Whether you call it a demolition breaker, or a jackhammer, you’ll find this guide useful if you’re looking for a large demolition tool.
The best jackhammer or breaker is good for the heaviest chipping, demolition and breaking.
They cut and break through the hardest and toughest surfaces, such as concrete slabs and even asphalt on the roads.
A jackhammer tends to be bigger in size, heavier, have more force, and will be used vertically compared to a demolition hammer (read buyer’s guide).
In the following best jackhammer list, reviews, buyer’s guide/FAQ, we discuss some of the best jackhammer brands and models from XtremepowerUS, TR Industrial, Bosch & DeWalt.
If you’re running a little short on time, you can check out the top rated jackhammer list immediately below.
Otherwise, you can read the guide and reviews in full.
(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)
Top Jackhammer List
Best Cheap Jackhammer for Casual Users – XtremepowerUS 2200Watt Heavy Duty Electric Demolition Jack hammer Concrete Breaker (on Amazon)
Best Jackhammer For Professionals & Heavy Tasks – Bosch 11335K 35-Pound 1-1/8-Inch Jack Hammer Kit (on Amazon)
Best Jackhammer For Concrete, Pavement and Roads – DEWALT D25980K Pavement Breaker with Hammer Truck and Steel, Two Box (on Amazon)
Best Jackhammer: Reviews
XtremepowerUS 2200Watt Heavy Duty Electric Demolition Jack hammer Concrete Breaker W/Case, Gloves, Bits
The XtremepowerUS 2200Watt Jackhammer is an electric jackhammer.
Who Is This Demolition Hammer For?
- The everyday person who wants an affordable jackhammer for standard demolition and to just ‘get the job done’
- People performing mainly vertical work
- People performing larger surface area works like breaking large areas of concrete slabs
Who Is This Demolition Hammer Not For?
- Those looking for a smaller, lighter tool
- Those working on smaller, more precise jobs
- People looking for the most high powered jackhammer money can buy
What’s Good About It?
- 44 feet per pound of impact force
- 2200watt motor
- 1900bpm no load speed (when not taking a load/being applied to a surface)
- Comes with a case
- Includes two bits – 1-1/8″ Bull Point Chisel, 1-1/8″ Flat Chisel
- Can be used for demolition, trenching, chipping, breaking holes in concrete, block, brick, tile stucco, removing a foundation, concrete slab demolition and more
What’s Not So Great?
- Great features for the casual user, but not for the long term professional or working user
- The owner’s manual is lacking some information, but nothing major
What Else Do You Need To Use This Demolition Hammer?
- It comes with two bits. You may want to purchase other bits if you have specialty tasks you want to perform
- Oil
Where Can I Check Out This Demolition Hammer?
TR Industrial TR89105 Original Demolition Jack Hammer
The TR Industrial TR89105 Jackhammer is an electric jackhammer.
Who Is This Demolition Hammer For?
- The everyday person who wants an affordable jackhammer for standard demolition and to just ‘get the job done’
- People performing mainly vertical work
- People performing larger surface area works like breaking large areas of concrete slabs
Who Is This Demolition Hammer Not For?
- Those looking for a smaller, lighter tool
- Those working on smaller, more precise jobs
- People looking for the most heavy duty demo hammer money can buy for professionals
What’s Good About It?
- 11 Amp Motor
- 1800 bpm full load rate
- Can deliver 45 joules (33 feet per pound) of impact force
- 360 degree swivel handle
- Double insulated cord
- Safety and durability certified
- Includes 1 hex chisel bit, 1 flat chisel bit, case, change wrenches, oil container, goggles and gloves
- Good for concrete, clay, basement floors, and many other tough surfaces and more
What’s Not So Great?
- Great features for the casual user, but not for the long term professional or working user
What Else Do You Need To Use This Demolition Hammer?
- Whatever attachments you need to perform your job
- Oil
Where Can I Check Out This Demolition Hammer?
View the TR Industrial TR89105 Original Demolition Jack Hammer on Amazon
There is also the TR Industrial TR89100 Electric Demolition Jackhammer – What Is The Difference Between That One And The TR Industrial TR89105?
The main difference between the two is that the TR89100 comes with a spade chisel.
They are both part of the TR-100 series so have the same motor and unit specs.
View the TR Industrial TR89100 Electric Demolition Jackhammer on Amazon
TR Industrial TR89305 Electric Demolition Jackhammer
The TR Industrial TR89305 is the series above the TR89105 series, although it is still an electric jackhammer.
Two of the main differences are the 13 Amp motor compared to the 11 Amp motor, and 60 joules (45 feet per pound) of impact orce compared to 45 joules (33 feet per pound).
The TR Industrial TR89305 series is also only slightly heavier by a few pounds.
Who Is This Demolition Hammer For?
- People performing mainly vertical work
- People needing a medium-high power jackhammer
- People performing larger area works like breaking concrete slabs
Who Is This Demolition Hammer Not For?
- Those looking for a smaller, lighter tool
- Those working on smaller, more precise jobs
- People looking for the most heavy duty commercial demo hammer money can buy for professionals
What’s Good About It?
