We Bashed Through Wood and Concrete to Find the Top Sledgehammers

There’s no denying that swinging a sledgehammer is a ton of fun, but beyond providing some stress relief, this timeless tool can help DIYers complete all kinds of projects. An obvious example is simple demolition. A sledgehammer can provide the force to knock out a wall, break concrete, and shatter wood, and the force from this tool can also help you pound fence posts into the ground, hammer thick stakes, or even get in a good workout.

The best sledgehammer for your demolition project will depend on the intended use, the material being destroyed or constructed, and the tool’s physical features, including the head, shaft, and handle. We tested seven sledgehammers from top brands to determine which ones offer the best performance, using them to bash through wood and concrete. When the dust settled, the Razor-Back 34-Inch 8-Pound Sledgehammer emerged as our top pick thanks to its comfortable handle, durable construction, and reasonable price. Read on to learn more about the Razor-back and other top sledgehammers. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Razor-Back 34-Inch 8-Pound Sledgehammer
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Husky 34-Inch 8-Pound Sledgehammer
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3. BEST UPGRADE: Wilton B.A.S.H. 16-Inch 8-Pound Sledgehammer
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4. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Fiskars PRO IsoCore Sledgehammer
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5. BEST FOR DRIVING STAKES: Spec Ops Tools 3-Pound Drilling Hammer
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6. BEST WOOD HANDLE: Kobalt Black 34-Inch 8-Pound Sledgehammer
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7. BEST GRIP: Estwing 36-Inch 8-Pound Demolition Sledgehammer
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Quick Comparison: Best Sledgehammers

Our Top Picks

The products below were chosen for quality, price, customer satisfaction, and the considerations mentioned above. Take a look at this list to find some of the best sledgehammers to help make your next demolition project easier and more efficient.

Razor-Back’s 8-pound sledgehammer checks all the boxes in what you want out of this kind of tool. With its solid core fiberglass handle, it absorbed shock extremely well, even when I was pounding away on a concrete paver. A hard cuff that extends about six inches below the head provided ample protection for the neck on overstrikes. There’s ample rubber on the grip, which makes it easier to swing. Plus, the handle is a little shorter than other sledgehammers we tested. While that makes it easier to swing, it also negatively impacts the speed you can generate when swinging it. The Razor-back is pricier than other sledgehammers, but it’s worth springing for if you have a big demolition project to take on. 

Husky’s 8-pound sledgehammer is a solid budget-price option. It has similar bashing power to other sledgehammers we tested, breaking apart a pile of weather-beaten 2x4s with ease. With a rubberized grip that covers a third of the handle, it’s comfortable to grip and feels secure in the hands when swinging. The fiberglass handle absorbed shocks well, though not quite as effectively as some of the pricier sledgehammers we tested. After a round of bashing through wood and stone, the head held up nicely with just cosmetic damage. The protective cuff did take some damage from overstrikes, suggesting it’s not as durable as some sledgehammers. That said, it’s a great, affordably priced fiberglass option for those who may only need a sledgehammer for a couple of projects each year. 

Wilton’s B.A.S.H. is expensive, but you likely won’t have to ever purchase another sledgehammer thanks to its exceptional build quality. The handle is made from molten steel bars with a locking steel plate that holds the head to the handle, which, according to B.A.S.H., makes it unbreakable. And yet, the handle absorbed vibration well with each hit we took thanks to the tapered neck design’s ability to absorb vibration. We tested a shorter handle version of the B.A.S.H., which is designed more for hammering in stakes than it is for obliterating walls, but we still got a good indication of its build quality. This short-handle sledgehammer feels comfortable in the hand and absorbs shock well thanks to its thick rubberized grip. It’s probably the best constructed sledgehammer we’ve ever swung, while also being the most expensive. 

There’s no question that the Fiskars sledgehammer has more destructive force than any other sledgehammer we tested. The head weighs a whopping 16 pounds and consists of two sides— one flat, in the traditional hammer style, and one with a wedge shape. That wedge-shaped head wreaked destruction on 2x4s, cleaving them into bits with a single swing. The ISO core handle does a surprisingly good job of absorbing the large amount of shock this demolition sledgehammer creates with each mighty swing. While this sledgehammer produces more demolition power than the average 8-pound sledgehammer, it takes a lot of upper-body effort to swing this beast’s massive head. The molded rubber-gripped handle certainly helps, but it’s still a challenging tool to wield and swing accurately. The Fiskars 16-pound sledgehammer is equipped with a sizable cuff around the neck, which provides good protection for the handle when you inevitably miss with this Thor-like hammer. 

