Are you looking for the best impact driver? If so, you’re in the right place. A great impact driver will be exactly what you need to get any project completed.
Whether it’s a home improvement project, automotive project, or whatever else a great impact driver may be exactly what you need to attach or detach even some of the most stubborn screws that no manual screwdriver can deal with.
To help you find the best one, we’ve listed ten of the best impact drivers that are currently the best on the market. Before we get to the list, we will talk about what an impact driver is and what it’s used for. We’ll also talk about how they work and explain why the ten that we’ve hand-picked made our list.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Impact Drivers
- OUR TOP PICK: DEWALT DC825B
- RUNNER-UP: Milwaukee 2462-20
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Makita XDT111
Comparison of the Best Impact Drivers
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What is an Impact Driver and What is it Used For?
An impact driver is a high-powered screwdriver. They are used for tightening and even untightening screws of any size. They also have the ability to tighten and untighten all kinds of nuts and bolts. Often times, they can be versatile enough to be used as an impact wrench.
How Does an Impact Driver Work?
An impact driver can be powered by either electricity or high-pressured air. Either way, it creates additional torque using three parts of the impact driver: the anvil, spring, and hammer. The motor will allow the shaft to turn faster and allow for maximum tightening to ensure that the screws or nuts stay secure.
Why Did Impact Drivers Make Our List?
We’ve decided to choose these ten impact drivers and add them to a list based on a few factors. Mind you, we didn’t choose these at complete random. There were a few things that stood out the most to us. Here are a few reasons why they made our list:
Most of Them Are Affordable
Whether you’re on a budget or have some money to play around with, most of these impact drivers are perhaps one of the most affordable that you can find on the market. In fact, you’ll be able to afford a great quality impact driver at a price that fits your budget. This way, we don’t allow you to settle with an impact driver that is crappy in quality and performance.
Able to Perform Many Tasks
While there might be impact drivers that will excel at one application or another, most of these impact drivers were designed to do most general purpose applications. So if you want something that will be great for not only for household improvement projects but also for automotive projects, then a versatile impact driver might be what you need.
Built to Last
Here’s the thing you need to know about impact drivers, they are built solid and enough to last you a long time. Regardless if it is a cordless or a corded impact driver, if you take really good care of it over time, the impact driver will definitely serve you well in the long term for as long as possible.
Review of the Best Impact Drivers
The following is a list of the top ten best impact drivers that are currently on the market. As you go through each one, you should consider making a note of any features and characteristics that stand out. This way, if you have a good idea of what your ideal impact driver will look like, you may find one that’s close enough.
Now, let’s kick off the list with our “best overall” choice for impact drivers:
Best Overall:
DEWALT DC825B
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were quite satisfied with this impact driver. They were quick to call it a really powerful tool that packs a lot of speed and torque for almost any project. One user said that he often uses this for light and medium-duty home improvement projects as well as a few woodworking projects that he does as a weekend hobby.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This impact driver is a powerful tool that is compact in size and also light in weight. So it’s not as bulky and heavy as some power tools usually are. This means that you’ll be able to carry it with you almost anywhere. If space-saving and portability are two things you look for in an impact driver, you may want to consider giving this one a much closer look.
Who Will Use This Most
This will probably be used mostly by homeowners who want a power tool around the house that will get a lot of projects and even small tasks completed in a much faster time. If you want an impact driver that is packed with a lot of speed and torque, this puppy might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Bottom Line
The DeWalt DC825B ¼ Inch Cordless Impact Drill might be one of the best in the business. And it will prove itself that it’s worthy of such a title with its overall power and performance. If you need to get the work done in nearly no time flat, this impact driver will be what you need.
Runner-up:
Milwaukee 2462-20
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were happy with the impact driver and how powerful it was. They loved how much torque it came with and how fast it was able to screw in screws or tighten bolts. One of the other great things they were satisfied with was the driver’s portability and storage size. This would be perfect if you’re a contractor that’s on the road a lot doing project after project.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This impact driver is powered by one of the longest-lasting batteries out there. The RedLithium battery is proven to have a lot more power and longevity compared to your regular Lithium-Ion batteries. So it will definitely give you a lot more battery life to work with. On top of that, it’s an awesome impact driver that works really well if you’re either a left-handed or right-handed user. This impact driver does not discriminate. So long as you get the job done, you’re golden.
Who Will Use This Most
This will make a great contractor tool. If you’re a homeowner that needs a good power tool that can come quite in handy, this might be a really good choice as well. No matter who you are or what you do, this impact driver won’t disappoint in the tasks where you need this driver the most.
