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The 3 Best Impact Drivers of 2024

We tested the best impact drivers from brands like Kobalt, Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, and others to find the top products
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Best Impact Driver Review (Some simply out-drove the competition during our assessments.)
Some simply out-drove the competition during our assessments.
Credit: Laura Casner
By Ross Patton, David Wise, Matt Spencer, and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Sep 17, 2024

The Best Impact Drivers for 2024


During our quest to find the best impact drivers, we bought and tested the 11 most promising models on the market to put in a head-to-head, hands-on, battery-powered tool showdown. All the top products today are cordless models, making them easy to use, but they are also powerful, which is the main reason to upgrade from a drill. We carefully measured, weighed, and timed dozens of performance test metrics on these products, but we also looked for tiny details such as the usability of the bit holder as well as the pattern and effectiveness of the target lights. We judged the comfort and ergonomics of each driver and beat the heck out of them by effectively maxing out their torque capabilities.

With the ever-evolving quality and technology of the newest and best tools, choosing the right model for the job can often be daunting and confusing. Our team has done the groundwork to take the headache out of the process of shopping for you, comparing the best circular saws as well as our favorite cordless circular saws and all of the best drills on the market. If you're in fall yard cleanup mode, check out our picks for the best leaf blowers.

Editor's Note: We updated this review on September 17, 2024, to expand upon and better explain the data from our battery life test metric. We also removed a discontinued Makita model from our lineup.

Top 11 Impact Drivers

Displaying 1 - 11 (scroll right)
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Impact Driver
 Editors' Choice Award
Best Tool-Only Impact Driver
 Editors' Choice Award
Best 12 Volt Impact Driver
      
