The best hammers, compared.
Top pick: Estwing E16C 16 oz leather grip – Tied on 4.7 stars and score 94. Largest review pool of that tie, 749 reviews, and a 16 oz head at about £37.00. Best value: Rolson 10339 16 oz tubular claw hammer – 16 oz tubular hammer at about £7.99, 4.6 from 881 reviews, score 92. The larger 8 oz review count is the wrong head for ordinary DIY. Updated October 2026.
A claw hammer drives nails into timber and pulls them out. You buy one in the UK for doors, skirting, fence boards and flat-pack pins. Head weight decides the job. An everyday head is about 16 oz (450 g). An 8 oz head is for tacks and tight spaces. A heavier head, about 20 oz, is for longer nails in softwood framing. The ounce figure is the head, not the whole tool. A suitable hammer keeps its head on, hits square, and pulls a nail without the claw snapping. A curved claw pulls nails with more leverage. A straight claw pries boards. One-piece forged steel has no wedge to loosen. Fibreglass sits between a wooden handle and solid steel on shock. A smooth face suits finish work. A milled face grips the nail and marks the timber. BS 876:1995 covers hand hammers. It is voluntary unless a contract requires it. Wear impact eye protection, and do not strike a cold chisel or another hammer face. Head weight, claw and handle are set out in the [hammer buying guide](/hub/hand-tools/hammer/sub/hammer-buying-guide).
A claw hammer drives nails into timber and pulls them out. You buy one in the UK for doors, skirting, fence boards and flat-pack pins. Head weight decides the job. An everyday head is about 16 oz (450 g).
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are you nailing?
The Estwing E16C is £37.00 on amazon.co.uk, a curved claw with a leather grip, titled 450 g / 16 oz, with an item weight of 454 g. Across 749 reviews the line is 4.7, the largest sample among the three listings that score 94 here, which is why it takes the top-pick badge. The origin row says USA and the model is E16C, the leather-grip hammer, not a moulded-grip variant. Reviews praise balance and longevity, and reviewers describe a one-piece steel hammer, though the bullets in this file do not say one-piece. A minority mention a poorer finish than older Estwings, a less neatly machined claw, a ping, or a claw slightly off centre, which is not a defect rate. There is no magnetic nail starter in the saved listing, and solid steel still transmits a hard hit to the hand.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a 16 oz leather-grip hammer you expect to keep, and you accept steel shock and no magnet.
Less suitable: You want a damped handle, a nail starter, or a 20 oz head for long nails you drive all day.
Specifications
Common questions
What grip does the Estwing E16C use?
The title and the handle material row say leather. This is the E16C, not a moulded-grip model.
What weight is listed for the Estwing E16C?
The title says 450 g (16 oz). The item weight is 454 g.
Does the Estwing E16C listing claim a magnetic nail starter?
No. The saved listing does not state one.
The ASelected stubby is listed at £4.99 on amazon.co.uk, about 15.3 cm long, with an 8 oz title and a 250 g item weight. Across 346 reviews the line is 4.7, which is why the score is 94 on the star-times-20 rule used here. UK buyers use it for picture hooks, tent pegs, Ikea fixings and small hands, which matches an 8 oz head rather than a site hammer. The same reviews say it lacks the mass to seat a nail securely in a wall. A strong chemical smell from the handle is mentioned more than once. The material row says fibreglass and rubber, and the listing does not state a magnetic nail holder. Rank 3 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot reflects Amazon’s list, not a lab comparison.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a short 8 oz hammer for pins, hooks and small hands, and you already know it will not drive a wall nail.
Less suitable: You need a 16 oz head for skirting, fence boards or a nail you have to pull.
Specifications
Common questions
How long is the ASelected stubby hammer?
The listing dimension row is 15.3 cm long. The title says 8 oz and the item weight is 250 g.
Does the ASelected stubby include a magnetic nail holder?
No magnetic nail holder is stated in the saved listing.
What is the ASelected stubby handle made of?
The material row says fibreglass and rubber, with an ergonomic non-slip rubber grip.
