Best Sledge Hammer Reviews 2018

If you’re a professional, you know a bit about sledge hammers and which one works for you, but if you’re just a regular Joe you may not know what separates a great sledgehammer from the rest. Don’t worry; we’ve made sure to take care of all the hard work, making it easy for you to choose a sledgehammer that not only fits your budget, but offers great features too. We’ve gathered five of the best sledgehammer manufacturers out there, so have a look!

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Total Weight

Handle Length

Full Size

Head Weight

Handle Type

Our Top Choice

Truper Fiberglass Handle Sledge Hammer with Rubber Grip

Truper is a brand with an extensive catalog and some great products. Its Fiberglass Handle Sledge Hammer is great not just for demolition and hammering, but workouts too.

Durable. Solid build and design. Rubber handle reduces shock and improves control. Available in multiple weights. Some users found it great for workouts.

Few users said the 10-pound is too heavy but there are lighter options.

12.2 pounds

36-inch handle

33.8 x 6.8 x 2.6 inches

10 pound head

Fiberglass

Best Value

Jackson Double Faced Sledge Hammer with Hickory Handle

Jackson was started by one man and has withstood the test of time to produce award-winning tools. Its Double-Faced Sledge Hammer is perfect for demolition type projects.

Well built. Great weight and design especially for demolition. Good grip. Great price. Works good for hammering. Durable. Company offers good customer service.

No noted anti-vibration but still works great.

13 pounds

36-inch handle

35 x 7 x 2.2 inches

12 pound head

Hickory

Wilton 22036 20 Pound 36" B.A.S.H Sledge Hammer

Wilton has been around since 1941, and has delivered innovative workman tools even when it was near shutting down. Today, one of those is the 36” B.AS.H. Sledge Hammer.

Anti-vibration feature. Great grip. Handle is built to prevent breaking. Near zero chance of dislodging. Comes with a lanyard hole. Great sized head and weight.

Pricey but great investment.

24 pounds

36-inch handle

36 x 8 x 3 inches

20 pound head

Steel Core

Ludell 35" Sledge Hammer with Double Wedged Hickory Handle

Ludell has been in the industry for over 100 years, and since its inception has produced reliable industrial tools such as the Ludell 35” Sledge Hammer.

Well built. Has great shock absorption. Overstrike protection. Secure handle and sleeve. Great for home users and professionals. Nice and heavyweight.

Pricey but a good investment.

20 pounds

35-inch handle

35.5 x 8.7. x 3.2 inches

20 pound head

Hickory

Stanley AntiVibe Engineer Sledge Hammer

Stanley is a global brand that has been around for nearly 200 years. Its products such as the Anti-Vibe Engineering Sledge Hammer are high-quality and affordable.

Great price. Anti-vibration feature. Face is designed to deliver more power. Durable. Shatterproof handle. Good grip. Ideal weight.

A small number of users mentioned getting blisters but those can be avoided with gloves.

4.7 pounds

12.35-inch handle

14.5 x 5 x 2 inches

4 pound head

Fiberglass

(Updated April 10, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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How Do I Choose the Best Sledge Hammer?

Hammers are great tools for everyday repair work around the house and even more specialized professional jobs; it’s an essential addition to your tool belt. A hammer is a handyman’s best friend, along with his cordless drill and circular saw of course. When you think of a hammer, you’re undoubtedly picturing a claw hammer which is what you find in nearly every house. These are great tools, but there are other specialized hammers too, such as a drywall hammer which is made especially for installing and removing drywall.

Now, regardless of whether you’re a construction worker or not, chances are you may need a sledgehammer for some demolition or yard work like putting up a new fence. Now, more than ever, it can be difficult to choose the right sledgehammer because there are just so many on the market. And if you’re looking to buy online, this can make the process even harder because you can’t feel it for yourself. That’s why we’re here, to help make all this easier for you so you can make your purchase with no regrets.

What’s even better about sledgehammers is that you don’t always need a two-hand sledgehammer. There are smaller sledgehammers known as club/lump/drilling hammers which you can use with one hand. They’re handy around the house and even easier to store. We’ll talk about them a bit more as we discuss how you can get the best sledgehammer for your money.

Price

The price of your sledgehammer will range from as low as $30/$35 to as much as $200 depending on where you get it. A sledge hammer’s price is usually a result of the materials used to make it. While handles are typically either fiberglass or hickory wood, there are some with added features that improve the performance of the hammer, your comfort using it and its durability. This ends up costing you more upfront but it is a great long term investment. In addition to the handle, the weight of the hammer’s head and the material used for it also affect the price.

