Best Cordless Impact Wrenches: Power And Precision

If you're looking for a cordless impact wrench, you're spoilt for choice. There are a lot of options out there, with Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita leading the pack for professionals, and Ryobi, Hart, Bauer, and Craftsman for homeowners.

When choosing a cordless impact wrench, you'll want to consider its power and torque, speed and control, battery life, size and weight, build quality and durability, ergonomics, noise level, warranty and customer support, and price.

- DeWalt 20V Mid-Torque DCF891

- Makita 40V XGT Mid-Torque GWT07

- Flex 24V Mid-Torque FX1451

- Skil PWRCore 20 Mid Torque IW5761B-10

- DeWalt 20V Max Atomic DCF922

- Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

- DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Compact 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

- Ingersoll Rand ½-inch High-Torque 20V Impact Wrench

- DeWalt 20V Max XR 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

- Ryobi 18V One+ 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

Best Overall

The DeWalt 20V Mid-Torque DCF891 is the best overall cordless impact wrench. It has a fastening torque of 600 ft-bs and a nut-busting torque of 800 ft-lbs. Its top speeds are 600/1200/2000 RPM, and it weighs 3.81 lbs. DeWalt gives you the options of hog ring (DCF891) and pin detent (DCF892) drive styles as well as a kit with oil-resistant batteries.

Most Powerful

If you're looking for the most powerful cordless impact wrench, the Makita 40V XGT Mid-Torque GWT07 is a great choice. With 560 ft-bs of fastening torque and 810 ft-lbs of breakaway torque, it's the strongest performer in the mid-torque class. It also offers advanced features for more precision and has the highest power-to-weight ratio.

Another powerful option is the DeWalt 20V Max XR, which boasts 1750 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. It's a heavy-duty tool that can handle even the most challenging tasks with ease.

For those seeking a balance of power and affordability, the Porter-Cable 20V MAX is a great option. It delivers impressive torque numbers at a lower cost, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.

If you're a fan of the Milwaukee brand, their M18 Fuel High-Torque model is worth considering. It offers 1400 ft-lbs of torque, making it a powerful tool for tackling tough jobs.

Lastly, the Ingersoll Rand 1/2-inch High-Torque 20V Impact Wrench is a robust tool often found in industrial or commercial applications. With 1500 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, it's a force to be reckoned with and is perfect for daily or heavy-duty applications.

Best for the Money

If you're looking for the best value cordless impact wrench, the Flex 24V Mid-Torque FX1451 is a great option. With 600 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 750 ft-lbs of breakaway torque, it boasts more power than the Milwaukee, a leading brand in the power tools space. It also features an isolation zone that helps reduce vibration to your hand, and at a considerably lower price.

Another great option for the money is the Ryobi P262 4-Mode Impact Wrench. With 450 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 600 ft-lbs of breakaway torque, it's a solid tool for DIYers or pros looking for a value tool. It features three standard speeds and an auto mode to help control the applied torque. While it's not the most compact option, it's still a great choice for the price.

If you're already invested in a particular battery system, it's worth checking if your brand has a decent cordless impact wrench to fit your needs. For example, if you're a Dewalt user, the Dewalt 20V Mid-Torque DCF891 is a solid choice. It's a mid-torque impact wrench with 600 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 800 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. While it's on the longer side at nearly 7 inches, it's a consistent performer and a good option if you're already using Dewalt batteries.

Best for Home Use

If you're looking for a cordless impact wrench for home use, you'll want something that's powerful yet reasonably priced, and compact enough to fit into tight spaces. Here are some of the best options available:

Skil PWRCore 20 Mid Torque IW5761B-10

The Skil PWRCore 20 Mid Torque IW5761B-10 is an excellent choice for home users. While it may not have the most impressive specifications, it offers decent performance at a very attractive price point. With a kit price of less than $200, you get an LED ring light, comfortable ergonomics, and decent fastening performance. It's a great option if you're an average DIYer who doesn't need the power of more expensive models.

Ryobi 18V One+ 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

The Ryobi 18V One+ is another fantastic option for home use. It delivers impressive performance at a budget-friendly price. With three speed settings, it can handle various tasks, from removing lug nuts to driving 6-inch lag bolts into pressure-treated lumber. The lack of a brushless motor means it may not be ideal for daily use, but for occasional projects around the house, it's a capable and affordable tool.

DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Compact 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

The DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Compact is a powerful and compact impact wrench that's perfect for working in tight spaces. With a length of less than 5 inches, it's one of the smallest options available. Despite its compact size, it delivers impressive torque, with 600 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 800 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. It also features bolt removal and fastening modes to prevent over-tightening and spin-off.

Flex 1/2-Inch Mid-Torque 24V Impact Wrench

The Flex 1/2-Inch Mid-Torque impact wrench is a well-rounded option that offers a good balance of power and size. It's smaller and lighter than high-torque models, making it easy to handle and manoeuvre. It delivers plenty of torque for common operations, with 600 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 750 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. Additionally, it features bolt removal and auto-stop modes to prevent over-tightening.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8-Inch Mid-Torque Impact Wrench

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8-Inch Mid-Torque impact wrench is a versatile and professional-grade tool that's also suitable for homeowners with frequent projects. Its compact size and bright LED lights make it ideal for tight, dark spaces. It features four mode settings, including a "drive control" mode that prevents over-tightening and spin-offs. With its impressive performance and build quality, it's a great choice for those who want a tool that will last.

Most Compact

If you're looking for a compact cordless impact wrench, the DeWalt 20V Max Atomic DCF922 is a great option. With a fastening torque of 300 ft-bs and a nut-busting torque of 450 ft-lbs, it packs a lot of power into a small package. It's also very lightweight at only 2.5 lbs, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces. The tool is just under 5 inches long, so it can fit into small areas where other impact wrenches might not be able to reach. The DeWalt 20V Max Atomic DCF922 has four modes for advanced control, giving you the ability to adjust the speed and torque to suit your needs.

Another compact option is the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 12V Lithium-Ion Brushless Stubby 3/8-inch impact wrench. This tool is part of Milwaukee's M12 line, which is known for its compact and lightweight design. The M12 Fuel Stubby has a fastening torque of 250 ft-lbs and a nut-busting torque of 300 ft-lbs, making it a great choice for tasks that require a combination of power and manoeuvrability.

The Ridgid R86012 Impact Wrench is another compact option that packs a lot of power. With a fastening torque of 450 ft-lbs and a nut-busting torque of 600 ft-lbs, it can handle a wide range of applications. The Ridgid R86012 is just over 7 inches long, so it's easy to use in tight spaces.

Finally, the Ryobi P262 4-Mode Impact Wrench is a compact and powerful tool. With a fastening torque of 450 ft-lbs and a nut-busting torque of 600 ft-lbs, it can handle a wide range of tasks. The Ryobi P262 is just under 7.5 inches long, making it easy to use in tight spaces. It also has three standard speeds and an auto mode, giving you greater control over the applied torque.

Frequently asked questions