Chipper-style demolition hammers perform light chiseling, especially where the goal is to avoid damaging surrounding areas. They are held horizontally and used overhead and on walls or other vertical surfaces. Their L-shape orients the motor and transmission vertically to make the hammer more compact than other styles and center the weight of the tool for optimal balance. Their grip positions the hand behind the bit to keep the tool steady and control the amount of pressure applied to the bit. These demo hammers accept SDS-Max bits and are used for applications such as cleaning up concrete and removing tile and brick.

Inline demolition hammers hit harder than chipper hammers to perform chiseling and light demolition tasks. They are held horizontally to chisel walls and vertical surfaces, and they are held vertically to chisel floors and horizontal surfaces. Their inline orientation aligns the bit with the tool body to reach into recesses and maintain balance in any position. These demo hammers accept SDS-Max bits and are used for applications such as removing tile and brick, grooving channels for pipes, and breaking up small areas of concrete.

Breaker hammers use their heft and power to break up large areas of concrete, chisel grooves into pavement, and drive grounding rods. Also known as jackhammers, they are held vertically to focus their weight downward and pound their bit into floors, sidewalks, and roads. Their T-handle provides a balanced grip to support the tool during use. These breakers accept hex-shank bits and provide higher-impact force than demolition hammers.