The Best Impact Drivers
Professional carpenters, homebuilders, contractors and other craftsmen need tools that are going to get the job done every time. An impact driver is made specifically for drilling longer screws into hard woods without fear of bending the screw or stripping out the head. If you're in the market for a new impact driver, you're probably looking for high torque, durability, a dependable motor, a sturdy hex collar, and a manufacturer's warranty. That's a big ticket to fill, but we've done the research to find the best impact drivers that money can buy.
Dewalt Max XR
To The Max
Dewalt has been a standard-bearer in power tools for nearly a century and their Max XR Impact Driver is just anther reason why they’re an industry leader. Featuring a powerful brushless motor and three speed adjustments, the Dewalt Max XR delivers 152 foot-pounds of torque at speeds up to 3,250 RPM. Don’t be fooled by its size, either: it only weighs 2 pounds and is 8 inches long, but it’s built to last. And just for some extra peace of mind, Dewalt throws in a 3-year warranty.
Pros:
- Optional package with battery and charger
- Easy socket adapter for wrench jobs
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Requires a strong wrist
- No carrying case included
Makita LXT
Though an impact driver is designed to exert the maximum amount of downward force on a long screw, you don’t always need all that force at once. This is the specialty of the Makita LXT. With 4-speed variable control, you can start out in an “Assist Mode” from zero to 1,100 RPS to get your screw set first, then activate up to three additional speeds to help drive the screw. This makes the Makita XLT great for a variety of circumstances. It also keeps the tool from flying out of your hand if you’re not ready for the max power.
Pros:
- The rubberized soft grip makes this a comfortable impact driver to use
- The brushless motor is reliable and long-lasting
- Dual LED lights
Cons:
- Warranty doesn’t cover impacts
- Some wobble on highest setting
Black & Decker 20V Max
Black Is Back
In the pantheon of power tool brand names, few come close to Black & Decker. Since their earliest days as a small shop in Baltimore, Black & Decker have gone on to develop a legacy of trustworthy tools. That legacy lives on with the Black & Decker 20V Max Impact Driver. With a powerful, 20-volt motor, it delivers 1,350 inch-pounds of torque through its quick-release, all-metal 1/4-inch hex nut. Though it’s designed to be compact and lightweight, it’s still tough, reliable, and backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros:
- Comes with battery and charger
- Long life battery
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- No carrying case
- Not variable speed
Teccpo Impact Driver
Faster Is Better
If your job calls for hours of work with an impact driver, you need a cordless model with fast recharging capabilities. Enter the Teccpo Impact Driver with a lithium-ion battery that can fully recharge in under sixty minutes. With a variable speed trigger and a 4-pole copper motor delivering 1,600 inch-pounds of torque, you’ll be driving all day long (if that’s what you’re into).
Pros:
- Sturdy carrying case included
- Trigger-activated LED lights
- Quarter-inch all-metal hex chuck
Cons:
- Heavier than most models
- Hair trigger
Milwaukee M18 Fuel
Fuel For Thought
Take a look at any pro’s garage or toolbox and you’re sure to see Milwaukee tools, a trusted name since 1924. And if you’re looking for power, look no further than Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel Impact Driver. Their Powerstate Brushless Motor delivers 30% faster driving speed and a whopping 2,000 inch-pounds of torque, giving this cordless impact driver the flexibility of an impact wrench. Better yet, their “Redlink Plus” intelligence system provides protection against overload during the heaviest applications. Package includes two batteries, a battery charger and durable plastic carrying case.
Pros:
- Extended capacity batteries available
- Compatible with other M18 tools
- Compact at only 4.5 inches long
Cons:
- One of the heaviest models
- Vibrations at high RPM
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench?
They key difference is that an impact wrench is primarily used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts, whereas an impact driver is used to drill long screws into into metal or wood. Both jobs require a tremendous amount of torque. Impact wrenches utilize a half-inch square drive while impact drivers have a quarter-inch hex collar.
Ok, then why don’t I just get a really good cordless drill instead of a impact driver?
For the most part, it comes down to torque. Impact drivers are more lightweight and compact than a standard hand drill but have more torque. This makes them better than drills for longer screws and denser wood. And since they’re better at directing force downward, impact drivers are more comfortable for hours of continuous work.
How come most of these impact drivers are offered without batteries, chargers and other accessories?
There are a lot of reasons, but the biggest one is that sometimes the battery outlasts the impact driver. That’s not to say that these tools break easily. Tools have a way of “disappearing” from worksites or the backs of trucks, or sometimes they’re accidentally dropped from eight stories up. By offering the accessories separately, the customer has more options, including the option to spend a little less money for a replacement.
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