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Best Rotary Hammer Drill Australia [2023 Buyers Guide]

Have you got chiselling and drilling projects to tackle at home that need specific and dedicated tools? Then you need to find the best rotary hammer drill available online today to suit your needs. What is a rotary hammer drill? Read on to learn more.

Rotary hammer drills are versatile tools capable of drilling through concrete and drywall. However, it isn’t always easy to find the best model on the market due to sheer choice. That’s why we’ve come up with this awesome buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision.

Best Overall

Milwaukee M12CH-402C 12V 4.0Ah 16mm FUEL Cordless SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit

If you’re looking for a great all-round rotary hammer kit, the Milwaukee M12CH-402C is perfect. This kit comes with everything you need, especially as a domestic user.

How To Find The Best Rotary Hammer Drills In Australia?

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best rotary hammer drill for you.

Image Name Features
Best Overall Best Overall Milwaukee M12CH-402C 12V 4.0Ah 16mm FUEL Cordless SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit
  • Weight – 1.77kg
  • BPM – 0-6200
  • No load speed – 0-900
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Best on a budget Best on a budget Makita HR1840 SDS Plus Rotary Drill
  • Impact energy 1.6j
  • Impact rate – 0-4800 ipm
  • Weight – 2.0kg
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Best for Professional Use Best for Professional Use Milwaukee M18FHM-122C 18V 12.0Ah FUEL ONE-KEY 44mm SDS Max Rotary Drill Kit
  • 380 RPM
  • Weight – 8.4kg
  • 2900 BPM
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Best for Portability Best for Portability Festool 575006 BHC18 18V 5.2Ah Cordless Brushless Rotary Hammer Drill Kit
  • Brushless motor
  • Cordless power source
  • Weight – 2.6kg
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Power

A rotary hammer drill’s motor amperage determines its rotational speed and power rating. If it is rated more highly, its motor is higher-performing and it can deliver more torque. 

Rotary hammers with higher total power outputs will operate more efficiently and smoothly. This is especially important when carrying out heavy-duty tasks. 

A more powerful tool can also bore more effectively. Make sure to choose a hammer that has an output over 6 amps so it’s up for the task at hand.

Modes

Most rotary hammers for sale today have 2 or 3 operational modes. A 2-mode hammer will perform both rotary drilling and hammer drilling. It will be smaller and will be ideal for woodworking or metalworking projects. 

a construction worker holding a large hammer drill

A 3-mode hammer will be heavier. It will perform chiselling, rotary drilling and hammer drilling. It is useful for many different projects around the home or for use in a commercial setting. 

Multifunctional rotary hammers have switches so you can select which mode you need to use.

Speed

The motor of any rotary hammer will determine its speed in terms of blows per minute or bpm. Their piston mechanism allows delivery of more powerful blows (with measurement in joules). A higher joules rating means more blows each minute so the hammer is able to pack more of a punch and drill more rapidly through masonry.

A rotary hammer’s rotational speed will range from 230-2300 RPMs. This measures its rotational movements. The impact frequency of a rotary hammer will range from 2150 – 5800 bpm. This measures translational movements. 

Reading the Dewalt d25263k review will let you know its features with pros & cons.

Models for home use should have an RPM between 1000 and 1500 and a bpm between 4000 and 4500.

Need A Concrete Drill? Read Our Reviews Of The 4 Best Rotary Drill Models To Buy

Here, you’ll find a concrete drill review for the top models to purchase this year for both domestic and commercial use.

1. Milwaukee M12CH-402C 12V 4.0Ah 16mm FUEL Cordless SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit – Best Overall

Specifications

  • Weight – 1.77kg

  • BPM – 0-6200
  • 2 modes
  • No load speed – 0-900

If you’re looking for a great all-round rotary hammer kit, the Milwaukee M12CH-402C is perfect. This kit comes with everything you need, especially as a domestic user. 

With cordless operation, this model comes with a powerful Red-Lithium battery pack which offers twice as much runtime. This modern technology gives you even more versatility and flexibility when using this tool. 

The Milwaukee M12CH-402C also delivers as much as 75% more speed. It also has a huge SDS Plus bit capacity. With a brushless motor and electropneumatic mechanism, it delivers outstanding performance when drilling masonry and concrete.

Although this is a 12V tool, it can rival 18V compact tools thanks to its cutting-edge design. Measuring just 254mm and weighing just 1.77kg it is also a very portable model. 

This tool comes with its own carrying case as well as a speedy battery charger and two battery packs. This ensures minimal downtime for the user. Meanwhile the 2-mode operation and LED light make this model even more versatile.