Price $220 List
$149.44 at Amazon
$129 List
$97.76 at Amazon
$135 List
$119.00 at Amazon
$140 List
$119.00 at Amazon
$120 List
$101.00 at Amazon
$150 List
$154.99 at Amazon
$120 List
$81.99 at Amazon
$110 List
$66.98 at Amazon
$224 List
$233.28 at Amazon
$169 List
$118.80 at Amazon
$165 List
Overall Score
89
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82
71
60
64
59
37
56
51
21
Star Rating
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Pros Spectacular power, lightning-fast driving, great batteryExceptional torque, very fast, great battery lifeIncredibly fast, phenomenal torque, four speed settingsGood speed and torque, decent battery lifeConvenient, compact, several settingsSolid torque, decently speedy, convenient to useGood amount of torque, decently compact, fairly fastAffordable, magnetic bit holderLED can be turned off, bit quick insert, battery level indicatorBit holder, compact, easy-insertGreat integrated worklight, decently convenient
Cons So-so light, two-handed bit insertionLoud, only one RPM settingNot the best battery life, noisyLoud, relatively priceyPricey, battery doesn't last long, loudLoud, battery life could be betterFairly loud, lackluster battery test performanceUnimpressive torque, noisey, slowOverheats, inconsistent torque, lacks bit holder, cannot perform heavy duty tasksMotor temperature concerns, loud, erratic torque, light-duty onlyPoor measured battery life, lackluster speed and torque showing in our tests
Bottom Line An impressively strong and fast model with a long-lasting batteryThis driver had the most impressive battery life in our test and offers torque performance that is on par with the bestIf you're looking for a fast 18V impact driver with excellent torque in a condensed size, we recommend this modelAn excellent addition to an existing fleet of DEWALT tools, but an expensive option if you've not already investing in DEWALT batteriesGet this if you're looking for a light, small, 12-volt impact driver with great performanceThis run-of-the-mill tool failed to win any accolades but should do a decent job with most productsFinishing a little below average overall, the ATOMIC struggled to stand out from the rest of the packIf you want to add an impact driver without spending an arm and a leg, then this is a great optionA hydraulic drive model that is outperformed by others that cost significantly lessWe've tested many impact drivers that outperform this model and are much more affordableThis little 12-volt impact struggled to compete with the rest
Rating Categories Kobalt XTR Max 24V Makita XDT13 Milwaukee M18 Fuel... DeWalt MAX XR DCF887B Milwaukee M12 Fuel... Porter-Cable PCCK647 DeWalt DCF809B Atomic Black+Decker 20V Ma... Makita XST01Z Lithi... Milwaukee M18 2760... DeWalt DCF815S2 12V
Speed (35%) Sort Icon
10.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
1
Torque (25%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
8.0
6.0
1
Convenience (20%)
6.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
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6.0
4.0
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6.0
Battery (15%)
10.0
6.6
5.7
5.1
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4.3
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2.4
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1
Noise (5%)
3.0
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1
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Specs Kobalt XTR Max 24V Makita XDT13 Milwaukee M18 Fuel... DeWalt MAX XR DCF887B Milwaukee M12 Fuel... Porter-Cable PCCK647 DeWalt DCF809B Atomic Black+Decker 20V Ma... Makita XST01Z Lithi... Milwaukee M18 2760... DeWalt DCF815S2 12V
Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test 13 seconds 21 seconds 16 seconds 23 seconds 37 seconds 32 seconds 32 seconds 58 seconds Didn't Complete Didn't Complete 133 seconds
Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test 3 seconds 4 seconds 3 seconds 4 seconds 6 seconds 7 seconds 6 seconds 6 seconds 9 seconds 8 seconds 14 seconds
Average Measured Fastening Torque 300 ft-lb 282 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 238 ft-lb 143 ft-lb 257 ft-lb 215 ft-lb 152 ft-lb 255 ft-lb 183 ft-lb 110 ft-lb
Average Measured Breaking Torque 300 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 275 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 220 ft-lb 300 ft-lb 275 ft-lb 100 ft-lb
Average Measured Time: 3-2'x12' Ledger Screw Test 2.1 seconds 2.8 seconds 2.0 seconds 2.8 seconds 3.7 seconds 3.9 seconds 5.4 seconds 6.7 seconds 3.9 seconds 5.0 seconds 9.0 seconds
Battery Test Screws Driven 117 78 68 62 44 52.5 46 31 55 60 15
Measured Length 139 mm 126 mm 116 mm 136 mm 132 mm 147 mm 130 mm 168 mm 136 mm 127 mm 159 mm
Average Measured Decibels While Using 96 dBa 97 dBa 99 dBa 100 dBa 97 dBa 98 dBa 92 dBa 97 dBa 100 dBa 103 dBa 100 dBa
Impact Driver Model # KXID 124B-03 XDT13 2853-20 DCF887 2553-20 PCC647 DCF809 BDCI202 XST01Z 2760-20 DCF815
Quick Bit Insert No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Bit Holder No No Yes No No Yes No Yes No Yes No
Multiple Fastening Modes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No


Best Overall Impact Driver


Kobalt XTR Max 24V


89
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Speed 10.0
  • Torque 10.0
  • Convenience 6.0
  • Battery 10.0
  • Noise 3.0
Weight: 2.4 pounds | Length: 139 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Powerful
Fast
Phenomenal battery efficiency
REASONS TO AVOID
Dim light
No quick insert
SPECIFICATIONS
Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test  3 seconds
Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test  13 seconds
Average Measured Fastening Torque  300 ft-lb
Average Measured Breaking Torque  300 ft-lb
Average Measured Time: 3-2'x12' Ledger Screw Test  2.1 seconds
The Kobalt XTR Max 24V is our hands-down favorite for heavy-duty tasks. During our head-to-head speed tests, this model outperformed every other impact driver that we've seen. The XTR showed a ridiculous amount of torque, maxing out our torque wrench for both fastening and loosening large nuts. We love that this model has four different settings, including three speeds and an “ASSIST” mode that slowly increases RPMs to reduce the chances of cross-threading. When we added the XTR to our review, we had to rewrite the battery scores for every other model because this version's battery outlasts all of them by such a long shot.

