Impact Driver

Impact Driver

The impact driver that best suits your demands should have adequate power to handle the projects you intend to work on. Continue reading to find out how these enhanced screwdrivers differ from standard drills and which ones did the best (and worse) in my practical tests. At first glance, impact drivers and drills have similar appearances; in truth, producers frequently combine them into a single package. But each has a distinct goal. An impact driver is a useful small dynamo with only one purpose: to drive different kinds of fasteners. It functions like a drill and can be used to drive screws into wood, for instance. An 8-inch monster screw can be easily driven into wood with a good impact driver. It accomplishes this by hammering quickly and loudly in addition to its screwing motion in all directions. As a result, impact drivers frequently produce torque levels that even the best combi drills cannot match. This results in record-breaking speed, little effort, and a great deal less strain on the wrist and forearm when driving screws. Therefore, there will be much less stripping of screw heads.

DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver

The DeWalt 20V MAX Impact Driver is the only tool you need to use if you want to build a shed or a garage. The tool's strong torque, small size, and light weight are aimed at both experts and passionate DIYers. On construction sites, DeWalt is a very well-known brand because of its bold black and yellow branding. Most power tools come without a battery and charger, but this test model came with two tiny 2.0mAh 18V lithium-ion batteries and a charger in a sturdy plastic box. These tiny batteries, despite their small size, pack a powerful punch and seem to last forever, which is more than enough time for several hours of arduous work. It should come as no surprise that they also aid in minimising weight (at just 1.31kg, this model is the second lightest here) and improving balance. This screwdriver sits perfectly level in either vertical or horizontal orientation, making the task of driving screws utterly effortless. Additionally, its exceptionally comfortable rubberized grip is slim and ergonomic.

Ryobi 18V One+ P235A Impact Driver

The 18-volt Ryobi impact driver defies the general rule that inexpensive tools are rarely as effective as their more expensive counterparts. In my tests, the Ryobi impact driver performed on par with some of its more expensive rivals .The Ryobi's frictionless, brushless motor produces an astounding 270Nm of torque, which is more power than any other motor in this comparison, but it also adds weight. In reality, it weighed 1.54kg, 230g more than the DeWalt, even with a little 2.5mAh 18V battery attached. If your job requires you to have your arm outstretched for extended periods of time, perhaps keep this in mind. On the plus side, Ryobi's batteries have clever management circuits that, according to claims, will enable them to run for 20% longer than competing versions.

RIDGID Impact Driver

With the introduction of their 18V brushless impact driver and drill, Ridgid saw tremendous growth. Ironically, despite those enormous gains, size and weight have significantly decreased. This impact driver, which leaves the Octane line behind, is smaller, measuring 5.4 inches from front to rear while being 1/2 inch shorter than Octane. It's lighter as well. You're looking at 3.2 pounds with its 2.0Ah Max Output battery, which is less than a quarter-pound less than Octane's weight. Despite the size reduction, the effects on performance are not severe. It loses just 100 in-lbs of torque while maintaining the same 2900 RPM as Octane (now 2300 in-lbs). In fact, the impact rate rises from 300 to 4200 IPM. This model cut 25 seconds off the Octane's time on the Impact Driver Test Track to pass the leader by just 3 seconds.

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Impact Driver

I was eager to test the Metabo HPT impact driver because I liked the former Hitachi power tool series. As of 2018, Hitachi tools are now known as Metabo, and if  this impact driver is any indication of the brand’s future, I won’t hesitate to choose more power tools from this line. Two excellent cordless impact driver options are available from Metabo HPT (previously Hitachi Power Tools). Both employ a three-hammer impact mechanism, hence the name "Triple Hammer". The 36V MultiVolt version slightly improves upon the outstanding 18V version in terms of performance. 2900 RPM, 4100 BPM, 1859 in-lbs of torque, two standard control modes, and two assist modes are all it offers. The 18V has a little lower 1832 in-lbs of torque but the same speed and impact rate. You may benefit from the greater torque without giving up a lot of weight thanks to a small MultiVolt battery. In in actuality, you can choose any path with this one and be fine. This model is a 36V MultiVolt, so if you need to run on a chord while your batteries charge, you may use the AC adapter with it.

