We evaluated impact wrenches based on power, impacts per minute, reliability, and overall performance. Our top pick, the Milwaukee Fuel High Torque 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench, is versatile, durable, and surprisingly compact. Here are the best impact wrenches across a variety of categories.
What do buyers say? 4,500+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. The tool is just over 8 inches in length; it’s one of the most compact impact wrenches in its class, but that certainly doesn’t mean it lacks power. The friction ring cuts back on difficult socket changes, and the Redlink Plus intelligence prevents the tool from overheating or overloading, which could damage the many moving parts. It is one of the more powerful wrenches on the market for its size and has 1,000 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 1,400 ft-lb of nut-busting force. With up to 700 ft-lb of fastening torque, 1,200 ft-lb of nut-busting force, and 2,400 impacts per minute, the DEWALT kit is powerful. It is small and lightweight, measuring just 8-13/16 inches and weighing in at 7.2 pounds. The impact wrench is versatile with multi-speed control to be used in a wide range of odd jobs. It has a bright LED light with a 20-second delay for tight, dark spots and a half-inch anvil with detent pin. The tool has a one-hand operation trigger with three position settings that come in both forward and reverse. Plus, this tool works well for people who are left-handed and right-handed. Remember that it requires an air compressor that can deliver at least 5 cfm at 90 psi for power, which is not included. Preferably, you should have a much larger air compressor for optimum performance. The kit includes two 20-volt lithium-ion batteries with built-in fuel gauge so you can go longer and faster on those difficult jobs that put you in a tight squeeze. The three front-facing LED lights offer brightness to dark workspaces. It’s also one of the smaller impact wrenches with the most torque at 3.4 pounds. It uses ¼-inch hex screwdriver bits and ½-inch impact sockets. The practical tool quickly switches between screwdriver and nut-driver bits (as well as sockets), so you won’t have to search around for an adapter for the more complicated jobs that require different tools. The powerful brushless motor delivers a maximum of 150 ft-lb of torque and up to 4,200 impact-per-minute for professional power and impact. The Freak comes with battery, charger, and soft case, as well as a belt clip to keep it near at hand. A ½-inch anvil with a detent pin makes the wrench resistant to breakage and the annoying shearing that so often comes with lug nut removal. It can handle drops from as high as 8 feet with its compact design and durable casing. This impact wrench also has an LED light with a 20-second delay for use in dark spaces. This heavy-duty tool has a 4-position power regulator, so you can fine-tune the power to your needs, and it’s very easy to switch the forward/reverse mechanism with just one hand. Note that you will need an air compressor capable of delivering at least 6 cfm of air at 90 psi for reliable performance of the impact wrench. Pneumatic, or air-powered impact wrenches, are standard in auto-repair shops, but aren’t so popular for at-home or DIY use. These tools are very powerful, lightweight, and generally less expensive than electric impact wrenches, but require an air compressor to work and are generally more tool than required outside of a professional auto shop. Corded impact wrenches are next in line when it comes to power, but tether you to the closest electrical outlet. Still, if you need a lot of power and don’t want to be bothered keeping track of a battery’s charge level, this could be the right choice for you. Cordless impact wrenches are the most popular type for homeowners, DIYers, and those who do car repair as a hobby. On the plus side, these tools give you the utmost in freedom to use them wherever needed. On the downside, you’ll need to keep track of the battery life, cordless tools tend to be heavier than the other two styles, and they are a little less powerful when it comes to torque.
Torque
An impact driver is all about torque; that’s the tool’s twisting force. Some manufacturers state the torque in foot-pounds of force, while others use inch-pounds. Don’t automatically assume that you need the highest amount of torque; too much torque and you’ll find your fasteners snap in half. As a general rule, you’ll find impact drivers with torque as low as 100 foot-pounds (1,200 inch-pounds) and as high as 1,000 foot-pounds, as well as everything in between. But for most people not working in professional auto shops, a tool towards the lower end of that range is more than sufficient, while a tool in the mid-range is suited for most automotive work. Kyle Shirley, owner of Sol Vista Roofing, adds, “When using an impact wrench, the most important tip is to take care and not over (or under) tighten. Impact wrenches are great when you apply just the right amount of torque, but overtightening can result in needing to re-do the work.”
Speed
The rate at which an impact driver spins is measured in revolutions per minute. As a rough guideline, most cordless impact wrenches have maximum speeds of anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 rpm, with the middle of that range being average. Some impact drivers have variable speed controls so you can choose from two or three different settings depending on your needs.
Impact
The “impact” in an impact wrench is a burst of additional power that adds to the tool’s turning strength, and is measured in impacts per minute. As a general rule, most cordless impact wrenches deliver anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 impacts per minute.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. For this roundup, she considered dozens of impact wrenches, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and customer feedback. Kyle Shirley, owner of Sol Vista Roofing, offered further input and advice.
