An electric motor produces an initial surge of power when starting, then drops to its nominal (standard) voltage. Some impact drivers use a -inch fitting, but a -inch fitting is much more common. 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. Cordless, CRAFTSMAN 20V Impact Driver Kit, Cordless (CMCF810C1), Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Impact Driver (WH18DBDL2Q4), Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless, Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Compact Brushless, Avid Power Impact Driver Kit, 180N.m. We look for anything out of the ordinary thats genuinely beneficial. Interestingly, 12-volt impact drivers have a nominal voltage of 10.8 volts, though makers seldom mention it. While any impact driver in our lineup is well suited for fastener insertion and removal, the DeWalt 20V MAX comes complete with a battery, a charger, and a carry bageverything thats needed to get started. If you want the best bang for your buck to cover those projects around the house, HART has you covered. HART has a couple of impact drivers to choose from and their brushless model is the way to go in our opinion. It seems that companies put out a good product and then start putting cheaper parts in them after awhile. Weve had good success using the Makita XPS impact bits since they first launched. It also enjoys a design thats a step up in quality compared to other brands with an advanced control system and refined driving characteristics. A drill comes with a clutch that stops the torque when the fastener meets resistance. While it might be a prehistoric tool, its unlikely to go extinct any time soon since most homes (at least in the USA) are still constructed out [], Metabo HPT MultiVolt Triple Hammer Impact Driver Enters Second Generation Out of dozens of the cordless impact drivers weve tested, the Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36V Triple Hammer Impact Driver is one of the most unique with its 3-hammer design. Paired with their Ultimate Output battery, the Kobalt XTR impact driver is capable of 2400 in-lbs of torque, 3400 RPM, and 4000 IPM. More powerful tools are not necessarily physically larger, so it is possible to get a small and mighty tool. Thats particularly important when inserting screws overhead, where a regular drill can quickly weigh the user down. Regardless, its the sum of what you get compared to the price you pay that determines the value for you. Leaving the Octane line behind, this impact driver is more compact, measuring 5.4 inches from front to back and dropping 1/2 an inch compared to Octane. Weighing 2.9 pounds, this impact driver was very comfortable to handleit is neither heavy nor bulky. In addition to inserting and removing screw fasteners, I tested the Makita impact driver on an overtightened bolt removal, and it excelled in all tests. Power tools come with two types of motors: brushed or brushless. Having owned several Kobalt tools over the years, I was aware that this line of tools is available only at Lowes. The mechanism works without transferring rotational torque to your wrist. If brands cant hack coming in, last tell them to do better. Its just 1.9 pounds as a bare tool and 2.9 pounds with a compact 2.0Ah battery. The higher the torque (measured in inch-pounds and usually written as in-lbs), the more twisting power. It is not a drill, though a chuck adapter could be added for occasional drilling tasks. Get the Kobalt 24V impact driver at Lowes. Slide packs are important because they give design teams more freedom in handle and grip design. Impact driver buyers looking for the most powerful tool need to check the torque figure, not the voltage. As a fan of the former Hitachi power tool line, I was excited to test the Metabo HPT impact driver. Among those options, Flexs FX1371A-2B stands out with Kobalts 24V and Milwaukee M18 Fuel as hitting harder than others in our nut-busting test. Have you tested DeWalts new Atomic impact driver yet? With most tools, a 1.5 amp-hour or a 2.0 amp-hour battery come standard. Theres one key thing to note about Pro Tool Reviews: Were all about the professional tool user and tradesman! Realistically, you can go either direction with this one and be in great shape. However, in actual useinserting and removing fastenersthe Avid Power performed impeccably, and it ran continuously for just over 30 minutes before I had to recharge its 1,500 amp-hour battery. The Ryobi impact driver performed on par with some of its more expensive competitors in my testing. The hammer action of an impact driver is loud. I used a 3Ah lithium-ion battery from another Makita tool I owned to test the impact driver. For the most part, none of the impact drivers lasted as long as their manufacturers claims, but then again, they were running nearly constantly, which probably isnt typical. The tool is relatively lightweight at 3.1 pounds, and I found it to be well balanced. See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. The driver puts out less torque, but in these cases, faster operation is more important than outright power. Bits designed to use in impact drivers have to flex to absorb the torsion of the impacts or they risk breaking, especially when youre fastening metal. If you plan to tackle jobs involving larger or longer screws and fixingslike those used for decking or framing up a houseyoull want to add an impact driver to your tool collection. None overheated to the point where they automatically shut down. The tool didnt lose power or slow down when inserting fasteners in hardwood, and its enviable 4,200 ipm hammer action knocked loose frozen screws without a hitch. By increasing the performance and decreasing the size, theyre giving budget-minded Pros fewer reasons to look at other brands. For driving multiple large screws, such as those used to construct decking or the frame of a house, builders would want an impact driver with 1,500 in-lbs of torque or more. How much torque is needed depends on the construction material. Carrying case, charger, and battery included, Some users report it is unsuitable for professional heavy-duty use, Built-in LED light and a charge indicator light, 3,200 to 3,500 ipm (estimated, not listed). Both models have the same performance profile: 1825 in-lbs of torque, 3250 RPM, and 3800 IPM.

