What is the best cordless impact driver? Since the matter concerns a cordless device, it is important to pick a model with a long-lasting battery as charging takes pretty much time. The higher the amp-hours (Ah), the longer the battery will run. The best option is a lithium-ion battery as it charges faster and delivers more power. Besides, Li-ion batteries are more lightweight, something that reduces the overall weight of the unit. The second thing to consider is the number of revolutions per minute (RPMs) as the number of turns directly impacts the speed of the tool. When choosing between a brush motor and a brushless one, we recommend opting for the latter. Brushless motors have enhanced workload efficiency and reduced electromagnetic loss. We believe that the Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-Speed Impact Driver meets these criteria best.
Why have we chosen it? Makita is a California-based trustworthy brand known for its high-performance cordless tools. Founded in 1915, today, Makita is a global brand present in more than 40 countries. The company has an extensive distribution network throughout the U.S. and accessible service centers. This Makita cordless impact driver is equipped with a brushless motor that delivers up to 3,600 RPMs and 1,600 in-lb of max torque. Depending on the project, you can choose between 4 different speeds ranging from 0-1,100 to 0-3,800 IPM. The tool also features an ergonomic design, built-in LED lights, and a conveniently-located one-touch power selector button allowing you to change speeds with one hand.
Cordless impact drivers are high-powered, battery-operated routers and nut, screw, and bolt fasteners. They are more compact, lighter weight, and powerful than cordless drills. Their drivetrains are made to disengage when maximum torque is reached to prevent stripping, breaking or damaging the fastener, bit or hard material. Their batteries are rechargeable and most come with their own battery charging station.
CONTENT
- 1 Cordless Impact Driver Basics
- 2 What to Consider When Buying a Cordless Impact Driver
- 3 Trusted Brands of Impact Drivers
- 4 Cordless Impact Driver Reviews
- 5 10 Best Cordless Impact Drivers Comparison Table
- 6 FAQ
Cordless Impact Driver Basics
Impact drivers are designed to withstand stresses and prevent snapping or stripping the fastener, or driving it completely through the material. They deliver more power to the drill bit than standard power drills. They make boring long screws into hard and thick materials quicker, cleaner and easier. Impact drill bits themselves are fabricated from resilient metals that are made to withstand impact wear. Adapters are available that allow you to change to different sized bits or use non-standard ones.
Even though cordless impact drivers are generally quieter than standard power drills, they are loud due to the considerable force that’s applied to the bit to drive the screw or lug. But, the impact driver's speed and variety of dense surfaces it can be used on compensates for its noise. Most impact drivers only have one speed. Higher-end cordless impact drivers, however, offer multiple speeds. Slower speeds minimize the risk of damaging softer materials.
What to Consider When Buying a Cordless Impact Driver
The battery
Most all cordless tools today run on lithium-ion, rather than nickel, batteries. Lithium-ion batteries charge faster and deliver more power for a longer period of time. They weigh less, which makes the impact driver weigh lighter and easier to operate.
The size of the battery (measured in amp hours (Ah)) indicates how long it will perform. The higher the amp hours, the longer the battery will successfully run the impact driver.
The battery's voltage is an indication of its performance potential. Most batteries are 12V or 18V. A high battery voltage allows you to run a heavier tool capable of driving larger screws or tightening bigger lugs.
Clutch
The impact driver's clutch controls the amount of applied torque so the fastener is not damaged during the process. High-end cordless impact drivers typically have an electronic / adjustable slip clutch that automatically reduces the torque when extreme resistance is detected.
Motor (Brush v. Brushless)
Electric motors typically have carbon brushes that transmit current to copper wire coils that cause the armature to spin between (stationary) magnets. Brushless motors, on the other hand, use an outer electromagnet and its internal circuit replaces the carbon brushes that transmit the current to the inner magnet. Electromagnetic loss is reduced and motor workload efficiency is increased. A brushless motor may increase the initial cost of the tool, but overheating prevention that shortens the life of the tool and features, such as multiple speed options, offset the cost.
