Best Impact Drivers of 2022 | Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

When you want to drive long screws into wood, the drill machine is not as effective as the impact driver. The dedicated impact driver becomes useful, especially when it comes to screwing down plywood and installing tile backer board.

Nowadays, the first tool most people buy is a cordless impact driver because of its versatility. They are ideal for any job where long screws need to be installed into a wood. They have made the life of professionals and DIYers easy and convenient. You can finish the work faster, and that too, without any manual labor hassle.

Impact drivers feature a spring-loaded, quick-release chuck, which can accommodate 1/4-inch hex shank driver bits. Their main function is to drive wood and sheet metal screws. They are compact, so easy to handle, that is most likely going to help while working in tight spaces. They are capable of driving fastener more quickly than a cordless drill.

They can produce significantly more torque compared to general application drills, and you are less likely to twist your wrist.

That being said, it is a daunting task to find the best impact driver from so many available products in the market right now. If you are a first-timer to buy an impact driver, then it might become more confusing. So, to help you with your quest, we are here with the reviews of our top Impact drivers. It will certainly be helpful.

Best Impact Driver

1. DEWALT DCF887B 20V Brushless Cordless Impact Driver

DeWalt, the name that almost every professional recognizes for the quality and the performance of their power tools, and that’s the reason it’s our first choice for the beginning of this review of the best impact drivers.

If you want to know the quality of any power tool, there are two things you must consider; the speed and the torque that the motor is capable of supplying and also the type of motor.

I am really glad to say that this cordless impact driver features a brushless dc motor, which is known for its efficient and silent operation as well as for its long life and less noise. The speed control is also a highlight of the tool. This impact driver comes with a Variable speed trigger. You will be able to change the speed from 0 to max of 3250 RPM, with two other speed levels between 1000 and 2800 RPM.

Besides, on paper, the maximum torque this impact driver is capable of generating is 1825 in-lbs.

That being said, it maintains the respectable torque of 429 RPM under load. The characteristic of pro-level impact drivers is to maintain the speed of 400+ RPM and this cordless impact driver is well within that range.

With this much torque, you can drive anything through timber and any wood logs. It will also be able to drive 1/4” screw with ease.

What’s more, it’s capable of generating 2237 in-lbs of hard torque during the fastening application and 3000 in-lbs of nut-busting torque, and in my opinion, that’s really impressive.

Any owner will admire the tool if it doesn’t give a sore hand at the end of the day after working long hours with it; that will depend on the weight of the product. Let me say this, this impact driver is really lightweight with a weight of just 2.1 lbs, and it also equips you with the capability to work in tight spaces because of its compact design.

If you have liked its capabilities till now, then you are surely going to like its feature set.

The biggest selling point of this tool is its tool connect feature. It will let you check battery status and the diagnostics of the tool. You can also customize the tool’s power setting with it, and if that’s not enough, you can manage inventory and set security alerts too. Other than that, it is really easy to use, which adds more value to this tool.

As I said earlier, it has 3-speed settings, from which the first setting acts as a precision mode for delicate applications and finish work.

In our daily life, we like to make things as simple as they can get, and with this tool, the simple but effective thing is its one-handed bit loading, where you won’t have to set your tool down just to change the bit. I think everyone will appreciate this feature.

All of this being said, it also features an LED light to rescue you from the dark workspaces.

It’s extremely comfortable and easy to handle for most users. If you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, this will be a good choice. Plus the features it comes with and the capacity of the battery is good due to this we highly recommend it and don’t forget the 3- years limited warranty from the manufacturer.

2. Makita XDT16Z 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Impact Driver

The application of drills goes a long way back, but impact drivers are relatively new, and they have some major advantages over the drills. These little impact tools are best suited for the fastening of the screws, and if you are looking for one which is lightweight, compact, and versatile, then Makita XDT16Z comes with all these traits.

Let’s see if this driver is really worth it’s salt. For better runtime and increased efficiency, it features a Brushless DC motor, which is capable of generating 3,600 RPM of max no-load speed, and let’s not forget its 1600 lbs of max torque.

