The Best Impact Drivers to Add to Your Tool Collection Based on Our Testing
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Impact Drivers to Add to Your Tool Collection Based on Our Testing and hope the blog can help you.
Unleash the truth: In-depth testing reveals which top impact drivers truly live up to the hype, helping you choose the right model for your needs.
If you’re ready to tackle challenging jobs involving larger or longer screws and fixings, look no further than the mighty impact driver, a must-have addition to any DIYer’s tool collection. Built specifically for heavy-duty screwdriving tasks that would leave an ordinary drill/driver struggling, an impact driver is the ticket to effortless decking, framing a house, or loosening stubborn screws.
In today’s market, the choices for impact drivers have multiplied. To help you make the right choice, I tested the most popular sellers and pushed them to their limits. We also spoke to Brayden Montgomery, owner of Vantage Builders, a home remodeling and construction company in West Haven, Utah, and got his expert advice. In testing, my favorite model was DeWalt’s 20V MAX ¼-inch impact driver due to its excellent performance, sensitive variable-speed trigger, and impressive torque and power. Impact drivers like this one should pack enough power to handle the types of projects you plan to tackle. Read on to learn how the best impact drivers differ from regular drills and which ones performed the best (and the worst) in my hands-on tests.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt DCF885C1 20V MAX ¼-Inch Impact Driver Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless ¼-Inch Impact Driver
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ALL-PURPOSE: Black+Decker 20V MAX Powerconnect Impact Driver Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR DIYERS: DeWalt DCF801F2 Xtreme 12V MAX Impact Driver Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TORQUE: Metabo HPT 18V Triple-Hammer Impact Driver
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SPEED SELECTION: Makita XDT16Z 18V Quick-Shift 4-Speed Impact Driver
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COMPACT: Milwaukee 2853-22 M18 Fuel Hex Impact Driver Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LIGHT-DUTY: Makita DT04R1 12V MAX CXT Brushless Impact Driver Kit
↓ Jump to Review - LONGEST RUNTIME: Kobalt 24V MAX Variable-Speed Brushless Impact Driver
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Milwaukee 2551-22 M12 Fuel Surge Hydraulic Driver Kit
↓ Jump to Review
Before You Buy an Impact Driver
Impact drivers and drills look similar at a glance. In fact, manufacturers often bundle them together in a single package. But both have their purpose, and not everyone needs impact tools. If you don’t tackle many major DIY projects around the house, you may not need the extra oomph of an impact driver. Additionally, if you’re on a budget, you may be able to get by with a quality drill/driver.
- A drill/driver (or simply a drill) drills pilot holes and fastens screws in a wide variety of materials. DIYers can use them to hang shelves, assemble furniture, and fit all manner of hinges and brackets. They accept bits from as small as 3/64 inch to over 1 inch, depending on the power of the drill and the type of bit.
- An impact driver is a handy little dynamo designed to do one thing: drive various types of fasteners. As a drill, it uses rotational force to drive screws into wood, for example. But, unlike the smooth rotation of a drill, an impact driver uses rotational hammering, which is more effective at driving fixings with screw threads. DIYers often use them for long decking screws, lag bolts, and similar fixings.
Montgomery says that impact drivers specifically excel at driving lag bolts, deck screws, and threaded rod into dense materials like concrete, steel, and treated wood. “The hammering action prevents cam out and slipping,” he says. “I used an impact to drive 6-inch timber screws into glulam beams for a timber frame house. Regular drills would have struggled.”
Unlike drills, impact drivers do not have a three-jaw self-centering chuck. Instead, they have a quick-release hexagonal chuck that accepts bits with a hexagonal shank. Some impact drivers use a ⅜-inch fitting, but ¼-inch fittings are much more common.
Our Top Picks
The following models met our high-performance testing standards and earned a spot in our lineup of the best impact drivers. Each tool was pushed to its limits to determine how well it would hold up in real-world building situations. While the following impact drivers are better suited for some uses than others, each is a standout in its category for your next go-to tool. Check out both the pros and cons before buying to find the right tool for you.