Power / Torque
An impact driver's torque is the actual rotational force applied to sink / install the fastener. Uniform torque improves efficiency and allows faster completion of tasks. Multiple speed settings allow greater torque control. Slower speeds help reduce the risk of snapping or stripping the fastener or damaging the material. Internal circuitry that redirects torque directly to the fastener also reduces kickback.
Speed (RPM)
RPMs indicate how fast the impact driver turns. The faster it rotates, the more force there is to the bit, making installation go smoother and faster. Faster cordless impact drill RPMs prevent overheating during repeated heavy use as well as protect the drill bit.
Trusted Brands of Impact Drivers
DEWALT cordless impact drivers. It is a well-known, trusted USA-made brand that offers durable, quality impact drivers.
Milwaukee cordless impact drivers. This brand offers durable compact impact drivers that are popular with electricians and HVAC contractors.
Makita cordless impact drivers. The company created the 18V lithium-Ion cordless tool category (2005) and offers a wide variety of cordless tools and power tools today.
Ryobi cordless impact drivers. The company primarily sells through Home Depot and the Internet (in USA and Canada). They purchased a Sears Craftsman supplier (1988) and continue to supply power tools to Sears.
Metabo HPT cordless impact drivers are formerly Hitachi Power Tools. “Same Tools New Name”.
Ridgid cordless impact drivers. This brand is a 90+ yr. old USA hand tools manufacturer. It sells power tools primarily made by Techtronic Industries.
Craftsman cordless impact drivers. The company has been a recognized, long-standing Made in USA tool brand. They have offered reliable, high-performance tools for nearly a century.
Hitachi cordless impact drivers are reliable tools for professionals as well as DIYers.
Cordless Impact Driver Reviews
Below, you will find a review of the five best cordless impact drivers at a price ranging from $ 120 to $ 180. You may choose a model with a powerful brushless motor or an ultra-compact and lightweight option that will perfectly fit into tight spaces. Most of these tools have variable speed, fatigue-reducing ergonomic design and built-in LED lights.
1. Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Impact Driver | Best 4-Speed
The compact Makita XDT16Z is a lightweight cordless impact driver that offers the world’s largest 18V LXT cordless tool system and batteries with 50x more life and the fastest charging times. 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries power the XDT16Z ’s 3,600 max. rpm, 3,800 ipm, BI brushless motor that produces 1,600 in.-lb. of maximum torque. Makita's Star Protection Computer Controls monitor use conditions so overloading, overheating or over-discharging do not occur. Makita's exclusive Quick-Shift mode balances speed and torque for each task. Its “t-mode” decreases rotation and speed to minimize fastener stripping and snapping and material damage.
The XDT16Z cordless impact driver also features fatigue-reducing ergonomic design, built-in LED lights, conveniently-located one-touch 4-speed power selector button for one-handed speed changes, reverse rotation auto-stop mode to help prevent over-loosening fasteners and low-speed assist mode to help eliminate cross threading.
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Makita XDT16Z: Check the current price
2. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit, 2-Tool (DCK240C2) | Best Compact
The DEWALT DCK240C2 is a compact, lightweight 20V MAX Lithium-Ion cordless drill kit that includes a drill / driver (DCD771), a ¼-inch impact driver (DCF885), bag and accessories. Both DEWALT 20V MAX system tools are compatible with all 20V MAX batteries, chargers and accessories. The DEWALT 20V MAX Lithium-Ion System is DEWALT's fastest growing tool system and includes 180+ products.
The dual-speed, high-performance DCD771 delivers 300-unit watts out (UWO) of power at 0-450 rpm and 1,500 rpm. The cordless drill / driver and impact driver each feature a fatigue-reducing ergonomic handle and ratcheting chuck to ensure a tight bit grip. The DCF885 impact driver also features a built-in 3-LED light w / 20 sec. trigger-release shutoff delay and convenient one-handed loading 1/4 "hex chuck that accepts 1-in. bits. A belt hook aids worksite portability.
