Best 10 Impact Drivers
As Of July 2022
We did the
Best Impact Driver Overall
- Use your cordless drill anywhere you need to without searching for sockets
- Perfect for home touch-ups no matter the weather
- Won’t strain your hand as it’s lightweight so that you can hold it for long
- Storage won’t be an issue since it’s compact
Top Pick for Tool Bag
- Handy as it can fasten different bolts & wood screws in no time
- Take up any task even in the dark with its LED light
- Long-lasting lithium-Ion battery to finish your projects uninterrupted
- Keep it on your belt by its hook for hands-free work
Top Choice for Versatility
- A 3-in-1 tool for screwing, drilling & impact drilling in several materials
- Freedom to move around your job site as it’s cordless
- Powerful 18-volt battery to finish faster your big home projects
- Comfortable transport with its included carrying case
Ideal for Compact Design
- Control the impact power based on your needs by the electronic 3-stage selection
- Conveniently complete any project with its ergonomic handle
- Drill more precision thanks to its Led light in the front
- Super compact to store it anywhere when you don’t use it
Ideal for Most Powerful Performance
- Multifunctional as you can both screw & unscrew with 2 different speeds
- Won’t overheat during your work thanks to its ventilation holes
- Daily work for hours comfortably without your hand strain
- Starter kit with various accessories & charger included
Ideal for Small & Large Screws
- Up to 20% more working time due to its electronically-controlled brushless motor
- Small & powerful screwdriver so you can get more done faster
- Ultimate control via speed settings to help sink decking screws
- Perfect for driving decking screws effortlessly
Top Choice for Overload Protection
- Prevent damaging materials thanks to its automatic shut-down if a fastener impact occurs
- High versatility as it has 4 different speed & torque settings
- More precision & power thanks to its brushless motor
- Durable with its efficient 5.0Ah batteries
Best Budget
- A great and versatile tool for the budget-conscious DIYer
- Great for screw driving in constricted spaces with its 180° swivel
- With LED for extra light to provide accuracy in bad-lit areas
- Lets you know when it’s time to charge by the charge indicator
Ideal for Low Vibration Design
- Do more with just one power tool thanks to its 3 speed settings
- Extra powerful motor that brings up to 400Nm of torque
- View clearly with its tri-beam LED light that removes shadows on bits
- Convenient in usage thanks to its low vibration design
Top Choice for DIYers
- Complete each task faster than ever before with its powerful brushless motor
- More accurate results thanks to its 3 speed & torque settings
- Perfect for use in small areas with its compact design
- Magnetic bit holder for easy changes while working
Easy-peasy Assembling With The Best Impact Drivers
Are you a crafts enthusiast or a professional tradesman? If you like to screw and unscrew bolts, they can then you are going to love these impact drivers! They can make your assembling furniture, shelving or other items that need screwing simple and minimise the time otherwise required. You will be able to get more work done in less time without having your hands aching as they would when you manually screw the bolts. But the big question is which one is the best one for you?
To answer this question, we created this comprehensive guide so even if you are a beginner when it comes to these kind of projects, you will have all you need to know to make the right decision. So, to find out more about the best impact drivers, you’ll need to keep on scrolling.
Why do you need an Impact Driver?
Whether you are a homeowner who loves DIY projects or you are a professional handyman, this power tool should not be missing from your toolbox. They are a versatile tool that can be very useful in numerous projects to help you finish them quickly without much effort. Most have adjustable speed and torque settings you can prevent damaging your fixing or the material you are driving into.
You can use them to drive bolts into different materials like metal, wood and masonry. Also, the impact driver is great for driving screws into metal and wood or for fastening and release of bolts in no time.
How Does an Impact Driver Work?
Impact drivers overall work differently than electric screwdrivers and drills. There is a rotating hammer in the impact driver that, as it turns, compresses a spring. As it turns, it builds up and stores energy. While the impact driver moves at high speed, the spring forces the hammer down, and simultaneously it’s twisting it. This internal mechanism helps generate ample torque to loosen or drive in any stubborn screws or bolts.
The good thing is that this tool doesn’t rely on its rotating mechanism alone. When things get tough, the hammering function kicks in and gets the job done. This hammering function comes in handy because it doesn’t let the impact driver strip out the screw head.
Impact Driver vs Drill
An impact driver, just like a drill, is a handheld tool that is great for driving screws. Many confuse these two because they look the same, but let us clarify their differences.
Impact Driver
The impact driver is built to do one job and one job only: to drive screws. Similar to a drill, it uses rotational hammering to drive screws into various materials effectively, without damaging the head of the screw. Plus, it can also remove the screws without again damaging the heads. Unlike drills, they work with various bits and mainly accept hexagonal heads, called shanks. A disadvantage could be that due to rotational hammering, the impact driver makes a loud noise, so it’s recommended to wear muffs or earplugs when you operate it.