Best Overall
DeWalt DCF885C1 20V MAX ¼-Inch Impact Driver Kit
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Maximum torque: 1,400 inch-pounds (in-lbs)
- Maximum revolutions per minute (RPM): 2,800
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
What We Like
- High torque despite its light weight
- Carrying case, charger, and battery included
- 3 built-in LED lights and an ergonomic grip
What We Don’t Like
- Limited runtime based on low-capacity 1.5-amp-hour battery
Those looking for enough driving power to build a garage or a shed need look no further than the DeWalt 20V MAX impact driver. Aimed at both professionals and enthusiastic DIYers, the tool’s powerful torque at 1,400 in-lbs, compact design, and light weight of just 2.8 pounds make it among the top options for an impact driver. Additionally, this cordless impact driver includes an ergonomic grip that offers good control and three LED lights to brighten dark corners.
As a longtime fan of DeWalt tools, I expected good things from this 20-volt impact driver—and I wasn’t disappointed. It features a one-handed hex chuck to easily switch between bits, and it comes with a 20-volt lithium-ion battery and charger. The 1.5 amp-hour battery was a slight downside, which did not last as long as I felt it should have. I got just over 40 minutes out of the battery at near-constant use. Still, the DeWalt impact driver excelled in inserting various fasteners into softwoods and hardwoods. I found it also worked well for loosening previously frozen fasteners without stripping out the heads.
This is not a brushless driver, which means runtime is slightly shortened, but it’s well engineered and offers considerable torque and power. I was also greatly impressed by the sensitivity of the variable-speed trigger. Consider keeping a spare battery charged to double runtime for the best results.
Get the DeWalt 20-volt impact driver at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless ¼-Inch Impact Driver
Photo: The Home Depot
Product Specs
- Maximum torque: 1,800 in-lbs
- Maximum RPM: 2,800
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
What We Like
- Drives fasteners into both hardwood and softwood
- Compatibility with Ryobi batteries
- Sturdy cast-aluminum gear housing
What We Don’t Like
- Tool-only purchase; if you don’t own a battery and charger, you’ll need to buy them separately
Low-cost tools don’t always perform as well as their more expensive counterparts, but that’s not the case with the 18-volt Ryobi impact driver. It performed on par with some of its more expensive competitors in my testing. It features an impressive 1,800 in-lbs of torque; 3,200 impacts per minute (ipm); and a ¼-inch quick-connect chuck. It also comes with sturdy cast-aluminum gear housing.
Ryobi’s cordless impact driver is a bare tool, but I had a spare 18-volt Ryobi lithium-ion battery that fit perfectly. The lime-green power tool put on an impressive show of driving fasteners into hardwood and softwood and removed overtightened screws without stripping out the heads. At a little over 4 pounds with the battery, I found my arm and hand tiring after using it overhead for a few minutes. Still, it provides enough power to overcome the weight issue, in my opinion—and those with stronger arms might not even notice the slightly heavier weight.
Anyone who doesn’t own another cordless tool from the Ryobi ONE+ system (and already has a battery) will want to purchase a battery and a charger. While this will roughly double the price, it remains a good value at the price point.
Get the Ryobi impact driver at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best All-Purpose
Black+Decker 20V MAX Powerconnect Impact Driver Kit
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Maximum torque: 1,375 in-lbs
- Maximum RPM: 3,000
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
What We Like
- 1,375 in-lbs of torque and 3,000 RPM of power
- Nonslip padded rubberized grip; ergonomic design
- Balanced weight distribution between the head and battery compartment
What We Don’t Like
- Included 1.5 amp-hour rechargeable battery is relatively low capacity
From a company with more than a century-long reputation for producing quality tools comes the Black+Decker 20-volt cordless impact driver. I’m familiar with many of the tools that Black+Decker makes, but I have never used one of their impact drivers. I was pleasantly surprised by the power (1,375 in-lbs of torque) and a high rotation speed of 3,000 RPM. The driver pulls quite a bit of energy from the slightly lackluster 1.5 amp-hour rechargeable battery, so I only got 30 minutes of consistent use out of the driver before I needed to recharge the battery.
