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A jackhammer is a powerful demolition tool that’s used to break up hard surfaces like asphalt, brick, and tile. Many consumers view jackhammers as a loud and uncontrollable tool reserved for construction workers and other professionals, but these tools can come in more compact and manageable designs that are suitable for the handy homeowner.
While professional-grade jackhammers derive their power from compressed air, DIY-friendly jackhammers utilize electricity. Electric jackhammers are easier to control than their pneumatic counterparts and come in a variety of sizes to fit jobs both large and small.
To help you find a tool that matches your needs, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best jackhammers on Amazon. Here are our top selections:
Top 5 Jackhammers
- Best Value: XtremepowerUS 2,200-Watt Electric Jackhammer
- Best Speed Control: Makita 35-Pound Demolition Jackhammer
- Best Handling: Mophorn Electric Demolition Jackhammer
- Most Durable: Bosch 35-Pound Jackhammer Kit
- Best Mobility: TR Industrial Electric Jackhammer
Best Value: XtremepowerUS 2,200-Watt Electric Jackhammer
- $124.95
- $127.95
- 3% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 2,200 watts
- 1,800 BPM
- Point and flat chisel included
- Comes in a carrying case
What Customers Are Saying
Some positive reviews applauded the XtremePowerUS jackhammer’s equal performance to other leading demolition tools at a more affordable price. Other reviewers went on to express their pleasant surprise over the model’s power output. Critical reviews stated that while the product produced an adequate amount of force, it died after continual use. Some reviewers also expressed concern over the jackhammer’s tendency to leak oil.
Best Speed Control: Makita 35-Pound Demolition Jackhammer
- $899
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Up to 1,450 BPM
- 16.4-inch power cord
- 14-amp motor
- One-year limited warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many positive reviews endorsed the jackhammer’s heavy-duty claims, saying the product has a powerful output over prolonged periods. One reviewer even updated a 2014 review to inform readers that their product was still going strong. Customer complaints on Amazon focused less on the jackhammer’s performance and more on the poor delivery experience, with reports of customers receiving the wrong product.
Best Handling: Mophorn Electric Demolition Jackhammer
- $181.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Available as a 2,200- or 3,600-watt model
- Up to 1,800 revolutions per minute (RPM)
- 110 volts
- 42.5 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Customers commented on the jackhammer’s effectiveness as a homeowner-centered demolition tool, with many reviewers using the jackhammer to break up sidewalks or remodel bathrooms. Additionally, many customers were satisfied with the product’s output given its affordable price. Negative reviews centered around the product’s lack of power, with one user experiencing the chisel deflecting off of concrete during a demolition project.
Most Durable: Bosch 35-Pound Jackhammer Kit
- $999
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 120 volts
- 1,300 BPM
- One-year manufacturer warranty
- 30-day, money-back guarantee
What Customers Are Saying
Some positive reviews praised the jackhammer’s impact force, recognizing its usefulness for a variety of DIY demolition projects, including making post holes and breaking up concrete. Some professionals even highlighted the tool’s quality performance, with one reviewer praising its ability to demolish an aging sidewalk.
Best Mobility: TR Industrial Electric Jackhammer
- $249.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 1,800 BPM
- 13-amp motor
- 35 pounds
- One-year limited warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive customer reviews for this jackhammer centered around the tool’s effectiveness in breaking up hard objects for medium-sized projects. Many customers even highlighted the product’s affordability compared to its competitors. Most critical reviews focused on the jackhammer’s bit, with customers experiencing frequent jams and expressing concerns over the tool’s incompatibility with universal jackhammer bits.
Buying Guide
From removing kitchen tile to breaking up concrete, jackhammers can make demolition-heavy projects easier. While jackhammers are a necessity for a number of DIY projects, it’s important to select a jackhammer that’s designed for your unique needs. In this buying guide, we discuss the factors that influence a jackhammer’s operation to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Type
A jackhammer is a broad term used to encompass all jackhammer variants, including hydraulic jackhammers, pneumatic jackhammers, and electric jackhammers. Hydraulic and pneumatic jackhammers are industrial-grade models that are used by professional road crews or construction workers. All of the recommended products in this review are electric jackhammers. These jackhammers are more manageable than hydraulic or pneumatic ones and are geared toward homeowners.
Weight
Weight determines the intensity at which the jackhammer runs and the length of time you’re able to operate it. A heavier jackhammer allows you to power through concrete, tile, and other materials with ease, but it can’t be operated for a long period. A lightweight jackhammer doesn’t deliver as much force, but it’s easier to maneuver.
When considering weight, take into account the specific job you’ll be performing with the jackhammer. If you need to break up a small area full of dense material, a heavy jackhammer may be a good option. However, if you need a jackhammer for a job like chipping thin ceramic tiles, a lightweight jackhammer might be a better choice.
Impact
The impact of a jackhammer refers to two specific measurements: impact rate and impact force. The impact rate is the number of times the jackhammer’s bit makes contact with the pavement per minute. While impact rate is important in breaking through material, a higher impact rate doesn’t mean you can break through denser material; rather, it just means that you can do it faster.
Impact force, typically measured in joules, is the deciding factor when it comes to power. Jackhammers with a high-impact force deliver a more powerful blow, but they’re typically harder to control.
Protection
To ensure your jackhammer is protected over time, look for features like a carrying case or product warranty.
Jackhammer Safety Considerations
Before using a powerful tool like a jackhammer, it’s important to understand how to safely use it. Here are some safety tips you should consider before operation:
- Clear the area you’re working in of loose objects to prevent the jackhammer from damaging any items and keep you from tripping while operating the tool.
- Inspect your jackhammer before every use to ensure that the tool isn’t damaged. Signs of damage include a broken electrical cord and rusted mechanical parts.
- Safety goggles and gloves should always be worn while operating a jackhammer to shield your eyes and hands from loose debris. Additionally, ear protection should be worn to protect against hearing loss.
- Make sure that the electrical cord is safely out of the way before operating the jackhammer to prevent electrocution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy are jackhammers?
Jackhammers vary in size and weight. Electric-powered jackhammers weigh around 40 pounds, while commercial-grade, pneumatic jackhammers can weigh more than 75 pounds. Our five recommendations in this review run on electricity and weigh between 35-45 pounds.
What are jackhammers used for?
Jackhammers are used to break up concrete, asphalt, and many other materials. One benefit of a jackhammer is the power that it provides, as it easily cuts through dense materials that would take a while to break up by hand.
Are jackhammers dangerous?
Like many tools, jackhammers can be dangerous if they aren’t properly used. When using a jackhammer, you should always wear protective eyewear, earwear, and gloves to prevent injury. Additionally, if you’re breaking up material that emits hazardous dust, consider wearing a respirator.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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