The XTR is not completely flawless. Its light is relatively dim and doesn't do the best job of illuminating a dark work area. A low-quality light can become problematic when working in poorly lit areas like crawlspaces or attics. For most folks, this issue may not be a deal breaker (if it is, check out the DeWalt DCF809B Atomic, which has one of our favorite lights of the test group, although it lags behind the Kobalt XTR in important metrics like speed, torque, and battery life). We were also somewhat disappointed that the chuck lacks a quick insert function. This technology is a little outdated — most newer drivers allow for one-handed insertion of bits. However, despite our few gripes, the Kobalt XTR performed amazingly throughout our tests and is our top recommendation for those requiring top-notch power and speed.

Read more: Kobalt XTR Max 24V review

impact driver - the kobalt xtr max 24v is powerful, fast, and has excellent battery...
The Kobalt XTR Max 24V is powerful, fast, and has excellent battery life.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Best Tool-Only Impact Driver


Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20


82
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Speed 9.0
  • Torque 10.0
  • Convenience 8.0
  • Battery 5.7
  • Noise 2.0
Weight: 2.5 pounds | Length: 116 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Super fast
Phenomenal torque
Compact
Four RPM settings
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre battery life
SPECIFICATIONS
Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test  3 seconds
Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test  16 seconds
Average Measured Fastening Torque  300 ft-lb
Average Measured Breaking Torque  300 ft-lb
Average Measured Time: 3-2'x12' Ledger Screw Test  2.0 seconds
For a first-class impact driver, look no further than the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20. In our speed trials, it surpassed almost all of the competition, only slightly lagging behind one other driver — the Kobalt XTR Max 24V — in our lag bolt test. In our torque tests, the M18 had no trouble breaking and fastening nuts up to 300 ft-lbs of pressure. Due to this tool's compact size, it can easily access small places. The M18 Fuel has four RPM settings — three different speeds and one specific setting for finish work.

Our primary complaint with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel is the battery life just doesn't live up to some of the other contenders. If long battery life is a key factor in your decision-making, consider upgrading to a larger Milwaukee battery or opt for a model with longer battery life, like the Kobalt XTR Max 24V, which featured the longest-lasting battery in our tests. Lastly, we should mention that the M18 Fuel is quite noisy. While most impact drivers make a bit of a ruckus, this driver is surprisingly offensive.

Read more: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20 review

impact driver - the m18 was was of the best torque test performers.
The M18 was was of the best torque test performers.
Credit: Laura Casner

Best 12 Volt Impact Driver


Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20


60
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Speed 7.0
  • Torque 6.0
  • Convenience 7.0
  • Battery 3.6
  • Noise 3.0
Weight: 1.7 pounds | Length: 132 mm
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Light
Convenient
REASONS TO AVOID
Unimpressive battery life
Lacks quick insert
SPECIFICATIONS
Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test  6 seconds
Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test  37 seconds
Average Measured Fastening Torque  143 ft-lb
Average Measured Breaking Torque  275 ft-lb
Average Measured Time: 3-2'x12' Ledger Screw Test  3.7 seconds
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel is the best impact driver we've found in the land of 12-volt battery-powered tools. This impressive little driver essentially fits in your pocket. Not only is it compact, but it's also lightweight, easy to use, and comfortable to hold. Our favorite thing about the M12 Fuel is that it kept up with (and, in several instances, outperformed) drivers with substantially more girth and voltage. To top it off, Milwaukee offers a fantastic array of tools built on the M12 Fuel platform, so you may only need to buy one battery and charger for a fleet.

The M12 Fuel has some small flaws. Despite its tiny size and lighter weight, it is still very loud. Its battery is one of the shortest-lived in the tests. And as a 12-volt model, it's just not going to be as powerful as some of the more serious tools in our test. If you need more power, we recommend taking a look at the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20.