Makita 18V XDT16Z

The Makita impact driver is a powerful tool that has 1,500 in-lbs of torque, 3,800 in-per-minute hammer action, and a maximum speed of 3,400 rpm. By pressing a tiny button located just below the chuck, the Makita driver's four distinct speed modes may be selected, which is my favourite feature. This type has a less expensive brushed motor that produces a perfectly enough 165Nm of torque, more than enough power to drive the majority of screw lengths. During our test, we used it to insert a 4 in screw into a block of pine without encountering any problems, but when we switched to maple, the process took a little longer. Its variable speed trigger is less complex and smooth than those of the other products in this comparison, but maybe more significantly, it doesn't offer the option for switching between different power settings. However, it does have extremely dazzling twin LED headlights.

Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Driver

The 18-volt brushless Milwaukee M18 impact driver is a wonderfully small tool that can access fastening in confined spaces where larger impact drivers might not be suitable. The head and grip are both small and have a space-saving design.Expect to pay more for this 18V powerhouse since it doesn't include a battery or charger—unless, of course, you're already a Milwaukee user and already have a comparable 18V battery lying around. The brushless Powerstate motor in this small driver has a maximum torque range of 203Nm, which is more than enough for almost any heavy-duty task you throw at it. I have yet to encounter a screw that this driver cannot drive, as one startled user so eloquently observes, "this driver just tears in." When combined with an all-day 18V battery, anticipate a combined weight of roughly 1.7 kg.Many impact drivers now include a number of speed modes in addition to the required variable speed trigger. This one has four different operating modes, each of which generates a different speed and torque range. The M18FID has a front-mounted LED and a useful power gauge that tells you when the battery needs to be recharged or changed, just like all good modern power tools. If you're a DIY enthusiast who takes their hobby or profession very seriously and have this much money to spend on an impact driver, put this one at the top of your list.

Impact Driver

The impact driver that best suits your demands should have adequate power to handle the projects you intend to work on. Continue reading to find out how these enhanced screwdrivers differ from standard drills and which ones did the best (and worse) in my practical tests. At first glance, impact drivers and drills have similar appearances; in truth, producers frequently combine them into a single package. But each has a distinct goal. An impact driver is a useful small dynamo with only one purpose: to drive different kinds of fasteners. It functions like a drill and can be used to drive screws into wood, for instance. An 8-inch monster screw can be easily driven into wood with a good impact driver. It accomplishes this by hammering quickly and loudly in addition to its screwing motion in all directions. As a result, impact drivers frequently produce torque levels that even the best combi drills cannot match. This results in record-breaking speed, little effort, and a great deal less strain on the wrist and forearm when driving screws. Therefore, there will be much less stripping of screw heads.

DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver

The DeWalt 20V MAX Impact Driver is the only tool you need to use if you want to build a shed or a garage. The tool's strong torque, small size, and light weight are aimed at both experts and passionate DIYers. On construction sites, DeWalt is a very well-known brand because of its bold black and yellow branding. Most power tools come without a battery and charger, but this test model came with two tiny 2.0mAh 18V lithium-ion batteries and a charger in a sturdy plastic box. These tiny batteries, despite their small size, pack a powerful punch and seem to last forever, which is more than enough time for several hours of arduous work. It should come as no surprise that they also aid in minimising weight (at just 1.31kg, this model is the second lightest here) and improving balance. This screwdriver sits perfectly level in either vertical or horizontal orientation, making the task of driving screws utterly effortless. Additionally, its exceptionally comfortable rubberized grip is slim and ergonomic.