Bottom Line
The Milwaukee ¼ Inch Hex Shank Impact Driver is a do-it-all kind of tool for all your light and medium-duty needs. Don’t be surprised if this ends up being one of the most versatile power tools that you’ll ever own. Especially when you want to tighten screws, nuts, or bolts.
Best for the Money:
Makita XDT111
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were quick to say that they got more than what they’ve paid for with this impact driver. They considered this one of the most ergonomically friendly impact drivers on the market. Once they put it to use, they managed to screw on and unscrew all kinds of screws and bolts. One user said that this is perfect for putting together or disassembling HVAC systems.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Makita Impact Driver proves itself as being one of the most reliable and powerful budget impact drivers on the market. Never mind the price tag for a moment. This puppy can go quite fast and delivers an insane amount of torque. So it can be one of those do it all impact drivers that will get any job done be it a light-duty project or something that’s more heavy-duty. Oh...and did we mention that the battery is easy and quick to charge. Once you have it plugged in for a good 15 minutes, you’ll have a fully charged battery ready to go. So you’ll never have to delay any of your projects due to a dead battery.
Who Will Use This Most
This might be a construction worker’s kind of impact driver since it can handle some heavy-duty stuff (like HVAC related work). So if you’re a contractor that is in search of a really sturdy impact driver that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything quite like this anywhere else.
Bottom Line
The Makita XDT111 Cordless Impact Driver is so powerful, you’d swear they would charge more for this. But for your sake (and the sake of your wallet), it’s pretty darn affordable. If you need an impact driver that will give you more than that you pay for, this could be right up your alley.
Best Cordless Impact Driver:
DEWALT 20V DCF885C1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New users were pretty satisfied with the impact driver. Most of them were able to buy this as one of their first-ever impact drivers. For most users, this was an impact driver that was best used for home improvement projects while some others used it for various automotive projects. One user said that despite being considered a “starter” model, it’s quite powerful and speedy.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This impact driver is powered by a 20-volt battery. So to this point, it’s an impact wrench that will use quite a bit of power. Not to mention, it can last you quite a while in terms of longevity. So you might not have to switch batteries for a long time. Aside from that, it’s a nice impact driver that will be great for your standard home improvement and renovation projects. But you can also consider it useful for so many purposes.
Who Will Use This Most
This is designed to be a starter impact driver. So if you’ve never owned one in your life, this might be a good one to start with. Plus, it’s the kind of impact driver that is powerful enough to handle simple tasks in and around the house. It may be one of the best tools you’ll have in your workshop or garage. Use this for a few years or until you decide on upgrading to a more powerful impact driver. For the time being, this one won’t disappoint.
Bottom Line
The DeWalt 20V Max Impact Driver is the kind of tool that you can rely on for almost any light-duty or medium-duty project. If you want an impact driver that is newbie-friendly and easy to use, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Best Brushless Impact Driver:
DEWALT 20V MAX XR DCF887B
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, new users were quite pleased. They were quick to point out how light and compact the impact driver was. They managed to use it at different speeds that depended upon which projects they were working on. One user says that he uses it for automotive and even some metalworking. He added that fastening and unfastening screws were easy and had just enough torque to keep it secure.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the main things that makes this impact driver stand out is the ability to allow you to adjust the speed of the motorhead. If it might be a little too fast for you, you can always bump it down a little slower to the point where it might be a bit more comfortable for you. Plus, you also have some bright LED lights that you can use for when you’re working with little to no light within your surrounding environment.
Who Will Use This Most
This will possibly be used for some heavy-duty usage (like metalworking). But all and all, it could stand out as one of the many general-purpose impact drivers that can get any job done. All you have to do is make the right adjustments so it can work out just right for you. If you want something fast, powerful, and easy to adjust you’ll know that this impact driver will check off those “what to look for” boxes.
Bottom Line
The DeWalt 20V Max XR Impact Driver might be exactly what you’re looking for if you need an impact driver that is small, but tough. Even better, you have all kinds of speed at your disposal to work with. Whether it’s around the house or at your workshop, this might be a really reliable tool that can tighten or untighten a lot of stubborn screws, nuts, and bolts.
