The Kobalt XTR Max 24V is hands-down our favorite driver for heavy-duty tasks. During our head-to-head speed tests, this model outperformed every other impact driver that we've seen. The XTR Max showed a ridiculous amount of torque, maxing out our torque wrench for both fastening and loosening large nuts. “I love that this model has four different settings, including three speeds and an 'Assist' mode that slowly increases RPMs to reduce the chances of cross-threading,” testers noted. The XTR also has the longest battery life we've ever tested. “I had to adjust the battery scores for every other driver because this version's battery outlasts all of them by such a long shot,” testers said.
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SPECIFICATIONS Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test 3 seconds Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test 13 seconds Average Measured Fastening Torque 300 ft-lb Average Measured Breaking Torque 300 ft-lb Measured Length 139 mm The XTR is not completely flawless. Its light is relatively dim and doesn't do the best job of illuminating a dark work area. For most folks, this issue may not be a deal breaker (if it is, check out the Milwaukee M18 Fuel , which has one of our favorite lights of the test group that features Milwaukee's tri-LED work lights. However, its battery efficiency isn't nearly as good as the Kobalt). We were also somewhat disappointed that the chuck lacks a quick insert function. This technology is a little outdated — most newer drivers allow for one-handed insertion of bits. However, despite our few gripes, the Kobalt XTR performed amazingly throughout our tests and is our top recommendation for those requiring top-notch power and speed.Read more: Kobalt XTR Max 24V review
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel dished out impressive torque and speed in our testing, easily breaking loose bolts tightened to 300 foot pounds and pulling ledger screws out of plywood in three seconds. Those looking for a strong driver for tough jobs will not be disappointed.
We were glad to discover that the Milwaukee improved upon the previous version, the . “I like that this updated version features a brighter, more effective light for working in dark spaces,” noted testers. The M18 Fuel also now features a quick-change collet for more convenient bit changes. The Milwaukee is compact, measuring in at a length of only 114mm, making it great for jobs in tighter spaces.
SPECIFICATIONS Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test 3 seconds Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test 15 seconds Average Measured Fastening Torque 300 ft-lb Average Measured Breaking Torque 300 ft-lb Measured Length 114 mm Although Milwaukee offers a good selection of larger-sized batteries, we should note that the M18 Fuel died much faster than drivers like the Kobalt XTR Max 24V, only removing 51 ledger screws and three lag bolts, while the Kobalt removed 103 screws and seven bolts. If your DIY project demands a long battery life, you'll want to make sure to budget for a larger battery or consider opting for the Kobalt XTR Max 24V, which has the best battery performance in our testing. For those already committed to a DeWalt battery, we found that the DeWalt Atomic DCF850 offers similar torque power and speed as the Milwaukee, making it a great alternative for DeWalt owners.Read more: Milwaukee M18 Fuel review
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel is the best impact driver we've found in the land of 12-volt battery-powered tools. This impressive little driver essentially fits in your pocket. “I love how compact and lightweight it is. It makes it easier to use and more comfortable to hold,” testers said.
Our favorite thing about the M12 Fuel is that it kept up with (and, in several instances, outperformed) drivers with substantially more girth and voltage. To top it off, Milwaukee offers a fantastic array of tools built on the M12 Fuel platform, so you may only need to buy one battery and charger for a fleet.
SPECIFICATIONS Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test 6 seconds Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test 37 seconds Average Measured Fastening Torque 143 ft-lb Average Measured Breaking Torque 275 ft-lb Measured Length 132 mm The M12 Fuel has some small flaws. Despite its tiny size and lighter weight, it is still very loud. Its battery is one of the shortest-lived in the tests. And as a 12-volt model, it's just not going to be as powerful as some of the more serious tools in our test. If you need more power, we recommend taking a look at the Milwaukee M18 Fuel .Read more: Milwaukee M12 Fuel -20 review
The Black+Decker 20V Max BDCI20C is a great entry-level impact driver available at a very accessible price. The B+D was fairly quick when it came to driving ledger screws from plywood, taking around six seconds during each trial. It wasn't the most powerful unit we tested, but it can take on small projects like building shelves or taking apart appliances.
“I think this is a good impact driver for those with light-duty projects that don't need an expensive driver with a ton of power,” noted our testers. At the end of the day, if a tight budget is your highest priority, this impact driver works well for light-duty jobs and definitely beats hand tools. But, if you need a powerful tool for bigger jobs and are open to spending more, the Makita XDT13 scored significantly higher in every test and is a great alternative.