Drill
It is also called a drill/driver. The impact drill drives screws and drills pilot holes, which is essential when working with hardwoods like oak and ash. It’s versatile as a drill will work with both drill bits and driver bits of various sizes. On the downside, the drill is typically less powerful and bulkier than an impact driver, making it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time.
We would like to highlight at this point a few key features you should consider before buying an impact driver. These features will help you determine which one is right for you, without having any regrets later! Check them out below:
1. Torque
On the top of our list is the torque, aka the twisting power, which indicates how well the impact driver will perform. As you can understand, this means that if an impact driver has high torque, it is more powerful, and it will perform better during heavy-duty tasks. Some models come with different torque functions that help prevent accidental stripping of the screw head. This way, you can keep it intact, and you can screw or unscrew it without any troubles.
2. Weight & Size
Overall, impact drivers are lightweight and relatively compact compared to the electric screwdriver and drills. This is why they are the next best thing you can buy for your toolbox. You need to take this factor into serious consideration as it will help you get any project done without hurting your hands and arms. Plus, their compact size makes them perfect for jobs in confined spaces. One more thing to notice is whether or not they have a belt clip. Because they are lightweight and compact, many models come with a belt clip or hook, so you can stay hands-free whenever you need to and have easy access when you need it.
3. Battery
Choosing a cordless impact driver is so convenient as it allows you to move around the job site freely without anything getting in the way while your job site looks tidier without cords laying around. Most come with a 2.0Ah battery that has a long runtime to get one project done. Especially if they have variable speeds that you can easily control via their speed trigger in order to save energy.
Most of them are 18V impact drivers, with a few having a 20V max which is excellent for all sorts of tasks that deal with nuts, screws, bolts and need constant power.
4. Compatibility
The impact drivers are a versatile kind of tool. They can both screw and unscrew bolts quickly without damaging them, but one thing to bear in mind is what kind of bolts can they screw or unscrew? Well, you need to use hex shafts.
The great thing about its versatility, though, is that it can screw and unscrew from small to large and long screws; just make sure you check on the accessories. It can become a great help to those who want to simply put up a shelf to assemble a sofa or a bed. Keep it in your home, and you’ll see how often you will turn to it for any task, from the lightest to the most heavy-duty.
5. Grip
One more thing to keep in mind is the impact drivers grip. Many come with an ergonomic handle or a soft rubber handle, so you’re hand will not ache or slip during working. This is important for both your comfort and safety. Make sure you check how the tool fits in your hand by searching for the grip’s diameter measurements. Some will fit better than others, so make sure you don’t skip it because if you are going to use it for long periods of time, it will become frustrating if your impact driver has an inconvenient grip.
6. Price
This depends primarily on your budget and how much you are willing to spend. You don’t have to break the bank to own an impact driver. You can find good and powerful models at around £25-85 max, which are great for any homeowner and DIY project. Then, you have more sturdy models that are more costly, but they are best for heavy-duty tasks. These can cost anywhere from £100 to £170. It all comes down to the usage and the budget you have in mind.
7. Extra Features
There are a few extra features you might want your impact driver to have.
- Brushless motor
- Number of speed settings
- LED light design
- Bit ejection
- Bit insertion
- Belt hook
Can You Use an Impact Driver as a Drill?
Yes, if you have HEX drill bits, but it is not ideal if you plan on doing drilling with accuracy. The impact driver does general drilling just fine once in a while. Bear in mind, though, that because the drill bit might wobble during the drilling, it will create a larger hole that what you were initially expected. This is why, if you need precision in your drilling, we recommend you avoid using your impact driver for this purpose.
Is it Worth Getting an Impact Driver?
Well, this you can answer best for yourself. Choose your tools based on the type of works you are doing, as different tools are best for different tasks. If you plan on assembling a decking or any other large construction that are primarily wooden, then by all means, yes! As you’ll need to drive many long screws, make your job faster with no fuss by going with an impact driver.
Also, the great thing about an impact driver is that it can unscrew many stubborn screw or bolts, so there you have it, another reason why it is awesome! If you are planning on moving and you have a lot of furniture that needs to be taken apart, this tool will be your best friend. So, it all comes down to why you want the impact driver.
Always keep in mind…
The main benefits of having an impact driver are that they are compact and lightweight to use for long and versatile. Think of all the jobs you could have done around the house faster and without trouble, and we are confident that you’ll put an impact drill on your basket. It doesn’t have to be complicated or hard; you just need to find the right tool that will help you finish your projects with no sweat!
Hope our buying guide has helped you make the right choice for you. Find the best impact dribvers here and start your next DIY project without overthinking it!