Best ¼ Impact Driver:
Bosch 25618-02
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of the new buyers were able to quickly attach and detach screwdriver bits a lot faster than some of the other impact drivers they have tried out. Furthermore, they were quick to conclude that this driver was quite powerful and pretty fast for most projects. One user said that this had a great deal of torque and he was confident enough to know that everything would stay fastened and secured once his projects were finished.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the things that make this impact driver stands out the most is the inclusion of not one but two extra batteries. Yes, they do last you a while. But it’s quite the convenience knowing that it will save you a ton of money. So once you’re done with one, you can switch on the other in a blink of an eye. Of course, let’s not forget that this is also quite compact and lightweight. So it can be easily portable. That’s always a plus if you’re a contractor clocking in the miles and going from one place to the next. So many projects throughout the day call for the use of reliable tools like an impact driver.
Who Will Use This Most
This will likely be a great compact tool for contractors or even homeowners that tend to do a lot of light-duty or medium-duty projects. No matter which one you are, you’re bound to get a hold of an impact driver that probably has the highest speed and torque so far. If you want something that will give you a little bit of “oomph” and makes sure every screw, nut, or bolt is nice and tight this bad boy might be your kind of impact driver.
Bottom Line
The Bosch 18-Volt Lithium ¼ Hex Impact Driver might be lightweight and compact, but make no mistake about it...it can pack quite a punch. Who said big things never come in small packages? If you want something that will be built to last and will give you a little more torque than any impact driver you’ve ever used, the Bosch Impact Driver will rise to the occasion and will leave you impressed.
Best Makita Impact Driver:
Makita XDT13Z 18V
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers report that the RPM on this impact driver was pretty fast. Not to mention, they were able to secure screws, nuts, and bolts much faster and tighter than even some other impact drivers and wrenches. One user said that he uses this for an impact wrench for removing the tires on his Silverado truck. After a brief bit of hesitation, he was surprised to see that it worked like a charm.
Why it Stands Out to Us
For something that is small and compact in size, it can deliver quite a bit of torque compared to some other impact drivers. However, Makita is known for making some pretty reliable and long-lasting power tools. So you probably won’t be shocked by how much this impact driver, in particular, can deliver. If you want something that is great for portability and will give you all kinds of power and speed to work with, you’d be insane to pass up the opportunity in giving this impact driver a closer look.
Who Will Use This Most
This impact driver would be a homeowner’s dream. Especially with all that speed and torque that’s included, they will quickly secure almost any screw or lugnut without ever worrying about keeping it loose. So if you want something that will securely fasten even the most stubborn screws and bolts, this could be one of the best impact drivers that you can use. It will also come in handy if you need to unscrew something that is torqued at a slightly heavier weight.
Bottom Line
The Makita XDT13Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Impact Driver might be one of the most reliable go-to impact drivers on the market for any homeowner or auto mechanic. If you don’t want to leave any screw or bolt loose, this impact driver will likely be the kind of tool that delivers consistent results.
Best DeWalt Impact Driver:
DEWALT DCF885M2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers point to the impact driver’s ergonomically friendly design as one of its best attributes. They were able to use it for various projects and use it for longer periods of time without ever having to worry about hand straining and fatigue. They were able to tighten and untighten screws and bolts rather quickly. The torque power was good enough to easily tighten and secure many screws, nuts, and bolts with no looseness to speak of.
Why it Stands Out to Us
DeWalt is considered to be one of the most reliable brand names when it comes to power tools. If reliability is one of the things you look for in an impact driver, the DeWalt brand might be something worth considering. Not only that, they made some pretty tough tools that are built to last you years or even decades.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be perfect for all kinds of projects either in your home workshop or your garage. You can be able to perform simple tasks like building a birdhouse or installing new tires on your car. So it’s as close as you can get to a do-it-all impact driver. If that’s what you want, you know that this DeWalt impact driver is the best possible choice.
Bottom Line
The DeWalt DCF885M2 20V Max Lithium-Ion ¼-Inch Impact Driver Kit will likely be the best option that the DeWalt brand has to offer for impact drivers. If you want to get to know a brand that might be considered one of the top names in power tools, DeWalt will show you why they are one of the most trusted on the market with their reliability, power, and versatility.
Best 12v Impact Driver:
DEWALT DCF815S2 12-Volt Max
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were quite satisfied with the impact driver. More importantly, the were pretty happy with how it can be useful in many home improvement or construction tasks. One user said that he was using this for various projects like installing a new deck in his backyard as well as installing a new door on his garage. Throughout each project, he was able to tightly fasten nuts, bolts, and even those pesky long screws.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Many recent buyers were looking for an impact driver simply for the purpose of home building projects. They were fortunate in finding one with this DeWalt impact driver. One user said that the battery lasts a surprisingly long time and can charge pretty fast when it needs to. Overall, they are quite satisfied with the torque and speed of the impact driver that won’t let any screws or bolts come loose.
