Black & Decker 12V MAX Cordless Hammer Drill with Charger and Screwdriver Bit

Why I reached for a compact 12V hammer drill

Hanging shelves in brick, setting anchors in concrete block, and driving cabinet screws are the kinds of small-to-medium jobs where a full-size 18V/20V rig feels like overkill. That’s what pushed me to try the Black & Decker 12V hammer drill. On paper it promises the flexibility of three modes (hammer, drill, and screwdriver) in a compact package with a built-in battery. After several weeks of mixed DIY use—masonry, wood, and metal—I’ve got a clear sense of where it shines and where it comes up short.

Build, ergonomics, and controls

At 3.2 lb, this 12V Black & Decker is lighter than most full-size hammer drills but not featherweight. The balance is good. The grip is comfortable with a slightly rubberized feel that keeps it steady even when you’re leaning on it in hammer mode. The variable-speed trigger is easy to feather for careful starts, and the forward/reverse switch is crisp.

The keyless chuck lets me swap bits quickly and has held on well during hammer drilling—no spontaneous loosening, even with carbide masonry bits. I like the simple mode selector: hammer for masonry, drill for wood/metal, and screwdriver when you’re driving fasteners and want the clutch engaged. You also get dual-range gearing: position 1 for more torque and control, position 2 for higher speed. The clutch ring provides ten torque settings in screwdriver mode, which is enough granularity to avoid stripping soft screws or burying fasteners past the surface.

The LED work light is basic but useful in dim corners and closets. It illuminates the target area without casting deep shadows from the chuck, which is all I ask of a drill light.

Performance in masonry

The hammer mode is the headline feature, and it does what it says. In brick and concrete block, it’s genuinely useful for common DIY anchor sizes. I ran tapcon-style anchors for a patio handrail and bored holes for wall plugs to mount a hose reel into kiln-fired brick. In position 1 (low speed/high torque), with a decent quality carbide bit, the drill advanced at a steady pace without bogging down. In concrete block, it’s even more straightforward.

In denser, poured concrete, you’ll need patience and sharp bits. The drill will get you there for small diameters, but it’s not a pro SDS hammer and shouldn’t be treated like one. For occasional holes in 3/16 to 1/4 inch range, it’s fine; for repeated larger anchors in hard concrete, I’d step up to a higher-voltage platform or an SDS-Plus rotary hammer. That’s a matter of the 12V class rather than this unit specifically.

Battery endurance in hammer mode is respectable for a compact tool with an 18 Wh pack. The manufacturer suggests roughly 40 concrete holes per charge, and that will vary wildly with material and bit size. In my mix of clay brick and concrete block, I got through a small project on a single charge without scrambling for an outlet. On a day of more continuous masonry drilling, I needed a top-up to finish. That feels fair for a 12V hammer drill with an integrated battery.

Drilling and driving in wood and metal

In standard drill mode, it’s confidence-inspiring for everyday sizes. Piloting holes in pine, drilling through cabinet-grade plywood, and working with thin steel angle went smoothly. Position 2 (the higher-speed range) is where I spent most of my time for wood and sheet metal, dropping to position 1 for clean starts with spade bits or when stepping up hole size.

As a screwdriver, it’s better than a basic compact drill/driver because the clutch is predictable and the trigger modulation is easy. I drove a few dozen 2–3 inch deck screws into softwood framing without cam-out, and the adjustable torque (1–10) made it simple to dial back for cabinets and hardware. If you routinely drive long structural fasteners, you’ll want an impact driver; for household and light carpentry tasks, this is more than capable.

Battery and charging

This model uses an integrated rechargeable battery (18 Wh) and charges through a small JACK-style plug with a status LED on the tool. There’s convenience in plugging the drill straight into the charger—nothing to misplace, no extra shells—but the trade-off is that you can’t hot-swap packs mid-job. For my workflow, topping off between tasks worked fine. If you’re planning a long day of continuous drilling, an integrated battery is a limitation you’ll feel.

I appreciate that the charge indicator is simple and visible. I’d love a multi-bar fuel gauge on the tool for a clearer sense of remaining runtime, particularly before starting masonry, but I managed by keeping it topped up when switching tasks.

Attention to materials and durability

The housing incorporates Tritan Renew material with 50% certified recycled content, equivalent to the weight of eight single-use water bottles. Sustainability claims don’t drive my purchase decisions on tools, but I’m glad to see manufacturers reducing virgin plastic without compromising durability. The shell feels sturdy and didn’t flex under pressure in hammer mode. After a few accidental knocks and a couple of dusty drilling sessions, there’s no rattling, and the chuck is still running true enough for precise work.

Black & Decker backs it with a 2‑year limited warranty. While I haven’t had to use it, the coverage window is reasonable for a DIY-focused tool.

Usability details that matter

A few practical notes from use:

• Mode switching is positive and quick, so it’s easy to bounce between drilling a pilot hole in wood and driving a screw.
• The variable-speed trigger is especially nice for controlling start-up chatter on metal.
• The LED light lands in the right spot and isn’t overly bright or blue-tinted; it doesn’t wash out pencil marks on wood.
• The included double-ended bit is handy for day-one tasks, though you’ll want a proper masonry set and wood/metal bits to get the most out of the drill.

Where it fits and where it doesn’t

This 12V Black & Decker is at its best as a single do‑most driver/drill for homeowners and renters who occasionally need real hammer action. If you’re installing shelves in brick, running wall anchors in block, assembling furniture, drilling pilot holes in wood, and driving typical screws, it’s a tidy, compact solution. It’s also a good fit for smaller hands or anyone who prefers lighter tools.

It’s not the right choice if you regularly:

• Drill large-diameter holes in hard concrete.
• Work all day away from outlets and need to swap batteries.
• Depend on a standardized battery system across multiple pro tools.

Those users are better served by a higher-voltage hammer drill or an SDS‑Plus rotary hammer, ideally with removable battery packs and faster chargers.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker 12V hammer drill threads a useful needle: small and approachable, yet legitimately capable in masonry for common DIY anchor sizes. The dual-range gearbox, clutch with 10 settings, and keyless chuck make it versatile. The integrated 18 Wh battery is the chief constraint—great for grab‑and‑go convenience and lighter jobs, limiting for marathon sessions or heavier masonry. Build quality feels solid, and the inclusion of recycled Tritan in the housing is a thoughtful touch rather than a gimmick.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for homeowners, renters, and DIYers who want a compact, easy-to-use drill/driver that can also tackle occasional concrete and brick work without stepping up to a bigger, heavier platform. It’s especially good as a first hammer‑capable drill for a household kit. If your projects demand frequent, heavy drilling in dense concrete or uninterrupted runtime, consider a higher-voltage system with swappable batteries; otherwise, this 12V model delivers a lot of capability in a friendly, manageable package.