Read more: Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20 review

impact driver - the m12 fuel is one of the fastest 12-volt models that we've tested.
The M12 FUEL is one of the fastest 12-volt models that we've tested.
Credit: Laura Casner

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
89
Kobalt XTR Max 24V
Best Overall Impact Driver
$220
Editors' Choice Award
82
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20
Best Tool-Only Impact Driver
$135
Editors' Choice Award
80
Makita XDT13
$129
71
DeWalt MAX XR DCF887B
$140
64
Porter-Cable PCCK647
$150
60
Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20
Best 12 Volt Impact Driver
$120
Editors' Choice Award
59
DeWalt DCF809B Atomic
$120
56
Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V
$224
51
Milwaukee M18 2760 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic
$169
37
Black+Decker 20V Max Impact Driver BDCI20C
$110
21
DeWalt DCF815S2 12V
$165

impact driver - we extensively tested to compare the performance of the top impact...
We extensively tested to compare the performance of the top Impact Drivers and score each one on five key performance metrics.
Credit: Laura Casner

How We Test Impact Drivers


Here at GearLab, we strive to offer our readers the most accurate and thorough reviews possible. We purchase all of the products we test at full price, and we never accept any demos or freebies from manufacturers. After putting these drivers through 144 individual tests in our lab, we spent dozens of hours working on projects ranging from changing furnace air filters, fastening TV mounts, and assisting with custom furniture construction. To make the most accurate assessments concerning which impact drivers are truly the best for which applications, we researched the subtleties of each one's design and how they work, then found out which features are gimmicks versus must-haves. The detailed results of this review represent 11 of the best impact drivers available on the market today. Our in-depth testing process of impact drivers breaks down into five rating metrics:
  • Speed (35% of overall score weighting)
  • Torque (25% weighting)
  • Convenience (20% weighting)
  • Battery (15% weighting)
  • Noise (5% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab


For this review, we put together a dream team of testers. Review Editor Ross Patton has spent countless hours with an impact driver in his hands during his years working in the HVAC industry as well as building custom features for a world-class snowboard park. Senior Review Editor David Wise grew up using power tools and also has a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. He has used a plethora of tools for a multitude of projects, including designing and building deepwater surveying robots. Senior Research Analyst Austin Palmer has plenty of experience with impact drivers from his experience working on oil rigs in Texas as well as being an avid DIY specialist. Review Editor Matt Spencer, the newest addition to the power tool testing team, is currently studying engineering and has impressed the crew with his ability to uncover the subtle nuances that set great products apart from those that fall short.

Lots of bolts and the old trusty stopwatch are a few of the tools we...
Lots of bolts and the old trusty stopwatch are a few of the tools we used to assess impact drivers.
The Makita XST01Z showed great results during our torque assessment...
The Makita XST01Z showed great results during our torque assessment, but only some of the time.
We went through buckets of fasteners in order to put these tools to...
We went through buckets of fasteners in order to put these tools to the true test.

Analysis and Test Results


We spent days researching each model and manufacturer's claims for these products, then purchased the most promising models for an extensive hands-on comparison. To help you find the right product for your specific needs, we conducted dozens of different assessments over several weeks of testing, using five weighted rating metrics in which to group our findings and results — speed, torque, convenience, battery life, and sound.


What's the Best Value?


Unlike many power tools, there is nothing close to a parallel between price and performance regarding impact drivers. Our research and test results taught us that several models could outperform more expensive models in certain aspects. We also know that this review's most affordable tools can handle a very reasonable workload, especially for light-duty and finish applications.

Whether or not you already own a certain brand's batteries and chargers can greatly affect the value for you. Suppose you own one of these brands and are pleased with their products. In that case, your best option is likely to stick with the brand you have, provided that you do your research and confirm with the manufacturer that your current battery system is compatible with the model of impact driver you're planning on purchasing. Also, make sure that our testing results match the performance you're looking for — because one brand may be great at making circular saws but terrible at making impact drivers.

