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In need of an impact driver to fasten large screws, bolts, and hardware? The right impact driver can be essential for tackling larger projects and more intensive jobs. If you are working with tougher materials, looking to reduce hand strain, or just want to avoid stripping screws, using an impact driver can make a tough job a whole lot easier.
Since 2019, we've bought and tested over 18 different impact drivers. We put 12 of the most promising cordless models on the market to a head-to-head, hands-on, battery-powered tool showdown. We carefully measured, weighed, and timed dozens of performance test metrics on these products while also looking for tiny details such as the usability of the bit holder as well as the pattern and effectiveness of the target lights. We judged the comfort and ergonomics of each driver and pushed them to their limits by maxing out their torque capabilities.
We found the best overall driver to be the Kobalt XTR Max 24V. Its powerful torque, high battery efficiency, and variety of speed settings make it our go-to choice for the largest, most demanding tasks.
Our testers' other favorite is a 12-volt model, the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20. Its compact and easy-to-use operation makes it a standout option for folks seeking a smaller impact driver.
Editor's Note: We updated this impact driver review on May 2, 2025, to test two new drivers — the DeWalt Atomic DCF850 and Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953.
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.
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 2953, 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.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 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 2953 improved upon the previous version, the 2853. “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 2953 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.
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 2953.
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.
The budget-friendly Black+Decker lacks the performance of some of our top-scoring impact drivers but still gets the job done in most cases.
Credit: GearLab Staff
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In our lab facility, we put each impact driver through a gauntlet of trials, including speed, torque, convenience, battery, and noise testing, pushing their limits, recording their capabilities.
Credit: Austin Palmer
How We Tested
Here at GearLab, we strive to offer our readers the most accurate and thorough reviews possible. We purchase all of the products we test at full price, and we never accept any demos or freebies from manufacturers. After putting these drivers through 144 individual tests in our lab, we spent dozens of hours working on projects ranging from changing furnace air filters, fastening TV mounts, and assisting with custom furniture construction. To make the most accurate assessments concerning which impact drivers are truly the best for which applications, we examined the subtleties of each one's design and how they work, then found out which features are gimmicks versus must-haves. The detailed results of this review represent 12 of the best impact drivers available on the market today. Our in-depth testing process of impact drivers breaks down into five rating metrics:
Speed (35% of overall score weighting)
Torque (25% weighting)
Convenience (20% weighting)
Battery (15% weighting)
Noise (5% weighting)
We've driven hundreds of ledger screws and nuts over the years to figure out which drivers will be the most effective for your project.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Why Trust GearLab
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.
Lots of bolts and the old trusty stopwatch are a few of the tools we used to assess impact drivers.
The Makita XST01Z showed great results during our torque assessment, but only some of the time.
We drilled hundreds of ledger screws.
Analysis and Test Results
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.
What's the Best Value?
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.
Selecting the right driver depends on its intended use.
Credit: Jason Peters
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.
Speed
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.
We designed several repeatable tests in order to be able to gather heaps of objective data for product comparison. Time and time again, the Kobalt continues to knock it out of the park in our speed tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The Makita XDT13 drove ledger screws quickly and easily.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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.
We drove hundreds of screws in order to time each model's fastening rate.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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 Milwaukee is also an incredibly fast driver, removing lag bolts in a mere four seconds.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Overall Speed
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 2953 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.
The Milwuakee M18 Fuel broke 300 foot pounds in our torque testing, making it one of the best in our lineup in this test.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Torque
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.
We welded 3/4" bolts to an I-beam in order to measure each driver's torque.
Credit: Laura Casner
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 2553-20 fastening at an average of 143 foot-pounds and the DeWalt DCF815S2 12V averaging 110 foot-pounds of torque.
We tightened down the nuts using a 300 ft-lb torque wrench to determine each driver's torque strength.
Credit: Laura Casner
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 2953, and DeWalt Atomic DCF850. The Porter-Cable also broke 300 foot-pounds, but it took nearly ten seconds to get there.
