Best Cordless Impact Wrench If Money Is No Object
If price is no object and you want to get the best, most deluxe cordless impact wrench experience on the market, you’ll want a full kit. Not only do you get the wrench in question, but you get an all-important rechargeable lithium battery, as well as a charger and a carrying case.
Makita’s Cordless 1/2-inch Drive Impact Wrench Kit gives you the best of both worlds — a powerful wrench and all the accessories you need to keep it running for a long time. The deluxe kit comes with 5.0Ah batteries and the wrench has a brushless motor, both of which give you more power.
The heavy duty job kit may be expensive, but it’s worth the price be it for the bare tool or in the kit that includes everything. It has 4.8 stars out of five on Amazon with nearly 800 customer ratings.
| $159 |
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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M18 Fuel 1/2 High Torque Impact Wrench With Friction Ring Kit
The M18 FUEL 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring Kit features the most powerful cordless wrench in its class, delivering up to 700 ft-lbs of maximum fastening torque, 1,100 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque and up to 2X more runtime. The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor outperforms competitors with constant power output, and the Milwaukee® designed impact mechanism delivers up to 700 ft-lbs of maximum fastening torque. The REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack delivers more work per charge and more work over pack life than any other battery. It features an onboard fuel gauge to help you monitor the charge more accurately, so theres less downtime on the job. REDLINK PLUS Intelligence allows the operator to choose between 2 fastening modes with Milwaukees proprietary DRIVE CONTROL feature and ensures maximum performance and protection from overload, overheating and over-discharge. This 18-volt lithium-ion FUEL High-Torque Impact Wrench offers quick, tool-free socket changes with a 1/2″ friction ring anvil. Youll get ultimate comfort during extended use with the new contoured soft grip. The kit includes 2 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Extended Capacity Battery Packs, a multi-voltage charger and a carrying case.
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Best Compact Cordless Impact Wrench/best Cordless Impact Wrench For The Money
DeWalt makes the list again, but this time with a more modest model. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it, though, as it manages to top our list in two categories — not only as the best compact impact wrench , but as the best wrench for the money .
The price, especially, makes the Xtreme 12V Max Impact Wrench accessible for those who are new to the world of cordless impact wrenches — or those who just want to save some money. The 200 pound-feet of breakaway torque output may seem a little on the low side, but given that it’s a 3/8-inch model, it’s great for the size and cost to zip off a wheel nut or stubborn bolt.
Like the other DeWalt cordless tool models on this list, it comes with the endorsement of hundreds of Amazon users. The Xtreme 12V Max has 4.6 stars out of five, with over 500 ratings. It’s also the ninth-best-selling power impact wrench model on the site.
How Do Cordless Impact Wrenches Vary
Cordless impact wrenches are powered by batteries, but apart from that, they vary in many ways. The two main shape categories into which they fall are inline and pistol-grip . Pistol-grip wrenches are typically bulkier, but the design also allows for larger socket sizes — at ½-inch or above, you’ll likely be using a piston-grip wrench.
Another variation comes in the power delivered by the batteries. Like all electric tools, their power is measured in voltage. Most impact wrench batteries are either 18 or 20 volts, with the 20-volt models usually considered preferable since they provide more power, though factors like motor type also influence power.
“Generally speaking, 20-volt is better than 18-volt,” says Tim Koster, founder of Clever Creations. Clever Creations is a website dedicated to DIY projects, repair guides and tool reviews. “The higher the voltage, the more power the tool has. That said, a specific 18-volt model impact wrench can still be stronger than a different model that works on 20-volt. Voltage is not the only thing to consider.”
Of course, the amount of torque you need depends on your application, as well: “If you do a lot of automotive work, then you can benefit from up to 500 pound-feet of torque,” says Koster. “If you only do light work, on the other hand, 200-250 pound-feet will be more than enough.”
With a reasonable price tag and plenty of unfastening muscle, the Milwaukee 2767-20 is our pick for the best cordless impact wrench overall.
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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.
Makita Xwt08z 18v Lxt Lithium
Tires, specifically truck tires, have wheel nuts that are frequently very difficult to remove, which is one must use a cordless impact wrench with a solid level of torque.
Thats exactly why I chose this Makita 1/2 cordless impact wrench as the best one for changing tires, as it has:
- Brushless motor that outputs 740 ft/lbs of fastening torque and 1,180 ft/lbs of nut busting torque, which in my opinion is more than sufficient for chaning tires
- 3-speed power selection that allows the user to select the correct level of impacts per minute needed for the nut and bolt theyre working on
- Soft rubberized grip that makes holding this tool incredibly comfortable
If youd like to read the complete review, you can do it by clicking the button right down below.
