Best Cordless Impact Drivers
WorkshopCompare is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our guides are researched from manufacturer specifications; we do not test tools.
An impact driver is the tool for long screws, lag bolts and anything a drill struggles to finish. It adds short rotational hammer blows once resistance builds, so it drives fasteners with less wrist strain and less bit slip than a drill/driver. The models below all take 1/4 inch hex bits, and they differ mainly in listed torque, size, motor type and whether a battery and charger come with them.
Our Top Picks
- For Milwaukee M18 owners: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4" Hex Impact Driver
- Lowest listed bare weight: Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1/4" Hex Impact Driver
- Brushless bare tool for Makita LXT owners: Makita 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver
- Compact with a bolt mode: Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer Bolt Impact Driver Kit
- Highest listed torque in this group: Flex 24V Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver Kit
- For a ready-to-use Lowe's kit: Kobalt 24V Brushless 1/4" Impact Driver Kit
- Brushless kit in a lower price tier: Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact Impact Driver Kit
- Brushed kit with battery and charger: Craftsman V20 1/4" Impact Driver Kit
Comparison Table
| Impact driver | Listed torque (in-lbs) | Motor | Length | Weight as listed | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL | 2,000 | Brushless | 4.47 in. | 2.2 lb, bare | Tool and belt clip |
| Milwaukee M12 FUEL | 1,500 | Brushless | 5 in. | 1.6 lb, bare | Tool and belt clip |
| Makita XDT13Z | 1,500 | Brushless | 5 in. | 3.3 lb with battery | Tool only |
| Metabo HPT WH18DC | 1,859 | Brushless | 4-1/2 in. | 2.0 lb | Two 2.0Ah batteries, charger, case |
| Flex FX1372A-2C | 2,500 | Brushless | — | — | Two 5.0Ah batteries, charger, case |
| Kobalt KID 2024A-03 | 2,000 | Brushless | 5.3 in. | 2.4 lb | One 2Ah battery, charger, soft bag |
| Skil ID6739B-10 | 1,800 | Brushless | — | — | One 2.0Ah battery, charger |
| Craftsman CMCF800C1 | 1,460 | Brushed | — | — | One 1.5Ah battery, charger |
Torque figures are the maker's listed maximum for each driver. Weights are not on the same basis across the table, since some makers list a bare tool and some list the tool with a battery, so use the length and weight columns for rough size only.
The Picks
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4" Hex Impact Driver
Milwaukee lists 2,000 in-lbs of torque, up to 3,900 RPM and 4,400 IPM, a length of 4.47 inches and a weight of 2.2 lb without battery. It has 4-mode drive control and is sold as a bare tool with a belt clip. It works with Milwaukee M18 batteries.
Pros
- Brushless motor with 2,000 in-lbs of torque
- Only 4.47 inches long
- 4-mode drive control and Tri-LED lighting
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1/4" Hex Impact Driver
The M12 version lists up to 1,500 in-lbs, 3,600 RPM and 4,000 IPM in a 5 inch body that weighs 1.6 lb without battery. M12 and M18 are separate systems, so batteries do not swap between them. The M12 vs M18 guide covers that choice.
Pros
- 1.6 lb bare, 5 inches long
- Brushless motor with 1,500 in-lbs
- 4-mode drive control and Tri-LED light
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M12 batteries
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver
Makita lists 1,500 in-lbs of maximum torque, up to 3,400 RPM and 3,600 IPM, a 5 inch length and 3.3 lb with battery. It has variable speed and a single speed setting. It is a bare tool for anyone who already owns Makita 18V LXT batteries. It shares the $50–100 tier with the Skil kit, but the Makita price covers the tool alone, while the Skil includes a battery and charger.
Pros
- Brushless motor, 1,500 in-lbs maximum
- Compact at 5 inches long
- Variable speed up to 3,400 RPM
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- One speed setting
Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer Bolt Impact Driver Kit
Metabo HPT lists up to 1,859 in-lbs, five speed modes including a BOLT mode for large bolts and nuts, a length of 4-1/2 inches and a weight of 2.0 lb. The kit includes two 18V 2.0Ah batteries, a charger and a storage case. It works with Metabo HPT 18V and MultiVolt batteries.
Pros
- Up to 1,859 in-lbs from a 4-1/2 inch body
- Five speed modes including BOLT mode
- Two batteries with fuel gauge, charger and case
Cons
- Works only with Metabo HPT 18V and MultiVolt batteries
Flex 24V Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver Kit
Flex lists this driver at up to 2,500 in-lbs, the highest figure in the table. The kit includes two 5.0Ah batteries, a 160W fast charger and a case. A one-touch collet allows one-handed bit changes, and a 360-degree LED lights the work area. It works with Flex 24V batteries.
