Independent · sourced · Updated August 2026

Best Rotary Hammers (2026)

14 rotary hammers compared on the specs that matter and US price — ranked cheapest-first. Every spec and price links to its source and the date we captured it.

The best overall rotary hammer is DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) ($219). The best value rotary hammer is Bosch GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless 1 In. SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer ($219). The cheapest is Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) at $199. 14 rotary hammers compared from $199 to $1629 across 7 brands — every figure sourced, updated August 2026.

As of 2026-08-01

Cite this comparison Per The Front Desk Review, the cheapest rotary hammers is Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) at $199; across 14 models the median price is $371.50 ($199–$1629), every figure sourced and dated, as of 2026-08-01. https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rotary-hammers/

Our data Across the 14 rotary hammers we priced, the most expensive lists for 644% more than the best-specced one — DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) at $219 — so the premium mostly buys the badge, not better hardware. Premium Myth study, as of August 2026.

Which rotary hammer should you buy?

Three buyer-intent picks from the algorithmic ranking below — no paid placement.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified 2026-08-01; live price may differ.

Key takeaways

  • Lowest price: Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) at $199 (Ryobi/Home Depot bare-tool price; a battery+charger kit lists at $249.).
  • Typical price: from $199, median $371.50, up to $1629 — across 14 priced.
  • Tracked: 14 products across 7 brands, current through 2026-08-01.
  • Compared on: Chuck type, Impact energy joules, Max drill diameter (mm), Voltage, Blows per minute, No load (rpm).

Best by the numbers

Objective winners — each is the leader on one measured spec, with the figure. No subjective ranking.

Top 3 by quality

An algorithmic overall ranking from the data on this page — value for money, spec strength, and recency. 100% data-driven, no paid placement.

  1. DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) Quality score 98/100 Best value
  2. Bosch GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless 1 In. SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer Bosch GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless 1 In. SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer Quality score 93/100 Newest
  3. Metabo HPT DH28PFY 1-1/8 In. 3-Mode SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with UVP Metabo HPT DH28PFY 1-1/8 In. 3-Mode SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with UVP Quality score 74/100 Most powerful

How we rank: Value 45% · Spec strength 35% · Recency 20%. Scores are computed only within this category from published specs and prices — never influenced by commissions or placement. Method & open data →

Comparison

US price = launch MSRP for the base configuration. Sourced per row.
#Rotary HammerPriceChuck typeImpact energy joulesMax drill diameter (mm)VoltageBlows per minuteNo load (rpm)SourceBuy
1 Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) $199 SDS-plus2.12518V50001380 ryobitools.com On Amazon →
2 Bosch GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless 1 In. SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer Bosch GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless 1 In. SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer $219 SDS-plus2.62518V4350890 pressroom.boschtools.com On Amazon →
3 DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) $219 SDS-plus1.41620V MAX (18V nominal)49801060 dewalt.com On Amazon →
4 Metabo HPT DH28PFY 1-1/8 In. 3-Mode SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with UVP Metabo HPT DH28PFY 1-1/8 In. 3-Mode SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with UVP $269 SDS-plus3.428120V AC, 8.0 A43001100 metabo-hpt.com On Amazon →
5 Bosch RH328VC 1-1/8 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with Vibration Control Bosch RH328VC 1-1/8 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with Vibration Control $279 SDS-plus3.328120V AC, 8.0 A4000900 boschtools.com On Amazon →
6 DeWalt DCH273B 20V MAX XR Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus L-Shape Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) DeWalt DCH273B 20V MAX XR Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus L-Shape Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) $349 SDS-plus2.12520V MAX (18V nominal)46001100 ohiopowertool.com On Amazon →
7 Makita HR2811F 1-1/8 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer with L.E.D. Light $364 SDS-plus2.928120V AC, 7.0 A45001100 makitatools.com On Amazon →
8 Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2912-20 1 In. SDS Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) $379 SDS-plus2.72518V48001330 milwaukeetool.com On Amazon →
9 Makita XRH01Z 18V LXT Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) $399 SDS-plus2.42518V4700950 makitatools.com On Amazon →
10 Hilti TE 6-A36-AVR 36V Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Hilti TE 6-A36-AVR 36V Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer $449 SDS-plus (Hilti TE-C)2.436V51001050 protoolreviews.com On Amazon →
11 Bosch RH540M 1-9/16 In. SDS-max Combination Rotary Hammer Bosch RH540M 1-9/16 In. SDS-max Combination Rotary Hammer $529 SDS-max8.340120V AC, 12 A2900340 boschtools.com On Amazon →
12 Makita HR4013C 1-9/16 In. SDS-Max Rotary Hammer with Advanced AVT $566 SDS-max11.440120V AC, 11 A2900500 makitatools.com On Amazon →
13 Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2917-20 1-9/16 In. SDS Max Rotary Hammer with ONE-KEY (Bare Tool) $599 SDS-max8.14018V3300488 milwaukeetool.com On Amazon →
14 Hilti TE 60-ATC-AVR SDS-Max Combihammer Hilti TE 60-ATC-AVR SDS-Max Combihammer $1629 SDS-max (Hilti TE-Y)7.9100120V AC (1,350 W rated input)3300340 hilti.com On Amazon →

Specs are as published by the manufacturer (or a reputable spec source where the official page was unavailable); prices are US launch MSRP. Full per-product records and all spec columns are in our open dataset. The “Buy” links go to Amazon; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, and the live price may differ from the sourced figure shown.

Popular comparisons

What is the cheapest rotary hammer?

Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) is the cheapest at $199 (Ryobi/Home Depot bare-tool price; a battery+charger kit lists at $249.), as of 2026-08-01.

How much does rotary hammers cost?

Across the 14 rotary hammers with a published price, the median is $371.50, ranging from $199 to $1629, as of 2026-08-01.

Which rotary hammer is best by the numbers?

Lowest price: Ryobi P223 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) ($199). Lightest: DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) (4.4 weight lb).

How many rotary hammers are compared here?

14 rotary hammers across 7 brands, with US price and key specs, current through 2026-08-01.

What is the best overall rotary hammer?

DeWalt DCH172B ATOMIC 20V MAX 5/8 In. Brushless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) ($219) — Highest overall score (98/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.

What is the best value rotary hammer?

Bosch GBH18V-26D 18V EC Brushless 1 In. SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer ($219) — Most specification per dollar of any rotary hammers here at $219.

What is the most capable rotary hammer?

DeWalt DCH273B 20V MAX XR Brushless 1 In. SDS-Plus L-Shape Rotary Hammer (Bare Tool) ($349) — Leads this group on the measured specs — a premium pick at $349.

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