Hammer Drill vs. Impact Driver: Main Differences & Comparison

Recently we wrote an article comparing impact drivers and drills. If you’re looking for deeper information about the differences between specific types of drills and drivers, this article is for you.

In the following sections we’ll cover in detail the differences between impact drills, hammer drills, and impact drivers. We’ll look at:

• The defining characteristics of each tool
• The pros and cons of each
• The jobs that each is suited and not suited to
• When to use each tool
• How to determine which is right for you

Comparison Table

Impact Drill vs Hammer Drill vs Impact Driver

Finding the right tool isn’t always easy, especially with tools like drills and impact drivers, which share some similarities. If you find yourself being put off by this potential confusion, we hope this guide will help to provide some clarity.

Impact Drill

Impact drills have compact designs and usually feature a keyless chuck to allow quick and easy bit changes.

The primary purpose of an impact drill is general drilling, but not into tough materials like concrete. Impact drills can handle driving, too, but this is not their primary functionality. They use rotational force for drilling, as opposed to a hammer force (see the next section).

Impact drills are versatile tools, suitable for a wide range of applications.

Pros and Cons of Impact Drill

• Impact drills are versatile, making them a great addition to your toolbox if you undertake a range of DIY tasks
• They can be used for regular drilling, and some models feature hammer functionality

And some things to keep in mind when using this tool:

• Impact drills are limited when it comes to drilling into tough materials like concrete

What it Should and Shouldn’t Be Used For

Impact drills are fantastic for drilling into wood, metal, and plastic. They’re useful for driving screws in certain applications as well, but we’d recommend an impact driver if you’ll be doing lots of driving.

This tool is not suitable for heavy masonry work, or for drilling into tough materials.

Hammer Drill

The primary purpose of a hammer drill is to drill into tough materials like masonry or concrete.

A hammer drill uses longitudinal hammering, i.e. a direct forward force, to impact the drill bit in the direction the bit is facing. This hammering action works into the target material and makes it easier for the bit to move forward. The hammering is what makes it possible to drill into tough materials that other types of drill would struggle with.

There are two mechanisms that a hammer drill can use:

• Cam-action mechanism: The chuck and bit move forwards and backwards together
• Electro-pneumatic mechanism: Energy transfer is achieved via air pressure rather than physical contact

Pros and Cons of a Hammer Drill

• Hammer drills are great for drilling into tough materials
• Some hammer drills have a toggle where you can switch to regular drilling

And some things to keep in mind when using this tool:

• This tool is heavy and bulky, which may present usability issues for some users
• Hammer drills are limited when it comes to driving

What it Should and Shouldn’t Be Used For

Hammer drills are ideal for drilling holes through tough surfaces, like concrete or brick. These tools are recommended for masonry projects. You can also use hammer drills for general drilling, as long as you’re aware of the additional force they provide.

This force means that hammer drills are not suitable for tasks involving precision drilling.

Impact Driver

The primary purpose of an impact driver is to use rotational force via torque to efficiently tighten and loosen bolts and screws. They can be used for light drilling but should not be relied on for heavy drilling.

Impact drivers are compact and lightweight, delivering more power in a smaller package than the drills we’ve looked at previously.

Be aware that with an impact driver, no forward force is applied. This is not relevant for all users, but it’s good to be aware when deciding whether this tool is right for your needs.

Pros and Cons of an Impact Driver

• Impact drivers are designed for quick and easy screwing, and come into their own for jobs where lots of screwing is required
• The tools are very compact, making them great for jobs in confined spaces

And some things to keep in mind when using this tool:

• Impact drivers are not great for precision tasks thanks to limited torque control

What it Should and Shouldn’t Be Used For

The impact driver is great for driving and removing screws in wood, metal, and other materials.

Ideal for jobs that involve lots of fastening and/or unfastening of screws, such as assembling furniture. You can use the impact driver for drilling holes, but only when they’re not very deep. An impact drill or a hammer drill are likely better suited to the task of drilling.

When to Use an Impact Drill, Hammer Drill, or Impact Driver?

You should use an impact drill when you want to complete a task involving drilling and driving, and you’re working with wood, plastic, and light metal. Potential jobs for an impact drill:

• Assembling furniture
• Household DIY
• Low-level construction tasks

You should use a hammer drill when you want to complete a task that features tough materials and demands powerful drilling action. Potential jobs for a hammer drill:

• Installing wall anchors in concrete
• Construction projects
• Any tasks involving brick or stone

You should use an impact driver when you want to complete a task requiring lots of screws to be fastened or unfastened quickly and efficiently. Potential jobs for an impact driver:

• Building decking or fencing
• Installing kitchen cabinets
• Household DIY
• Assembly or disassembly of flatpack furniture

Impact Drill, Hammer Drill or Impact Driver: Which is the Right Tool for You?

When deciding which power tool is right for you, consider the specifics of the job(s) you are looking to carry out. Things to think about:

• The material(s) you’re working with: With lighter materials like wood, plastic, and some metals you likely won’t need the impact provided by a hammer drill.
• Whether you’re drilling or driving: By nature, drills are more suited to drilling and drivers to driving. While there is some overlap, it’s usually better to use each tool for its intended purpose.
• Your skill level: A hammer drill is a big, heavy tool that may not be suitable for users with lower levels of experience.

If you need a hand deciding which tool best suits your needs, please get in touch with our team. We’ll be happy to help.