SPECIFICATIONS Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test 6 seconds Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test 58 seconds Average Measured Fastening Torque 152 ft-lb Average Measured Breaking Torque 220 ft-lb Measured Length 168 mm Measuring 168 mm, the Black+Decker is the largest impact driver we tested and seems clunky and dated compared to others. The speed, torque, and battery performance were all unremarkable, but it did complete the testing and functions well, considering the price. Although its test performance was mediocre, we still found it to be a versatile and capable tool.Read more: Black+Decker 20V Max Impact Driver Review
For this review, we put together a dream team of testers. Review Editor Ross Patton has spent countless hours with an impact driver in his hands during his years working in the HVAC industry as well as building custom features for a world-class snowboard park. Senior Review Editor David Wise grew up using power tools and also has a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. He has used a plethora of tools for a multitude of projects, including designing and building deepwater surveying robots. Head of Testing Austin Palmer has plenty of experience with impact drivers from his experience working on oil rigs in Texas as well as being an avid DIY specialist.
We purchased the most promising models for an extensive hands-on comparison. To help you find the right product for your specific needs, we conducted dozens of different assessments over several weeks of testing, using five weighted rating metrics in which to group our findings and results — speed, torque, convenience, battery life, and sound.
Unlike many power tools, there is nothing close to a parallel between price and performance regarding impact drivers. Our test results taught us that several models could outperform more expensive models in certain aspects. We also know that this review's most affordable tools can handle a very reasonable workload, especially for light-duty and finish applications.
Whether or not you already own a certain brand's batteries and chargers can greatly affect the value for you. Suppose you own one of these brands and are pleased with their products. In that case, your best option is likely to stick with the brand you have, provided that you do your homework and confirm with the manufacturer that your current battery system is compatible with the model of impact driver you're planning on purchasing. Also, make sure that our testing results match the performance you're looking for — because one brand may be great at making circular saws but terrible at making impact drivers.Though there is a span of prices between these products, a few of the best models in our tests, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel and Makita XDT13, are reasonably affordable — especially if you already own Milwaukee batteries or if you buy the impact driver in a kit with other tools. If you're in the market for a 12V version, the Milwaukee M12 Fuel is well worth the price considering its outstanding performance. If you don't already own a collection of a certain brand's tools that you'd like to expand upon, Kobalt's new model, the XTR Max 24V, includes a 24-volt battery and a charger.
One of the primary benefits of owning an impact driver is increased efficiency and project workflow. In this regard, speed is crucial. For professionals, as the saying goes, time is money. If you're a DIYer, the last way you want to spend your limited free time is waiting for a tool that lags during a project. For these reasons, we decided to let this metric account for 35% of the total score.
To determine the various speeds of each model, we clocked a dozen individual time trials per driver using multiple types of screws and lumber. We began with a stack of sheets of plywood that allowed ample room to sink a 3-⅝" ledger screw completely. For this test, we took five time trials for each model, the average of which are charted below.
The Kobalt XTR and Milwaukee M18 Fuel rocked this test at 3 seconds each. The Makita XDT13 and DeWalt Max each had an average ledger screw time of 4 seconds in the plywood, shortly followed by the DeWalt Atomic DCF850 with a time of 5 seconds.
We then used the same ledger screws, but this time we tested an alternative wood, using a stack of 2x12 lumber and taking seven trials. The Kobalt reigned supreme in this portion of our speed testing with an average drive time of just 2.1 seconds, closely followed by the Milwaukee M18 Fuel, DeWalt MAX, and Makita XDT13 with sub 3-second drive times.
Finally, we drilled 11/32" pilot holes into the 2x12 boards to accommodate a ½" x 3" lag bolt. For this experiment, we clocked how long it took each tool to drive the bolt completely and how long it took to remove it. The chart below shows the average measured time (driving and removing) for each driver in our lag bolt tests.
The Kobalt XTR Max 24V was the undisputed champion here. When we timed the Kobalt driving and removing the lag bolt, it easily destroyed the competition with a time of 13 seconds: 10 seconds to tighten the bolt and only 3 seconds to remove it. It's worth mentioning that the Milwuakee M18 Fuel lagged behind only two seconds with a time of 15 seconds, and the DeWalt Atomic DCF850 with a total time of 17 seconds. Nothing else came even close to these numbers.