Features

Sledgehammers don’t typically offer widely varied features, but that doesn’t stop manufacturers from doing everything they can to improve an already successful formula. Improvements are made to the handle to strengthen your grip, further reduce shock and enhance your overall comfort level. Here are a few things to look out for when searching for a good sledgehammer:

Firm grip control
Sturdy materials, especially for the head
Long, smooth handle
Weight (a heavier hammer means stronger swings)

Construction and Design

When you’re looking to buy a sledgehammer, two things are vitally important: the handle and the head. As mentioned before, most sledgehammers are either built with a wooden or fiberglass handle. Fiberglass handles tend to be better than wood, because you can leave them outside and they won’t get soaked or rot like a wooden handle would.

Both handles when built properly absorb most of the shock that you feel when using a sledgehammer. Handle lengths tend to vary, but you’ll usually find sledge hammers with handles measuring about 36 inches. There are also smaller handle sledgehammers known as club, lump, and drilling hammers.

The head is just as important as the handle since it’s what will be striking your target. The materials normally consist of metal, but you will sometimes find sledgehammers with brass, bronze, or even wooden heads.

Performance and Ease of Use

Sledgehammers are simple, but their uses vary. While they are standard for demolition prior to construction, sledgehammers are also great for driving in fence posts and some people even use them to workout. One of the best things about sledge hammers is the fact that they aren’t hard to maintain or store. Simplicity, power, and durability are what sledge hammers are known for and any good one will give you all three and more.

What is the Best Sledge Hammer?

When it comes to picking a sledge hammer, it’s important to look at the handle, the face, and any additional features. There are marked differences between each that accounts for price. The sledgehammers on this list are all different, each offering something that the other doesn’t, but they’re all great and affordable. We’ve covered what you should look for when picking your new sledge hammer, so check out these five awesome sledgehammers to see which one you like the best.

Our Top Choice

The Truper Fiberglass Handle Sledge Hammer has a double injected fiberglass handle with a rubber grip that improves control. Need one with a shorter handle? Truper has a 16-inch sledge hammer that also comes in a variety of weights with your choice of hickory or fiberglass handle too.

Truper 36-Inch Sledge Hammer with Fiberglass Handle and Rubber Grip – Available in Variety of Weights or with a Hickory Handle

Truper Sledge Hammer 30930 - 10-Pound

Features

Truper started 50 years ago as a little workshop that built trowels, clamps, pickaxes, vises and sledgehammers. Five decades later, and they’re a leader in the manufacturing industry with an extensive catalog of over 5,000 products, each delivering performance and strength to help you get what you need to be done, done.

We’re reviewing the Truper Fiberglass Handle Sledge Hammer which costs $58.87 at most retailers. But during our research, we found out you could save money if you got it on Amazon. Price aside, the Truper is a great 10-lb. sledgehammer. It works perfectly for those heavy demolition jobs and even has a rubber grip on the double injected fiberglass handle. It improves the handling of the hammer and is important for increased safety too.

Overall, it’s a good sledgehammer whether you’re a home user or a professional. Besides the 10-pound model, there’s also 6-pound, 8-pound, 12-pound and 16-pound models available. So, get the one you think is best for you.

Truper has a variety of sledge hammers, as well as replacement handles, available on Amazon if this one isn’t what you need.

Best Value

The Jackson Double Faced Sledge Hammer is affordable and offers features that are great for construction, such as its double face, which is made of forged steel giving it an impressive slam. If you’re looking for a long fiberglass-handled sledge hammer, take a look at the Jackson 1199300 10-Pound Double Faced, 36-Inch FiberPro.

Jackson (The AMES Companies) Double Faced Sledge Hammer with 36-Inch Hickory Handle

Jackson Sledge Hammer 1199400 - 12-Pound

Features

The Jackson company was created by Caleb Jackson in 1876 at the start of the “New Industrial Revolution.” He didn’t have much except his entrepreneurial skills, but it was enough for him to create what is today an award-winning company. Jackson creates numerous different construction and outdoor tools, from wheelbarrows to hammers, rakes, hoses and more. Jackson Professional Tools delivers exceptional quality and service time after time.

The Jackson product we’re looking at is the Jackson Double Faced Sledge Hammer. It has a high-grade hickory handle for safety as well as effective driving power. Its double face is made of forged steel and delivers impressive power along with an incomparable slam. It works great for heavy hammering and demolition work. It’s not only durable, but also dependable and affordable, costing $32.62 at most retailers.

Jackson has other sledgehammers, in a variety of weights, lengths and handle construction if this one is not what you need.

The Wilton 22036 B.A.S.H. Sledge Hammer is an awesome construction tool. It offers loads of features such as the anti-vibe neck, which absorbs shock and reduces your fatigue. Don’t need one this heavy or long? The Wilton 20416 4-pound B.A.S.H. Sledge Hammer has a 16-inch handle that is also unbreakable.

