
The built-in LED work light has been upgraded to be 20 times brighter than previous models, and has three settings-low, medium, and high. Its brushless motor is high efficiency and delivers 75% more runtime than a brushed motor. The heavy-duty, ratcheting 1/2-inch chuck is made from nitro-carburized metal and has carbide inserts that give superior gripping power on the bit. This model is “tool only”, and requires the separate purchase of a DEWALT DCB205-2 20V MAX XR 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and DCB115 MAX Lithium-Ion Battery Charger, 12V-20V before use. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drillĭewalt is synonymous with quality tools, and their 20V MAX XR model DCD996B is one of the best cordless hammer drills available. More detailed reviews of the cordless hammer for concrete that we analyzed: 1. We have connected with our team and our community of metallurgists from around the world to find which cordless drill models have lived up to expectations and which are not worth your time:īe sure to use only drill bits for concrete, as other drill bits will burn out quickly when used with this hard material. A useful feature is a switch that stops the hammer function and uses the drill as a normal rotary drill.A hammer drill that has a brushless motor will run cooler, be more efficient, and may have features like a soft start or control over kickback.A depth gauge is a handy accessory giving you precise depth control.Having a variable speed trigger allows you to control the drill speed.Look for a drill that has a removable side handle.

What you need to consider when shopping for a cordless hammer drill. They are powered by rechargeable batteries, usually 20v lithium-ion batteries, which are powerful enough for most jobs. With a corded drill, you need to have access to an electrical outlet before you can start drilling, and with corded drills, the electric motor is usually bigger and heavier.Ĭordless hammer drills have one advantage over corded drills-they won’t restrict where you can use them-you can use them anywhere, at any time. Like most hand power tools, Hammer drills come in corded or cordless models. They are bigger and heavier than hammers drills, often resembling a small jackhammer, and typically have an SDS chuck, which allows the drill bit to move independently up and down for extra drilling power. However, a rotary hammer drill is considered a drill made for nothing but drilling into concrete or masonry. A hammer drill can be just that or a regular drill with a hammer action. But for more-production-oriented work, such as putting down decking or building a garden shed, they make a noticeable difference.When looking at hammer drills, there are two main common types available in today’s market-hammer drills and rotary hammer drills. For around-the-house tasks, the added speed and power are often unnecessary. The well-positioned LED can also be switched on independently of the drill, a unique feature that makes it a rudimentary flashlight (which could come in handy in nearly any crawl space). Compared with our 12-volt pick, this larger drill completes tougher jobs much faster, doing the same work in less than half the time, with a battery that lasts longer. This is a larger, 20-volt drill, but it shares all of the most important characteristics of the smaller, 12-volt DeWalt: It’s very powerful and extremely comfortable to hold and use, and the little convenience features, such as the belt hook and the case, are spot-on. If you take on projects that have you drilling lots of holes and sinking long screws, we recommend stepping up to the DeWalt DCD791D2 20V Max XR Li-Ion Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit.

The DCD701F2 also comes with a nice belt hook, and the battery gauge is located on each battery rather than on the tool, so you can check batteries without having to insert them into the drill. And the LED is positioned so that it illuminates the drill front better than most.

The battery is designed so that the drill can stand upright when not in use (other drills, like the runner-up Bosch, need to be placed on their side). The molded handle seems to account for every curve and bulge of the hand, making this drill the most comfortable we’ve ever held. The DeWalt drill’s power is on a par with that of some other models we looked at, but it particularly excels in ergonomics and convenience features. These results show the drill can handle just about anything within the four walls of a home, and even the occasional foray into more aggressive work, like a small decking repair. In our tests, it bored 30 1-inch holes through a 2-by-10 on a single battery charge. The DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12-volt drill combines power, comfort, and convenience in a way that none of the other tested drills do.