Though there is a span of prices between these products, a few of the best models in our tests, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel and Makita XDT13, are reasonably affordable — especially if you already own Milwaukee batteries or if you buy the impact driver in a kit with other tools. If you're in the market for a 12V version, the Milwaukee M12 Fuel is well worth the price considering its outstanding performance. If you don't already own a collection of a certain brand's tools that you'd like to expand upon, Kobalt's new model, the XTR Max 24V, includes a 24-volt battery and a charger.

impact driver - the right driver depends on its intended use.
The right driver depends on its intended use.
Credit: Jason Peters

Speed


One of the primary benefits of owning an impact driver is increased efficiency and project workflow. In this regard, speed is crucial. For professionals, as the saying goes, time is money. If you're a DIYer, the last way you want to spend your limited free time is waiting for a tool that lags during a project. For these reasons, we decided to let this metric account for 35% of the total score.

impact driver - we designed several repeatable tests in order to be able to gather...
We designed several repeatable tests in order to be able to gather heaps of objective data for product comparison. The Kobalt knocked it out of the park in our speed tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

To determine the various speeds of each model, we clocked a dozen individual time trials per driver using multiple types of screws and lumber. We began with a stack of sheets of plywood that allowed ample room to sink a 3-⅝" ledger screw completely. For this test, we took five time trials for each model, the average of which are charted below.


The Kobalt XTR and Milwaukee M18 Fuel rocked this test at 3 seconds each. The Makita XDT13 and DeWalt Max each had an average ledger screw time of 4 seconds in the plywood.

impact driver - the makita xdt13 drove ledger screws quickly and easily.
The Makita XDT13 drove ledger screws quickly and easily.
Credit: Laura Casner

We then used the same ledger screws, but this time we tested an alternative wood, using a stack of 2x12 lumber and taking seven trials. The results from that test are shown below.


The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853 knocked it out of the park with a 2-second drive time with the ledger screws into the lumber, followed closely by the Kobalt XTR, DeWalt MAX, and Makita XDT13, which also earned sub-three-second time here. The DeWalt DCF815S2 took the longest, at a full 9 seconds.

We drove hundreds of screws in order to time each model's fastening rate.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Finally, we drilled 11/32" pilot holes into the 2x12 boards to accommodate a ½" x 3" lag bolt. For this experiment, we clocked how long it took each tool to drive the bolt completely and how long it took to remove it. The chart below shows the average measured time (driving and removing) for each driver in our lag bolt tests.


The Kobalt XTR Max 24V was the undisputed champion here. When we timed the Kobalt driving and removing the lag bolt, it easily destroyed the competition with a time of 13 seconds: 10 seconds to tighten the bolt and only 3 seconds to remove it.

The chart below illustrates the cumulative speed scores for each tool, taking into account each speed test we carried out with the lag bolts and ledger screws.


The Kobalt XTR, Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853, and the Makita XDT13 came out on top when we averaged out the speed scores. The DeWalt MAX XR also had a great showing. Unfortunately, the other DeWalt we tested, DCF815S2, fell to the very bottom of the pack here.

impact driver - the m18 fuel 2853-20 had some of the best speed performance of any...
The M18 Fuel 2853-20 had some of the best speed performance of any model in our tests.
Credit: Laura Casner

Torque


Torque (or twisting force) is a critical differentiator that sets impact drivers apart from your standard drill. An impact driver's motor is designed to allow quick rotational bursts of force that deliver an extra boost of tightening power. The amount of torque that each model offers can be the difference between whether the tool can handle the job or not.

