Best Kobalt Cordless Impact Wrench
Look no further than Kobalts XTR line for a high-torque impact wrench if youre on the hunt for solid power on a budget. The 1424A-03 is capable of an eye-popping 1200 ft-lbs of nut-busting and 750 ft-lbs of fastening torque. At the same time, this advanced tool is just $269 as a kit. At the time were writing, its an even sweeter deal for $219 .
Price: $269 kit with 4.0Ah Ultimate Output battery
Best Metabo Hpt Cordless Impact Wrench
Metabo HPTs 36V MultiVolt line is unique in that the entire line is compatible with an AC adapter, giving you the option of cordless convenience or infinite corded runtime without switching tools. If that sounds appealing to you, the MultiVolt 3/4-inch impact wrench is an excellent high-torque option. Heck, even without the AC option, its still a powerful tool with 812 ft-lbs of fastening and 1328 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque.
Price: $289 bare tool
Heads up: Be on the lookout for a new mid-torque option coming from Metabo HPT for the 36V MultiVolt line soon! Its boasting even higher performance than Milwaukees cordless mid-torque.
How Are Impact Drivers And Impact Wrenches Different
There are two significant differences between impact drivers and impact wrenches.
The first one is what you attached to these tools.
When using an impact driver, you screw and unscrew screws utilizing the tools chuck and impact driver bits.
Now, regarding impact wrenches, they have hog ring anvils to which sockets are attached so that nuts and bolts may be tightened and loosened
The second difference resides in the level of power both these tools provide.
With an impact driver, youre dealing with considerably less powerful motors and produce much less torque than with an impact wrench.
Generally, most impact drivers may be found with torque ratings between 1,500 and 1,600 inches per pound . On the other hand, its very easy to find cordless impact wrenches with a minimum torque of 200 ft/lbs.
Watch the following video for a closer look at the differences if youre interested in learning more:
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Best Ingersoll Rand Cordless Impact Wrench
Ingersoll Rands W9000 series 1-inch cordless impact wrenches are the most powerful models by a wide margin. Boasting 3000 ft-lbs of breakaway and 2200 ft-lbs of fastening torque, no one else comes close. With standard and extended anvils available, they use a pair of batteries to help fleet and heavy equipment techs leave the days of dragging a hose behind.
Price: $1399 kit with four 5.0Ah batteries
Best Bosch Cordless Impact Wrench
Bosch revitalized its 18V lineup with advanced batteries and BiTurbo brushless motors to form the ProFactor line, and the newest 3/4-inch high-torque impact wrench is a beast! The 3-speed GDS18V-770 packs 770 ft-lbs of fastening and 1250 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque with merciless efficiency. Right now, its in the hands of our marine mechanic, saving him some torch time by breaking loose bolts that have been exposed to saltwater way too long.
Price: $249 bare tool
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Whats A 1/2 Cordless Impact Wrench Good For
Well, I would say a 1/2 cordless impact wrench is good for the following:
- Fastening and removing rusty nuts and bolts using their strong brushless motors that produce surprising torque levels
- Installing 1/2 sockets to work on differently sized nuts and bolts
- Ergonomic designs made with lightweight materials that coupled with convenient features such as LED lights make working with these tools something very enjoyable
Too Many Cordless Impact Wrenches To Choose From Weve Got Your Back
On the hunt for the best cordless impact wrench this year? Youre in the right place! While impact wrenches are one of the core tools for mechanics covering the automotive and heavy equipment sectors, construction, landscaping, MRO, utility, and so many others use them as well. We got our team of experts together and determined which models deserve your consideration.
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Best Hart Cordless Impact Wrench
Hart has been creating a DIY emporium at Walmart and even expanding into other cordless products you can use around your home, such as vacuums. For impact wrenches, they have a couple of choose from. While they dont have a brushless model , the 1/2-inch HPIW01 can break up to 350 ft-lbs to handle the majority of your home and garage needs without breaking the bank.
Price: $119
Learn more at Harts website.
Electronic Assistance And Smart Controls
Assist modes and smart controls are highly valued features for impact wrenches. Many fasteners have a torque rating and its easy to over-torque them if youre not careful. Having an automatic stop helps you run a nut or bolt quickly and still leave it short to finish off with a torque wrench.
In reverse, auto modes can back off a fastener and stop or slow down significantly so you dont run it completely off. When youre working at height or just hate chasing rogue nuts and bolts, its incredibly helpful.
Smart controls such as Milwaukee One-Key, DeWalts Tool Connect, and Bosch Connected tools have added benefits. Inventory management and tracking are the major highlights, but theres a lot more inside the apps that are worth considering.
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Dewalt 20v Max Atomic 1/2
DeWalt hit the scene with an unexpected surprise for us in the Atomic linea compact stubby with 450 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and we verified on our test rig! Its also legitimately compact with the sub-5-inch head angled up to ensure the battery doesnt get in your way.
