Best Impact Drivers of 2022

1. Drill/driver vs. impact driver vs. impact wrench

The differences between most workshop tools are clear for a contractor, but an inexperienced beginner or homeowner could wonder which is the difference between a cordless drill/driver (or corded), impact driver, and impact wrench.

All three can serve the same purpose, which is driving or fastening screws and nails into various materials. But despite this similarity, there are important differences between them.

• Cordless drills drivers: Are designed majorly for drilling, although most models are compatible with driver bits and have a reverse mode which allows using them instead of a screwdriver. These machines typically replace the less powerful electric screwdrivers but are not powerful enough to drive large fasteners into thicker and denser materials such as drywall or plywood. Another important difference is the chuck. Cordless drills accept bits with both round and hex shanks, whereas impact drivers are only compatible with hex bits.
• Impact drivers: Were created specifically for driving all types of fasteners into harder materials and are capable of producing a higher torque than the cordless or corded drills. Their driving power is comparable to the drilling power of a hammer drill, and these machines are capable of driving or loosening screws, nuts, and bolts of most sizes and in most materials, including hardwood, concrete studs, and drywall.
• Impact wrenches: Impact wrenches are also designed to fasten or loosen screws, blots, and nuts, but they are capable of producing a higher torque than the impact drivers. This makes the impact wrenches more suitable for heavy-duty industrial use. Impact wrenches also come with a different type of chuck compatible only with 1/2-inch (13 mm) square drive bits.

2. Why invest in an impact driver?

Impact drivers are practical DIY tools that serve more than just fastening and loosening fasteners into harder materials. You can typically use an impact driver to:

• Build garden decks
• Fasten plywood subfloors
• Bore large holes into wood and soft metals

Despite the higher torque, impact drivers are very easy to maneuver and typically allow for safe one-hand operation.

3. Impact driver power

Cordless impact drivers are typically powered by lithium-ion batteries varying from 12-volt to 20-volt. Like for any other cordless tools, the voltage dictates how much torque the tool is able to produce.

As it is easy to understand, the higher the torque, the more turning force your impact driver will generate. In broad terms, a maximum torque around 1,500 inch-pound (170 Nm) is sufficient for most applications.

Adjustable clutch

The best impact drivers feature an adjustable clutch which allows you to control the amount of torque applied. This helps you prevent damaging the screw head or the tool and enables you to use the impact driver for finishing applications in woodworking or carpentry.

Some technologically advanced machines are equipped with electronic clutches designed to adjust the torque automatically during operation.

4. Brush vs. brushless motor

Impact drivers can have brushed or brushless motors. Both types use the same working principle, but brushed models use carbon brushes to deliver the current to the windings on the rotor, whereas the brushless motors deliver the current via an amplifier. This small difference has a major impact on the motor’s efficiency.

• Brushed motors: Are simpler than the brushless, therefore cheaper. However, they are less efficient, noisier, and require constant maintenance. These motors also have shorter lifespans than the brushless motors.
• Brushless motors: Are more expensive but have a longer lifespan, need no maintenance, generate minimal heat and are highly efficient. A brushless motor is 10-15% more efficient than a brushed motor, which means more power of the power generated is turned into a rotational force instead of being lost as heat.

5. Speed and impacts per minute

Most amateurs believe their impact driver must reach high speeds, but this isn’t necessarily true. In broader terms, a higher speed is typically needed for driving smaller screws into softer materials like drywall or softwood.

Longer screws or harder materials require more torque, therefore lower speeds. Typically an impact driver with variable speed up to 3,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) is ideal for most applications.

Variable speed control

The best impact drivers have a variable control trigger which allows you to start driving at a lower speed, increasing the control. Moreover, some machines come with multiple speed settings which allow you to choose the desired maximum speed and torque you want to reach.

Impacts per minute

The impacts per minute (IPM) is the equivalent of a hammer drill’s beats per minute (BPM) and increases the tool’s capacity to driving fasteners into harder materials. Most cordless impact drivers deliver around 3,000 IPM, although some of the best models exceed this threshold.

6. Impact driver chuck

Impact drivers are equipped with quick-release chucks compatible with ¼-inch (6.5 mm) hex bits only. These chucks must be simply pulled or pushed back and forth for inserting or removing the bits, making the bit changing process much simpler.

Although these chucks are typically compatible with hex bits alone, power tool manufacturers usually produce adapters which allow using a round or square drill or driving bit with your impact driver.

7. Additional features

Besides all the above, you should also look for the following additional features:

• Trigger lock: The best impact drills have a neutral trigger lock position which prevents the cordless tool from switching on if the trigger is pressed by mistake, so it doesn’t drain the battery.
• Soft grip: Impact drivers are typically lightweight and easy to maneuver, but a soft grip handle can increase your comfort. Also, make sure the tool is balanced properly if you want to use it with just one hand.
• Work light: Driving fasteners in poorly illuminated spaces is often difficult. The machine’s work light illuminates your working area for no-frills operation.
• Belt hook: A nice addition if you have nowhere to place the tool but need your hands free for various operations.
• Battery life indicator: The latest impact driver models come with a battery life indicator light which tells you when it’s the time to recharge.
• Interchangeable battery: If you’re aiming for continuous operation, opt for an impact driver with interchangeable battery. This option also allows you to use the battery with other power tools in the system, including cordless drills and reciprocating saws.
• Overload shutoff: An important safety feature designed to protect the tool’s motor in case of accidental overload.