To test torque, we welded several ¾" bolts to an I-beam that would be nearly impossible to shear off with an impact driver. In our first test, we tightened nuts onto each bolt using a torque wrench to determine the number of foot-pounds of pressure each driver could loosen. For our second torque test, we used each model to tighten the nuts for five seconds and then used the wrench to determine the torque each driver delivered.

impact driver - we welded 3/4" bolts to an i-beam in order to measure each driver's...
We welded 3/4" bolts to an I-beam in order to measure each driver's torque.
Credit: Laura Casner

The torque wrench we used for testing maxes out at 300 foot-pounds of force, so we determined that drivers that could both reach and break a minimum of 300 foot-pounds should earn a perfect score for the metric. Below is our chart illustrating how each impact driver performed in our fastening portion of the torque evaluation.


In our fastening test, the Kobalt XTR Max 24V and Milwaukee M18 Fuel were able to achieve the highest fastening standard we measured for (300 foot-pounds). The Makita XDT13 performed just behind this group, reaching an average of 282 foot-pounds. Of the hydraulic drive models, the Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V showed the most impressive results. This model was able to fasten nuts to an average of 255 ft-lbs. The 12V models did the least well here, with the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20 fastening at an average of 143 foot-pounds and the DeWalt DCF815S2 12V averaging 110 foot-pounds of torque.

impact driver - we tightened down the nuts using a 300 ft-lb torque wrench to...
We tightened down the nuts using a 300 ft-lb torque wrench to determine each driver's torque strength.
Credit: Laura Casner

After using the torque wrench to tighten the nuts down to 300 foot-pounds, we then tested each impact driver to see how well they could loosen the nuts. The results of this test are charted below.


With the exception of a few products, most of these power tools could break 300 foot-pounds of pressure. The Makita XDT13 achieved this immediately, which was quite impressive. The next best tools could achieve this task in around 2 seconds, including the Kobalt XTR MAX, DeWalt MAX XR, and Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20. The Porter-Cable also broke 300 foot-pounds, but it took nearly ten seconds to get there.

impact driver - the milwaukee m18 fuel 2853-20 maxed out our torque tests.
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2853-20 maxed out our torque tests.
Credit: Laura Casner

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2553-20 and Milwaukee M18 2760 could only break a maximum of 275 foot-pounds, and the Black+Decker only broke 220 foot-pounds. The DeWalt had the poorest showing in this test, only able to break 100 foot-pounds of pressure.

Our torque metric comprises 25% of each driver's overall test score. The drivers that could reach and break the minimum 300 foot-pounds of force earned a perfect score in this metric. The chart below shows the total score for our torque tests.


The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20 and Kobalt XTR Max 24V were superstars in this metric. And though the Makita XDT13 could only reach a torque of 285 ft-lbs while tightening, it was so much quicker than any other tool we tested at breaking 300 ft-lbs that we opted to award it a perfect score, too.

impact driver - the kobalt xtr easily reached 300 foot-pounds of fastening force.
The Kobalt XTR easily reached 300 foot-pounds of fastening force.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Makita XST01Z was able to loosen nuts tightened to 300 ft-lbs after holding the trigger for about five seconds. However, our team chose to dock the XST01Z a point for this metric because this model's ability to display its highest level of performance was largely inconsistent.

The 12V DeWalt DCF815S2 was the weakest performer in our torque tests, only able to achieve 110 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 100 foot-pounds of breaking torque.

Convenience


Convenience is an important element of impact driver efficiency. Therefore, we dedicated 20% of the total score to this metric. To reach a numeric value for convenience, we examined the subtle differences between each model, including the bit holders, the quality and performance of the LED lights, the functionality of the quick connect hex head collet and any other additional features.


The top performer in the convenience department was the Milwaukee M18 Fuel. This model offers a quick-release chuck, a belt hook, and a bit holder. Additionally, it has four RPM settings, and we found the button to be easy to press and in a great location. One of our favorite aspects of this model is its size — only 116mm.

impact driver - we appreciated the thoughtful placement of the button that changes...
We appreciated the thoughtful placement of the button that changes speeds on the M18 FUEL.
Credit: Laura Casner

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel, Milwaukee M18 2760 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic, Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V, and the DeWalt MAX XR are equipped with switches to select different RPM settings.