What makes this tool so unique is its quick-shift mode and it takes the help of the motor’s electronic control, which finds the best balance of speed and torque for different applications and gives more efficient fastening. Besides, for better control over the job at hand and over the fastening need. Plus, to tackle a wide range of applications, it has a 4-speed mode to select and their RPM and IPM ratings are mentioned below; 0-1,100/ 0-2,100/ 0-3,200/ 0-3,600 RPM & 0-1,100/ 0-2,600/ 0-3,600/ 0-3,800 IPM.

To make these speed changes more convenient while working, just under the chuck, they have added a one-touch 4-speed power selector button for easy speed change.

The assist mode is really compelling and a very good feature. It drives the screw at low speed until the tightening begins, preventing the screw cam-out and cross-threading. Apart from that, it also comes with two tightening modes, which will prevent damage to the screw or workpiece.

As if that was not enough, it features a reverse rotation auto-stop mode, which will stop the fastener when it has loosened the screw enough. I think this is a good time to say that this impact driver is a fully feature-packed edition of Makita, and you can’t deny it.

To take care of jobs in shadowy areas, it features an LED light, which is on both sides, and that’s good for eliminating shadows.

Talking about its design aspects, it weighs almost 3.4 pounds with its 2.0Ah 18V battery attached at the base. Currently, there is no match for its compact design in the market with an overall length of 4.6″ and an overall height of 7.4″. The one-touch 1/4” hex chuck is very convenient for a quick bit change. It has an all-metal gear housing for job site durability and a rubberized grip for maximum comfort.

The design and power of this tool are exceptionally good. it’s lightweight and packed in a small body. The impressive plus point is its innovative technology, and don’t forget the assist mode for common impact use. All in all, This is an excellent impact driver and comes with a strong 3-years warranty from the Makita.

3. SKIL ID573902 20V 1/4-Inch Hex Brushless Impact Driver

Don’t be alarmed if you haven’t heard the name Skil. They had lost their way in the past, but they are now back with the new energy and with the new line of tools. The tools, which they are offering now, have professional features, and built for tough applications but don’t cost as much as conventional pro-tools. One product from its new line of tools is this 20V impact driver.

As claimed by the company, the powerful brushless motor is capable of generating a max of 3400 RPM of speed. The brushless motor is featured for longer runtime, less noise, and efficient performance. But under the actual working condition, the speed is a little less as compared to other models. Which means it will take a while to drive the screw.

This is a trade-off to get better power. Besides the speed, it can generate 1800 inch-pounds of torque, which is very well suited to drive even the largest screws in a really hardened material.

It is also capable of taking care of a wide range of fastening applications with its two-speed settings. This control is also helpful for eliminating screw cam-out and cross-threading. The range of RPM and IPM for those two settings is as mentioned, RPM: 0-1700/0-2700, IPM: 0-2400, 0-3400.

You can change between these two-mode with the blister button. Other than that, it has a slow staring feature for precise wood fastening. It also has a LED light and a belt hook for added convenience.

The 20V 2.0Ah battery comes with the PWRcore technology, which provides fast charging time and better cooling for long battery life. It also provides the runtime double than the conventional batteries. With that technology in play, the battery takes just 30 minutes to get fully charged.

For a battery level indication, it has a green LED fuel gauge display. For charging your other electronic devices, the battery has a USB port as well.

They promoted this product as a tool for Homeowners and DIYers, but its performance falls more towards the pro category. It has a compact design and enough power to tackle almost all applications around the house. To sweeten the deal, they provide 5-years of the limited warranty and 2 years of warranty on the battery.

4. PORTER-CABLE PCCK647LB 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit

For over 100 years, porter cable is providing the best in class products, and one such product is this cordless impact driver. It comes with a whole kit of accessories, just not a lone wolf tool only.

This is a portable tool, which means it features a battery, that is a 1.5Ah 20 V Li-ion battery and it is a part of the 20V MAX battery system of the Porter-Cable. The good thing about it is that you can use it with other tools as well sold under the 20 V line by porter cable.

