How to Choose the Best Impact Driver in 2024
When choosing the best impact driver, consider factors such as power, torque, and mobility needs. Assess cordless models based on battery type, size, and runtime. Evaluate impact rate, RPM, and chuck size for efficient screw driving. Prioritise lightweight and compact designs for confined spaces, and look for integrated LED lighting. Consider ergonomics to reduce user fatigue during extended use. Explore additional features like a quick-change chuck, belt clip, or multiple speed settings for versatility. Check brand reputation through user reviews. Prioritise essential features within your budget.
What dose an Impact Driver do?
- Shelving & Cabinet Installation.
- Building sheds, log cabins, lofts etc.
- Furniture Assembly.
- Smaller jobs such as fixing & fitting home appliances and accessories
- Flooring & Roofing jobs
- Fencing
- Decking
- Construction and Framing.
- Loosening tight fasteners.
- Metal working- impact drivers can efficiently drive screws into metal surfaces.
- Concrete fastening – some impact drivers are equipped with features for concrete fastening.
The list is endless…. with so many applications what are you waiting for? Well, if you still have any doubts, we’ll have a look at certain elements to consider before deciding on which Impact Driver to buy.
Are Impact Drivers better than Drills?
Impact drivers and impact drills are both power tools designed for specific tasks, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Here’s a comparison between impact drivers and impact drills.
Impact Drivers
Purpose
Impact drivers are primarily designed for efficiently driving screws and other fasteners into various materials. They excel at tasks where high torque and speed are essential.
Mechanism
Impact drivers use a hammering or impacting mechanism that delivers rotational impacts to the bit, providing additional torque. This mechanism allows for quick and efficient driving of screws without the tool getting stuck.
Chuck Type
Impact drivers typically have a quick-change hexagonal chuck that accepts hex-shank bits. This design ensures a secure grip and minimises slippage during operation.
Applications
Ideal for construction projects, framing, decking, and woodworking tasks where driving screws quickly and efficiently is crucial.
Impact Drills
Purpose
Impact drills are multipurpose instruments intended for both hole drilling and screw driving. Compared to impact drivers, they can be used for a wider range of jobs.
Mechanism
In addition to rotating, impact drills also have a hammer action that allows for forward and backward motion. It is advantageous to drill into hard materials like masonry with this hammer action.
Chuck Type
Impact drills frequently have a keyed or keyless chuck, which makes a greater range of drill bit sizes and kinds possible.
Applications
Impact drills work well for drilling into masonry, metal, and wood. Although they might not be as specialist for this purpose as impact drivers, they can also be used to drive screws.
A brief summary of the differences between an impact driver and an impact drill
- Specialisation: Impact drivers specialise in high-torque, high-speed screw driving, while impact drills offer versatility for both drilling and fastening tasks.
- Chuck Type: Impact drivers use hexagonal chucks, while impact drills may have keyed or keyless chucks, accommodating a broader range of accessories.
- Efficiency: Impact drivers excel in driving screws quickly and efficiently, minimising the likelihood of cam out, while impact drills provide a broader range of capabilities but may not be as specialised for screw driving.
DeWalt DCF887D2 18V XR Brushless 3 Speed Impact Driver
with 2x 2.0Ah Batteries
Makita DTD152Z LXT 18V Cordless Impact Driver (Body Only)
Things to consider before buying an Impact Driver
Usability
The most important factor to take into account when choosing an impact driver is usability. Make sure your choice is in line with the particular duties you plan to complete. Examine its Real-Time Torque Management (RTM), a measurement that is essential for determining torque. Increased rotational power results from higher torque, as measured by RTM, which gives the tool more strength for demanding applications. You may make sure that the impact driver successfully completes the demands of your intended tasks by being aware of your usage needs and making use of the RTM function.
Battery
Choosing the right model might be difficult because there are so many alternatives. Based on our observations, the 18v XR platform cordless impact drivers are very well-liked options. It is important to remember that Li-Ion batteries, which are available in three different electric amperage ranges—12, 14, 18, and 20 volts—produce more power at higher voltages. The energy capacity of the battery, expressed in ampere-hours, is a major factor in determining how well the impact driver performs overall.