Who Will Use This Most
This will likely be used mostly by homeowners who want to get in touch with their DIY side. So if you want to do a lot of building projects on your own time or if you’re a hobbyist that needs a reliable power tool that satisfies your fastening needs, this could be exactly what you need for every project you plan on taking on.
Bottom Line
The DeWalt 12V Impact Wrench might just be the best impact wrench for any home improvement or hobby project. Not to mention, it’s got some pretty good speed and torque that will make sure that every project is finished in the quickest amount of time possible.
Best 18v Impact Driver:
Milwaukee 2753-20 M18
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were impressed with the impact driver. A majority of the new buyers were using this for the purpose of home improvement projects. Meanwhile, another portion were using this for automotive work like tire changing and even some “under the hood” maintenance. They also stated that while lightweight and compact, they are confident that it can be durable enough for it to last them a few years.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Once again, we bring back the Milwaukee brand for a quick look at one of their impact drivers. Like DeWalt, Milwaukee is proven to be one of the best brands on the market for power tools. Not to mention, they make some pretty sturdy tools that are known to last a long time. In fact, many customers have reported saying that after a decade, their Milwaukee power tools still work as if they were just out of the box. Aside from that, it’s an impact driver that allows for fast, smooth operation with every project you use this for.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re looking for a great impact driver to start out with, then you want something that has a good amount of power and torque. Nothing too powerful or too weak, but just right. If that’s a perfect description of what you’re looking for in an impact driver, you know for a fact that this Milwaukee impact driver will fit the bill.
Bottom Line
The Milwaukee 2753-20 M18 Fuel ¼ Hex Impact Driver might be one of the first impact drivers that you’ll start out with. Once you give this a spin, you’ll be impressed with how fast it can tighten all kinds of screws, bolts, nuts, and everything in between.
How to Use an Impact Driver
Knowing how to use an impact driver is easy if you know how to do it. If you don’t know how to operate one, you’re not alone. The following are some brief instructions on how you can be able to use an impact driver for any of your projects that may require one. They are as follows:
- Remember, the position of the slider bar will determine which direction the bit will go in. Be sure that it’s in the right position if you need to turn it clockwise for tightening (counter-clockwise for loosening).
- Pull the trigger to see which direction the motorhead is going in.
- To add on a bit, pull the colloid forward and add on the bit of your choice. To unload it, slide out the colloid and detach it.
- To screw in a screw, attach the screw into the bit and place it facing downward into the material (wood, metal, etc.). Apply downward force using the other hand if you’re drilling downwards. If you are screwing in horizontally, then apply horizontal force.
Conclusion
The best impact driver is out there for you. Now all you need to do is find one that will be great for all your home improvement or automotive projects. You’ll need something that is fast, powerful, and good enough for you to make sure that everything is nice and tight so things won’t fall apart sooner or later.
People Also Ask
The following is a list of frequently asked questions. These will help you better understand how impact drivers work. Be sure to use this as a guide so you can find the best impact driver that fits you best. Here are the following questions:
What is the Difference Between an Impact Driver and Drill?
The answer is pretty self-explanatory when it comes to the functionality between the two. A drill is used for drilling holes, while an impact driver will be best served as a tool that will screw on any screws depending on the length.
What is the Difference Between an Impact Driver and Hammer Drill?
A hammer drill is a handheld jackhammer to perfectly describe it. It will usually work with hammering down nails and stubborn screws. Meanwhile, the impact driver (as explained before) is used for the purpose of quickly fastening screws in place.
What is the Difference Between an Impact Driver and Impact Wrench
An impact wrench will have a lot more torque and impact than those that are considered impact drivers. In fact, your average impact wrench will have about six times more torque than an impact driver that will have at least 2,200 pounds of torque.
What is a Brushless Impact Driver?
A brushless impact driver will have magnets embedded in the motorhead. This will allow for easier attachment and detachment of driver bits. Plus, they will generate less friction compared to brushed impact drivers.
What is a Hex Impact Driver?
A hex impact driver will have a collet that will hold your driver bits in place. Usually, these hex impact drivers are designed to handle a bit more force than standard impact drivers.
Can You Use an Impact Driver to Remove Lugnuts?
Short answer: No. The reason being is because lugnuts are usually tightened at such a high amount of torque that a standard impact driver won’t have enough torque to remove them.
Can I Use Regular Bits In an Impact Driver?
Yes, you can fit most drill bits in an impact driver. In fact, most impact drivers are so versatile that they not only are they able to screw in screws, but they do have enough power and torque to drill simple holes. Remember, some drill bits may not fit properly depending on the collet size or design.