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Working with your hands can be therapeutic and give you the opportunity to ponder life’s big questions as you’re loosening fasteners. That is up until the point you remember that it’s the hottest, most humid day of the year and you’ve only just started to rotate your tires.
I’m all for doing things the hard way. Taking the long way around is a great way to grow closer to your car and do more of what you love doing most. However, some jobs just suck. An impact wrench is usually the best way to blast through them. Something as painstaking as breaking the lugs and lifting the vehicle so you can finish removing the wheel becomes as trivial as pulling a trigger. Using impacts is also a good way to rival the efficiency of the competitors if you’re into doing this sort of thing for a living. There are a ton of options out there, and it can be tough to decide which is worth your while if you’re new to this side of the industry. I’m here to help.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Gen-2 Mid Torque 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
- Best Value: Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 4-Mode 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
- Honorable Mention: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench Kit
- Best for Tight Spaces: Milwaukee M12 Fuel Right-Angle Impact Wrench Kit
- Best 3/8-Inch Drive: DeWalt Atomic 20V Cordless Impact Wrench
Our Methodology
Impact wrenches are some of the first tools you learn about when you start slinging wrenches. I’m willing to bet most of us skipped right over learning the ins and outs of ratchets and other hand tools to drool over impacts because they’re way cooler. Despite offering vast improvements in efficiency and making many projects far more enjoyable, there’s really not all that much to them, and it’s easy to learn about what makes one better than another. I made sure to do the research on every top pick. I factored in what both pros and hobbyists have to say to come up with a list that offers something to anyone with grease under their fingernails.
Best Cordless Impact Wrenches Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Gen-2 Mid Torque 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
Pros
- Compact and manageable
- Excellent performance
- Thoughtful features
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- No batteries included
Milwaukee’s Mid Torque half-inch impact may not be the brand’s most powerful offering, but also the most practical. The six-inch length fits easily into many spaces you’ll encounter on the job. The weight of just 5.1 pounds is something you can easily manage. It’s also no slouch in terms of performance. This impact is capable of belting out 650 pound-feet of torque and reaching 2,575 RPM. The automatic shutoff to prevent stripping during assembly and bolt removal control functions further separates it from the competition. A five-year warranty offers customers the protection they need in demanding environments.
As a Milwaukee tool, the price is the reason folks are going to pass up on it. By the time you invest in the battery and charger, which aren’t included with this part number, you’re easily paying double what you would for some other impact tools.
Best Value
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 4-Mode 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact and easily manageable
- Great performance and features
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Short battery life
- Quality control issues common
Ryobi has clearly stepped up its game with the One+ line. This half-inch impact is a clear choice for the home mechanic and is even making waves among professionals. That’s because it’s able to deliver 600 pound-feet of torque in a compact package that closely rivals the top-shelf alternatives. It’s also working with an automatic stop mode that prevents stripping fasteners out while tightening or slinging them across the room when loosening. Toss in a three-year warranty, and it’s hard to see why it’s not everyone’s first choice.
As unbelievable as this impact wrench seems, a couple of issues bring it back down to Earth. The battery life of this tool is short in comparison to the competition. Also, there are some quality control issues that are evident in the many reviews of defective tools showing up on customers’ doorsteps.
Honorable Mention
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
Pros
- High power output
- Bolt removal control prevents accidents
- Includes case battery, and charger
Cons
- Expensive for DIYers
- Too large for regular use
After using the Milwaukee M18 high-torque 1/2-impact wrench extensively in my garage, I can say for sure it’s among the best on the market. Part of what makes it so is the absurd 1,100 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,500 ft-lbs of breakaway torque it can deliver. Despite the power, it’s working with a 7.6-inch head, making it much smaller than most of the direct competition. This particular listing also includes the battery, case, and charger. And, being a Milwaukee tool, the quality speaks for itself.
If you’re a DIYer, I’d advise you to think twice before buying. The power levels are great but may be a liability for the majority of the work you get into. Furthermore, it is still a large tool, despite the relatively small head, and will be tiring to use over the course of longer projects.