Milwaukee M18 HB12 18V High Output™
12.0Ah Battery
Milwaukee M12 B4 12V 4.0Ah Red Lithium Battery
Features
For the best performance, take into account the necessary qualities when purchasing an impact driver. Consider the power supply and, depending on your demands for portability, select between corded and cordless options. In order to ensure that the cordless versions have enough power and runtime, check the voltage and kind of battery. To ensure effective fastening, evaluate impact rate, torque, and speed settings. For better visibility, confirm the chuck size and search for integrated LED lights. Handling is improved by an adjustable clutch and variable speed trigger, and manoeuvrability is increased by the lightweight and compact design. Efficiency is enhanced by features like a belt clip and quick-change chuck. To ensure a dependable and long-lasting purchase, take into account the warranty, customer service, and brand reputation as determined by user reviews.
Weight
When selecting an impact driver, weight is an important consideration because it directly affects the tool’s usability and user comfort. For operations in confined or overhead places, a lightweight impact driver is usually more manoeuvrable and produces less user fatigue after extended use. On the other side, larger versions might be more difficult to manage over extended periods of time, but they might also offer more stability and power. The ideal weight strikes a compromise between portability and power, depending on the user’s preferences and the type of jobs the impact driver will be used for.
LED Lights
Impact drivers with LED lights are a great addition since they improve visibility in a variety of working environments. These lights, which are usually built into the tool’s construction, illuminate the work area to improve visibility in poorly lit or cramped areas. LED lighting is particularly helpful for precise jobs like screw driving and fastening in places with low natural light. This function increases user productivity by enabling more precise and regulated work and enhances the impact driver’s usage in a variety of settings.
Variable Speed and Reverse Function
It’s useful to have an impact driver with adjustable torque settings, especially if you work with different kinds of materials. With the ability to adjust the torque output of the tool, you may smoothly switch between softer and harder woods without worrying about over tightening or breaking the material. The reverse feature, which is frequently present in impact drivers, makes it easier to unscrew quickly, increasing ease and efficiency in general while doing jobs that require removing fasteners. The impact driver is a flexible tool for a variety of applications across different material types because of its adaptability in torque adjustment and its ability to operate in reverse.
Motor Type
One notable aspect of most providers is that they use Brushless Motor Technology, which improves performance and lengthens the life of impact drivers. Although there is ongoing discussion on whether equipment is better—impact drills or impact drivers—the truth is that these two instruments work well together. Their combination enables a well-rounded approach to a wide variety of job applications, which results in their shared availability. Because of their ability to combine adaptability and efficiency in handling a variety of jobs, these tools are useful for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
FAQ
Can Impact Drivers be used for drilling?
Although driving screws and other fasteners is the primary purpose of impact drivers, several versions can also be used for drilling. Impact drivers help to drive screws more effectively because of its rapid rotation and hitting action. However, impact drivers can handle light to moderate drilling tasks—especially in wood or softer materials—when outfitted with the right drill bit. It’s crucial to remember that impact drivers might not offer the same level of control and precision as specialised drills for complex drilling tasks. Using a specialised drill is usually advised for larger drilling jobs or when working with tougher materials like metal or masonry for best results. If you want to learn more about drilling have a look at DRILL BUYING GUIDE. BEST MAKITA DRILLS IN 2024.
Are impact drivers good for removing screws?
Yes, impact drivers are highly effective for removing screws. Their high torque and impacting mechanism make the process quick and efficient, even with stubborn or tightly secured fasteners.
Which impact driver is the best?
The optimal impact driver for a given activity depends on a number of parameters, each with its own requirements. While weighing power and mobility, take into account important elements like torque, speed settings, and battery type. Weight and compactness are essential for mobility, particularly in confined areas. Overall efficiency is increased by features like adjustable clutches and built-in lighting. Budgetary concerns are significant, and customer reviews provide information about actual performance. The ideal impact driver ultimately fits your unique requirements and offers the adaptability and power needed for your jobs.
At Toolden, we offer a wide range of Impact Drivers to suit all needs.
Unsure of which Impact Driver to go for? need a bit of help with your order? Our new help centre has a wide range of helpful articles and guides!