Hammer Drill vs. Drill/Driver: Do You Need the Hammer?
A hammer drill is a drill/driver with one extra mode. When you switch it on, the chuck pounds forward and back while it spins, which helps the bit chip its way into brick, block and concrete. In wood, metal and drywall you turn the hammer off and it works like a regular drill. To see what that extra mode costs you, we read Milwaukee's own pages tonight for two kits that are otherwise near twins. We haven't tested either tool hands-on, so there are no ratings here.
| Kit | Maker-listed specs | In the box (per maker) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Hammer Drill/Driver Kit (2904-22) | Hammer function: yes; brushless; 1,400 in-lbs max torque; 0-2,100 RPM; 2 speeds; 16 clutch settings; 1/2" keyless chuck; 6.95" long; 3.3 lbs without battery, 4.9 lbs with | Tool, two M18 XC5.0 batteries, M18/M12 charger, side handle, case | Check current price |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit (2903-22) | Hammer function: no; brushless; 1,400 in-lbs max torque; 0-2,100 RPM; 2 speeds; 16 clutch settings; 1/2" keyless chuck; 6.88" long | Tool, two M18 XC5.0 batteries, M18/M12 charger, side handle, case | Check current price |
We left the drill/driver's weight out on purpose. Tonight its spec table listed 3.21 lbs "with batteries" and 4.82 lbs "excluding battery," which can't both be right, so check the page yourself before you compare weights.
What the numbers tell you
On paper, these two share the same torque, speed range, clutch, chuck and kit contents. The main listed differences are the hammer mode and a hammer drill that's a little longer. So for this pair, you're mostly paying for the masonry mode itself. Compare the two current prices to see what that costs.
Which one to buy
Get the hammer drill if you expect to drill into brick, block, or a concrete foundation or garage floor, for example to mount a mailbox, hang shelves on a basement wall, or anchor something outside. Use masonry bits for those jobs.
Get the plain drill/driver if your home is mostly drywall and wood and you'll rarely touch masonry. You skip a mode you won't use, and the tool is slightly shorter.
A hammer drill is fine for occasional holes in masonry. If you plan to drill lots of big holes in concrete, you'd want a rotary hammer, which is a different tool we'll cover separately. Whatever you buy, stay on the battery platform you already own. See 12V vs. 18V/20V, drill vs. impact driver and our drill guide.
Sources: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-1-2-hammer-drill-driver-kit/2904-22, https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-1-2-drill-driver-kit/2903-22. Specs checked on the manufacturer pages on Oct 23, 2026.