Hammers are versatile tools for pounding, tapping, and banging items into place, but they have their limitations. Sometimes, a hammer’s metal head is too harsh for the task or material. That’s why you should carry a rubber mallet in your tool box or belt right alongside your go-to hammer. Featuring larger heads with more surface area and softer exteriors, rubber mallets are exactly what you need for lighter-weight pounding and hammering jobs. They’re a must-have for everything from hammering wood into place to getting stakes into the ground to popping dents out of your car’s body. And rubber mallets come in a variety of sizes and weights so you can tackle tasks large or small. Find the right one for your needs with our list of the best rubber mallets below.
Best Overall
Steel Grip 16 Ounce Rubber Mallet
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Best Value
Edward Tools Rubber Mallet
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Best Heavy Duty
Tekton 32-ounce Fiberglass Handle Rubber Mallet
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Best Light Duty
Estwing 12-Ounce Rubber Mallet
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Best for Metal Work
ABN Rubber Mallet
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How We Selected The Products
In order to separate your average rubber mallets from the best of the bunch, we took a look at the vast array of different options available. While rubber mallets can seem almost identical from just a quick glance, we took a deeper dive into each product. We looked at different sizes of mallet heads, covering both light- and heavy-duty use options. We also considered and compared handles, assessing their comfort, their length, and their material to find comfortable options that lessened shock, vibrations, and discomfort while in use.
From there, we looked at the little details and design cues that make mallets easy, comfortable, and truly mark-free. The addition of soft faces on the mallet heads, non-slip grips or textured handle surfaces, and balanced weight from head to tip were all factored into the process of choosing our best rubber mallets.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
Head Weight
The head weight is the first — and arguably most important — feature to look for when you’re picking out a rubber mallet. That’s because the head weight determines the force of the mallet. A heavier head will deliver a stronger, more significant impact when you make blows against different materials. On the other hand, a lighter head will have a less significant strike.
Whether a heavier head or lighter head is best for you depends on how you plan to use your rubber mallet. More delicate materials, like sheet metal, don’t need a heavy impact. But other tasks and materials will require more force. Think about what you’re buying your mallet for, and decide from there.
Durable Handle Material
Next up, you’ll want to take a look at the handle on any rubber mallet. Handles are typically made from wood, metal, or fiberglass, and each variety has its own pros and cons. Wood is sturdy, but it can cause splinters and may break with a lot of force. Fiberglass may not be the most comfortable to hold in hand, but it’s typically strong and good at absorbing impacts. You’ll want to make sure you look for fiberglass handles that are ergonomic. And metal is the toughest option of all, but it doesn’t reduce vibrations or shock very well.
Shock Absorption
Like we just mentioned, shock absorption is important to think about when you’re picking a handle type. Rubber mallets can deliver some serious vibrations and the shock of every impact down their handles, which can lead to fatigue and soreness as you work. If you opt for a shock-absorbing handle, however, you can lessen this effect and work for longer with increased comfort.
Fiberglass is often the most shock-absorbing material. However, you can also find rubber mallets that have fiberglass cores inside their handles. This is beneficial since it helps increase your comfort and allows you to choose a handle made from a mix of strong materials.
FAQs
Q: What is a rubber mallet used for?
A: Rubber mallets are super versatile. These tools are designed to be used to apply force to objects without causing damage or marks onto the material you’re hammering away at. They’re often used to join wood parts, install flooring, hammer out dents on cars, drive in stakes and poles, and really any other job that needs force with no visible side effects.
Q: What is the difference between a white and black rubber mallet?
A: While black rubber mallets are the most common variety, you’ll also come across white rubber mallets in your shopping process. Black rubber can leave unwanted and unsightly marks in some cases. White rubber, on the other hand, doesn’t leave any marks at all. So while most rubber mallets are designed to prevent marks, you’ll want to opt for a white rubber head if you need to be extra certain your final result will be flawless.
Q: How do you clean a rubber mallet?
A: After you’ve put your rubber mallet through some serious wear and tear, it may need a thorough cleaning. You can give it a good wash with a basic cleaning solution, like Simple Green or the always-gentle Dawn dish soap and some water. Just keep in mind that you don’t want to soak a rubber mallet with a wood handle in water, since that can ruin the wood. Similarly, you don’t want to expose the rubber head of any mallet to high heat or conditions that might cause cracks and dryness.