Best Tack Hammers of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Tack hammers are a versatile tool used in various applications, including upholstery, woodworking, and crafting. These hammers have a small head and a short handle, making them ideal for precise tapping and nailing. They are designed to drive small nails, tacks, and brads into different materials without damaging them. Tack hammers are available in different sizes and shapes, allowing users to choose the one that suits their needs. They are commonly used by professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike, making them a must-have tool in any toolbox.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Tack Hammers
CRAFTSMAN 16 oz. Fiberglass Hammer
The CRAFTSMAN 16 oz. Fiberglass Hammer is a great all-purpose hammer for DIYers. It features an overstrike protection and an overmold grip for improved handling. It's made of durable fiberglass and has a weight of 16 ounces. Customers have praised its easy use, quality, and price/quality ratio. The only downside is that the handle may become uncomfortable when used for long periods of time.
Mr. Pen 8oz Hammer
The Mr. Pen 8oz Hammer is a high-density carbon steel hammer with an ergonomic non-slip soft handle. It features a magnetic nail starter and hammer claw for easy nail removal, making it ideal for woodworking and DIY projects. It's perfect size and weight make it easy to carry and use in tight spaces.
CRAFTSMAN 20 oz Fiberglass Hammer
The CRAFTSMAN Fiberglass Hammer is designed for durability and ease of use. It features overstrike protection, which helps prevent breakage in the most vulnerable areas of the fiberglass handle, ensuring a longer lifespan for your tool. The overmold grip provides a comfortable and secure hold, making it easier for you to drive and pull nails effectively. With its versatile design, this hammer is perfect for both general and specific tasks. Plus, it comes with a full lifetime warranty, giving you peace of mind with your purchase.
NEIKO 02847A 2 LB Dead Blow Hammer
The NEIKO 02847A 2 LB Dead Blow Hammer is a versatile tool with a steel shot filled head that adds extra force to hammer blows and eliminates rebound and sparks upon impact. The hammer is made of unicast poly molded body that prevents wearing away between head and handle. The bright neon orange color helps identify the hammer easily in your toolkit. The diamond textured non-slip grip provides comfort and a secure hold. The hammer is ideal for automotive work, woodworking, sheet metal forming and other work.
Estwing Sure Strike Drilling/Crack Hammer
The Estwing Sure Strike Drilling/Crack Hammer is a 3-pound sledgehammer with a fiberglass handle and no-slip cushion grip. It is forged from steel for maximum strength and durability, and is perfectly balanced to deliver powerful blows with an easy swing. It is suitable for use with chisels, punches, star drills, hardened nails, and more.
Spec Ops 22 oz. Framing Hammer
Looking for a reliable and powerful hammer for your construction projects? The Spec Ops 22 oz. Framing Hammer is the ultimate choice for builders, contractors, and tradesmen. Its 25% lighter head and ballistically balanced design provide maximum striking power with sniper-controlled swings. The MOA grip absorbs shock and lessens sting, making it comfortable to use even with the hardest materials, while the magnetic nail starter allows for rapid nail driving. Plus, its versatile rip claw is perfect for precision demo, nail removal, and splitting. With each purchase, you can also support our nation's heroes by donating 3% of sales to veteran and first responder causes.
Amazon Basics 8 oz Claw Hammer
The Amazon Basics Claw Hammer is a reliable tool for both household tasks and professional projects. Its 8-ounce size makes it easy to handle, yet strong enough for driving nails efficiently. The hammer is built with tough steel, ensuring durability for long-term use. The flat head design helps you hammer nails smoothly, while the claw side is perfect for removing nails or prying boards apart. Plus, the shock-absorbing rubber handle reduces the strain on your hands, making your work more comfortable and less tiring. This hammer is a handy and user-friendly tool for your everyday needs.
ALLWIN 8OZ Small Claw Hammer
The ALLWIN Mini Claw Hammer is a handy tool designed to be lightweight and easy to handle, weighing just 8 ounces. This makes it perfect for those who want a hammer that's simple to swing without tiring your arm. Made from high-density carbon steel, this hammer is built to resist rust and last a long time, so you can rely on it for many projects. The ergonomic, soft grip handle ensures comfort and prevents slipping, giving you better control while working. Plus, it includes a magnetic nail holder, which lets you start nails with just one hand, making your tasks quicker and safer.
DkOvn 8oz Straight Rip Claw Hammer
The DkOvn 8oz Claw Hammer is designed to be a handy tool for everyday use. It comes with a forged high-carbon steel head that helps you drive nails quickly and efficiently. The smooth, polished surface of the hammer head makes it comfortable to use and reduces damage to surfaces. Its straight rip claw is perfect for pulling out nails easily and tackling precise demolition tasks, saving you effort during tough jobs. The hammer’s rubber-covered handle offers a secure grip, especially useful in cold weather, so you won’t have to worry about slipping while working. This hammer is a reliable choice for various home and DIY projects.
Estwing E3-16S 16 oz Straight Rip Claw Hammer
The Estwing E3-16S 16 oz Straight Rip Claw Hammer is a professional-grade tool designed for framers, roofers, finish carpenters, contractors, tradesman and serious DIYers. It is forged from one solid piece of American steel, making it the most durable and longest lasting striking tool available. It features a versatile straight, rip claw design for pulling nails, prying boards, demolition work and splitting wood. The patented Shock Reduction Grip reduces impact vibration by 70%, providing optimal slip-free comfort, durability and superior grip in all jobsite conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a tack hammer used for?
A tack hammer, also known as an upholstery hammer, is a lightweight hammer used specifically for securing upholstery fabric to furniture frames. It is used to drive tacks or small nails into the furniture frames to hold the fabric in place.
2. Why do tack hammers have a split head?
Tack hammers have a split head with a magnetized split end. This design allows users to easily pick up small upholstery tacks and safely start them without risking their fingers. The split end creates both north and south poles in the same half of the head, enabling the tack to be held securely in the center of the magnetized face.
3. What small specialty hammer is used to drive tacks?
The small specialty hammer used to drive tacks is called a tack hammer or an upholstery hammer. It is a lightweight tool specifically designed for driving upholstery into furniture or surfaces. Most tack hammers have two faces, with one side split and magnetized to help users accurately place tacks.
4. How do you hammer tacks?
Hammering tacks with a tack hammer is similar to using any other hammer, but with less force. Tacks and small nails do not require much force to be hammered in. The key is to use steady and precise tapping. A variation of a small multi-purpose hand-held hammer called the Mini Combination Hammer can also be used for this purpose.
During our tack hammer research, we found 24 tack hammer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 176,455 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tack hammers list. We found that most customers choose tack hammers with an average price of $13.15.
The tack hammers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tack hammers, including CRAFTSMAN, Mr. Pen, NEIKO, Estwing, Spec Ops. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.