The chart below illustrates the cumulative speed scores for each tool, taking into account each speed test we carried out with the lag bolts and ledger screws.
The Kobalt XTR and Milwaukee M18 Fuel had almost perfect scores in our speed testing. The Makita XDT13, DeWalt MAX XR, and DeWalt Atomic DCF850 also performed very well without any serious concerns.
Torque (or twisting force) is a critical differentiator that sets impact drivers apart from your standard drill. An impact driver's motor is designed to allow quick rotational bursts of force that deliver an extra boost of tightening power. The amount of torque that each model offers can be the difference between whether the tool can handle the job or not.
To test torque, we welded several ¾" bolts to an I-beam that would be nearly impossible to shear off with an impact driver. In our first test, we tightened nuts onto each bolt using a torque wrench to determine the number of foot-pounds of pressure each driver could loosen. For our second torque test, we used each model to tighten the nuts for five seconds and then used the wrench to determine the torque each driver delivered.
The torque wrench we used for testing maxes out at 300 foot-pounds of force, so we determined that drivers that could both reach and break a minimum of 300 foot-pounds should earn a perfect score for the metric. Below is our chart illustrating how each impact driver performed in our fastening portion of the torque evaluation.
In our fastening test, the Kobalt XTR Max 24V, Milwaukee M18 Fuel, and DeWalt Atomic DCF850 were able to achieve the highest fastening standard we measured for (300 foot-pounds). The Makita XDT13 performed just behind this group, reaching an average of 282 foot-pounds. Of the hydraulic drive models, the Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V showed the most impressive results. This model was able to fasten nuts to an average of 255 ft-lbs. The 12V models showed the least torque capability here, with the Milwaukee M12 Fuel -20 fastening at an average of 143 foot-pounds and the DeWalt DCF815S2 12V averaging 110 foot-pounds of torque.
After using the torque wrench to tighten the nuts down to 300 foot-pounds, we then tested each impact driver to see how well they could loosen the nuts. The results of this test are charted below.
With the exception of a few products, most of these power tools could break 300 foot-pounds of pressure. The Makita XDT13 achieved this immediately, which was quite impressive. The next best tools accomplished this task in around 2 seconds, including the Kobalt XTR MAX, DeWalt MAX XR, Milwaukee M18 Fuel , and DeWalt Atomic DCF850. The Porter-Cable also broke 300 foot-pounds, but it took nearly ten seconds to get there.
Our torque metric comprises 25% of each driver's overall test score. The drivers that could reach and break the minimum 300 foot-pounds of force earned a perfect score in this metric. The chart below shows the total score for our torque tests.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel , Kobalt XTR Max 24V, and DeWalt Atomic DCF850 logged perfect scores in this metric. And though the Makita XDT13 could only reach a torque of 285 foot-pounds while tightening, it was so much quicker than any other tool we tested at breaking 300 foot-pounds that we opted to award it a perfect score, too.
The Makita XST01Z was able to loosen nuts tightened to 300 ft-lbs after holding the trigger for about five seconds. However, our team chose to dock the XST01Z a point for this metric because this model's ability to display its highest level of performance was largely inconsistent.
Convenience is an important element of impact driver efficiency. Therefore, we dedicated 20% of the total score to this metric. To reach a numeric value for convenience, we examined the subtle differences between each model, including the bit holders, the quality and performance of the LED lights, the functionality of the quick connect hex head collet and any other additional features.
Convenience FactorsThe compact Milwuakee M18 Fuel, measuring only 114 mm, scored the highest in our convenience assessment. It features four different fastening modes, three with varying RPMs and a fourth specifically designed for driving self-tapping screws into sheet metal. It also includes a great performing light, a quick insert bit collet, and a belt clip.
The DeWalt Atomic DCF850 also has great convenience features, sporting an effective light and three fastening modes, though it weighs a bit more than the Milwaukee. The DeWalt MAX XR features great LED lights, and we also love that it has a short length of 126 mm, making it easy to use in tighter spaces.
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel, Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic, Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V, and the DeWalt MAX XR are equipped with switches to select different RPM settings.
In addition to different RPM settings, the Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V has a button for turning the light off when it is not needed — allowing it to save battery and minimize wear on the light.
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel is lightweight and small in size, and we appreciate these attributes of this model. It's about as compact and light as they come, ideal for folks without much storage stage or for pros hoping to carry a lighter load in their tool kit. In addition, its small size makes the M12 Fuel great for driving into weird angles and harder-to-reach places.
