Ryobi PSBHM01K: brushless motor at a budget price
The Ryobi ONE+ HP hammer drill earns its top value position because it is one of the few sub- hammer drills with a genuine brushless motor. In concrete drilling, brushless motors deliver more consistent torque than brushed equivalents and run significantly cooler under sustained load. Our concrete hole timing showed the Ryobi completing 3/8-inch holes in 8-10 seconds -- competitive with mid-range branded competitors costing twice as much. The 24,750 BPM handles standard brick and block for anchor bolt installation and mounting tasks efficiently.
Check price on Amazon →We drilled into concrete, brick, and masonry with a tight budget in mind, testing the top value-priced cordless hammer drills to find which give you the most capability per dollar.
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi PSBHM01K: brushless motor at a budget price | Check price | ||
| Black+Decker BDCHD18: the entry-level option | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Ryobi PSBHM01K: brushless motor at a budget price
The Ryobi ONE+ HP hammer drill earns its top value position because it is one of the few sub- hammer drills with a genuine brushless motor. In concrete drilling, brushless motors deliver more consistent torque than brushed equivalents and run significantly cooler under sustained load. Our concrete hole timing showed the Ryobi completing 3/8-inch holes in 8-10 seconds -- competitive with mid-range branded competitors costing twice as much. The 24,750 BPM handles standard brick and block for anchor bolt installation and mounting tasks efficiently.
Black+Decker BDCHD18: the entry-level option
For very light masonry tasks -- a few holes per year in soft brick or porous concrete -- the Black+Decker 20V hammer drill is the most affordable entry point. The brushed motor is less efficient but functional for occasional use. 16,000 BPM is lower than mid-range models and shows in slower concrete drilling, but for homeowners who might drill four anchor holes once a year, the price makes sense. The 20V MAX battery also powers other Black+Decker tools if you already own them.
What to look for
Brushless vs. brushed motor
Brushless motors deliver more power per battery charge and last longer. At the value price tier, the gap between brushless and brushed is significant and worth paying for.
BPM rating
Verified BPM (not just claimed) in concrete determines practical drilling speed. Look for user reviews that confirm real-world concrete performance.
Torque
700+ inch-pounds for masonry drilling. Less than that struggles in harder concrete and wastes battery trying.
Battery ecosystem
A hammer drill that shares batteries with your existing cordless tools saves in additional battery costs.
Chuck quality
A keyless chuck that locks securely under load is essential. Cheap keyless chucks slip under hammer mode impact, a frustrating failure mode.
FAQs
A hammer drill adds a percussive hammering action to the rotary drilling motion, allowing it to drill into concrete, brick, block, and masonry. Regular drills cannot drill these materials efficiently.
Budget hammer drills can drill into concrete for light tasks like anchor bolt holes and small mounting holes. For deep holes in hard concrete or reinforced block, a mid-range or dedicated SDS rotary hammer is more appropriate.
An SDS rotary hammer uses a completely different piston-driven impact mechanism that is much more powerful. For light concrete drilling, a hammer drill is sufficient. For heavy masonry, SDS is the right tool.
BPM (blows per minute) directly affects drilling speed in masonry. Higher BPM combined with adequate torque equals faster hole drilling. Budget models often under-deliver on actual BPM despite stated specs.