As with drills and other cordless tools, cordless impact drivers run on rechargeable batteries in 12-volt, 18-volt, and 20-volt capacities. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field. Instead, they have a quick-release hexagonal chuck that accepts bits with a hexagonal shank. There are some impressive new players entering the scene that look to challenge the traditional powerhouses. We test the decibel level of impact drivers to help us understand which ones are the best for using in occupied spaces such as schools and office buildings. If youre thinking compact, Makitas XDT16 is the best lightweight impact driver to get your hands on. For our purposes, we drive screws up to 1/4-inch diameter. Sure, send them over, I said. With this much torque, anything less than a 3 amp-hour battery will undercut the performance of this impact driver. It weighs in at just 2.9 pounds, so its also suitable for extended overhead use. Its a much more compact tool that boasts the same specs as this one and could take over as the top choice for DeWalt fans. You wont get more power by attempting to use an 18-volt battery; it simply wont work. Faster speeds work well for multiple small- or medium-size fixings. When shopping for the best impact driver, consider the following. If you havent used Ryobis One+ HP tools yet, its time to meet the new high-performance side of the popular budget brand. If you only want the impact driver, its $128 with a 2.0Ah battery. Still, it provides enough power to overcome the weight issue, in my opinionand those with stronger arms might not even notice the added weight. I found this compact driver well suited to overhead use where it didnt tire my arm as quickly as the heavier drivers, and its nonslip rubberized grip allowed me to grasp the tool firmly. An LED light and a charge indicator are convenient extras. TheMilwaukee M12 Fuel Surgedid it with the highest torque numbers of all our 12V impact driver reviews. With over 1,800 inch-pounds of torque and a triple-hammer action, the Metabo HPT 18V is one of the strongest options available. Think of it as the amount of gasoline in a vehicles fuel tank. Despite its compact size, I found the Milwaukee M18 impact driver provided nearly as much power as some of the larger models I tested. Want more? This 2-speed impact driver has 2700 RPM with 1800 in-lbs of torque and 3400 IPM to handle most of the screwdriving jobs youll come across. If you dont need the extra tech, grab the Milwaukee 2853 for the same tool without One-Key. In testing, the Porter-Cable ran for nearly an hour on a single battery charge, and then I had another fully charged battery to pop into place. There is some understandable confusion between 18-volt and 20-volt cordless impact drivers. That was fine, however, since its pretty easy to tell when a battery is getting low without the need for an indicator. For example, if you have a 12-volt impact driver, you will need a 12-volt battery. Look for ones sold as impact ready.. You want to strike the right balance between sufficient torque for the fastener involved, tool weight for manageability, and of course your budget. Bosch has announced an upgrade to the brushless Freak. Their HP Brushless impact driver uses 3 standard modes and an assist mode to reign in 2200 in-lbs of torque, 2900 RPM, and 4000 IPM. At least, thats the way it was up until hydraulic impact drivers became affordable. The space-saving design features a compact head and grip. It has 1859 in-lbs of torque, 2900 RPM, and 4100 BPM with two standard and two assist modes to control it. This speed selection is in addition to the tools variable speed trigger, so I was able to regulate the rpms to suit the material and the types of fasteners I was testing. A monster 2200 in-lbs of torque highlights its performance backed up with 3000 RPM speed. Voltage indicates the energy output of an impact driver. Both use an impact mechanism with three hammers, giving rise to the name Triple Hammer. Some manufacturers likeMakitachoose to program helpful modes rather than having you customize them. With 3700 RPM, 4400 IPM, and 1950 in-lbs of torque, its a little faster and a lot stronger. Weve tested dozens of theimpact driverscurrently available to find out who makes the best impact driver in multiple classes.

Impact Driver vs Impact Wrench | Which Impact Tool Do You Need? Professionals who regularly work in tight spaces may prefer these models, too. After []. Theyre loud and thats just the way it is. This translates into higher torque, which, as noted, is one of the most important factors when choosing one of these tools. Whats the Difference? 20V Cordless, Kobalt 24-volt Max Variable Speed Brushless Cordless, PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit (PCCK647LB), unlike the smooth rotation of a drill, an impact driver uses rotational hammering, CRAFTSMAN V20 Impact Driver Kit, Cordless (CMCF810C1), can be used as both a drill and a screwdriver, The Most Important Things to Keep in Your Tool Kit in 2020, The Best Milwaukee Impact Drivers of 2022.