Best for Tight Spaces
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Right-Angle Impact Wrench Kit
Pros
- Perfect for tight spaces
- Bolt removal control prevents accidents
- Excellent power for its size
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Batteries have short life
Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel right-angle impact isn’t the only one of its kind, but there are reasons it takes the title. For one, it’s not pneumatic as most of its kind are. Ditching the air hoses for an M12 battery is perfect for tight spaces. It can also get you laying down 220 pound-feet of torque with ease. The automatic shutoff and bolt removal control functions also save lives in tight spaces by preventing stripped threads and lost fasteners. As you would expect, Milwaukee’s five-year warranty backs this impact for peace of mind.
This is a tool that’s great when you need it, but it is expensive for something that sits on the shelf most of the time. The M12 batteries also drain fast, so you’ll want to use this tool sparingly.
Best 3/8-Inch Drive
DeWalt Atomic 20V Cordless Impact Wrench
Pros
- Compact
- Excellent power to size ratio
- Precision Wrench control prevents accidents
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Takes a while to reach max torque
- Likely to be passed over for large stubborn fasteners
DeWalt’s Atomic impact is way better than you need it to be. It can hit fasteners with 450 pound-feet of torque, which far surpasses expectations for something of its size. The Atomic impact boasts a low weight of 2.77 pounds and a length of just five inches. It is perfectly sized for all-day use. It also offers control to prevent stripping threads and losing fasteners while you plug along. DeWalt also backs this solid piece of equipment with a three-year warranty.
It’s only fair to note that this is not going to effortlessly apply 450 pound-feet of torque. It will take longer to reach max torque than a full-size impact could. This does mean you’ll likely lean on the larger tool when stubborn fasteners are present.
Our Verdict on the Best Cordless Impact Wrenches
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Mid-Torque 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench is a clear choice for those who need something practical, reliable, and powerful. Those of us tearing it up off the clock will find the Ryobi One+ Impact Wrench Kit more reasonable. It’s more affordable but still delivers the performance you expect from modern power tools.
What to Consider When Buying Cordless Impact Wrenches
Buying an impact is a fun, straightforward endeavor. I have no doubt in my mind that you can master the subject and shop around like a pro with just a little bit of research. This quick buying guide is intended to get started in the right direction.
Key Features
Torque Output
There are a few performance characteristics you want to research. Torque is the spec every manufacturer wants you to know. More often than not, the torque output of impacts is higher than any torque spec on your vehicle. The numbers given are still relevant. The higher the output, the easier it is for the tool to deal with the fasteners you encounter. That’s including those that need a little extra grunt due to rust and gunk. Other performance specs to look at are revolutions per minute (rpm) and impacts per minute (ipm). They also give you a good idea of how the tool performs under various conditions.
Weight and Size
Unless you’re only using an impact to bust lug nuts, you will be forced to balance weight and size against power and performance. You need an impact that you can use in the spaces you’re forced to work in, and the weight has to be something you can manage for extended periods. As you can imagine, decreasing the size often means cutting power. That’s why you don’t want to be consumed by who has the most powerful tool overall. Instead, you should look at who offers the best-performing tool relative to a size that fits both into your typical working area and your budget.
Variable Speed Control
Maximum power can become more of a liability than an asset if you can’t control it. You don’t need to hit absolutely every fastener with maximum force because that’s how you break things. Sometimes, a little is all you need. In the case of battery-powered impacts, you’re also just wasting battery life by using the highest setting when you don’t need it. Most modern impacts offer variable speed and power control for these reasons. You just need to make sure the impact you’re considering offers settings that you feel comfortable using.
Pricing
How much you spend on a cordless impact depends on the power level, what all is included, and the brand stamped on the side. In almost any case, you will spend about $200-$300 on a cordless impact wrench. Anything less is typically a bare tool, which is only a viable option if you already own the batteries it requires.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Yes. An impact wrench is worth buying. Even if you use it solely for busting lug nuts, it will transform your working experience. Whether it’s worth investing in the top-of-the-line model relies on your intended use and how much scratch you’re willing to spend.
A: Nope. Regular chrome sockets shouldn’t be used on impact wrenches. They are harder and more brittle than impact sockets. You might get away with it a few times, but there is a potential for chrome sockets to crack and shatter when used on impact tools.
A: Impact wrenches are fantastic for wheel, chassis, and suspension work, and you’re pretty much free to use them in any project that falls within those categories. You don’t want to use them for engine or driveline work, as they are usually far more sensitive to torque settings, and the vibrations could cause harm to the many delicate parts.