The Roughneck Gorilla ROU11010 is £20.00 on amazon.co.uk, titled 20 oz / 567 g, with 4.7 from 311 reviews, so the score is 94. Bullets say one-piece drop-forged steel, a V-Shock twin-beam shaft, an air-cushion grip, a magnetic nail holder, a mini-claw and a lanyard hole. Roughneck lists code 11-010 as 567 g / 20 oz, while the amazon item-weight row says 82 g, which is not this hammer. Screwfix lists the 20 oz Gorilla at £22.99 including VAT, so £20 is this amazon shelf. Reviews praise balance, the magnet and daily use, and one review wanted more than one nail slot. V-Shock is a maker claim: a hard hit can still reach the hand, and a 20 oz miss hits harder than a 16 oz miss. The lanyard hole tethers the tool and is not a fall-arrest system.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You often drive longer nails and you want a one-piece 20 oz hammer with a magnet and a tether hole.
Less suitable: You mostly hang doors and fix skirting, or you would treat the 82 g row or the lanyard hole as a safety proof.
Specifications
Common questions
Which weight should you use for the Roughneck Gorilla?
The title says 20 oz / 567 g. The item-weight row says 82 g. Roughneck lists code 11-010 as 567 g / 20 oz. Do not use 82 g.
Does the Roughneck Gorilla have a magnetic nail holder?
Yes. The bullets include a magnetic nail holder and a mini-claw.
Is there a lanyard hole on the Roughneck Gorilla?
Yes. The bullets include a lanyard connection hole for tethering. It is not a fall-arrest system.
Rolson 10334 is an 8 oz tubular-steel claw hammer at £7.56, 27.9 cm long, with an item weight of 227 g that matches 8 oz. The star line is 4.6 from 2,791 reviews, the largest count in this set, and the score is 92. That count sits on an old ASIN. UK reviews describe a light hammer for panel pins and photos, a weak nail puller, and at least one bend when prying a board. The bullet block describes a glove with a latex coating and an acrylic liner. The title, the tubular-steel row and the reviews describe a hammer, so those glove lines are scrape noise. There is no magnetic nail holder in the file. Rank 69 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot, which is a poor guide if you sort by review count and expect a site hammer.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a light tubular hammer for panel pins and photos, and you will ignore the glove bullets.
Less suitable: You are choosing a hammer for fence boards, joists or hard pulling, or you sorted the list by review count.
Specifications
Common questions
Why do some bullets on the Rolson 10334 describe a glove?
Those lines name latex and an acrylic liner. The title, the tubular-steel row, the 227 g weight and the UK reviews describe an 8 oz claw hammer.
What head weight is listed for the Rolson 10334?
The title says 8 oz. The item weight is 227 g, which matches 8 oz.
Does the Rolson 10334 claim a magnetic nail holder?
No. The saved listing does not state one.
Rolson 10339 is a 16 oz tubular-steel claw hammer at £7.99, with 4.6 from 881 reviews, so the score is 92. The item weight is 454 g, which matches a 16 oz head if that row is the head, and the grip is rubber. Reviews call the weight decent for household jobs, though paint on the head chips and one unit arrived looking used. The item-type name says a tool pouch, the same field pollution as the glove bullets on the 8 oz Rolson, while the bullets and reviews describe a hammer. There is no magnetic nail holder and no one-piece forging claim, so a hard pry can still stress the head-to-handle joint. At under £8 with a large sample and a titled 16 oz head, it is the best-value pick in this set for ordinary DIY.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a 16 oz household hammer under £10 and you will stop if you start using the claw as a bar.
Less suitable: You want a one-piece forging, a magnetic starter, or a 20 oz head for long nails you drive often.
Specifications
Common questions
What weight does the Rolson 10339 listing give?
The title says 16 oz. The item weight is 454 g.
Is there a magnetic nail starter on the Rolson 10339?
The saved listing does not state one.
Why does an item-type row on the Rolson 10339 say tool pouch?
That row conflicts with the title, the 16 oz bullet and the reviews, which describe a claw hammer.
ASelected’s two-hammer set is £8.99, with 4.6 from 505 reviews, so the score is 92. Bullets say 0.75 kg at 34 cm and 0.25 kg at 27.5 cm, curved claws and rubber handles. The item-weight row says 250 g, which cannot be both hammers, so treat the bullet masses as the maker claim and the 250 g row as suspect. Reviews like having two sizes. One UK review says the end of the larger handle broke while pulling a nail, and another says the faces were not flat on arrival. Bullets claim an anti-vibration handle without a measured figure. Rank 21 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot. A 0.75 kg bullet is heavier than a 16 oz head, so check which number you are buying before you compare it with the Rolson 10339.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a curved-claw pair and you will trust the bullet weights after you check them on the parcel.