The Special Ops 3-pound mini sledgehammer is designed for precision striking for driving in tent stakes while camping or large landscaping spikes. With an overmolded grip that absorbs shock, it was as comfortable to use as any hammer we’ve tested. It’s also well balanced, which made it easier to strike whatever we were aiming for accurately. The hammer is designed to deliver more force with each blow, and that held true in testing. We were able to drive landscaping spikes into the ground quickly despite this being a lighter 3-pound dead blow hammer. The Spec Ops sledgehammer also has what it calls composite armor around the neck, which protects from overstrikes. We tested this claim several times by overstriking on lumber and pavers, and barely a nick was left on the armor. It’s an exceptionally designed small sledgehammer.

Kobalt’s wood handle sledgehammer is a great option if you’re after the superior shock absorption you’ll only get from hickory. The Kobalt sledgehammer feels well balanced in the hands and has a long handle that allows me to generate greater head speed for more punishing blows. While it lacks the rubber grip you’ll find on fiberglass models, it does have a textured grip to help prevent it from slipping. The hickory handles also transfer less shock to the hands, which was especially noticeable when I was bashing through pavers. A sledgehammer with a wooden handle is typically vulnerable to damage just below the head. That’s not the case with the Kobalt sledgehammer, which has a thick rubber sleeve that did an excellent job of protecting the wood handle from damage from overstrikes.

Estwing’s tools are well regarded for their ergonomic grips, and this sledgehammer is no exception. This one’s equipped with a rubberized grip that extends a third of the way down the handle from the end, stretching to nearly a foot from the head. This makes it easy to grip, not just with the dominant hand but also the off hand when setting up for a swing. The fiberglass handle absorbs blows nicely, and the head feels sturdy. The handle on the Estwing is also several inches longer than other 8-pound sledgehammers we tested, which allowed us to generate more head speed with it and hence more punishing blows. Our only concern was with the cuff, which has a layer of rubber grip that doesn’t offer the same protection to the neck as a hard plastic cuff. We did observe damage to the grip after just a few overstrikes. 

FAQs

Read on to find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about sledgehammers and how to use them in your next demolition and renovation project.

Q. What is a sledgehammer used for?

Sledgehammers are primarily used for demolition work, like breaking concrete, removing walls, or taking down cabinets. However, they also serve as a heavy-duty tool for more constructive purposes, such as building a fence or getting in a good workout, especially when paired with a large tire.

Q. How heavy should my sledgehammer be?

This depends on the work being completed, though a sledgehammer can range in weight from just 2 pounds to as much as 20 pounds. Choose lightweight sledgehammers when the object being struck is smaller or requires a higher degree of control. 
Heavy-duty sledgehammers are a force of destruction when used correctly. Use these tools for breaking concrete, walls, or working out. A full-size sledgehammer will not fit inside a tool box, so place it inside the workshop or garage cabinet for safe storage. Have a lightweight handheld sledgehammer that can travel in the tool box as well. 

Q. Can a sledgehammer break concrete?

Yes, a sledgehammer can break concrete. In fact, breaking concrete is one of the main tasks manufacturers design a sledgehammer to accomplish. 

Q. How do you swing a sledgehammer?

To use a lightweight sledgehammer, simply swing it in the same way that you would a normal hammer. However, to use a heavy-duty sledgehammer, the grip and process are more complex.
1. Grip the sledgehammer with one hand positioned on the handle, and one positioned near the head of the tool. 
2. Pick the hammer up over the head, and as the hammer is lifted up, slide the hand positioned near the head toward the handle.
3. From this overhead position, the user can swing the head of the hammer downward with significant force to break concrete or tear down drywall.
4. After impact, slide one hand back down to the head of the sledgehammer and raise it again.

Q. What safety equipment should I wear while using a sledgehammer?

Using a sledgehammer produces a lot of airborne debris, so eye protection is a must. You should also wear gloves to protect your hands from blisters and to help absorb shock. Consider wearing ear protection, as high-decibel impacts can occur when striking metal or masonry. If you’re breaking apart drywall, concrete, or brick, wear a respirator so that you don’t inhale dust. 

 

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