Although the Kobalt XTR Max 24V is not the longest model in our review, at 139mm, it is longer than most. This comes as no surprise considering that it is also one of the fastest and most powerful impact drivers we've ever gotten our hands on. The XTR has three different speeds and an “Assist” mode, which gradually increases RPMs in order to reduce cross-threading and cam-out.
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We love that the Makita XDT13 is so short — from front to back, it's only 126 mm. Regrettably, this driver is devoid of RPM setting controls.
The convenience can often depend on what type of project you're working on, but if you use your driver frequently on a variety of different projects, you'll want something versatile. See the chart below to find which drivers offer the greatest convenience.
To wear out the impact drivers, we alternated between sets of sinking 14 ledger screws and then driving and removing a ½" x 3" lag bolt (for a count of 16 screws per set), repeating this process until each battery died. Some of the drivers showed remarkable battery life. Others, not so much. We used a mathematical formula to score every other driver in between, using the data gathered in our ledger screw and lag bolt battery exhaustion test described above.
In our battery tests, the Kobalt XTR Max 24V left the rest of the field in the dust. This model completed over seven rounds of our ledger screw and lag bolt gauntlet, effectively 110 screws and bots, before finally running out of juice.
Coming in second place for this portion of our side-by-side analysis was the Makita XDT13, which drove around 75 screws and bolts before the battery died. The DeWalt MAX XR closely followed with a total of almost 60 screws and bolts.
The hydraulic drive models we tested, the Makita Oil Impulse and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge Hydraulic, earned scores near the middle of the pack for this assessment, with 52 and 57 screws and bolts, respectively.
The otherwise impressive Milwaukee M18 Fuel and DeWalt Atomic DCF850 also delivered middle-of-the-pack battery performance, driving up to a total of 54 and 51 screws and bolts.
Because a short battery life can be extremely inconvenient and annoying when you're fully committed to a project, we decided that this metric should account for 15% of the total score. The chart below details how many screws and bolts were driven before each battery was worn out completely.
As far as noise goes, impact drivers are just, well, loud. Period. Nevertheless, we decided to run some experiments and include the results in our overall assessment of these tools. We used an SPL meter to measure each model's average decibel level while in operation.
Unfortunately, nearly every impact driver failed this metric because they all emit absurd amounts of noise. Below, we've charted the measured decibels for each driver while in use.
The DeWalt Atomic DCF809B, Dewalt Atomic DCF850, and Milwaukee M18 Fuel were the “quietest” drivers, emitting 92 decibels while in use, earning the best, albeit average scores for noise. Considering its incredible speed and power, we think that the sound produced by the Kobalt XTR Max 24V (96 decibels) is worth the effectiveness of the driver itself.
The supposed primary benefit of purchasing a hydraulic drive model over a traditional percussive impact driver is that the former is known to be much quieter. Unfortunately, the data in our testing proved otherwise. The Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V produced an average of 100 decibels, and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic jacked the SPL meter to a painful 102 decibels during our noise assessment, making them two of the loudest models we've ever tested. Current technology has not yet found a way around the loudness of this particular type of tool.
The chart above shows our noise scores based on our decibel tests. This test only accounts for 5% of each driver's total score. Since these products are just inherently loud no matter what, no driver earned a better score than 5 out of 10 here.
We've put together a list of important buying considerations, including size, budget, and features, to help find the correct impact driver for your next project, big or small.
Impact drivers typically range in voltage size from 12V up to 24V. Deciding on the correct voltage depends on how demanding your work is. A 12V driver is more compact and easier to use for a wide range of tasks, while a 20-plus volt driver is most appropriate for heavy-duty applications. 18V lives somewhere in the middle and serves the majority of people's driver needs.
You'll want to choose a driver with an adequate amount of torque for the jobs you're doing. For more intensive tasks such as heavy-duty carpentry, more powerful drivers with lots of torque will be the right choice. For smaller jobs like furniture installation and shelving projects, less expensive options exist that can still help speed up processes. Consider the typical size and intensity of your projects as a way to choose an impact driver that is both usable and effective.
For folks who already have a stable of tools, buying from the same brand helps with convenience and battery compatibility. On the other hand it's a good idea to consider options that fit your needs best, regardless of brand. If the right driver aligns with your preferred manufacturer, that's great, but otherwise, it's best to consider options that will serve you best regardless of the name.