That Li-ion battery supplies the power to a brushless DC motor, which provides 50% more runtime because of its less energy dissipation. Hence, it’s energy-efficient and will give you a genuinely impressive performance. The motor should be your highest priority if you are buying any cordless tool. What I find amusing about this impact driver is its torque adaptability. The motor doesn’t apply more power than actually needed. In the long run, it improves performance and gives a longer lifespan to the tool.

The motor is capable of supplying 1,400 of torque and 2,700 RPM of no-load speed, which is more than enough to take care of any fastening application without being affected by the project size. Keep in mind that this tool is designed mainly for homeowners and those who deal with light-duty applications, so if you are going to do lots of heavy-duty work, then I suggest you skip this.

Toyish, That’s what the unique color palette scheme of Porter-cable power tools is called by some individual. Besides, it looks attractive. If you need to use this impact driver for hours, no worries and no fatigue as well, thanks to its lightweight 3 pound build.

Moreover, the comfortable handle makes the handling quite pleasant, especially when you are just going to use it with one hand. The rubberized finish on the handle reduces the slippage occurrences and also the vibration.

Another simple feature that improves its functionality is its LED light, which operates correctly. It turns on before the motor starts spinning and turns off automatically after a few seconds when the motor is stopped. Other than that, to make you aware of the battery level, it has a battery gauge at the bottom.

The easy bit installation in the chucks makes it more functional and easy to operate. To put or remove the bit, just the push or pull force is enough. It can hold bits of various sizes, such as short or long, but be careful while operating with shorter bits due to its power.

This is the best choice for contractors and DIYers who are looking for value for their money. For taking care of heavier applications around the house and light-duty tasks, this is the tool. It has a high runtime, thanks to the battery capacity and the brushless motor. This brushless impact driver is backed by a 3-years limited warranty, 3 months of free service, and if you don’t like the product 90 days money-back guarantee from the manufacturer. Well, that’s what I call a complete customer care package.

5. Bosch PS42-02 12-Volt Max Brushless Impact Driver Kit

This 12V cordless impact driver from Bosch distinguishes itself from the other brand’s 12 V tools really well by dint of it’s built, performance, and feature set.

With a 12-V battery powering the motor, the tool is capable of producing a speed of 0-2,600 RPM and 0-3,100 IPM coupled with a torque of 975 in-lbs. Its impact system is uniquely designed to generate a remarkable impact force for optimized performance. Besides, The chuck it features can accommodate all standard hex drive bits.

The extremely functional feature of this tool is its two-speed settings. You will be able to select the correct speed depending on the application you have in hand.

First, high speed and high torque mode; with this setting, you get a good punch to drive the screws a little faster. Second, low speed and low torque mode. At this point, I would like to mention that this speed is painfully slow but gives you better control over the screw when it is more likely to spin out of control due to high speed.

Bosch has always been known for its ergonomic and comfortable design of tools, and this tool is no exception. It comes with the most comfortable handle design that you can expect from the stick style battery design. It is lightweight and has an exceptionally compact footprint.

It weighs just about 2.1 pounds with the battery and has 5.6” horizontal width and 6.3” of vertical length, which is a dimension of a very compact device that will easily let you work in tight spots.

The simple feature like a 3 LED lights for dark areas, the belt hook, and the battery charge indicator, has really added value to this impact driver.

It’s ergonomics, quality of materials, and very good performance parameters make it an extremely good choice in the 12V category. It is very well suited for daily light-duty tasks, small jobs around the house, and installation work as well. Moreover, the brushless motor gives you enough runtime, so you don’t spend more time swapping batteries than actually working. It also comes with one year’s backing from the bosch in terms of the warranty on the product.

6. Milwaukee 2462-20 1/4-Inch Cordless Impact Driver

If you already own a few of Milwaukee’s power tools, then this will be a very good choice for you because it is compatible with the range of battery packs the company produces for various tools.

This is actually a convincing device when operated with caution, and it can handle heavier jobs as well. With its peak torque of 1,000 in-lbs and with the maximum speed of 3,300 RPM and 2,500 RPM, it is capable of taking care of light-duty work very efficiently.

