A corded hammer drill gives you steady power for masonry with no battery to run down. For this search, the specs that matter most are motor current, a 1/2 in chuck for larger bits, and blows per minute for drilling brick, block and concrete. Control parts count too: a side handle, depth rod and lock-on trigger make long runs of holes easier and more accurate. We put 10 products on one spec sheet so you can compare amps, speed, weight and features side by side.
Quick answer
Ranked from 10 hammer drills that met our standard, compared on motor amps, max blows per minute, weight.
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Lists a lock-on trigger, side handle, depth rod and keyless chuck with a 7.5 amp motor.
Its 7.8 amp motor is the strongest rating among all six drills on this page.
Tops the page at 3100 RPM and 52,700 BPM, sold as a renewed unit.
| Spec | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Scoreout of 100 | 70 | 62 | 64 | 53 | 56 | 43 | 68 | 64 | 48 | 45 |
| Motor currentA | 7.5 A | 7.8 A (best in row) | 7.0 A | 7.0 A | 7.5 A | 6.5 A | — | — | — | — |
| Chuck sizein | 0.500 in | 0.500 in | 0.500 in | 0.500 in | 0.500 in | 0.500 in | NaN in | 0.500 in | 0.500 in | 0.500 in |
| Chuck type | Keyless (best in row) | Keyless (best in row) | Keyed | Keyed | Keyed | — | Keyless (best in row) | Keyless (best in row) | Keyless (best in row) | Keyless (best in row) |
| Max no-load speedRPM | 3000 RPM | 3000 RPM | 3100 RPM (best in row) | 3000 RPM | 3000 RPM | 2800 RPM | 2000 RPM | 2250 RPM | 1500 RPM | 2200 RPM |
| Max blows per minuteBPM | 48000 BPM | — | 52700 BPM (best in row) | 48000 BPM | 48000 BPM | 48000 BPM | — | 38250 BPM | 25500 BPM | 36000 BPM |
| Weightlb | 5.2 lb | 5.5 lb | 5.3 lb | 4.1 lb | 5.3 lb | — | 3.5 lb (best in row) | 4.0 lb | 6.1 lb | 8.2 lb |
| Lengthin | 11.8 in | 12.2 in | 12.4 in | 11.0 in | 12.7 in | 11.0 in | 7.3 in | 4.0 in (best in row) | 11.9 in | 15.0 in |
| Variable speed trigger | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Lock-on trigger | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | — |
| Adjustable side handle | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Depth rod or gauge | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — | 3 years | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
We reviewed 19 hammer drills and kept only the 10 that pass every check below. Those are ranked by a Best Score built from spec fit for this job, warranty, sales rank.
The reviews below are based on specifications and listing information. Each one explains what the numbers mean for corded masonry drilling.
Leads our ranking with every convenience feature listed
The Hammerhead HAHD075 leads our ranking because its spec sheet covers almost everything a corded hammer drill buyer checks. It runs a 7.5 amp motor, a 1/2 in keyless chuck, 3000 RPM and 48,000 BPM. It also lists a variable speed trigger, a lock-on trigger, an adjustable side handle and a depth rod. No other model here checks all four of those boxes.
For masonry work, the lock-on trigger helps on long runs of holes, and the depth rod lets you repeat the same hole depth for anchors. The keyless chuck makes bit swaps quick by hand. At 5.18 lb, it is the second lightest among the models that list weight, and it is 11.75 in long. The listing also mentions a 6-piece bit set in the box.
One limit matters. The listing says this drill cannot be used in reinforced concrete walls. That points it toward brick, block and stone jobs. The maker does not publish a warranty term here.
VerdictThe HAHD075 is the most complete corded hammer drill on this page for general masonry and wood drilling.
Strongest motor here, but no blow rate published
The DEWALT DW511 has the highest motor current on this page at 7.8 amps. More amps generally means the motor can hold its speed when a masonry bit starts to bind. It pairs that with a 1/2 in keyless chuck, 3000 RPM and a dual drill and hammerdrill mode for wood, steel or masonry. The listing also notes overload protection.
DEWALT does not publish a blows-per-minute figure, so you cannot compare its hammer action against the others on paper. It ranks second on our score anyway, helped by the 360° side handle and depth rod. Those two parts give you better control and repeatable hole depth when setting anchors in brick or block.
Weight is the trade-off. At 5.55 lb, it is the heaviest among the models that list weight, and it measures 12.19 in long. No lock-on trigger appears in the specs, so long drilling sessions mean holding the trigger the whole time.
VerdictThe DW511 suits buyers who put raw motor current first and can live with a heavier tool.