For control, there are two standard and two assist modes. While there are other brands with more advanced controls, you have to give up some power to get it.
Price: $199 bare, $419 with two 5.0Ah batteries
Best Craftsman Cordless Impact Wrench
Our favorite Craftsman cordless impact wrench is the 3/8-inch CMCF910. Its power is a bit lower than some of its competition at 165 ft-lbs, but thats still plenty to tackle most automotive tasks aside from lug nuts. If youre on the Craftsman V20 system, this is an easy addition for under $100.
Price: $99 bare tool
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Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Ever check out a review site and you cant tell if they actually tested the tools or if theyre just recommending the Amazon top sellers? Thats not us. We wont recommend anything unless wed actually use it ourselves and we dont really care who the primary retailer is. Its all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.
Weve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.
Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.
We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.
We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.
Well provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readersincluding objective evaluations of individual tools and products.
Whats The Best Voltage For A 1/2 Cordless Impact Wrench
It all depends on what youre looking for.
With the more voltage you get in your cordless impact wrench, the higher torque youll enjoy if the motor allows it.
So, if youre the kind of mechanic that needs higher levels of nut-busting torque to remove difficult nuts and bolts, then you should get a cordless impact wrench with at least 25 volts.
A 1/2-inch cordless impact wrench with a 20-volt battery, on the other hand, is more than enough for most job sites as it draws sufficient torque.
Again, as I said earlier, itll be determined by your specific power needs.
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Best Greenworks Cordless Impact Wrench
Greenworks has been busy expanding its line of 24V/48V lawn care equipment for homeowners and there are power tools that run on the same battery to supplement them. For an impact wrench, check out Greenworks 24V brushless 3803402AZ. This 1/2-inch 3-speed model is capable of breaking up to 540 ft-lbsplenty for most jobs around your house and garage. Its also easy on your wallet for a brushless impact wrench.
As an added bonus, theres a USB port built into the battery so you can use it as a power supply.
Price: $89.99 bare tool
Batteries: Volts And Amp Hours
All things being equal, higher voltage will give you more powerbut there are cases for lower voltage. With smaller batteries, 12-volt impact wrenches are more compact. This makes them good for smaller jobs, working overhead, or getting into tight spaces. Tools with 18 and 20 volts have less difference between them. Generally, 18-volt tools with advanced features and capabilities make them more versatile and easier to use.
Amp hours equals the number of amps that the battery will discharge, continuously, for an hour. Think of amp hours like the volume of a gas tanka bigger number equals more gas.
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Milwaukee M18 Fuel Mid
Using Milwaukees latest generation of M18 Fuel mid-torque impact wrenches, were getting the performance that helps us avoid turning to high-torque models thanks to fastening torque up to 550 ft-lbs and nut-busting up to 650 ft-lbs. When youre working on passenger vehicles, this one impact wrench can replace the need for a heavier high-torque 95% or more of the time. Even for heavy equipment and diesel mechanics, they handle a ton of the work aside from lug nuts.
At the same time, these impacts are incredibly compact for their power level, just 6 inches in length and weighing right at 5 pounds with a 5.0Ah battery. All that makes this generation of M18 Fuel models the best cordless impact wrenches in our book. Theyre available in a 3/8-inch friction ring , 1/2-inch friction ring , or 1/2-inch pin detent styles .
Price: $249 bare tool, $429 kit with two 5.0Ah batteries
Best Hilti Cordless Impact Wrench
Hilti is high on quality and a great choice for commercial and industrial jobs in addition to general construction and theyve announced the Nuron line as a higher-performing platform moving forward. For installation or steel construction jobs, get your hands on Hiltis Ultimate Class 1/2-inch SIW 8-22. With 738 ft-lbs of fastening and a monster 1217 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, its the most capable model currently in the line. Backed by a 20-year warranty, this premium professional impact wrench is sure to still be kicking long after other models hit the trash bin.
Price: Starting at $334
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Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8
Milwaukees next-gen M18 Fuel impact wrenches have a 3/8-inch option and that model is our top choice as the best cordless 3/8-inch impact wrench. Aside from the performance and size we discussed above, there are a couple of big feature upgrades.
The 3-LED light ring does a much better job of eliminating shadows than foot-mounted lights. Theres also a 4-mode Drive Control that includes an assist mode. Using it, you can set nuts or bolts quickly before the tool automatically stops at 35 ft-lbs max. From there, use your torque wrench to finish it off and ensure you dont damage the workpiece by over-tightening.