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DEWALT: Check the current price
3. Makita TD022DSE 7.2V Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 "Hex Impact Driver Kit | Best Ergonomic
The Makita TD022DSE is an ultra-compact, lightweight (1.2 lbs.), 7.2V-12V Lithium-Ion cordless impact driver that offers a wide range of applications fitting into the tightest of workspaces. This two-setting, variable-speed impact driver's 12V Lithium-Ion battery-powered motor runs at 0-2, 450 rpm and 3.000 ipm and produces 220 in.-lb. of maximum torque.
This cordless impact driver model also features an ergonomic soft-grip handle and forward / reverse switch for more convenient speed control. It operates in either straight or pistol grip position, has a built-in LED light and lock-off switch / electric brake for optimal productivity. The ¼ in. hex chuck securely grips the bit and aids quick bit changes. The TD022DSE can also be used as a manual screwdriver.
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Makita TD022DSE: Check the current price
4. Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Impact Driver, Black Design (WH18DBFL2QB) | Best Brushless Motor
Metabo HPT is formerly Hitachi. The WH18DBFL2QB is part of the new line of “black tools”. It's a lightweight (2.9 lbs.) Cordless impact driver that offers the same fade free power and torque as its green counterpart. An 18V Lithium-Ion battery powers this 3,100 rpm, 3,400 bpm, brushless motor that produces 1,522 in.-lb. of maximum torque.
This brushless model also features center balance design and fatigue-reducing ergonomic grip. It also includes a bright LED work light, variable-speed trigger for complete control and an on-tool battery indicator. A keyless ¼ in. hex drive securely grips the bit and aids fast and easy bit replacements.
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Metabo HPT: Check the current price
5. Bosch CLPK27-120 12V Max 2-Tool Combo Kit (Drill / Driver and Impact Driver) with 2 Batteries | Best for the Money
The Bosch CLPK27-120 is a 12V MAX Lithium-Ion cordless drill kit that includes one each, compact, lightweight, well-balanced, next gen PS21 pocket driver and PS41 impact driver that capably performs 80% of standard sized professional impact driver applications. Both tools boast the shortest head height and length in their class.
The dual-speed 12V PS21 pocket driver delivers power at 0-350 rpm and 0-1,300 rpm (with 20 clutch settings) and 265 in.-lbs. of maximum torque. The 12V PS41 impact driver delivers power at 0-2,600 rpm with 930 in.-lbs. of maximum torque and 3,100 no-load bpm, and a built-in LED light ring. Both tools have variable speed triggers for optimal speed control, one-hand, quick release, easy bit change and ergonomic soft handles and side bumpers to prevent hand slipping.
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Bosch: Check the current price
10 Best Cordless Impact Drivers Comparison Table
1
Makita
Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver, Tool Only
2
DEWALT
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Combo Kit, 2-Tool (DCK240C2)
3
Makita
Makita TD022DSE 7.2V Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 "Hex Impact Driver Kit
4
Metabo HPT
Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Impact Driver, Black Design (WH18DBFL2QB)
5
Bosch
Bosch CLPK27-120 12V Max 2-Tool Combo Kit (Drill / Driver and Impact Driver) with 2 Batteries, Charger and Case
6
DEWALT
DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit, 1/4-Inch (DCF885C1)
7
Makita
Makita XDT131 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Impact Driver Kit (3.0Ah)
8
DEWALT
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Driver Kit, Brushless, 3-Speed, 1/4-Inch, Tool Only (DCF887B)
9
DEWALT
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Impact Wrench Kit with Detent Pin Anvil, 1/2-Inch, Tool Only (DCF894B)
10
Makita
Makita XDT11R 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit
FAQ
What's the difference between a cordless drill and a cordless impact driver?
A cordless drill is a “general purpose” tool. A cordless impact driver is specifically intended to drive threaded fasteners. It may be used for household or automotive repairs. It costs more and only uses hex-style bits. It is more compact and has more force and torque to drive larger fasteners more efficiently into dense material with less risk of stripping or snapping them.
What do you consider to be the best cordless impact driver?
Our choice is a DEWALT or Makita brand cordless impact driver.
