6 Top Rated Impact Driver Reviews

What is an impact driver, and do I really need one? Today we will try and find the answer to this question which will help you decide on whether to spend your money on this tool. As well as look at a few top rated Impact Driver Reviews.

The impact driver has one main purpose and that is to “drive screws” for endless hours.  They have torque that is greater than a screwdriver or drill/driver can ever provide you with so they will make your job easier with less effort.

The action on the impact driver delivers a force that is strong with sudden rotational and downward motion. When you use a drill/driver, you must put your own strength into driving the screw into the wood but with the impact driver, the tool itself does most of the work. This allows you to use it for a longer period of time with less fatigue.

In the past, all impact drivers were corded, and you always needed to be near an electrical outlet or have endless extension cords to operate them. With modern technology and vast improvements in batteries, there are many lithium-ion battery operated impact drivers on the market. For the “big” jobs, I would always suggest using a D-handle electric impact driver, they are hard to beat for dependability and they are a “workhorse”.

Below are a few questions in the form of a buying guide that will help you decide what you are looking for in an impact driver before you go on a shopping spree.

impact drill

Buying guide for an Impact Driver

  • Is it a Corded or a Cordless Impact Driver? This means, do I plug it into electricity, or does it have a battery pack and check out the amps of the battery.
  • Is It Brushed or a Brushless Model? It will either have an old- style motor or the modern brushless style.
  • Is the Handle Compatible to the Action of the Drill? Look for a handle that is ergonomic in design.
  • What is the Size of the Tool and what does it weigh? A drill driver will weigh around 2-4 pounds.
  • What size of bits are compatible with the impact driver? How big of bit will this tool accept.
  • Is This Impact Driver just for professional? Many drill drivers are made for the professionals, but anyone can use them, it’s just the fact that they are pricey.
  • Does This Product Have a Warranty? When you pay a lot of money for a power tool you expect that the company to back up their product with a warranty.

Top 6 Impact Drivers


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Makita XTS01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion

The Makita XTS01Z is an 18-volt cordless impact driver that features a brushless motor that uses energy to match the RPMs and torque needed which in turn provides you with a longer lasting tool that works on many applications. The oil-impulse technology allows the motor to work in a much quieter mode than other impact tools and it does not require maintenance. The 3-speeds gives you the ability to use the tool for a ton of applications. The quick-shift mode reduces impact speed and rotations for more control over the job.

The tool is built with extreme protection technology which simply means that it is built to withstand hard use on the job and is water and dust resistant for a long life. It’s not a cheap tool and this protection is paramount. It is compact due to its spring-loaded driving mechanism: the dimensions are 5 x 5 x 10 inches and without the battery it weighs 2.3 pounds. If you need to use it all day, that’s lightweight! This offer is for the tool only so you will need to purchase the charging station and battery separately.

Makita offers you a 30-day satisfaction guarantee if you are not satisfied for any reason. The limited warranty for three years covers against defects from workmanship and bad materials. Just send it to an authorized Makita Service Center. This product is made for the tradesmen in mind, but anyone can own and operate it.

Features

  • Brushless Motor
  • Oil Impulse Technology
  • Quick Shift Mode Selector
  • Cordless
  • Drill Only

Ryobi P882 18v One+ Lithium-ion

The Ryobi is an impact driver that was created mostly for the DIYer and comes in a kit with the tool, a carry case, a charging station, and two lithium-ion batteries that hold a charge 4x longer than other batteries. The tool measures 7.2 x 121.1 x 9.9 inches and the entire kit weighs in at 6.89 lbs. as far as shipping weight. The chuck is ¼”I hex, and the product is mostly made of plastic so it probably is not a good tool to buy if you are a tradesman.

It’s powered by 18 volts and the powerful motor can deliver 1500 in. lbs. of torque and can loosen bolts with ease. You can store one bit on the tool itself, but you would be smart to purchase a driving bit kit along with this product. The chargers patented Intelliport technology protects the batteries, conserves energy and can charge the battery within 60 minutes.

This is a great buy for the DIYers that need this type of tool for the once-in-a-while use but would not be the best deal for anyone that needs an impact driver for everyday heavy use.


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Features

  • Delivers 1,500 in-lbs of Torque
  • 1/4 in Quick Connect Coupler
  • CAst Aluminum Gear Housing
  • 0-2,600
  • 18v Battery
  • Cordless

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Milwaukee 2656-22CT M18 1/4" Hex

This Milwaukee kit comes with a carry case, two batteries, a charging stations and the impact driver. It’s an 18-volt ¼ inch hex quick connect chuck compact impact driver and offers the best power to size ratio on the market. The fastening torque is 1500 in-lbs. with 27500 RPMs making it a powerful tool for the tradesmen but a DIYer would also get a lot of use out of it. An LED light is provided that will illuminate the work surface and a belt clip is also provided.