I found the Black+Decker impact driver to be very comfortable in hand, and its nonslip rubberized grip added to its ease of use without causing hand fatigue. With the battery in place, the driver is well balanced—with the weight falling almost equally between the head and the battery compartment, which helps stabilize the tool during use.
The power driver excelled at inserting and removing fasteners from softwoods and hardwoods, but the chuck failed to grab the bits securely a couple of times. That may well have been a user error since I was testing at a relatively quick pace and might not have gotten the bits in securely. When I reinserted the bits, I had no problems.
Get the Black+Decker impact driver at Amazon or Lowe’s (tool only).
Best for DIYers
DeWalt DCF801F2 Xtreme 12V MAX Impact Driver Kit
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Maximum torque: 1,450 in-lbs
- Maximum RPM: 2,850
- Weight: 1.75 pounds
What We Like
- Offers more power than many 12-volt impact drivers
- Suitable for a range of tasks
- Designed with excellent balance
- Comfortable grip reduces hand fatigue
- Combines power and portability
What We Don’t Like
- Not as powerful as an 18- or 20-volt tool
The DCF801F2 is an impressive cordless DeWalt impact driver that delivers power and versatility in a compact package. I found it to be a standout option in the 12-volt category. Its well-balanced design and comfortable grip made it a pleasure to use, even during extended testing.
One of the noteworthy features of this 12-volt DeWalt is its power. Despite being a lower-voltage model, it easily inserted screws in both softwood and hardwood. This makes it suitable for a wide range of tasks, from everyday household projects to commercial-duty use. For professionals like HVAC technicians who often need to insert or loosen nuts, this impact driver is a great take-along option. It provides enough power to get the job done effectively without the added weight of a larger tool.
In addition to its power, the DCF801F2 is easy to handle and maneuver. It’s particularly well suited for tasks around the house where precision and control are important. Whether you’re working in tight spaces or overhead, this impact driver’s compact and lightweight design ensures that you can easily tackle your projects.
Get the DeWalt Xtreme impact driver at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.
Best Torque
Metabo HPT 18V Triple-Hammer Impact Driver
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Maximum torque: 1,832 in-lbs
- Maximum RPM: 2,900
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
What We Like
- Class-leading torque and triple-hammer technology
- 4-speed adjustment; can insert fasteners effectively in various materials
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Built-in LED light and a charge indicator light
What We Don’t Like
- Comes as a bare tool; must purchase of a compatible 18-volt battery
As a fan of the former Hitachi power tool line, I was excited to test the Metabo HPT impact driver. As of 2018, Metabo became the new name for Hitachi tools, and if this impact driver is any indication of the brand’s future, I won’t hesitate to choose more power tools from this line. The Metabo impact driver offers a host of features aimed at the professional, but that shouldn’t put off the serious DIY remodeler. The tool delivers immense power with 1,832 in-lbs of torque and a 4,000 ipm triple-hammer action to drive screws and fasteners home in no time.
With four-stage speed adjustability for maximum precision, the tool reaches speeds up to 2,900 RPM. Weighing 2.9 pounds, it’s very comfortable to handle—neither heavy nor bulky. An LED light and a charge indicator are convenient extras. The Metabo had no problem inserting and removing fasteners in softwoods and hardwoods, and it made quick work of removing frozen/overtightened fasteners without stripping out the heads.
This impact driver comes as a bare tool, so you’ll want to purchase a battery separately. Compatible 18-volt batteries range from a 1.5-amp-hour model (a little underpowered for professional users) to a massive 8-amp-hour model that offers class-leading runtimes. I picked a 3-amp-hour battery, which was more than enough to power the impact driver in my testing. With this much torque, anything less than a 3-amp-hour battery will undercut the performance of this impact driver.
Get the Metabo impact driver at Amazon or Acme Tools.
Best Speed Selection
Makita XDT16Z 18V Quick-Shift 4-Speed Impact Driver
