficult to control.
A shorter handle, on the other hand, will provide less leverage but may be easier to control.
5. Grip
To protect your hands from shock and vibration, it is very important to have a good grip on your hammer which should be comfortable to grip and use.
A good hammer must have a grip made of good quality rubber with an ergonomic shape with a good texture such that the sledgehammer does not slide out of a user’s grasp while swinging.
Get one with enough texture to prevent slipping and protect your hands from vibration and impact. Contoured grips can be more comfortable to use for an extended period of time.
6. Brand And Cost
While there are many different brands and price points available, not all sledgehammers are created equal.
Look for sledgehammers from well-known and reputable brands that have a history of producing quality tools.
Established brands like Stanley, Estwing, and Wilton are known for producing durable and reliable sledgehammers that are designed to withstand heavy use.
While it’s not always necessary to buy the most expensive sledgehammer on the market, it’s important to find a product that offers good value for your money.
Look for a sledgehammer that provides a good balance between quality and price, so that you can be confident in your purchase and get the job done.
Conclusion
By selecting the right sledgehammer for the task, you can ensure a safer, more efficient, and successful concrete-breaking project.
So, which sledgehammer is the best for you? It really depends on your needs and what kind of work you’re trying to carry out.
If you want to buy one which you can use for all-purpose then the Wilton B.A.S.H 36″ Sledge Hammer, 6 Lb is probably your best bet.
But if you want it according to the specific use, other options might work better for you. Whichever one you choose, make sure you compare all factors wisely. Let me know which one you went with and how well it works.
FAQ: Best Sledgehammers for Breaking Concrete
1. How heavy should a sledgehammer be?
The weight of the sledgehammer usually depends on the type of project you are going to work on.
Standard sledgehammers weigh between 6 to 15 pounds. Anything greater than 15 pounds would be heavy-duty sledgehammers.
2. What size of sledgehammer breaks concrete?
The size of the sledgehammer depends on the toughness and thickness of the concrete.
A 5-pound hammer will be a good one to work around the home to break thin concrete.
However, if you want to demolish a wall you will be needing a heavy-duty hammer.
3. Why is a large hammer called a sledgehammer?
The word sledge is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term “slægan” which means “to strike violently”. Thus the name sledgehammer.