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Cordless rotary hammer drills

(7 products)

DeWalt and Makita cordless hammer drills deliver 30,000 to 34,000 blows per minute for drilling concrete, brick, and masonry. 18V and 20V MAX brushless motors, 1/2" chuck. Compatible with all batteries in your tool inventory.
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Complete guide to choosing your cordless hammer drill

What is a hammer drill and what materials is it designed for?

A hammer drill is a tool that combines the standard rotary action of a drill driver with a mechanical axial striking mechanism that generates 30,000 to 34,000 blows per minute. This rapid axial movement progressively breaks down the hard substrate while the rotation clears debris from the hole, allowing drilling into brick, concrete block, light masonry, and medium-density concrete with an efficiency unattainable by a standard drill.

In standard drill mode (without hammer action activated), these tools operate exactly like a conventional drill driver for wood, metal, and composite materials. Switching between the two modes is generally done via a selector ring or a dedicated position on the mode selector in less than two seconds. This versatility makes it the tool of choice for professionals who alternate between hard substrates and common tasks on the same job site, without wanting to carry two separate tools.

Hammer drill versus rotary hammer: knowing when to switch tools

A hammer drill generates its axial movement through a mechanical cam mechanism that produces 0.5 to 0.8 joules of impact energy. This energy is sufficient for hollow concrete block, common brick, lightweight concrete, and masonry with a density below 2,000 kg per cubic metre. The maximum recommended diameter stays below 13 mm to protect the bit and the tool.

A SDS-Plus rotary hammer uses an electropneumatic mechanism generating 1.5 to 3.0 joules of impact energy, two to five times more than a hammer drill. It is essential for high-strength reinforced concrete, dense foundations, holes larger than 13 mm, and demolition applications. For structural anchors in foundations or reinforced concrete slabs, using a hammer drill instead of a rotary hammer risks damaging the tool and producing holes outside of required tolerance.

DeWalt and Makita Models: The Leading Impact Drills for Professionals

On the DeWalt side, the DCD806B 1/2-inch brushless 20V MAX model sets the standard on job sites with its XR brushless motor. The DCD996 three-speed 20V MAX delivers 95 Nm of torque and 34,000 blows per minute, the highest in the 20V lineup in this category. Both drills are fully compatible with the DeWalt 20V MAX and FlexVolt battery platforms.

On the Makita side, the DHP482Z (62 Nm) and DHP486Z brushless (115 Nm) models cover everyday applications and intensive use on medium-density concrete, respectively. XPT technology provides enhanced protection against concrete dust and water splashes, two permanent realities of outdoor masonry drilling. Both Makita drills run on interchangeable LXT 18V batteries compatible with the entire existing Makita tool inventory.

Professional applications: who uses hammer drills and for what jobs?

Commercial and residential electricians make up the largest user group. They drill into concrete block for conduit runs, into brick for exterior outlet boxes, and into concrete joists for cable supports. Plumbers use these tools for pipe support anchors in masonry walls and for passages through lightweight concrete partitions.

Tile installers and flooring contractors drill into concrete substrates for profile and trim anchor fasteners. General contractors use them for common anchors in concrete block, bottom plate fastening to slabs, and lightweight structural supports. In all these applications, the 30,000-blow-per-minute percussion mode of DeWalt and Makita drills covers the full range of tasks without requiring a separate rotary hammer.

Safety and best practices for concrete and masonry drilling

Drilling into concrete and masonry generates respirable crystalline silica dust, classified as a Category 1 carcinogen by the IARC and subject to strict exposure limits under Canada's provincial occupational health and safety regulations. Every drilling operation requires a P100 or N95 minimum respiratory protection mask, combined with adequate ventilation or a source-capture dust extraction system attached to the tool. Eye protection is equally mandatory, with sealed safety glasses as the minimum required standard.

For elevated work, a hard hat is mandatory on commercial job sites across Canada. Lubricating masonry bits every 5 to 10 holes in very hard substrates reduces friction heat and extends their service life. These best practices apply regardless of the cordless hammer drill model used on the job site.
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We answer your questions about cordless hammer drills

Can a cordless hammer drill replace a rotary hammer for concrete anchoring?

For hollow block concrete, brick and light masonry under 13 mm, yes. The DeWalt DCD996 (34,000 blows/min) and Makita DHP486Z (31,500 blows/min) cover these applications well.

For high-density reinforced concrete and holes over 13 mm, an SDS-Plus rotary hammer is required, with two to five times more impact energy.

Which hammer drill should I choose between the DeWalt DCD806B and the Makita DHP486Z?

Both models deliver excellent professional quality. The DeWalt DCD806B excels through FlexVolt compatibility; the Makita DHP486Z stands out with 115 Nm torque and XPT dust and moisture protection.

The best choice depends on the battery inventory you already own, DeWalt 20V or Makita LXT.

How many blows per minute are needed to drill effectively in brick and light concrete?

For standard brick and hollow block concrete up to 10 mm, 25,000 to 30,000 blows per minute are sufficient.

For medium-density concrete, target 30,000 to 34,000 blows per minute, the range delivered by the DeWalt DCD996 and Makita DHP486Z.

Is a cordless hammer drill as powerful as a corded model?

For common applications under 13 mm, modern brushless cordless hammer drills are equivalent to or better than entry-level corded models.

Their only limitation is battery runtime during intensive, prolonged drilling in dense concrete, where corded models keep an advantage.

What personal protective equipment is mandatory for drilling in concrete and masonry?

The CNESST in Quebec mandates a minimum P100 respiratory mask for any exposure to crystalline silica dust generated by drilling in concrete and masonry.

Sealed safety glasses are also mandatory, along with a hard hat in overhead drilling areas on commercial jobsites.

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