All of these figures of torque and speed suggest only one thing that it can quickly and easily drive the fasteners. In essence, you don’t need to worry about any of your home projects, because it is very well capable of doing that much without decreasing its lifetime, like repairs, less intense carpentry work, etc. It’s a great option for heavy-duty applications, but be cautious while doing such things with this tool. We suggest that you better use the help of hand from the corded drivers.

The battery that it comes with is a real win. As per the company’s claim, these Redlithium batteries have a whopping 80% of extra runtime than standard cadmium batteries. Compared to the batteries of its competitors, it is also capable of taking more recharges.

Do you know what is more convincing than the performance of a tool? Yes, it is the design and the ergonomics. The people of the design division went to great lengths to keep it as compact as possible and to make sure that it is easy and comfortable to operate.

The pistol grip securely fits into the hand, giving you maximum control over the tool while allowing you to work the whole day without getting tired of it. Moreover, It gives an excellent balance when the battery is attached. The top and the bottom weigh almost the same.

Like every other impact driver, it comes with a LED light to work in gloomy areas, which is a convenient feature. Besides, it also has a battery gauge, which indicates the remaining charge of the battery, so you know in advance when to charge the battery.

Another thing worth mentioning is that 12 V battery, which supplies ample power to take care of any application you might encounter in your house. It features a 1/4” hex chuck to hold the bits in place. Bits of that size are well suited for light-duty work.

Now it’s time for the final verdict. It gives you the power without making the tool heavy. It’s very easy to handle because of its ergonomic design. If you are looking for a tool that is powerful as well as portable, then this tool is for you. All these things are really good, but what’s great is 5 years of plentiful warranty from Milwaukee.

7. CRAFTSMAN CMCF800C2 V20 Cordless Impact Driver Kit

This is an impressive tool from the Craftsman. They really have put together a package that has good performance, which is lightweight and gives an excellent value for the money.

The main work of the impact driver is to drive screws in the medium of different densities. That’s where the torque and speed become important. At Max 2,800 RPMs and 3,100 IPMs, those are really good parameters for quick fastening applications. That said, it has enough driving speed that you won’t have to doubt it’s capabilities in the slightest. It will handle everything with ease and by being quick.

Keep in mind; it supplies the maximum torque of 1490 pounds. If you want to drive a timber or lag screw, this tool is not the solution. We suggest you work with 1/4-inch screws. If you need to work with the longer and thicker bits, we suggest you use a cordless impact wrench.

This fresh impact driver from the Craftsman handles design that you can hold in your hand very well, for a secure grip and for being comfortable, it has a textured over mold of rubber.

A lightweight portable tool makes your life easier; you can handle the long hour’s work without getting fatigued. And this tool, my friend, just weighs 2.1 pounds without a battery, and with the battery attached, it reaches a point of 4.8 pounds, which is good if you ask me.

For ease of operation, it features a one-hand bit change, and to work in dark areas, it also has an LED light. It is also compatible with the reverse track hang hook.

The 20V Li-ion battery gives really improved performance and longer runtime. That being said, the battery takes less than an hour to be fully charged.

What is a Cordless Impact Driver?

If you have ever used a drill to fasten a screw or something, then you most likely know that drills aren’t the tools you go to for fastening needs. These Non-specialized drills are not really capable of supplying the torque that needs to be supplied for fastening a screw. If you use the drill for that purpose, in the process, you may even injure your wrist, or your tool could become useless.

To drive in screws and fasteners in materials, you use a tool that is specifically designed to take care of these needs only, and that is an Impact driver. They are able to channel all their power into one single screw and without becoming overpowering and overwhelming like the drills. This channeling of power sets them apart from the drills.

While using Impact drivers, you won’t have to worry about the extra power bouncing back and making it difficult to use. You will have complete control over the driver when it supplies that large intermittent torque.

With the impact driver, you can also work with materials that are durable and more sturdy. To drive screws in the material like wood, they use a concussive fastener to push the fastener deeper into that hard material, otherwise which would have been difficult to do, and Impact drivers do this in a matter of seconds.

