In a hurry? While I recommend reading the whole article to find the tool that best suits your needs, I have to mention here that the Hilti TE 6-A36 is my favorite. While it’s not the most affordable rotary hammer, it will last you many years or even decades and so – if you are a regular user – is well worth its hefty price tag.
While lesser known than brands like DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee, Hilti is one of the best power tool brands in the world. It’s especially well-known in the world of heavy-duty construction for its hammer drills and other heavier-than-usual power tools.
If you stumbled upon this article, chances are you are considering buying one of the brand’s power tools but are not sure which one to get.
Continue reading to learn what I think are the best Hilti drills as well as other tools.
Best Rotary Hammer Drill: Hilti TE 7-C
It has an ergonomically designed D-grip for comfortable use and is built tough for years of reliable usage.
The motor can produce up to 740 revolutions per minute and 4020 blows per minute, making this a tool for professional use. It can be used for chiseling, drilling, hammering, or making small channel openings in concrete or even metal.
Things I Like About This Product: I like the integrated DRS-M dust removal system which results in a virtually dustless drilling experience and makes cleanup after the job easy. I also appreciate the ease of changing the chuck thanks to the quick-change TE-C Click chuck design.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: One reviewer reported that his drill got bound up while down drilling, but the majority of reviewers agree that the drill is powerful enough to get the job done reliably and quickly every time.
You can read a more detailed review of the TE 7-C here.
Best Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill: Hilti TE 6-A36
The dust removal system that it comes with removes almost all the dust the drill generates while the drill’s 36-volt motor provides up to 1,040 RPM. The drill runs on a B 36 Li-Ion battery which provides enough juice to let the TE 6-A36 make more holes per charge than any other cordless rotary hammer drill in the same class.
The drill comes with a plastic toolbox, a charger, and the following TE-CX drill bits: 3/8-inch, 5/8-inch, and two 1/2-inch bits, all 6 inches long.
Things I Like About This Product: The AVR function reduces vibrations to the extent that you don’t have to absorb most of the vibrations in your arms, which means you get less tired while drilling. I also like the 4 control modes, that smoothly switch the drill to chisel, hammer, hammer with rotation, and rotation only mode. The product is backed by Hilti’s 20-year warranty, so you can buy it with confidence. All that said, perhaps the best part of this drill is its lightweight build and convenient handling.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The version of this drill that does not have a dust filter in the dust removal system is not compliant with regulations in some places, so if that’s a concern for you, opt for the model which comes with a dust filter.
Best Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver: Hilti SF 2H-A
The precision clutch gives greater control for delicate screw driving work, and the ergonomic grip and excellent balance make the tool highly comfortable.
The drill feels smooth and powerful while drilling and the battery life indicator lets the user know when it requires charging.
Things I Like About This Product: The SF 2H-A is the right tool for people who need to work in tight spaces, and who need a lightweight, reliable tool for both making holes and driving screws. The integrated voltage, current and temperature sensors protect the motor effectively, so the drill will last longer than others.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: While some users may feel the drill is a little long, this won’t be an issue for a majority of users unless working in very cramped conditions. In the majority of cases, this drill will be more than adequate for all types of professionals.
Best Impact Driver: Hilti SID 18-A
The four built-in LEDs help light up the target area, while the unit is sealed to protect the electronics inside from dust and debris.
Switching gears and driving speeds is easy through the electronic speed control, and the 1/4-inch quick-release chuck makes adjustments a breeze.
Things I Like About This Product: This drill has been designed keeping the end-user in mind, from the tapered back to the four LEDs that illuminate the work surface without shadows. You will face less fatigue when working overhead thanks to the ergonomic design, and the tool’s well-balanced weight.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: Like most Hilti products, the SID 18-A is pricier than other impact drivers, but it will be worth it if you’re a professional who uses the tool daily. The durable and reliable nature of Hilti tools means they’ll outlast almost anything else on the market.
Best Cordless Combo Kit: Hilti SFH 18-A and SID 18-A CPC
The SFH18-A cordless hammer drill/driver is reliable, well-designed, and powerful. It offers excellent performance in drilling, hammer drilling, and driving applications, along with an ergonomic, lightweight design.
Similarly, the Hilti SID 18-A cordless impact driver is a great tool if you are looking for something that will last for a long time and stand up to a lot of abuse. The LEDs help light up the work surface while eliminating shadows, and the battery lasts a long time on a single charge.
Things I Like About This Product: This kit is great for professionals looking for solid value and long term tools that will need to be used daily in harsh conditions. The SFH 18-A has plenty of torque in the first gear, and even the second gear gives good results when other tools don’t. The SFH18-A hammer drill and SID 18-A impact driver are both backed by Hilti’s excellent warranty and normal wear and tear are also covered in the beginning, so you can go ahead and buy with confidence.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying This Product: The SFH18-A’s low gearing results in slow application speeds and the hammer drill has no headlight for illuminating work surfaces. The tool can be difficult to shift into second gear, and some users found the sharp plastic edge under the trigger to be uncomfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hilti
While the above should give you a good overview of which Hilti tool to consider depending on your needs, you are still likely left with some questions. Below, I try to answer the most commonly asked ones.
Is Hilti a good brand?
While not as well-known as other leading power tool brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita, Hilti is arguably better than all of those. That is, at least, when it comes to hammer drills and other heavy-duty construction tools.
The quality comes at a fairly high – oftentimes more than 50% more compared to its alternatives – price tags. As such, you will have to decide whether the excellent quality is worth the steep price tag for you.
What warranty does Hilti offer with its products?
Hilti offers a warranty that very few – if any – other tool manufacturers can match. It’s known as the “20-2-1” warranty.
What that means is that any Hilti power tool that you buy is guaranteed to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 20 years. In addition to that, for two years, Hilti will replace or repair your tool free of charge even for troubles caused by regular wear and tear. Finally, the “1” means that Hilti will cover your repair costs if the tool is not repaired in one day in the Hilti service center.
This excellent warranty is one of the things that justifies the brand’s products’ high price tag.
Can SDS drill bits be used with Hilti Drills?
Yes, Hilti’s rotary hammer drills can use SDS drill bits. Make sure, however, that you are buying the right-sized bits. In other words, before buying an SDS drill bit, confirm whether your drill uses the SDS Plus or SDS Max system.
Summary
If you are a homeowner and are looking for a tool that will help you with repairs every now and then, getting a Hilti drill would be like getting a Ferrari for a ten-minute daily commute. In that case, you should consider a brand like Black & Decker, Ryobi, or Makita on the higher end.
On the other hand, if you are a construction company owner looking for the best tools for your workers or a professional handyman that works with concrete and masonry a lot, then you should seriously consider getting a Hilti drill. That said, you should still consider their benefits and drawbacks – especially the high price tag.
Should you decide Hilti is for you, I recommend the TE 6-A36 cordless hammer drill as a place to start your search.