Less suitable: You need one agreed weight, flat faces out of the box, or a handle you will lever hard.
Specifications
Common questions
What weights do the ASelected set bullets claim?
0.75 kg at 34 cm and 0.25 kg at 27.5 cm. The item-weight row says 250 g, which cannot be both hammers.
Is the claw on the ASelected set curved?
The head-style row says curve.
Do reviews of the ASelected set mention breakage?
One UK review says the end of the larger handle broke while pulling a nail.
The Stanley FatMax FMHT1-51275 is £27.95, titled 450 g / 16 oz curve claw, with 4.6 from 456 reviews, so the score is 92. Bullets say a one-piece forged head, a larger strike face, an Anti-Vibe tuning fork and a magnetic nail starter. Amazon’s item weight is 697 g, which matches Stanley’s published product weight, while the maker sheet lists a 453 g head, a 325 mm handle and a smooth face. Stanley cites ASME B107.400 and a one-year limited warranty, which is a maker statement, not BS 876 and not UK law. Reviews praise balance, and several say the anti-vibe effect is slight or still felt on a hard hit. One UK review says the magnetic nail starter was missing. The grip row is thermoplastic elastomer over a steel shaft.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a 16 oz one-piece curved claw with a smooth face and a stated anti-vibe shaft, and you will check the magnet is fitted.
Less suitable: You need a proven shock number, a 20 oz head, or a leather grip.
Specifications
Common questions
Is 697 g the head weight of the Stanley FatMax?
No. The title says 450 g / 16 oz. The item weight is 697 g, which matches Stanley’s published product weight for FMHT1-51275. The maker sheet lists the head at 453 g.
Does every Stanley FatMax include the magnetic nail starter?
The bullets say yes. One UK review says the magnetic nail starter was not on the hammer received.
What shock feature does the Stanley FatMax claim?
The bullets say an Anti-Vibe tuning fork. Some UK reviews say a hard hit is still felt.
Rolson’s 10015 is an 8 oz midi claw hammer at £5.30, with 4.6 from 126 reviews, so the score is 92. Bullets name high-grade carbon steel and a soft grip in PP and TPR, while the handle-material row says alloy steel. The item-weight row prints 177 g, which is lighter than an 8 oz head at about 227 g, so treat that row as incomplete until you hold the tool. The country-of-origin row says United Kingdom, while several sibling Rolson rows in this set say China, and the item-type name says socket set. Reviews call it a handy small hammer, including light work up a ladder, and too light when the buyer expected a full-size tool. Rank 62 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot. There is no magnetic nail holder in the file.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a light midi hammer for pins and a short reach, and you will check the weight in your hand.
Less suitable: You need a confirmed 16 oz head, or a listing whose item type and origin rows agree with the title.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Rolson 10015 listed weight 8 oz?
The title and a bullet say 8 oz. The item-weight row says 177 g, which is less than 8 oz (about 227 g).
What does the Rolson 10015 grip row say?
Bullets say a soft grip in PP and TPR. The handle material row says alloy steel.
Is the Rolson 10015 a socket set?
The item-type name says socket set. The title, bullets and reviews describe an 8 oz claw hammer.
Bargain Hound CH001 is two claw hammers, titled 16 oz and 8 oz, at £8.47, with 4.6 from 81 reviews, so the score is 92. Bullets say forged carbon-steel heads, fibreglass handles, a textured grip, and a magnetic nail holder on the larger hammer, which more than one review also mentions. The item-weight row is 910 g for the pair. Origin is China. Reviews praise the two sizes, the magnet and the price. One verified UK review says only the large hammer arrived, which is a delivery fault. Eighty-one reviews is a readable sample and still much smaller than the Rolson 16 oz line. Rank 11 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a 16 oz hammer and an 8 oz pin hammer together, including a magnet on the larger one.
Less suitable: You need a single proven one-piece hammer, or you cannot return a carton that arrives short.
Specifications
Common questions
How many hammers are in the Bargain Hound set?
The title and the number-of-items row say two: a 16 oz hammer and an 8 oz hammer.
Is there a magnetic nail holder in the Bargain Hound set?