Main Components of an Impact Driver

Spline

It is a mechanism to transfer torque to the drive shaft. Splines are basically the teeth or the ridges on the drive shaft, which fits in the mating piece while keeping the angle the same. This is the main component in the tool which is responsible for the main force.

Sleeve

It is the main outer body of the tool, which is made out of hard plastic. It works as a cover for the internal components like the core, functioning head, etc., and gives them physical protection.

Mechanical Core

The mechanical core of the impact driver is made up of the motor, a rotating mass for inertia, and to deliver torque to the driveshaft, a hammer mechanism is there, which is also known as ” the anvil.”

When you push the trigger, the motor starts spinning and with it rotates that coupled rotating mass. Due to the inertia, that rotating mass stores the energy. That stored energy is supplied to the output shaft by suddenly connecting the rotating mass to it. This sudden connection creates a high torque thrust, which in turn pushes the screw into the material.

The design of this hammer mechanism is in such a way that once the impact is supplied, the anvil is disconnected from the shaft and spins freely. The benefit of this design is the low reaction torque experienced by the user. Even though very high impact torque is delivered to the screw, the impact felt by the user will be the motor accelerating the rotating mass. Which is very low

It’s like operating a conventional hammer. You apply a little force to swing the hammer, which turns it into a large impact when a hammer hits the object.

Before the hammer is allowed to spin freely, it requires a certain minimum amount of torque, which will lead the tool to stop hammering and will smoothly drive the fastener, if only a low torque requirement is there, which makes the screw fastening or removing rapid.

Impact Head

This is the part of the tool from where actual force delivery to the outer world takes place, it acts as an output point. Various types of important drill bits or screws or nuts and bolts are attached to the head, so it kind of acts as a socket.

To attach different accessories to the anvil, various methods are used, like a spring-loaded pin, a hog ring, or a through-hole. These methods keep the sockets in place while working with them.

How Does an Impact Driver Work?

As we have gone through the main components of the impact driver, we know that the inner core is splined to the outer sleeve of the tool. When the operator strikes the outer sleeve with the blow of a hammer, it acts on the spline, which in turn will produce the angular force on the core and on any work bit or socket attached to it.

This heavy rotational inertia is transferred to the lighter core, which is responsible for generating a large amount of torque. At that exact moment, the impact driver is forced down due to a prominent blow from the hammer into the screw. This downward force eliminates slotting or slipping of the screw from its axis.

Types of Impact Drivers

The impact drivers are generally of three types.

First, manual impact drivers, for it to work it requires an additional manual force from hammering so it will work satisfactorily.

Second, there are powered impact drivers, which have the same underlying principle for working, relying on manual hammering for efficiency.

Third, it is the most modern and superior product; these are automatic cordless impact drivers, which don’t require any manual force but have a core mechanism for it and provides efficiency to the woodworker, and it is easy to handle.

How to choose the right impact driver

Chuck:

You may not want to spend much time changing bits while working on a critical project. Most cordless tools nowadays come with a keyless chuck, which is good for quick adjustments.

To make the bit-changing process even faster, some manufacturers have incorporated built-in control and fast release.

Battery Capacity :

Battery capacity is an important aspect of any cordless power tool. It tells you how much longer your power tool will work before you need to recharge it. The battery capacity is measured in Ah.

The higher the Ah, the longer it will last. Popular power tool brands will generally have a battery that you can use with their different products, which means the batteries are interchangeable with their other tools.

If you suspect that you will use the tool continuously for a longer period of time, it is suggested that you buy a spare battery, so you work with one while the other charges.

Torque :

Between impact drivers and drills, the main difference is it’s torque delivering capacity, which helps them to drive the screw in the material with ease. For cordless impact drivers, it is generally measured in inch-pounds. The torque value depends on the battery and the motor used.

Impact drivers that feature 12V motors are capable of generating torque in the range of 750 to 1200 inch-pound. In comparison, the one with an 18V motor can produce from 1350 to 2000 inch-pound. That is enough to drive the thickest of fasteners into the hardest of materials.

Again the torque requirement also depends on the type of use. For less hard materials, the less torque impact drivers will be suitable.