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL has 4 RPM settings.
The Milwaukee M12 FUEL has 4 RPM settings.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge controls are located at the bottom...
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge controls are located at the bottom front of the driver's handle.

In addition to different RPM settings, the Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V has a button for turning the light off when it is not needed — allowing it to save battery and minimize wear on the light.

impact driver - the makita xct01z has its rpm controller and a light switch at the...
The Makita XCT01Z has its RPM controller and a light switch at the handle's bottom.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The DeWalt MAX XR features great LED lights and we also love that it has a short total length, which makes it easy to use in tighter spaces.

impact driver - the dewalt max has a very effective light pattern.
The DeWalt MAX has a very effective light pattern.
Credit: Laura Casner

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel is lightweight and small in size, and we appreciate these attributes of this model. It's about as compact and light as they come, ideal for folks without much storage stage or for pros hoping to carry a lighter load in their tool kit. In addition, its small size makes the M12 Fuel great for driving into weird angles and harder-to-reach places.


Although the Kobalt XTR Max 24V is not the longest model in our review, at 139mm, it is longer than most. This comes as no surprise considering that it is also one of the fastest and most powerful impact drivers we've ever gotten our hands on. The XTR has three different speeds and then an “ASSIST” mode which gradually increases RPMs in order to reduce cross-threading and cam-out.

impact driver - the control button on the xtr max is located at the base of the...
The control button on the XTR Max is located at the base of the handle, but the battery level indicator is on the battery itself.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

We love that the Makita XDT13 is so short — from front to back, it's only 126mm. Regrettably, this driver is devoid of RPM setting controls.

impact driver - the tiny size of the milwaukee m12 fuel helps it squeeze into tight...
The tiny size of the Milwaukee M12 FUEL helps it squeeze into tight places.
Credit: Jason Peters

Battery


To wear out the impact drivers, we alternated between sets of sinking 14 ledger screws and then driving and removing a ½" x 3" lag bolt (for a count of 16 screws per set), repeating this process until each battery was effectively dead. Some of the drivers showed remarkable battery life. Others, not so much. The chart below details how many screws were driven before each battery was worn out completely.


In our battery tests, the Kobalt XTR Max 24V left the rest of the field in the dust. This model completed over seven rounds of our ledger screw and lag bolt gauntlet, effectively 117 screws, before finally running out of juice.

We drove screw after screw until the batteries were completely drained.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Coming in second place for this portion of our side-by-side analysis was the Makita XDT13, which drove 78 screws before the battery died.

impact driver - we were impressed with the overall battery life of the makita xdt13.
We were impressed with the overall battery life of the Makita XDT13.
Credit: Laura Casner

The hydraulic drive models we tested, the Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V and the Milwaukee M18 2760 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic, earned scores near the middle of the pack for this assessment, with 55 and 60 screws, respectively. The poorest showing in our battery assessment was the 12-volt DeWalt DCF815S2, which only completed driving 14 of the ledger screws and one lag bolt, but its battery died during the process of removing the lag bolt.

impact driver - we sunk hundreds of ledger screws to wear each impact driver out.
We sunk hundreds of ledger screws to wear each impact driver out.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Because a short battery life can be extremely inconvenient and annoying when you're fully committed to a project, we decided that this metric should account for 15% of the total score. The scores for each impact driver are charted below.


We gave a perfect score to the driver with the longest-lasting battery in our test, the Kobalt XTR Max 24V. The lowest score was given to the model with the shortest battery life, the DeWalt DCF815S2 12V. We used a mathematical formula to score every other driver in between, using the data gathered in our ledger screw and lag bolt battery exhaustion test described above.

Noise


As far as noise goes, impact drivers are just, well, loud. Period. Nevertheless, we decided to run some experiments and include the results in our overall assessment of these tools. We used an SPL meter to measure each model's average decibel level while in operation.