Fastest hammer action listed, sold as a renewed unit
Speed and blow rate are where the CRAFTSMAN CMED741R stands out. It lists 3100 RPM and 52,700 BPM, the highest figures for both on this page. A higher blow rate means more hits per minute on the bit, which generally helps in brick and concrete. The motor is rated at 7 amps with a 1/2 in chuck.
The chuck is keyed, which the listing says improves bit retention. That is useful when a large masonry bit is under heavy load. A lock-on trigger and variable speed trigger are both included. It is also the only model here with a published warranty: a 3 year limited warranty. Note that this listing is for a renewed unit, not a new one.
The specs do not list a side handle or depth rod. Without a side handle, you have less leverage against torque on big bits. It weighs 5.29 lb and is 12.4 in long.
VerdictThe CMED741R gives the fastest listed hammer action here, as long as a renewed tool without a side handle works for you.
Lightest listed weight, built for small-diameter masonry holes
At 4.1 lb, the Bosch 1191VSRK is the lightest among the models that list weight. At 11 in, it also ties for the shortest body on the page. That matters when you drill overhead or hold the tool out at arm's length for a row of holes. Bosch describes it as made for small diameter drilling applications.
The rest of the sheet is standard for this group: a 7 amp motor, 3000 RPM, 48,000 BPM and a 1/2 in keyed chuck. It adds a 360 degree auxiliary handle and a built-in quick release depth gauge, so you can control the drill and stop each hole at the same depth. A 2-mode selector switches between rotation only and hammer drilling.
It ranks fourth on our score. No lock-on trigger is listed, and Bosch does not publish a warranty term in our data. The 7 amp rating is on the lower side of this group, so it fits lighter masonry work better than repeated large holes.
VerdictPick the 1191VSRK if low weight and a short body matter more to you than motor current.
Lock-on trigger and side handle in the longest body
On paper, the SKIL HD182001 covers the basics a corded hammer drill buyer asks for. It has a 7.5 amp motor, a heavy-duty 1/2 in keyed chuck, 3000 RPM and 48,000 BPM. The keyed chuck is built to accept large diameter bits, and a 2-in-1 switch moves between drilling and hammer drilling.
Control features are good for the job. A side assist handle helps you brace against twisting, a 2-finger variable speed trigger lets you start holes slowly, and a lock-on button keeps the motor running during extended drilling. It shares the 7.5 amp rating with the Hammerhead, which ranks first, but it ranks fifth on our score.
Size is the main drawback. At 12.68 in, it is the longest drill on the page, and at 5.34 lb it is among the heavier ones that list weight. No depth rod appears in the specs, and SKIL does not publish a warranty term here.
VerdictThe HD182001 is a sensible corded pick for masonry if tight spaces are not part of your work.
Best among the reviewed tools
Motor current, listed in amps, is a useful clue to how hard a corded hammer drill can push. The drills here range from 6.5 to 7.8 amps. Higher current helps the motor keep its speed when a masonry bit meets hard aggregate or binds in a deep hole.
BPM counts how many times the hammer mechanism strikes the bit each minute. More blows generally means faster progress in brick, block and concrete. Most drills here list 48,000 BPM, one lists 52,700 BPM, and DEWALT does not publish a figure for the DW511.
All six drills have a 1/2 in chuck. A keyless chuck lets you change bits by hand, which saves time when you switch often. A keyed chuck needs a chuck key but grips tighter, which helps keep large masonry bits from slipping under load.
A side handle gives you leverage when the bit catches. A depth rod helps you stop each hole at the same depth, which matters for anchors. A lock-on trigger keeps the motor running so your finger does not tire. Only the Hammerhead lists all three.
A corded hammer drill keeps running as long as it is plugged in, with no battery to recharge or swap. That makes it a good fit for long sessions of drilling brick, block or concrete. The trade-off is that you need an outlet or extension cord nearby.
The drills on this page range from 6.5 to 7.8 amps. The DEWALT DW511 has the highest rating at 7.8 amps. More amps helps the motor hold speed in hard material, while lower-rated models suit lighter home projects.
Check the listing before you buy. The Hammerhead HAHD075 listing states that it cannot be used in reinforced concrete walls. For heavy concrete work with rebar, a standard hammer drill may not be the right tool, so match your job to what each maker says the drill can handle.
A depth rod controls how deep the bit goes. You set it to stick out past the bit tip by the depth you want, then stop drilling when the rod touches the wall. That gives you consistent holes for anchors. The Hammerhead, DEWALT and Bosch models list a depth rod or gauge.
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