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During our quest to find the best impact drivers, we bought and tested the 11 most promising models on the market to put in a head-to-head, hands-on, battery-powered tool showdown. All the top products today are cordless models, making them easy to use, but they are also powerful, which is the main reason to upgrade from a drill. We carefully measured, weighed, and timed dozens of performance test metrics on these products, but we also looked 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 beat the heck out of them by effectively maxing out their torque capabilities. We also review top drills.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on September 17, 2024, to expand upon and better explain the data from our battery life test metric. We also removed a discontinued Makita model from our lineup.
The Kobalt XTR Max 24V is our hands-down favorite for heavy-duty tasks. During our head-to-head speed tests, this model outperformed every other impact driver that we've seen. The XTR showed a ridiculous amount of torque, maxing out our torque wrench for both fastening and loosening large nuts. We 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. When we added the XTR to our review, we had to rewrite the battery scores for every other model because this version's battery outlasts all of them by such a long shot.
The XTR is not completely flawless. Its light is relatively dim and doesn't do the best job of illuminating a dark work area. A low-quality light can become problematic when working in poorly lit areas like crawlspaces or attics. For most folks, this issue may not be a deal breaker (if it is, check out the DeWalt DCF809B Atomic, which has one of our favorite lights of the test group, although it lags behind the Kobalt XTR in important metrics like speed, torque, and battery life). 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 This technology is a little outdated — most newer drivers allow for one-handed insertion of bits.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.
For a first-class impact driver, look no further than the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20. In our speed trials, it surpassed almost all of the competition, only slightly lagging behind one other driver — the Kobalt XTR Max 24V — in our lag bolt test. In our torque tests, the M18 had no trouble breaking and fastening nuts up to 300 ft-lbs of pressure. Due to this tool's compact size, it can easily access small places. The M18 Fuel has four RPM settings — three different speeds and one specific setting for finish work.
Our primary complaint with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel is the battery life just doesn't live up to some of the other contenders. If long battery life is a key factor in your decision-making, consider upgrading to a larger Milwaukee battery or opt for a model with longer battery life, like the Kobalt XTR Max 24V, which featured the longest-lasting battery in our tests. Lastly, we should mention that the M18 Fuel is quite noisy. While most impact drivers make a bit of a ruckus, this driver is surprisingly offensive.
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. Not only is it compact, but it's also lightweight, easy to use, and comfortable to hold. 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.
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 2853-20.
The M12 FUEL is one of the fastest 12-volt models that we've tested.
Credit: Laura Casner
Compare Products
We extensively tested to compare the performance of the top Impact Drivers and score each one on five key performance metrics.
Credit: Laura Casner
How We Test Impact Drivers
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 11 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)
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. Review Editor Matt Spencer, the newest addition to the power tool testing team, is currently studying engineering and has impressed the crew with his ability to uncover the subtle nuances that set great products apart from those that fall short.
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 went through buckets of fasteners in order to put these tools to the true test.
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.
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.
The right driver depends on its intended use.
Credit: Jason Peters
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. The Kobalt knocked 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.
The Makita XDT13 drove ledger screws quickly and easily.
Credit: Laura Casner
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 results from that test are shown below.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853 knocked it out of the park with a 2-second drive time with the ledger screws into the lumber, followed closely by the Kobalt XTR, DeWalt MAX, and Makita XDT13, which also earned sub-three-second time here. The DeWalt DCF815S2 took the longest, at a full 9 seconds.
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.
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, Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853, and the Makita XDT13 came out on top when we averaged out the speed scores. The DeWalt MAX XR also had a great showing. Unfortunately, the other DeWalt we tested, DCF815S2, fell to the very bottom of the pack here.
The M18 Fuel 2853-20 had some of the best speed performance of any model in our tests.
Credit: Laura Casner
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 and Milwaukee M18 Fuel 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 did the least well 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 could achieve this task in around 2 seconds, including the Kobalt XTR MAX, DeWalt MAX XR, and Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20. The Porter-Cable also broke 300 foot-pounds, but it took nearly ten seconds to get there.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2853-20 maxed out our torque tests.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20 and Milwaukee M18 2760 could only break a maximum of 275 foot-pounds, and the Black+Decker only broke 220 foot-pounds. The DeWalt had the poorest showing in this test, only able to break 100 foot-pounds of pressure.
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 2853-20 and Kobalt XTR Max 24V were superstars in this metric. And though the Makita XDT13 could only reach a torque of 285 ft-lbs while tightening, it was so much quicker than any other tool we tested at breaking 300 ft-lbs 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.
The 12V DeWalt DCF815S2 was the weakest performer in our torque tests, only able to achieve 110 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 100 foot-pounds of breaking torque.
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.
The top performer in the convenience department was the Milwaukee M18 Fuel. This model offers a quick-release chuck, a belt hook, and a bit holder. Additionally, it has four RPM settings, and we found the button to be easy to press and in a great location. One of our favorite aspects of this model is its size — only 116mm.
We appreciated the thoughtful placement of the button that changes speeds on the M18 FUEL.
Credit: Laura Casner
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.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge controls are located at the bottom front of the driver's handle.
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 DeWalt MAX XR features great LED lights and we also love that it has a short total length, which makes it easy to use in tighter spaces.
The DeWalt MAX has a very effective light pattern.
Credit: Laura Casner
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 then an “ASSIST” mode which gradually increases RPMs in order to reduce cross-threading and cam-out.
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
We love that the Makita XDT13 is so short — from front to back, it's only 126mm. Regrettably, this driver is devoid of RPM setting controls.
The tiny size of the Milwaukee M12 FUEL helps it squeeze into tight places.
Credit: Jason Peters
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 was effectively dead. Some of the drivers showed remarkable battery life. Others, not so much. The chart below details how many screws were driven before each battery was worn out completely.
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 117 screws, before finally running out of juice.
We drove screw after screw until the batteries were completely drained.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Coming in second place for this portion of our side-by-side analysis was the Makita XDT13, which drove 78 screws before the battery died.
We were impressed with the overall battery life of the Makita XDT13.
Credit: Laura Casner
The hydraulic drive models we tested, the Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V and the Milwaukee M18 2760 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic, earned scores near the middle of the pack for this assessment, with 55 and 60 screws, respectively. The poorest showing in our battery assessment was the 12-volt DeWalt DCF815S2, which only completed driving 14 of the ledger screws and one lag bolt, but its battery died during the process of removing the lag bolt.
We sunk hundreds of ledger screws to wear each impact driver out.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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 scores for each impact driver are charted below.
We gave a perfect score to the driver with the longest-lasting battery in our test, the Kobalt XTR Max 24V. The lowest score was given to the model with the shortest battery life, the DeWalt DCF815S2 12V. 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.
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.
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 DCF809B Atomic was the “quietest” driver, emitting 92 decibels while in use, earning an average score for noise. Considering its incredible speed and power, we think that the loud noise produced by the Kobalt XTR Max 24V isn't that bad.
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.
Choosing the right impact driver starts with considering the size and intensity of your projects.
Credit: Laura Casner
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 and 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 shopping for you, comparing the circular saws as well as our favorite cordless circular saws.
—Ross Patton, David Wise, Matt Spencer, and Austin Palmer