Finding an impact driver with adequate battery life can mean the difference between finishing a job on time or not. For folks who use their driver at the job site and take it on the go, having a long-lasting battery and a spare handy is incredibly important. For those using a driver for home projects with easy access to charging, battery life may be less crucial to finishing a project. Consider how often you are away from charging access when using your driver, and consider if a faster charge time is relevant to your personal tasks and projects.
We hope our review has provided you with the in-depth information you need to make an informed decision in choosing the right impact driver for your needs and applications.
With the ever-evolving quality and technology of the newest tools, choosing the right model for the job can often be daunting and confusing. Our team has done the groundwork to take the headache out of the process of tool shopping for you, comparing top circular saws as well as our favorite cordless circular saws.Impact drivers are extremely useful tools for any DIYer or tradesperson who needs to drive lots of fasteners into tough materials quickly. But there are different types available, all with various features, so it can be hard to know which impact driver you need.
This comprehensive impact driver buying guide will help you decide. It explains what an impact driver is, how it works and what it does. It covers the types of impact drivers and their uses. And it explains the different features, power ratings and battery technology. Finally, it highlights some key things to consider when buying an impact driver and answers some frequently asked questions.
View our range of impact drivers here.
An impact driver is a power tool used for driving fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts into materials. And although it looks like a drill, it's not designed to drill holes. An impact driver outputs higher torque levels than a drill, making it more efficient for quickly driving long, wide and large screws into tough materials. As a result, it significantly reduces your work time when large volumes of fasteners need to be secured. It's also useful for loosening fasteners that have become stuck without damaging the head.
How does an impact driver work?
An impact driver works by using rotational force combined with bursts of impact and high torque levels to drive-in fasteners. The rotation works in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back pattern, and the bursts of impact happen up to 50 times per second when the driver encounters resistance. This function makes an impact driver significantly more effective at driving in fasteners than drills.
When choosing an impact driver, there are several factors to consider.
The most important questions are, what type of fastener do you need to drive, and what kind of material will you be driving the fasteners into? Because every type of impact driver has different uses, these things will influence which one you buy and how much power, rotational force and torque you need. Generally, the bigger the task and the harder the material, the more power, force and torque you'll need.
Another thing to consider is how often you'll use it. For example, if it's for infrequent DIY use, you probably won't need as much power as a tradesperson who will use the tool frequently. Your budget is also something to consider.
Impact driver vs drill
The most obvious difference between an impact driver and drill is that an impact driver is designed to drive fasteners, while the drill is designed to bore holes. However, some drills also have a screwdriver function.
There are some pros to having a combined drill and driver. You get two tools in one, which saves on costs, and it’s more convenient than constantly swapping between tools. But there are also cons. Drills don’t have enough torque to reliably drive fasteners through hard materials. They drive fasteners slowly compared to an impact driver. And they rotate much faster, which means you have less control, and screw heads tend to get damaged.
There are a few other drills and impact driver types that often get confused:
An impact driver's primary use is to drive fasteners into materials. Therefore, they are best used for jobs involving many wood screws, repetitive and long tasks and working on tough materials.
They can also be used for loosening and unscrewing screws and are particularly effective at removing screws that have become too wedged to move by any other method.
There are some jobs that an impact driver isn’t suitable for. For example, they’re not good for precision work, where the location and size of the hole are important. They don’t work well with very short screws or soft materials like softwood. And they aren’t suitable for drilling holes.
There are three types of battery technology used in cordless impact drivers:
NiCad batteries are the cheapest type. They have a good lifespan, but only if the battery is maintained correctly (i.e., keeping the battery at 70% or above and fully discharging it once a month). If the battery isn't looked after, its memory is severely affected, and its lifespan decreases. NiCad batteries are also heavier than other battery types, and they drain faster.
NiMH batteries are more expensive than NiCad, but they have a bigger charge capacity (often 2 or 3 times greater). On the downside, they also need to be correctly maintained like NiCad batteries, and they have a fast self-discharge rate. And if they are left fully discharged for long periods, they deteriorate rapidly, and their lifespan shortens significantly.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular battery used in impact drivers. They can be charged at any time without affecting their memory. There's no self-discharge, so they're always ready to use. They can charge from empty to full power within 60 minutes and hold more power for longer than other battery types. In addition, they're lightweight and better for the environment.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Cordless Impact Wrench.