Our torque test was too difficult for many impact drivers to complete, though the DeWalt Atomic DCF850 made it all the way through with little issue.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Overall Torque
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 2953, 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 Kobalt XTR easily reached 300 foot-pounds of fastening force.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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
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 Factors
Front to Back Length
Quick insert
Bit holder
Light Location
Black+Decker 20V
168 mm
No
Yes
Above trigger
DeWalt DCF809B Atomic
130 mm
Yes
No
Around chuck
DeWalt 12V
159 mm
Yes
No
Around chuck
DeWalt MAX XR
136 mm
Yes
No
Around chuck
Makita XDT13
126 mm
Yes
No
Above trigger
Milwaukee M12 Fuel
132 mm
Yes
No
Above trigger
Porter-Cable
147 mm
Yes
Yes
Above battery
Kobalt XTR Max
139 mm
No
No
Above battery
Makita Oil Impulse
136 mm
Yes
No
Above trigger
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge Hydraulic
127 mm
Yes
Yes
Above trigger
DeWalt Atomic DCF850
100 mm
Yes
No
Around chuck
Milwaukee M18 Fuel
114 mm
Yes
No
Around chuck
The 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 selectable drive mode on the Milwaukee is conveniently placed.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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 DeWalt Atomic DCF850 (left) and Milwaukee M18 Fuel (right) lights did a great job illuminating our workspace.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel, Milwaukee M18 2760 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.
The Milwaukee M12 FUEL has 4 RPM settings.
Having the ability to select the appropriate RPM on an impact driver can drastically improve its performance of some jobs.
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 Makita XCT01Z has its RPM controller and a light switch at the handle's bottom.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The control button on the XTR Max is located at the base of the handle, but the battery level indicator is on the battery itself.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
We love the compact size of the Makita XDT13.
Credit: Laura Casner
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.
Overall Convience
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.
Battery
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.
The Kobalt is leagues ahead when it comes to battery efficiency.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
We were impressed with the overall battery life of the Makita XDT13.
Credit: Laura Casner
The hydraulic drive models we tested, the Makita Oil Impulse and the Milwaukee M18 2760 Fuel Surge Hydraulic, earned scores near the middle of the pack for this assessment, with 52 and 57 screws and bolts, respectively.
We sunk hundreds of ledger screws to wear each impact driver out.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
The DeWalt Atomic offers strong torque and speed performance but was lacking when it came to battery efficiency.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Overall Battery
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.
Battery Test
Product
Ledger Screws
Lag Bolts
Kobalt XTR Max
103
7
Makita XDT13
70
4.7
DeWalt MAX XR
56
3.25
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge Hydraulic
54
3
Milwaukee M18 Fuel
51
3
Makita Oil Impulse
49
3
DeWalt Atomic DCF850
48
3
Porter-Cable
46.5
3
DeWalt DCF809B Atomic
42
2
Milwaukee M12 Fuel
40
2
Black+Decker 20V
28
1.5
DeWalt 12V
14
0.75
Noise
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.
We always suggest you consult the manufacturer's instructions and wear the recommended PPE regardless of what our results show. OSHA has some great information concerning various sound pressure levels and the amount of exposure a person can be subjected to before causing damage to their hearing. See our reviews of safety glasses and top-rated earplugs for our picks.
Every single impact driver we tested produced a potentially danger level of noise, and we recommend using ear protection anytime you use one.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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 hydraulic drive models are fabled to be easier on the ears -- sadly, our tests showed this to be untrue.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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 2760 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.
There's no way around it, impact drivers are loud.
Credit: Laura Casner
How to Pick an Impact Driver
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.
What Voltage is Best?
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.
For tight spaces and hard-to-reach spots, a smaller driver may work best.
Credit: Jason Peters
How Intensive Are Your Projects?
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.
When choosing an impact driver, make sure you know the relative size and intensity of your projects to make the right deicision.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Does Brand Matter?
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.
How Important is Battery Life?
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.
Conclusion
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.
—Ross Patton, David Wise, Austin Palmer, and Kolby Anderson