We always suggest you consult the manufacturer's instructions and wear the recommended PPE regardless of what our results show. OSHA has some great information concerning various sound pressure levels and the amount of exposure a person can be subjected to before causing damage to their hearing. See our reviews of the best safety glasses and top-rated earplugs for our picks.

Unfortunately, nearly every impact driver failed this metric because they all emit absurd amounts of noise. Below, we've charted the measured decibels for each driver while in use.


The DeWalt DCF809B Atomic was the “quietest” driver, emitting 92 decibels while in use, earning an average score for noise. Considering its incredible speed and power, we think that the loud noise produced by the Kobalt XTR Max 24V isn't that bad.

impact driver - the hydraulic drive models are fabled to be easier on the ears --...
The hydraulic drive models are fabled to be easier on the ears -- sadly, our tests showed this to be untrue.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The supposed primary benefit of purchasing a hydraulic drive model over a traditional percussive impact driver is that the former is known to be much quieter. Unfortunately, the data in our testing proved otherwise. The Makita XST01Z Lithium-Ion Oil Impulse 18V produced an average of 100 decibels, and the Milwaukee M18 2760 Fuel Surge Hex Hydraulic jacked the SPL meter to a painful 102 decibels during our noise assessment, making them two of the loudest models we've ever tested. Current technology has not yet found a way around the loudness of this particular type of tool.


The chart above shows our noise scores based on our decibel tests. This test only accounts for 5% of each driver's total score. Since these products are just inherently loud no matter what, no driver earned a better score than 5 out of 10 here.

impact driver - there's no way around it, impact drivers are loud.
There's no way around it, impact drivers are loud.
Credit: Laura Casner

How to Pick an Impact Driver


We've put together a list of important buying considerations, including size, budget, and features, to help find the correct impact driver for your next project, big or small.

What Voltage is Best?


Impact drivers typically range in voltage size from 12V up to 24V. Deciding on the correct voltage depends on how demanding your work is. A 12V driver is more compact and easier to use for a wide range of tasks, while a 20-plus volt driver is most appropriate for heavy-duty applications. 18V lives somewhere in the middle and serves the majority of people's driver needs.

impact driver - for tight spaces and hard-to-reach spots, a smaller driver may work...
For tight spaces and hard-to-reach spots, a smaller driver may work best.
Credit: Jason Peters

How Intensive Are Your Projects?


You'll want to choose a driver with an adequate amount of torque for the jobs you're doing. For more intensive tasks such as heavy-duty carpentry, more powerful drivers with lots of torque will be the right choice. For smaller jobs like furniture installation and shelving projects, less expensive options exist that can still help speed up processes. Consider the typical size and intensity of your projects as a way to choose an impact driver that is both usable and effective.

impact driver - choosing the right impact driver starts with considering the size...
Choosing the right impact driver starts with considering the size and intensity of your projects.
Credit: Laura Casner

Does Brand Matter?


For folks who already have a stable of tools, buying from the same brand helps with convenience and battery compatibility. On the other hand it's a good idea to consider options that fit your needs best, regardless of brand. If the right driver aligns with your preferred manufacturer, that's great, but otherwise, it's best to consider options that will serve you best regardless of the name.

How Important is Battery Life?


Finding an impact driver with adequate battery life can mean the difference between finishing a job on time or not. For folks who use their driver at the job site and take it on the go, having a long-lasting battery and a spare handy is incredibly important. For those using a driver for home projects with easy access to charging, battery life may be less crucial to finishing a project. Consider how often you are away from charging access when using your driver, and consider if a faster charge time is relevant to your personal tasks and projects.

Conclusion


We hope our review has provided you with the in-depth information you need to make an informed decision in choosing the right impact driver for your needs and applications.

Ross Patton, David Wise, Matt Spencer, and Austin Palmer