Speed :

These impact drivers exist to do the fastening faster than manual work. Surely it’s an important factor, but just don’t get attached to it.

Speed will be of real importance if you are working your way through a lot of fastening and that too in commercial applications. Speed will also be important if you’re a DIYer heavily focused on self-tapping wood screw assemblies.

You need the speed if you work through a lot of low-friction fastening, and the speed will be your friend. It’s not of that much importance if you are going to use it occasionally or for simple home around tasks.

Size :

The size of an impact driver is equally important. You can easily fasten the screw in the tight spots if you have a compact impact driver.

We strongly recommend that you go with the most compact driver that meets your needs. Because once you start working with the tool, you won’t like to stop. It will be really annoying if you encounter a screw in a place

where the tool can’t reach, and you need to do it by hand.

Weight :

These tools are small and have less weight, which will help you drive multiple screws without getting tired. The more weight of the tool starts bothering when you have so many screws that go overhead. It will start feeling cumbersome and will make you tired.

The weight of the tool is more important for professionals because they use it for long hours. So choose the lightest tool possible if you plan to use it for an extended period.

Ergonomics :

Improvement in fabrication technology means the drivers are lighter, more compact, and are comfortable to hold. The rubberized grips help with user fatigue, while the compact design gives a better weight balance.

User fatigue is less likely to happen while working with impact drivers because the power utilizes at the front, so most of the shock is pulled away from the operator, which is physically less stressful.

So look for the one which has better ergonomics considering other factors as well.

Modes and Controls :

Modes can make your task so much easier. You might find them a bit confusing while adjusting it for the first time, but they are a nice addition to its functionality. They are generally torque and speed settings.

The speed can be controlled by the trigger, but you may need to limit that speed to some extent, so accidentally, you don’t destroy the delicate piece of fabrication. This can be done by their variable speed trigger mode, in which they limit the maximum speed that a motor can achieve.

To fix these issues, some companies feature an assist mode to slowly start the motor for tapping a screw into the wood and the auto-stop feature, which will stop the driver when the screw is loosened enough. It’s really helpful when you get over-excited and may lose that nut or bolt you are working on.

FAQs

Q. When should you not use an impact driver?

If you want to drill in a hard material like brick or concrete, then this isn’t the tool to do that. In a project where the amount of torque applied is less important than the dimension of the hole and its place, it’s a good practice not to use an impact driver. In short, if you are looking for precision, then don’t use this tool.

Q. Do I need a drill and an impact driver both?

If you ask a professional, then he or she is most likely to have both of these. So you can deal with both the drilling as well as driving applications. Owning a drill will help you to make pilot holes while the impact driver to sink fasteners.

The plus point of owning both devices is that for each fastener, you won’t have to switch the bits. This will make you much more productive.

Q. Why use an impact driver instead of a drill?

Impact drivers are specifically designed for driving and fastening applications. They are able to concentrate their whole power at the output point, making it very suitable for the task. They are lightweight and easy to handle and does the job pretty well.

While the drills are designed for the drilling applications, and if you try it for the Driving application, you might even injure your hand or damage the tool because they can’t supply that much-concentrated torque.

That’s why you should choose the impact driver instead of a drill for fastening needs.

Q. What can you do with an impact driver?

The main function of the Impact driver is driving or fastening. You can efficiently drive long screws or carriage bolts into the wood logs. You can also fasten the concrete screw anchors into the block walls and also to drive screws into the metal studs.

Keep in mind; it isn’t built for drilling applications; however, it can be useful when utilizing a spade bit.

Q. Can I use an impact driver to remove lug nuts?

Theoretically, you can, but practically, you should not do it.

If you see the torque chart of a lug nut, then you will find that most of the lug nuts need to be torqued between 80 to 100 ft-lbs. For the sake of answering your question, let’s take it 100 ft-lbs, which is converted to 1200 in-lbs.

Many 18V cordless impact drivers are capable of achieving this torque. So it is a possibility to remove lug nuts with impact drivers. So, can it remove lug nuts for tire removal? The answer is no.

Why? Because lug nuts can become stuck or rusted, or they might have been overtightened during the last servicing.

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