Impact Driver & Wrench Reviews & Buying Guides

We spend hundreds of man-hours testing the best cordless impact drivers and the best cordless impact wrenches through rigorous hands-on objective testing. We also review pneumatic impact wrenches which still play a huge role in the automotive tools market. On the cordless side, our tests cover 12V, 18V, 20V, 36V, and 40V impact drivers and wrenches. All tools we review go through our torque testing rig so we can rank them in their respective categories. We know you already likely have your favorite tools. However, while you may have your favorite “color” or brand, Pro Tool Reviews helps you understand how that tool actually performs against the competition. Our cordless impact driver and impact wrench reviews avoid bias by using standardized testing procedures. Plus, we not only test power, but also look at run-time, vibration, ergonomics, price, and value. After all, the best impact driver or wrench for one Pro, mechanic, or tradesman may not be the same for another.

Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver Review

Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver Review

Removing or driving fasteners in cramped spaces is easy with the new Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver thanks to its compact head size of only 3-1/2″ and 700 in-lb of torque. This handy tool comes with lithium-ion battery power, a variable-speed trigger, 1/4″ hex quick chuck and a compact size that will surely make it one of the go-to tools in your collection. The engineers at Craftsman did a fantastic job of combining the functionality of a right angle drill with an impact driver. The Craftsman 17562 NEXTEC 12V Right Angle Impact Driver represents what might be an industry first with their design and from what we can tell, they engineered a great tool. This impact driver proved to be very versatile when working in cramped spaces and for some projects it’s a must.

Porter Cable PC18ID 18V Lithium Impact Driver Review

Porter Cable PC18ID 18V Lithium Impact Driver Review

Impact drivers are the new drill. While we don’t recommend them for actual drilling – not into hardwood, at least – the Impact Driver has become the go-to tool for most homeowners looking to reduce fatigue and stress when driving screws. The tools, like Porter Cable’s PC18ID 18V Impact Driver, are extremely compact as well – allowing for more maneuverability than many drills with standard chucks. At just under $80, it also presents itself as an incredible value – especially if you’re already in possession of the lithium-ion batteries and charger required to power this tool.

DeWALT DCK211S2 12V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Kit Review

DeWalt DCK211S2 12V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Kit Review

The DeWALT DCK211S2 12V MAX Cordless Li-Ion Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Kit seems pretty good, but they are a long time in coming and we were eager to see if these new 12V tools were worth the wait. These new tools come at a time when some other manufactures are already coming out with their second generation 12V tools. Having owned a construction company that had a lot of DeWalt tools on our job sites, a certain amount of brand loyalty had us holding out for these and we were excited to dive in and see how these new offerings from DeWalt sized up.

Bosch PS41-2A 12V Lithium-Ion Impact Driver Review

Bosch PS41-2A 12V Impact Driver Review

The first generation of Bosch’s 12V line of tools was impressive, but the fact that just about three years later they released a third generation impact driver means that they are coming after the market with a vengeance. The case in point would be the brand new PS41-2A Impact Driver. For this review I was able to solicit the second-gen PS40-2A from a friend and therefore face off the newer model against its predecessor. The results definitely proved that the new impact driver didn’t just get smaller, it got more powerful – as the revised specs indicate.

Bosch 18V Impactor High-Torque Impact Wrench 22618

Bosch 18V Impactor Cordless Impact Wrench 22618 Preview

Bosch 18V Impact Wrench 22618 tool features an innovative hammer and anvil system that delivers up to 30% more torque. A soft-grip handle absorbs impact and reduces fatigue. A high-performance motor and all-metal gears make this impact drill super fast, operating at speeds of 2,800 RPM. All this power and speed in a lightweight and compact design makes this an incredibly versatile tool. An aluminum gear housing with protective rubber front makes this tool is jobsite tough.

Bosch 18V Impactor High-Torque Impact Wrench 21618

Bosch 18V Impactor 1/2″ High-Torque Impact Wrench 21618

The New Bosch 21618 18-Volt NiCad 1/2-Inch high-torque impact wrench offers the highest torque. It delivers 1,900 RPM and 2,100 BPM for a range of applications, including lag bolts, Tapcons, structural bolts and hex bolts. The tool weighs 7-1/2-Pound. It comes with two Blue Core batteries, which provide 50-Percent more cycle life than previous-generation batteries.

Bosch 14.4V Impactor Cordless Impact Wrench 22614

Bosch 14.4V Impactor Cordless Impact Wrench 22614 Preview

Bosch 14.4V 22614 features a hammer and anvil system that delivers up to 30% more. A soft-grip handle absorbs impact and reduces fatigue. A high-performance motor and all-metal gears make this impact drill super fast, operating at speeds of 2,800 RPM. All this power and speed in a lightweight and compact design makes this an incredibly versatile tool for wide variety of drilling, fastening and driving applications. An aluminum gear housing with protective rubber front makes this tool is jobsite tough.

Bosch 22612 impact wrench

Bosch 12V Impactor Cordless Impact Wrench 22612 Preview

Bosch 12V 22612 features an Innovative Hammer & Anvil System, a 1/2″ Square Anvil Soft-grip handle. Also, a Cutting-edge, high-performance motor and all-metal gears(Super fast operating speed, delivering a category-best 3,200 BPM and 2,800 RPM), and Lightweight 3.7 pounds and 6.5 inches in length that is incredibly versatile for use in dozens of drilling, fastening and driving applications. In addition, it offers aluminum gear housing with protective rubber front, Externally accessible brushes for easy brush replacement, a Multi-purpose reversible tool hook, a Variable-speed trigger for complete control, a Multiple-position swivel, and LED lighting system that increases visibility.

Bosch PS40-2A impact driver LEDs

Bosch 12V Max Litheon Impactor Driver PS40-2A

Bosch PS40-2A 12-Volt features 60% more torque, a hammer and anvil system produces 800 in-lbs of torque and delivers 1,800 RPM/3,000 BPM. Also, a LED Light Ring that illuminate work area for use in dark areas, Litheon 12V Max Batteries, and Spring-Loaded Impact Mechanism that reduces user fatigue. In addition, it features an Aluminum gear housing with protective rubber front, 1/4″ hex drive with Quick Release, and Ergonomic Soft Grip Handle for extended comfort and control, a Bumpers on Side of Tool that protect work surface and prevent slipping, and Variable speed Trigger for complete control.