Pros
- Up to 2,500 in-lbs of listed torque
- Two 5.0Ah batteries, charger and case
- Dual self-tapping modes for screw driving
Cons
- Works only with Flex 24V batteries
- Accepts 1/4 inch hex bits only
Kobalt 24V Brushless 1/4" Impact Driver Kit
The listed specifications are 2,000 in-lbs, up to 3,100 RPM and 3,800 IPM, a weight of 2.4 lb and a length of 5.3 inches. The kit includes one 2Ah battery, a charger and a soft bag, and the driver has a work light and a 5-year limited warranty.
Pros
- 2,000 in-lbs and 3,800 IPM
- Battery, charger and soft bag included
- 5-year limited warranty
Cons
- Kit includes one 2Ah battery
- Works only with Kobalt 24V batteries
Skil PWRCore 20 Brushless Compact Impact Driver Kit
Skil lists up to 1,800 in-lbs, three-speed selection with a variable trigger and a one-handed collet. The kit includes a 2.0Ah battery and a charger, and the driver has a Halo light and a control mode to reduce cam-out.
Pros
- Brushless motor up to 1,800 in-lbs
- Battery and charger included
- One-handed collet for fast bit changes
Cons
- Compact 2.0Ah battery limits run time
- Three speed settings only
Craftsman V20 1/4" Impact Driver Kit
This is the only brushed motor in the group. Craftsman lists 1,460 in-lbs and up to 2,800 RPM. The kit includes one V20 1.5Ah battery and a charger, and the driver has a quick-release chuck for one-handed bit changes and an LED light.
Pros
- Listed at 1,460 in-lbs
- Battery and charger included
- Quick-release chuck and LED light
Cons
- Brushed motor, not brushless
- Kit includes one 1.5Ah battery
How to Choose
Start with the battery system
An impact driver is only as useful as the batteries you can power it with. If you already own Milwaukee M18, Milwaukee M12 or Makita 18V LXT batteries, the bare-tool drivers here avoid paying for another battery and charger. The other five picks are kits that include a battery and charger. Each driver works only with its own platform's batteries (Milwaukee M18, Milwaukee M12, Makita 18V LXT, Metabo HPT 18V and MultiVolt, Flex 24V, Kobalt 24V), so check the platform before anything else. The bare tool vs kit guide explains how to weigh that choice.
Read the torque figure for what it is
Torque for an impact driver is the maker's listed maximum. A higher number points to more capacity for large lag screws and structural fasteners, while the 1,460 to 1,500 in-lbs drivers in this group are listed well below the 2,000 to 2,500 in-lbs ones. Note that the figures come from each maker's own test method, so small gaps between two drivers are not a reliable guide.
Size and weight matter in overhead and tight work
The Milwaukee M12 FUEL is listed at 1.6 lb bare, and the M18 FUEL at 4.47 inches long. A shorter body fits between studs and joists more easily. Compare weights only on the same basis, bare or with battery, because a kit battery adds to the total in use.
Brushless or brushed
Seven of the eight drivers above are brushless, and the Craftsman is the brushed one. A brushless motor is generally more efficient than a brushed motor, which is why it appears in most newer tools. If the driver will see regular use, the brushless models are the more natural fit.
Check what is in the box
The Flex, Metabo HPT and Kobalt kits include one or two batteries, a charger and a case or bag. The Makita and both Milwaukee drivers are bare tools. A one-battery kit with a 2Ah pack, like the Skil or Kobalt, has less run time per charge than a larger pack, and a second pack helps if you work through a long day. The battery size guide covers run time against weight.
If you also need a drill, a kit that pairs the two saves buying batteries twice. See the two-tool combo kit guide and the cordless drills guide.
FAQ
What is the difference between an impact driver and a drill?
A drill turns a bit steadily and has an adjustable clutch. An impact driver adds rapid rotational hammering under load and takes 1/4 inch hex bits, which suits driving long screws and bolts more than drilling large holes.
Can I use an impact driver as a drill?
It can drill with hex-shank bits, but it has no clutch and works best for driving fasteners. A drill/driver is better where you need precise control over depth or torque.
Do these drivers hammer into masonry?
No. Impact drivers deliver rotational impacts, not the forward hammering of a hammer drill, so they are not designed for masonry drilling.
Is 2,000 in-lbs always better than 1,500?
A higher figure means more capacity on paper. For general driving, either level covers most household work.