The bullets say yes. UK reviews mention the magnet on the larger hammer.
Did every Bargain Hound review receive both hammers?
One verified UK review says only the large hammer arrived.
The Amtech hammer is £6.81, titled 8 oz / 225 g, with 4.2 from 295 reviews, so the score is 84. The title says straight claw and a bullet says curved-claw leverage, so the shape is not settled in the text. Bullets say drop-forged, hardened and tempered, and the included-components line names a steel shaft, model numbers AM-A0250 and part A0120 both appear. The item weight is 225 g, which matches the 8 oz title. Reviews are content for pictures and tent pegs, and several say the hammer bent or broke when used to pull fence nails or on the first day. The saved listing includes a one-year manufacturer warranty description, which does not replace the retailer’s duty under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Rank 23 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want an 8 oz hammer for pictures and tent pegs and you will judge the claw from the photo.
Less suitable: You need a confirmed curved or straight claw, or a hammer that will pull fence nails.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Amtech claw straight or curved?
The title says straight claw. One bullet says curved claw leverage. The listing does not resolve that.
What head weight is printed for the Amtech hammer?
The title says 8 oz / 225 g, and the item weight is 225 g.
What warranty row is on the Amtech listing?
The saved listing includes a 1 year manufacturer warranty description. That does not replace the retailer under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Arcjunys lists a compact claw hammer at £5.99, about 27 cm long and 360 g, with 4.1 from 263 reviews, so the score is 82. The title packs framing, electrician, stubby and camping into one line, while the whole tool is 360 g. UK reviews that stay on small jobs are content; reviewers who tried framing call it too small. One UK review says a claw tooth snapped pulling a 4 inch nail, and another says the head came off on a joist nail. Some reviews in the file are from Germany and are not UK opinion. The material row says wood while the bullets describe a non-slip soft handle, and the bullets claim a shock-absorbing design without a measured figure. Rank 5 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot does not override that size.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You need a cheap compact hammer for tacks and you will retire it if the claw or the head fails.
Less suitable: You are driving or pulling joist nails, or you bought it because the title says framing.
Specifications
Common questions
How big is the Arcjunys hammer?
The dimension row is 27 cm long and the item weight is 360 g. A bullet says about 10.63 inches.
What is the Arcjunys handle material?
The material row says wood. The bullets describe a non-slip soft handle with a shock-absorbing design.
Do UK reviews of the Arcjunys mention the claw breaking?
Yes. One UK review says a claw tooth snapped pulling a 4 inch nail. Another says the head came off on first use.
Fadayunn’s straight claw hammer is £5.99, titled 11 oz, with a 27 cm length and a 330 g item weight. The star line is 4.1 from 54 reviews, a thinner sample than the other £5.99 compact hammer here, and the score is 82. Reviews that fit the mass talk about tacks and cable clips, and several say the tool is smaller than the photos. One buyer found a chewed handle on arrival. An 11 oz claim on a 330 g whole tool is a different object from a 16 oz site hammer. The handle-material row says plastic, the head-style row says straight, and the bullets claim a one-piece moulding. Rank 17 in Claw Hammers in this snapshot.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a short straight-claw hammer for clips and tacks and you have checked the 27 cm length.
Less suitable: You need a 16 oz or 20 oz head, or a sample larger than 54 reviews.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Fadayunn claw straight or curved?
The title and the head-style row both say straight.
What does the Fadayunn listing weigh?
The item weight is 330 g. The title says 11 oz and the length bullet says 27 cm.
What is the Fadayunn handle?
The handle material row says plastic, with an ergonomic grip.
Twelve claw-hammer listings on amazon.co.uk were scored from the star ratings on those listings. The published score is the star rating times 20. It is not a lab test of head retention, claw strength, shock or nail pulling. Review-count notes and listing conflicts sit beside the score. They are not a second weight. Shelf prices are the raw-file figures, not a fresh check on 22 October 2026. None of these listings says BS 876. Among the three listings at 4.7 stars, the top pick is the 16 oz leather-grip hammer with the largest review pool. The best value is the 16 oz tubular hammer. The 8 oz hammer with the most reviews is the wrong head for ordinary DIY, so review count alone does not take that badge.
Amazon stars
100%The only published score is the amazon.co.uk star rating times 20. A 4.7 is 94 and a 4.6 is 92. Review counts and listing conflicts are notes on the card. They do not change the number.