Ryobi 18V One+ P235A Impact Driver

The 18-volt Ryobi impact driver defies the general rule that inexpensive tools are rarely as effective as their more expensive counterparts. In my tests, the Ryobi impact driver performed on par with some of its more expensive rivals .The Ryobi's frictionless, brushless motor produces an astounding 270Nm of torque, which is more power than any other motor in this comparison, but it also adds weight. In reality, it weighed 1.54kg, 230g more than the DeWalt, even with a little 2.5mAh 18V battery attached. If your job requires you to have your arm outstretched for extended periods of time, perhaps keep this in mind. On the plus side, Ryobi's batteries have clever management circuits that, according to claims, will enable them to run for 20% longer than competing versions.

RIDGID Impact Driver

With the introduction of their 18V brushless impact driver and drill, Ridgid saw tremendous growth. Ironically, despite those enormous gains, size and weight have significantly decreased. This impact driver, which leaves the Octane line behind, is smaller, measuring 5.4 inches from front to rear while being 1/2 inch shorter than Octane. It's lighter as well. You're looking at 3.2 pounds with its 2.0Ah Max Output battery, which is less than a quarter-pound less than Octane's weight. Despite the size reduction, the effects on performance are not severe. It loses just 100 in-lbs of torque while maintaining the same 2900 RPM as Octane (now 2300 in-lbs). In fact, the impact rate rises from 300 to 4200 IPM. This model cut 25 seconds off the Octane's time on the Impact Driver Test Track to pass the leader by just 3 seconds.

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Impact Driver

I was eager to test the Metabo HPT impact driver because I liked the former Hitachi power tool series. As of 2018, Hitachi tools are now known as Metabo, and if  this impact driver is any indication of the brand’s future, I won’t hesitate to choose more power tools from this line. Two excellent cordless impact driver options are available from Metabo HPT (previously Hitachi Power Tools). Both employ a three-hammer impact mechanism, hence the name "Triple Hammer". The 36V MultiVolt version slightly improves upon the outstanding 18V version in terms of performance. 2900 RPM, 4100 BPM, 1859 in-lbs of torque, two standard control modes, and two assist modes are all it offers. The 18V has a little lower 1832 in-lbs of torque but the same speed and impact rate. You may benefit from the greater torque without giving up a lot of weight thanks to a small MultiVolt battery. In in actuality, you can choose any path with this one and be fine. This model is a 36V MultiVolt, so if you need to run on a chord while your batteries charge, you may use the AC adapter with it.

Makita 18V XDT16Z

The Makita impact driver is a powerful tool that has 1,500 in-lbs of torque, 3,800 in-per-minute hammer action, and a maximum speed of 3,400 rpm. By pressing a tiny button located just below the chuck, the Makita driver's four distinct speed modes may be selected, which is my favourite feature. This type has a less expensive brushed motor that produces a perfectly enough 165Nm of torque, more than enough power to drive the majority of screw lengths. During our test, we used it to insert a 4 in screw into a block of pine without encountering any problems, but when we switched to maple, the process took a little longer. Its variable speed trigger is less complex and smooth than those of the other products in this comparison, but maybe more significantly, it doesn't offer the option for switching between different power settings. However, it does have extremely dazzling twin LED headlights.

Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Driver

The 18-volt brushless Milwaukee M18 impact driver is a wonderfully small tool that can access fastening in confined spaces where larger impact drivers might not be suitable. The head and grip are both small and have a space-saving design.Expect to pay more for this 18V powerhouse since it doesn't include a battery or charger—unless, of course, you're already a Milwaukee user and already have a comparable 18V battery lying around. The brushless Powerstate motor in this small driver has a maximum torque range of 203Nm, which is more than enough for almost any heavy-duty task you throw at it. I have yet to encounter a screw that this driver cannot drive, as one startled user so eloquently observes, "this driver just tears in." When combined with an all-day 18V battery, anticipate a combined weight of roughly 1.7 kg.Many impact drivers now include a number of speed modes in addition to the required variable speed trigger. This one has four different operating modes, each of which generates a different speed and torque range. The M18FID has a front-mounted LED and a useful power gauge that tells you when the battery needs to be recharged or changed, just like all good modern power tools. If you're a DIY enthusiast who takes their hobby or profession very seriously and have this much money to spend on an impact driver, put this one at the top of your list.