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There are plenty of corded hammer drills to choose from in the UK, but only a few are worth your hard-earned money.
We’ve spent hours filtering the good from the bad to arrive at the best corded hammer drill in the UK.
To avoid making a costly mistake, both in time and money, keep reading to find out which corded hammer drill is best for you.
Corded Hammer Drill Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in 2024
Here’s our selection of three of the best corded hammer drills in the UK.
1. Bosch EasyImpact 550
- Weighs only 1.5kg
- 3 modes: Driving, Drilling and Impact Drilling
- Twin-sleeve keyless chuck
- Variable speed trigger
- Anti-slip auxiliary handle
- Forward/reverse settings
- Lock on switch
As a great all-rounder offering exceptional value for money, the Bosch EasyImpact 550 wins the Best Corded Hammer Drill in the UK award.
The Bosch EasyImpact 550 features a 550W motor with a respectable maximum torque of 9Nm, making it suitable for varied jobs, including drilling into concrete.
With its new impact mechanism, it drills faster through tough projects, and thanks to its forward and reverse rotation, this hammer drill can also be used as an impact driver.
While it will drill through tough materials, remember that the EasyImpact 550 is not the most powerful model on the market. So, if you are looking for a drill exclusively for brick and concrete tasks, you might prefer to look at another model. On the other hand, if you only occasionally need to drill through such surfaces, it also makes a good general-purpose drill.
In terms of comfort and usability, the EasyImpact 550 ranks high, thanks to its compact, ergonomic design combined with its low 1.5kg weight and SoftGrip handle. It also features variable speed settings for complete control and a non-slip auxiliary handle. The keyless chuck makes changing bits simple and fast, although this model does not include any drill bits.
If you’re looking for a good all-rounder for DIY jobs around the house, then the Bosch EasyImpact 550 makes an excellent choice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | No drill bits included |
| Electronic speed control | Not very powerful |
| Keyless chuck | |
| Excellent value for money |
2. BLACK+DECKER BEH200-GB
- Spindle lock for easy bit change and maximum accessory grip
- Secondary handle
- Hammer action suitable for drilling into masonry
- Lock on button for greater comfort
- Compact and lightweight design
There’s a pleasingly robust look to BLACK+DECKER’s BEH200-GB corded hammer drill. If tests were won purely on aesthetics, its pale orange chassis and purposeful twin handles would see it crowned champion. It’s more comfortable to hold than the Bosch, and the rubberised front handle will be less slippery than its rival’s plasticky front grip.
With its affordable price (the lowest of our three products) and 13mm keyless chuck, you might be surprised the BEH200-GB doesn’t take first place in this test. In truth, it has no major shortcomings, and for the money, many people will be happy with it.
Its drawbacks include a modest 500W motor compared to the Makita’s more powerful 680W and a maximum speed of 2,900 RPM compared to 3,000 RPM on the Bosch. Unlike the Makita, it has no reverse rotation or depth gauge. In a contest of fine margins, these lead it to second place overall — though it’s still first for value.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Side handle increases practicality | Underpowered |
| Affordable price | Lower maximum RPM |
| Comfortable to hold |
3. Makita HP1640/2
- Forward and Reverse rotation
- Variable speed control
- Double Insulation
- In-line grip design maximises power thrust
- A large trigger for easy operation.
If the BLACK+DECKER’s rugged looks suggest it’s ready for commercial use, there’s something industrial about Makita’s percussion drill design. Maybe it’s the bicycle-style forward handle, which can be rotated 360 degrees for optimal balance in either hand. The dull powder blue finish and old-school keyed metal chuck also suggest a product that means business.
That industrial aesthetic continues when you pick it up — this is by far the heaviest of our contenders, at almost 2.4kg. At least the trigger is tall enough for your middle finger to take over from index activation, reducing fatigue. By delivering 680 watts of power, it’s got the most power of our three shortlisted products, and the reverse rotation helps it stand out for the right reasons.