Choose the job, then the head weight, then one-piece steel or a cheaper two-piece hammer. Claw shape and face come before the shelf price. The notes below follow that order for a UK household, using the amazon.co.uk listings scored here and the public UK sources named at the end of the page. None of the scores is a lab test.
A claw hammer drives nails into timber and pulls them out. You choose the job, then the head weight, then one-piece steel or a cheaper two-piece tool. The ounce figure is the head, not the whole hammer. BuildWiz UK treats 16 oz as the homeowner default for doors, skirting and ordinary nails, and about 20 oz for longer nails in softwood framing. An 8 oz stubby is for tacks and tight spaces, not joist nails.
An 8 oz head is for tacks, picture hooks and tight spaces. It is not a site hammer for fence boards or joist nails. The ounce figure is the head, not the weight of the whole tool. If the photo fills the frame, read the title and the length before you assume a 16 oz head.
Two compact listings in this set are sold with framing language and item weights of about 360 g and 330 g. That is not a 16 oz or 20 oz head. UK reviews that tried framing on the lighter tool call it too small, and one describes a claw tooth snapping on a 4 inch nail.
Do not lift tongue-and-groove floorboards with the claw, and do not pull a long nail with nothing under the head. A UK tool guide says the claw is often too thick and can snap. Put a scrap of timber under the head. Stop if the head is loose or the claw is cracked.
The ounce figure is the head, not the whole hammer. BuildWiz UK treats 16 oz, about 450 g, as the homeowner default for doors, skirting and ordinary nails, and about 20 oz, 567 g, for longer nails in softwood framing. An 8 oz head, about 225 g, is for tacks and tight spaces, not joist nails. Check the title against the item-weight row. An 11 oz title on a 330 g tool, or a framing title on a 360 g tool, is not the head those words suggest.
A curved claw pulls nails with more leverage. A straight claw pries boards. If the title says straight and a bullet says curved-claw leverage, the text has not settled the shape, so use the photo. A smooth face suits finish work. A milled face grips the nail and marks the timber. A magnetic holder starts a nail one-handed. It does not make the head stay on. One-piece forged steel has no wedge to loosen. Fibreglass sits between hickory and steel on shock.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You hang pictures, assemble flat-pack and fix a fence board. The Rolson 10339 is a 16 oz tubular claw hammer at about £7.99, with 4.6 from 881 amazon.co.uk reviews. The item weight is 454 g. Reviews call the weight decent for household jobs. Paint on the head chips, and there is no one-piece claim.
You nail for longer than a one-off job and you want a stated anti-vibe shaft. The Stanley FatMax FMHT1-51275 is a 16 oz one-piece curved claw at about £27.95, with 4.6 from 456 reviews. The maker sheet lists a 453 g head and a smooth face. Reviews say a hard hit can still be felt, and one UK review says the magnet was missing.
You drive longer nails and you want a one-piece head with a lanyard hole. The Roughneck Gorilla ROU11010 is titled 20 oz / 567 g at about £20.00, with 4.7 from 311 reviews. Ignore the 82 g item-weight row. The hole is for a tether you have planned. It is not fall protection, and a hard hit can still reach the hand.
The top pick is the Estwing E16C, a 16 oz leather-grip claw hammer at about £37.00, with 4.7 from 749 amazon.co.uk reviews. Three listings score 94 because each is 4.7 stars. The badge goes to the Estwing because that tied score has the largest review pool, and 16 oz is the head UK guides treat as the homeowner default. The best value is the Rolson 10339, a 16 oz tubular hammer at about £7.99, with 4.6 from 881 reviews. The 8 oz Rolson 10334 has more reviews and is the wrong head for ordinary DIY. Neither badge means the safest claw hammer in the UK, or the only hammer you should buy.
Estwing E16C 16 oz leather grip
Tied on 4.7 stars and score 94. Largest review pool of that tie, 749 reviews, and a 16 oz head at about £37.00.
Rolson 10339 16 oz tubular claw hammer
16 oz tubular hammer at about £7.99, 4.6 from 881 reviews, score 92. The larger 8 oz review count is the wrong head for ordinary DIY.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources listed below. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk figures used in this comparison, not a fresh check on 22 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures in the saved listings, not a fresh check on 22 October 2026. We did not lab-test these hammers.