- More powerful than the XtremepowerUS or the TR-100 series
- 13 Amp Motor
- 60 joules (44.2 feet per pound) of impact force
- 1800 BPM – fast bit rate
- All metal housing unit – not the cheaper hardened plastic
- Double insulated long power cord
- Durability and safety certified
- Comes with 1 chisel bit, 1 bull point bit, gloves and case
What’s Not So Great?
- Still a non-commercial type jackhammer – look elsewhere for a professional/commercial grade jackhammer
What Else Do You Need To Use This Demolition Hammer?
- Other jackhammer bits you need to perform a specialty task you might like to perform
- Oil
Where Can I Check Out This Demolition Hammer?
View the TR Industrial TR89305 Electric Demolition Jackhammer on Amazon
Bosch 11335K 35-Pound 1-1/8-Inch Jack Hammer Kit
The Bosch 11335K is a top of the line corded/electric jackhammer.
Who Is This Demolition Hammer For?
- The professional or working person, who needs a high quality jackhammer for long term use
- Those performing mainly vertical work
- Those needing to demolish a large surface area (slabs and walls)
- Those who want excellent vibration control
Who Is This Demolition Hammer Not For?
- The casual user not wanting to pay a higher price for a jackhammer with all the features
- Those wanting to perform work mainly horizontally
- Those performing more precise jobs
- Those wanting a light tool
What’s Good About It?
- Weight of the tool compared to the power and force delivered is excellent
- 34 feet per pound of impact force
- Vibration control handle – 40% less vibration than most other jackhammers
- Handle is also a articulating auxiliary handle for extra comfort
- 15 Amp motor providing 1300 Bpm
- Service Minder™ brush system – shuts tool down when maintenance is required
- Comes with pointed bit and carrying case with wheels
- Accepts the Bosch 1-1/8-inch hex steel bit as well as the standard 1-1/8-inch air steel bit
- Highly durable – metal tube and casing unit – much harder wearing for jobsites than the hardened plastic units
What’s Not So Great?
- Because it is very high quality and comes with premium features like vibration control – it is more expensive than the standard jackhammers
- Still not the highest power jackhammer on the market – look for a pavement breaker if you want max power!
What Else Do You Need To Use This Demolition Hammer?
- Other jackhammer bits (other than the included pointed bit) you might need to carry out your tasks
- Oil
Where Can I Check Out This Demolition Hammer?
View the Bosch 11335K 35-Pound 1-1/8-Inch Jack Hammer Kit on Amazon
DEWALT D25960K 40-Pound Demolition Hammer Kit
The DEWALT D25960K is an electric jackhammer.
Who Is This Demolition Hammer For?
- The professional or working person, who needs a high quality jackhammer for long term use
- Those performing mainly vertical work
- Those needing to demolish a large surface area (slabs and walls)
- Those who want excellent vibration control
Who Is This Demolition Hammer Not For?
- The casual user not wanting to pay a higher price for a jackhammer with all the features
- Those wanting to perform work mainly horizontally
- Those performing more precise jobs
- Those wanting a light tool
What’s Good About It?
- 30 feet per pound impact force
- Active Vibration Control reduces up to 50% of the overall vibration
- 15 amp motor provides maximum power and overload protection
- 1460 Bpm
- Soft Start motor
- Two handles for greater control
- Rubber handles for extra comfort
- Comes with case and 1-1/8-Inch Demo Steel chisel bit
What’s Not So Great?
- If we had to choose between this and the Bosch 11335K, we’d choose the Bosch just slightly because you get more force and the Bosch is lighter. However, the vibration control on this DeWalt is probably slightly better than the Bosch.
- It is a higher priced jackhammer like the Bosch
What Else Do You Need To Use This Demolition Hammer?
- Other jackhammer bits (other than the included pointed chisel bit) you might need to carry out your tasks
- Oil
Where Can I Check Out This Demolition Hammer?
View the DEWALT D25960K 40-Pound Demolition Hammer Kit (on Amazon)
DEWALT D25980K Pavement Breaker with Hammer Truck and Steel, Two Box
The DEWALT D25980K is an electric/corded jackhammer which is up there with the most powerful breaker’s on the market.
Who Is This Demolition Hammer For?
- People wanting the most force out of a jackhammer possible
- People working on the hardest and toughest surfaces – like concrete, sidewalks, roads etc.
- People performing mainly vertical works
- People working across large surface areas
Who Is This Demolition Hammer Not For?
- People who don’t want an expensive demolition tool
- People who want a light or precise demolition tool
- People who want a tool they can operate horizontally
What’s Good About It?
- HUGE 61 feet per pound of impact force
- SHOCK System – active vibration control which reduces total vibration of the tool by up to 70%
- Rubber handles for extra comfort
- Double handles for extra control
- 15 Amps motor with overload protection
- Soft start – electronic
- Option for one box or two box shipping
- The kit comes with two bullpoint chisels, one one-inch flat chisel, one three-inch flat chisel, a flat foot plate for the hammer truck, and one pegged foot plate for the hammer truck – along with the truck itself for transporting the tool
What’s Not So Great?