The Milwaukee 4-Pole Frameless Motor is a robust design that provides more runtime and power than other brushed designed tools. The total system communicates with each other, including the charger, tool and battery that provides the ultimate in performance. The battery will provide you with a fuel gauge so you will always be aware of the amount of charge you have before starting a job.

The dimensions are 11.4 x 3.7 x 13.8 inches and the tool weighs 3.1 pounds. Your shipping weight will be more simply because this is a kit, not just the tool. There is a 5-year limited warranty on the product, you would have to contact the company to get the particulars on the product warranty.

Features

  • Delivers 1,500 in-lbs of Torque
  • 1/4 in Quick Connect Chuck
  • REDLINK Intelligence
  • 0-2,750 RPM
  • 18v Battery
  • Cordless

DEWALT DCF887M2 20V MAX XR Li-Ion

As we look at the DeWalt impact driver, we see a tool with more options as far as speed and volts. This is a 20-volt tool that comes with 2 lithium-ion 4.0 Oah batteries, a carry case and a charging station, a complete kit ready to go to work. It is also a brushless motor that will last longer than the old-style brushed motor, so it does work harder. It also comes equipped with 3 LED lights that have a 20 second delay after the trigger is release and leaves your work area with enough light to check your work.

The three speed will give you that extra control of the tool depending on the job you have for the impact driver to do. It is even strong enough to loosen lug nuts on an auto. It has a one-handed loading ¼ “hex chuck that is easy to grip and accepts a 1” bit tips. The dimensions of the tool are 16.2 x 4.5 x 10.1 inches and weighs 3.62 pounds. The shipping weight is 7.4 pounds because it is a complete kit.

The DeWalt Impact Driver has a 3-year limited warranty and to find out more about this warranty, check it out on their website. They also have a one-year free service contract and a 90-day money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with the performance of the tool you purchase. If the impact drill is not what you are shopping for but are looking for a DeWalt, check out this page on best selling DeWalt Cordless Drills.


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Features

  • Delivers 1,825 in-lbs of Torque
  • IPM 3600
  • 0-1,000 / 2,800 /3,250 RPM
  • 20v Battery 4.0AMh
  • Cordless

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PORTER-CABLE PCCK647LB 20V MAX

The Porter-Cable impact driver with its brushless motor will deliver 50% more runtime than any brushed impact driver. It also boasts a 20-volt system that works with lithium-ion batteries that work with all Porter-Cable products. The torque is substantial at 1400 in-lbs. and it provides 2700 RPM for large fastening jobs and has a ¼” Quick Change chuck. With this kit you get the impact driver, two batteries, screwdriving bit, and the charging stand.

The Porter-Cable impact driver is extremely compact in size as its dimensions are 11.4 x 3.7 x 9.5 making it an easy tool to use in small spaces where you don’t want to be saddled with having to use extensions on your tools. The weight of the tool is only 2.9 pounds so it not a product that will be a problem using all day long. For its size and weight and being powered by 20 volts it’s a powerful tool. You can adjust the speed of the driver by the amount of pressure you put on the trigger.

This compact impact driver would be suited best for the DIYer and comes at a very reasonable price. You won’t break the bank with this purchase. The Porter-Cable Company offers you a 3-year limited warranty, but it may not apply in all cases, depending on factors like the use of the product. Go to the product website or contact the manufacturer directly.

 

Features

  • Brushless Motor
  • Delivers 1,400 in-lbs of Torque
  • 1/4 Quick Change Hex
  • 0 - 2,900 RPM No Load Speed
  • 0 - 3,100 IPM
  • 20v Battery
  • Cordless

BLACK+DECKER BDCI20C 20V MAX Lithium

A superlight weight chainsaw which delivers great quality and adequate power to perform light duty activities around home. Weighing 10.3lbs you can use it for longer periods without getting tired. Aided with an excellent anti-vibration technology which significantly minimises the health effects of powerful vibrations on your health.

Comes with smart-start feature, air purge which gets rid of the air in the carburettor and its fuel system, snap-lock cylinder cover for easy cleaning and replacement of spark plugs, felling marks, non-CARB compliant, asymmetrical handle and soft inlay for comfort. A 3-piece crankshaft giving its extreme strength and perform really tough tasks.

Highly durable and a marvellous cutter ensuring safety and comfort while using it.


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Features

  • Delivers 1,375 in-lbs of Torque
  • 1/4 Quick Release Hex
  • 0 - 3,000 RPM
  • 20V
  • Cordless

Conclusion

Hopefully these Impact Driver Reviews help you narrow down your search and help guide you in making the decision on whether you really need this product and if so which one is right for you. If you are looking for more information on Impact Drills check out this page here.

The impact driver is meant to “drive screws” but can be adapted for other uses. If you are a DIYer, I would suggest the Black and Decker, great power tool for the price. For the tradesmen, I’m stuck on the DeWalt due to its power and longevity.


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