2. Makita HR1840 SDS Plus Rotary Drill – Best On A Budget

Specifications

  • Impact energy 1.6j

  • Impact rate – 0-4800 ipm
  • Weight – 2.0kg
  • Corded model – cord length 2.0m

If you’re on a tight budget or don’t plan on using the tool frequently, the Makita HR1840 rotary hammer drill is a great option. As a twin-mode operation device, it offers great rotation thanks to the  hammer action or rotation only. It also sports a system to allow for reversing the rotation, it can give 100% both in reverse and forward actions. 

Equipped with a torque limiter, this tool is safe to use despite its powerful 470W motor delivering a large amount of impact  energy. Its impact rate of up to 4800 ipm is more than adequate for domestic users. 

Capable of drilling up to 18mm in concrete, 13mm in steel and 24mm in wood, this is a truly versatile tool. Since it only weighs 2kg, it is also a lightweight model that is easy to transport and store. The 2 metre-long power cord ensures plenty of length from the power outlet to get most tasks done with ease anywhere in the home.

3. Milwaukee M18FHM-122C 18V 12.0Ah FUEL ONE-KEY 44mm SDS Max Rotary Drill Kit – Best For Professional Use

Specifications

  • 380 RPM

  • Weight – 8.4kg
  • 2900 BPM
  • Cordless model

The Milwaukee M18FHM-122C is a great choice for professional users. Designed specifically for jobsite use, this model delivers ultimate productivity, safety, control and power.

Capable of delivering 11J impact energy, this tool is well-protected from overloads, over-discharge and overheating for maximum user safety. Despite its cordless design, it can rival any corded rotary hammer drill in terms of performance. 

The battery-operated design makes this a very portable and versatile tool. The high output 12.0Ah battery offers an impressive runtime and the brushless motor ensures a longer lifespan and more power.

Perhaps the best feature of this model is its ONE KEY compatibility. It can connect wirelessly to a smartphone to manage and track the tool’s location and performance. This makes it ideal for professional users.

4. Festool 575006 BHC18 18V 5.2Ah Cordless Brushless Rotary Hammer Drill Kit  – Best For Portability

Specifications

  • Brushless motor

  • Cordless power source
  • Weight – 2.6kg
  • Impact rate – 4895 ipm

The Festool 575006 BHC18 rotary hammer drill is ideal for you if you’re looking for outstanding portability. Ergonomically designed, this tool is compact but with well-balanced weight distribution together with vibration dampening. It weighs only 2.4kg, making it super-light when carrying out overhead work. 

If you need to drill masonry, stone or concrete up to 18mm, this is the ideal solution. Its cordless design means it can be used on the go while its long battery life ensures minimal downtime. The 18V, 5.2 Ah Li-ion battery is powerful enough to ensure excellent performance every time. 

This model delivers an impact rate of 4895 ipm. It also offers a maximum torque on wood of 10Nm and on steel of 25Nm. This makes it a versatile and reliable choice for domestic users and professionals alike.

The Verdict – Which SDS Drill Do We Recommend?

All of the rotary hammer drills that we’ve recommended are excellent choices. However, overall, we recommend the Milwaukee M12CH-402C.

Ideal for domestic users, it is also suitable for light professional use. It is very portable and comes with everything you need to get the job done. 

If you’re on a low budget, though, we recommend the Makita HR1840. Very affordable but without compromising on performance quality, it represents impressive value for money.

a selection of drill bits for a hammer drill

SDS Rotary Hammer Drill FAQs

Usually, rotary hammer drills won’t come with a complete array of attachments. Nevertheless, it’s often possible to buy key attachments separately. These include tile removers, cold chisels (1) and clay spades.

Are you wondering whether you need a rotary hammer drill or hammer drill? (2). Hammer drills are lightweight tools designed for use in the home. Rotary hammer drills, on the other hand, are designed to perform more complex tasks. Both, however, are ideal if you need to drill masonry.

If you choose a high-quality model, you can expect it to last many years. Many manufacturers will include a 1-year warranty when you buy a rotary hammer drill. This means you can get yours repaired or replaced if it stops working properly.

  1. Roy Berendson, 27 April 2018, How To Use A Cold Chisel – Retrieved from https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a10915/diy-skill-of-the-day-using-a-cold-chisel-17021541/
  2. Family Handyman – Sep 21 – Differences Between A Hammer Drill And Rotary Hammer retrieved from https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/drilling-into-concrete-tools-rotary-hammers-and-hammer-drills/

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