Wilton 36-Inch BASH Sledge Hammer with Unbreakable Technology Handle with Steel Core

Wilton Sledge Hammer 22036 - 20 Pound Head

Features

Wilton was founded in 1941 by a Czech immigrant named Hugh Vogl. He created a 4-inch vise with a unique design that proved infallible in manufacturing. From 1941 to 1945, Wilton only sold his vises to the US government, but after the war, the government dumped the vises in the marketplace, nearly sending Wilton out of the business. But through the power of family and smart business, Wilton found their way from the edge of oblivion and has grown to become a highly respected name in manufacturing and construction today.

With so many quality tools, especially sledgehammers, created by Wilton, it was no easy task deciding which one to review to give you the best value, but we did! And that is the Wilton 22036 B.A.S.H. Sledge Hammer.

This sledgehammer retails for $182.99, which may be over budget for some, but it comes with many cool features. Check them out:

The handle has a steel core which eliminates breaking during overstrikes
A safety plate which ensures the head doesn’t dislodge
Vulcanized rubber handle that offers a no-slip grip which is vital for safety
Lanyard hole so you can secure it to either your wrist or any stationary object
Anti-vibe neck which absorbs vibration and decreases fatigue

Not what you need? Wilton’s unbreakable technology is available on other sledge hammers, and other types of hammers too!

The Ludell 35" Sledge Hammer with Double Wedged Hickory Handle is great! Besides its solid build, it’s also shock absorbent. Ludell makes this high-quality sledge hammer with a 35” Double Wedged Fiberglass Handle that is also available in your choice of 6 weights.

Ludell Sledge Hammer with 35" Double Wedged Hickory Handle, – Available in 6 Different Head Weights

Ludell Sledge Hammer 11420 – 20-Pound

Features

Ludell has around for over a hundred years, creating quality striking tools such as hammers, axes and more. With such a long history, you can bet they’ve learned something, and while they continue to grow, develop, and innovate ensuring you get quality products that deliver, they’ve ensured that their quality continues to grow. In fact, Ludell was the first company to ever market rubber-grip, double-injection, high-performance fiberglass handles.

The Ludell tool we’re reviewing is the Ludell 35" Sledge Hammer with Double Wedged Hickory Handle. It retails for $93.14, but during our research we found out you save some money by getting it on Amazon. It has black-enameled heads with polished faces and a double wedged handle. It’s also shock-absorbent with a poly guard-inch for overstrike protection.

If you need a sledge hammer with a shorter handle, Ludell has many options to choose from on Amazon.

The Stanley Anti-Vibe Engineering Sledge Hammer is awesome. Its anti-vibe handle reduces vibrations, making it so much more comfortable and easier to use. Looking for a solid sledge hammer with a non-sparking, soft striking surface? Check out the Stanley Compo-Cast Sledge Model Soft Face Hammer.

Stanley FATMAX Engineering Hammer with 12.35”Anti-Vibe Handle Grip Fiberglass Handle – Multiple Weight and Styles Available

Stanley Sledge Hammer FMHT56009 – 4-Pound

Features

Stanley has been around over 170 years and is known for delivering reliable, quality and value-driven products. Whether you’re a DIY person building your next project at home or a professional contractor on the job, Stanley has something that will not only help you get the job done but also ensure you get superb value for your money.

We’re looking at the Stanley 4-pound Anti-Vibe Sledge Hammer. It retails for $19.36, but while we were researching it, we found it for a little less on Amazon. But let’s move away from the price and talk about features. One of the best things about the 4-pound Anti-Vibe Hammer is its handle, which has vibration dampening particulate in it. This dampens the vibrations better than typical solid core handles and improves how you feel when using it. It also has a bullet nose strike face that gives 50% more power than many other sledgehammers. The shatterproof fiberglass handle ensures that it lasts, so you’ll be sure to use have this beauty for years to come.

Known for affordable yet quality tools, Stanley has several other sledgehammers if this one doesn’t meet your needs.

Get the Best Sledge Hammer of 2018!

Thanks for reading our review of some of the best sledgehammers out there. Hopefully you now have a better idea of what to look for in a sledgehammer, what it can do, how one sledgehammer differs from another, and so forth. If for whatever reason you didn’t find what you’re looking for, you can always check out the numerous other sledgehammers that these great brands produce. Simply follow our links to see what they have to offer!

Our Top Choice

Truper Fiberglass Handle Sledge Hammer with Rubber Grip

Best Value

Jackson Double Faced Sledge Hammer with Hickory Handle

Wilton 22036 20 Pound 36" B.A.S.H Sledge Hammer

Ludell 35" Sledge Hammer with Double Wedged Hickory Handle

Stanley AntiVibe Engineer Sledge Hammer