However, it stands out in one unwanted way — it’s the most expensive drill we tested, without offering much extra to justify this price tag.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple yet effective rotating forward handle | Heavy to hold for long periods |
| Keyed chuck will suit traditionalists | More expensive than its rivals |
| Good steel and masonry maximum capacity | |
| Well-assembled and feels solid in the hand |
Best Corded Hammer Drill — 2024 Comparison Table
| Model | Wattage (W) | Weight (kg) | Max wood diameter (mm) | Cost | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch EasyImpact 550 | 550 | 1.5 | 25 | £ | 9 |
| BLACK+DECKER BEH200-GB | 500 | 1.8 | 20 | £ | 8 |
| Makita HP1640/2 | 680 | 2.36 | 30 | ££ | 7 |
Corded Hammer Drill Buying Guide
When looking for a new corded hammer drill, it’s important to consider the following features before choosing the best model suited to your needs.
Power
Opting for a corded hammer drill over a cordless one is usually all down to the extra power that corded power tools supply. This is especially important when drilling through tough surfaces such as brick or concrete. You will want to look for a corded model with a minimum 500W motor. The more powerful the motor, the easier it will be for your drill to get through hard surfaces.
Torque
While torque is less important for drilling into softer surfaces like wood, you need higher torque ratings when drilling into metal and masonry. Note: Torque is the twisting power that your drill provides.
Speed
Adjustable speed is important. For projects with softer materials, you’ll want to drill faster. Conversely, you’ll want to take your time and drill slower on harder surfaces. Drills with a feature to lock your drilling speed are extremely useful when you’re drilling numerous holes in tough materials.
Chuck
While keyless chucks are popular nowadays, you may prefer a keyed chuck to ensure your bit is fully tightened. However, this is a matter of personal preference, and depending on your experience, you may prefer the fast bit changing of a keyless chuck.
Weight
Corded hammer drills tend to be lighter without needing heavy battery packs. Lightweight models reduce fatigue when drilling for long periods, which is more likely when drilling through brick or concrete.
Handle(s)
You should look for models with two handles to increase your comfort and safety when using your hammer drill. Ideally, the main handle should have a comfortable, secure grip, and the auxiliary handle should be non-slip. This helps you grip your drill while it’s in hammer mode, as the increased vibrations require an extra-firm grip.
Cord Length
While you will often need an extension lead when using a corded drill, some models have much shorter power cords than others.
Accessories
While you should never choose a power tool just for its case and accessories, they can help nudge a product further up your wish list.
A carry case makes taking your drill to other places hassle-free and is often a good way to ensure that you don’t lose any of its accessories. A hard carry case also doubles up as a good way to store your drill safely.
If you are new to DIY and don’t already have a collection of various drill bits, you may want to consider purchasing a hammer drill that comes complete with a selection of different bits. While they can be useful for various tasks around the home, in many cases, you may need to purchase a specific size and type of drill bit anyway, so don’t let included extras sway your decision too much.
While you may not wish to purchase them immediately, some models are compatible with upgraded accessories that can be bought for an additional cost. Even if you do not wish to pay extra cash, the fact that these tools can be upgraded and adapted is generally a sign of a superior product that may be useful to you in future projects. One example is a paddle mixer attachment.
Final Thoughts
We have three strong products here, and your choice between them may ultimately come down to brand loyalty or specific requirements.
There’s no doubt that the Makita is the heavyweight choice, both literally and figuratively. Its 2.3kg bulk includes the most powerful motor we’ve tested, plus the keyed chuck and reverse rotation will attract DIYers and professionals. It’s just too expensive, considering that the BLACK+DECKER is less than half the price.
The BLACK+DECKER does nothing exceptionally well, but it’s attractive and tactile. Its low price also impresses, but this 500W model sometimes feels underpowered. We suspect its cheaper 450W sibling would struggle with anything beyond timber.
That leaves us with the Bosch. It’s not perfect — the front handle becomes slippery, and its 370W output power is underwhelming. Yet viewed overall, it’s the best product here. It’s the lightest yet second most powerful; the keyless chuck is simple, and the 25mm timber drilling diameter is impressive.