Price: $229 bare tool, $329 kit with two 2.0Ah batteries, $429 kit with two 5.0Ah batteries
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Best Flex Cordless Impact Wrench
Flex only has one cordless impact wrench at the time were writing this, but its a good one! The FX1471 is a 1/2-inch high-torque design with 800 ft-lbs of fastening and 1150 ft-lbs of breakaway torque controlled by three electronic speeds and an assist mode. Considering the performance and that the kit comes with a 5.0Ah battery and fast charger, its $299 price tag makes it one of the best high-torque values you get in a Pro-level impact wrench.
Price: $299 kit with 5.0Ah battery
Best Skil Cordless Impact Wrench
Skils PWRCore 20 brushless 1/2-inch impact wrench is rated for 200 ft-lbs of breakaway torque, but actually exceeded it by breaking nearly 300 ft-lbs in our testing! Like other Skil impact tools, the IW5739-1A hit harder than it seems on paper. Delivering more than you expect for the price has been a consistent characteristic since Skil rediscovered itself as a high-value brand with very real Pro potential.
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How We Tested These Impact Wrenches
Every impact driver on this list has been thoroughly vetted and evaluated by our test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience operating these tools to determine the best options. We chose practical tasks that most people might need to accomplish with these impact wrenches. The first was removing and replacing lug nuts torqued to the recommended spec at 165 foot-pounds on a Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup truck. The second task was to remove, or break free, rusted nuts and bolts on an old piece of farm equipment. We evaluated them on performance, price, comfort, value, and versatility to determine the best impact drivers that will meet the needs of a wide range of people.
- Torque: 1,400 ft-lb
- Torque: 600 ft-lb
Experts Recommend These 1/2
A good 1/2-inch drive cordless impact wrench is essential for any mechanic.
We’ve moved out of the auto repair Stone Age. The need for classic hand tools is diminishing, and the era of portable, powerful electric tools is here.
One of the most essential tools for a mechanic is a 1/2-inch drive impact wrench: perfect for taking off lug nuts, tackling larger bolts, and tightening fasteners to the correct amount of ugga-duggas. Electric versions of this handy tool have become a toolbox staple thanks to their portability, usability, and durability. Who needs an air compressor?
We talked to the garage monkeys over at Car and Driver about what they use in their garages, along with the tool sharks over at Popular Mechanics for their expert recommendations. Paired with some top-rated choices from Amazon, here’s our list of terrific 1/2-drive cordless impacts.
The experts at Popular Mechanics speak highly of this Milwaukee impact driver, and the Car and Driver team agreesâthis is their impact wrench of choice. With 1000 pound-feet of fastening torque and 1400 pound-feet of breaking power, this beast has more than enough strength for any automotive job. The kit comes with a 5.0Ah battery, charger, and nice carrying case.
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M18 Fuel 1/2 High Torque Impact Wrench With Friction Ring Kit
The 2767 M18 FUEL 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring eliminates the need to use a pneumatic tool for those stubborn and rusted bolts by delivering 1,000 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1400 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. With 2X faster removal speed, users will be able to get the job done faster and be more productive throughout their day. By providing the industrys most compact cordless High Torque Impact Wrench at 8.39 in length, this tool allows for more access in tight spaces. 4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL with Bolt Removal mode gives users the most control over their fasteners. Bolt Removal mode gives the user more control when removing fasteners by slowing to 750rpm once the fastener has been busted loose. This tool offers quick, tool-free socket changes with a 1/2 in. friction ring anvil. A premium rubber overmold material gives you ultimate comfort during prolonged use while lasting longer against corrosive materials.
Ridgid 18v Octane 1/2
Coming up with a single recommendation for the best budget impact wrench means we have to make some assumptions and trade-offs. For some folks, a compact model is all they need while others might legitimately need higher torque. We might not agree on everything, but we did agree that todays cordless mid-torque impact wrenches are the best all-around, so thats the direction were heading.
At $149, Ridgids Octane mid-torque is hard to ignore considering it comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Up to 620 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, an assist mode, and a 3-LED light ring give it the performance and features we like to see at a price that sets it apart. Act quickly, though. Home Depot lists it currently as a Special Buy and were not sure how long theyll offer it.
Price: $149 kit with one 4.0Ah battery
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How Are Air Impact Wrenches And A 1/2 Cordless Impact Wrenches Different
Well, the most significant difference between these two is, of course, how they are powered.
Air tanks provide the power for air impact wrenches.
One of their benefits is that they have more torque and are less costly to get and maintain since their internal components are not pricey due to their engineering simplicity.
However, air tanks and air compressors are needed to power this tool, which means a significant upfront cost for customers seeking inexpensive impact wrenches.
On the other hand, Cordless impact wrenches are more costly as a tool on their own because of the complex internal parts that allow them to work without any external power supply.
They do provide a solid level of torque and benefit from not being connected to any external air tank, which is extremely handy since you wont have to deal with hoses.
On the other hand, because of the large number of internal components, they may fail and cost you the money you didnt want to spend on costly replacement parts or even on replacing the whole tool.