- It’s got the most force and features of any jackhammer on this list – it isn’t cheap!
What Else Do You Need To Use This Demolition Hammer?
- It comes with basically everything you need to operate it
- Oil
Where Can I Check Out This Demolition Hammer?
View the DEWALT D25980K Pavement Breaker with Hammer Truck and Steel, Two Box on Amazon
Best Jackhammer : Buyer’s Guide & FAQ
Other Names For A Jackhammer
Breaker
Concrete Breaker
Demolition Breaker
What Is A Jackhammer?
A jackhammer is a demolition tool that breaks and demolishes hard surfaces like rock, concrete and pavement/asphalt.
It does this with a chisel bit, that strikes hard material with significant force in a hammer action (by going up and down).
What Is A Jackhammer Used For, and What Does A Jackhammer Do?
A jackhammer is a larger, heavier and more powerful demolition tool than a demolition hammer.
Jackhammers are usually used from a standing position i.e. vertically compared to demolition hammers which are mainly used horizontally.
Smaller jackhammers and breakers are used for heavy chipping, demolition, breaking, landscaping and hardscaping – of floor, walls and concrete structures.
With outside work, they are particularly used for trenching, removing tree roots, and breaking rock.
Larger jackhammers are used for much of the same, but are heavier and much more powerful (will usually get the job quicker) – such as the DEWALT D25980K Pavement Breaker used for the hardest surfaces.
Types of Jackhammers
Electric Jackhammer
Pneumatic Demolition Hammer
Hydraulic Jackhammer (usually very large – fitted to excavators and backhoes for very large works)
We will talk about Electric and Pneumatic types in this guide.
Jackhammer Bits & Chisels
You can read more about jackhammer bits in our guide on 15 of the most popular bits and attachments.
Different bits can be be exchanged out the end of the jackhammer for different tasks, including but not limited to:
Spade – provides flat finish for concrete or edging in asphalt or dirt
Flat tip Chisel – allows direction control or finer edge finish
Bull Point Bit – general breaking
Stake driver – drives concrete form stakes
Scabbler – finishes surface smooth or for cleaning prior to bonding
Flex chisel or lifter – flexible metal blade (attached to shank with bolts) for tile removal and scraping
Bushing tool – multiple carbide points for cleaning up seams and knocking down rough spots in concrete
What Size Jackhammer Do I Need…How To Choose A Jackhammer?
There are the regular jackhammers, and then there are the heavy duty jackhammers, also called pavement breakers.
Get a regular jackhammer IF:
You are ok with around 30-40 feet per pound of impact force
You want a lighter jackhammer
You are mainly breaking concrete, tiles, and doing regular outside work like trenching and digging/breaking up tree roots
Get a bigger jackhammer IF:
You want around 60 feet per pound of impact force
You are OK with handling a heavier jackhammer
You want a tool for breaking pavement, concrete and roads, and other very hard surfaces
You want to get smaller tasks done extremely quickly
What Grease Should I Ge For A Jackhammer?
It depends on the manufacturer – they usually tell you what grease or oil your demolition jackhammer takes in the operation manual.
A demolition jackhammer will usually have an oil window which you can check the oil level with, and re-fill as necessary.
Features To Look For In A Jackhammer
Level of vibration control – what % of overall vibration is reduced?
Enough power to do what you want it to do – how many feet per pounds of impact force does it have?
Is the housing unit hardened plastic or metal? Metal tubing is better for jobsites and professionals
How many handles are there (one on either side, or a top and side handle are stable setups), and are they rubber or another vibration absorbing material?
What materials is the jackhammer designed for?
Does it have an oil level window?
What bits can it take?
How easy is it to lubricate?
How long is the power cord, and do you need an extension? Is the cord double insulated for added protection?
Safety Tips For Using A Jackhammer
Make sure you wear protection glasses 100% eye coverage to protect against flying debris,
Wear gloves to shield against vibration
Wear steel-capped boots
With electric corded jackhammers, keep the cord away from hazards like water, metal and sharp objects
Avoid breaking or demolishing materials directly overhead
Jackhammers operate at 130 decibels. Humans can only sustain repeated exposure to sound levels of 90 decibels before long term hearing loss is experienced – so make sure to have earmuffs or earplugs on hand.
Best Jackhammer For…
- Best Jackhammer For Digging
The regular jackhammers above are best for digging when used with a spade bit.
- Best Jackhammer For Concrete
The regular jackhammers with a pointed bit are best for concrete.
Use a pavement breaker for large surface areas of concrete or super hard concrete.
- Best Jackhammer For Tile Removal and Ceramic Tile Removal
Demolition hammers are great for removing tile inside a house.
- Best Demolition Hammer For Pavement, Roads, Hard Concrete & Quick Removal
The DeWalt pavement breaker is best suited for this.
Best Jackhammer: Resources
1. http://xtremepowerusa.com/
2. http://trindustrial.com/
3. http://www.dewalt.com/
4. https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/
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