The Best Power Impact Wrenches
When you need nothing but raw, brutal torque, it's time to get an impact wrench. A good impact wrench is going to tighten a bolt fast by applying up to 1,400 foot-pounds of torque within seconds. But they're not just for tightening. All that power is perfect for loosening even the most stubborn and corroded nuts. Impact wrenches are standard equipment for removing lug nuts. Professional crews use them in NASCAR and they're the go-to choice for tire shops nationwide. If it's time to add an impact wrench to your shop, you'll need to weigh the options carefully. That's why we put the top impact wrenches through their paces, and these are the best we found.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Impact Wrench
Bust a Nut
It’s no surprise that Milwaukee, a company that has been making tools for nearly a hundred years, has one of the most powerful cordless impact drivers on the market. The 18-volt motor is brushless, meaning it can “sense” the amount of resistance required for different tasks and adjust the power output accordingly. And wow, does it have the juice. This beauty sports 1,000 foot-pounds of fastening power and 1,400 foot-pounds of unfastening power, making it perfect for removing lug nuts. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Impact Wrench comes with a battery, charger, and die-mold heavy-duty carrying case.
Pros:
- Fairly affordable, so it’s a great value for the price
- Available in 2-battery packages as well
- Batteries charge on any Milwaukee M-15 charging device
Cons:
- Weighs about 9 pounds
- Easy to bump the reverse switch accidentally
DeWalt 20V MAX Impact Wrench Kit
Make an Impact
Another trusted name in power tools, DeWalt’s MAX provides 400 foot-pounds of torque and up to 2,300 impacts per minute. This is a great choice if you work with an impact wrench all day, as the XR lithium-ion batteries provide 33% more capacity than standard batteries. The variable-speed trigger with electric brake means this wrench is much easier than others to control. Plus, weighing in at only 5.5 pounds, it’s a lot easier on your arm, too. It also comes with an integrated LED light to illuminate your workspace in dark environments.
Pros:
- The battery features a “fuel” gauge to let you know the charge level
- Also available with standard and deep impact socket set
- Battery works with any MAX power tool from DeWalt
- Fixed square head
Cons:
- Same torque rating front and back
- Optimum torque occurs only when the battery is fully charged
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Stubby Impact Wrench
Compact Impact
If you’re looking for a lightweight impact wrench at a lightweight price, check out the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Stubby Impact Wrench. Weighing in at a mere 2 pounds and measuring 4.8″ in length, the Stubby is perfect for small engines, tight spots, and lower-impact situations. It still generates 250 foot-pounds of torque and still has the quality you’d expect from a Milwaukee product.
Pros:
- Auto shut-off mode reduces over-tightening
- 4-Mode drive control
- 3 RPM settings
Cons:
- Does not include battery
- The weight isn’t centered
Ingersoll Rand 2235Ti Max
To Air Is Human
Powered by an air compressor for pneumatic drive, the Ingersoll Rand 2235Ti Max is both lightweight and strong. It’s strong on the inside with a torque of 1,350 foot-pounds and tough on the outside with its titanium hammer casing, steel-wear plate, and composite-metal housing. Better yet, the finely-tuned, twin-hammer impact mechanism makes it easy to hold at max torque while the ergonomic handle is gentler on your hand during long days at the shop. We also like that the Max doesn’t require batteries, chargers, or extension cords, which keeps the garage looking clean.
Pros:
- Ridiculously rugged and durable
- Available in 7 different models
- 4-position power regulator
Cons:
- Unfastening torque 32% less than fastening torque
- Air compressor not included
Makita Impact Wrench
Of Cords It's Best
If you’ve got heavy-duty jobs that require plug-in power, then the Makita Impact Wrench is right for you. Capable of 738 foot-pounds of torque against a whopping 1″ square drive, the Makita can reach 1,500 impacts per minute. And even with all that juice, this wrench still has less vibration than comparable models. It comes with an easy direction switch for one-handed operation and a rubberized grip for more comfortable control. What’s especially cool is the quick access to the brushless motor and ball bearings, which makes maintenance much easier.
Pros:
- Powerful electric power
- Rugged carrying case included
Cons:
- Weighs 21 pounds
- No locking ring
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench?
Impact wrenches are used to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts, whereas impact drivers are used for drilling long screws into wood or metal. Impact drivers have a ¼-inch hex collet, while impact wrenches have a ½” square drive. Furthermore, impact wrenches are generally bulkier, more powerful, and heavier.
Are an impact wrench and a lug wrench the same thing?
A lug wrench is designed exclusively to remove lug nuts from a tire. An impact wrench can remove the lug nuts from a tire, but it also is built to remove any type of nut.
My new, expensive impact wrench still won’t remove this rusted old nut. Any suggestions?
More problems than you might guess can be solved with a roll of duct tape and a spray can of WD-40. Soak the nut in WD-40, PB Blaster, or any other oil-based lubricant. Spray it all around the crease where the nut hits the metal. Then, wait a day, and then do it again. Finally, dry off the nut as best as you can before going at it with your impact wrench. That should do the trick.
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