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Can Bolts Be Removed With A Cordless Impact Wrench Without Breaking
The answer to these questions depends on two factors.
The first factor is your experience.
A skilled expert will know how much force and speed is required to remove nuts without breaking them. If youre one of them, then it wont matter how powerful your cordless impact wrench is. Youll never break a bolt.
The second factor resides in the level of technology that your cordless impact wrench has.
Some cordless impact wrenches now include built-in sensors that detect when the bolts are sufficiently loosened or tightened and shut off the engine to avoid breaking the bolts.
Pro-tip: When it comes to removing difficult bolts, I recommend taking your time. Slow down and begin with the lowest speed and torque setting possible. Then, gradually raise the speed and torque as needed, and youll soon find out you wont break any more nuts or bolts.
Makita Xwt11z Cordless Impact Wrench
The Makita XWT11Z Cordless Impact Wrench is a decent option for anyone in the market for an impact wrench. However, it isnt the best option for a few different reasons.
On a good note, this impact wrench has a brushless motor, though it isnt incredibly powerful. This impact wrench only delivers 210 ft-lb of torque power, which is far lower than most of the competition. It is decently compact and should be plenty portable for most people. It also has three speeds available. Most of the other high-quality impact wrenches have more speeds or even a variable trigger, though.
The battery can run for a decently long time as long as you purchase the larger battery. Smaller batteries are available as well, but these are surprisingly inadequate. You do have to dish out a little extra for the bigger battery, however. This raises the price of the tool substantially and is one of the reasons we rated it so low on our list.
This tool isnt bad overall. It is just far less than other tools around the same price point. It doesnt have as much power or as many speeds, for instance. For this reason, we rated it towards the middle of our list.
There is a three-speed selector switch, which offers some control of the speed. However, most impact wrenches offer more speed options than this.
- Battery and charger sold separately
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Dewalt Atomic 20v Max Impact Wrench: Compact Power
At first glance, its clear DeWalt designed this impact wrench as a compact model. Its less than 5 inches long from tip to tail . At the top of the handle, the head angles up slightly giving you more access to space without the battery getting in your way.
The tool is relatively lightweight as well. Bare it weighs 2.5 pounds, a 2.0Ah battery brings it to 3.3 pounds, and a 5.0Ah pack gets it to 3.9 pounds.
Even though its compact, theres some legit muscle coming from the brushless motor. It tops out at 450 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque and 300 ft-lbs of fastening torque. That combined with 2500 RPM and 3550 IPM for your bolt-removing pleasure.
Thats strong and we compared it to cordless and pneumatic options to see where it really fits. Milwaukees M18 Fuel 2855 set an impressive standard for compact 18V impact wrenches, but it isnt as strong with 250 ft-lbs for both fastening and nut-busting.
Looking to Ingersoll-Rand for a pneumatic benchmark, their ultra-compact 36QMax is capable of 640 ft-lbs for breakaway torque and 360 ft-lbs for fastening.
For now, the DeWalt Atomic 20V Max impact wrench leads the cordless category in strength, but there are still stronger pneumatic options.
Rather than just taking DeWalts word for it, we decided to test the Atomic impact wrench. We set the torque on our rig to varying levels and found that this model was able to consistently remove 450 ft-lbs using a 5.0Ah battery. We even broke bolts as high as 461 ft-lbs.
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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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.
Best Versatile Cordless Impact Wrench
While an impact wrench and an impact driver are two separate tools , it doesn’t mean that they can’t be combined — and the resulting tool ranks as our most versatile impact wrench.
The Bosch Freak 18V is that wrench, with a 1/2-inch drive for impact sockets and a 1/4-inch drive for bits. This means it can be used for many more types of jobs than a regular impact wrench and, while the maximum torque is a bit low at 150 pound-feet, the versatility makes it a worthwhile tradeoff for many buyers.
Customers on Amazon are almost universally satisfied with the range of use afforded by the Bosch Freak. It has 4.8 stars out of five, with nearly 150 customer ratings.
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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 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
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Best Cordless Impact Wrench Overall/best Cordless 1/2
If you want a cordless impact wrench that offers reliability, a reasonable price and high torque, it’s hard to beat the Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Fuel High Torque 1/2-Inch model. Made by one of the most respected manufacturers in the power tool field, the 2767-20 may very well be the only impact wrench you ever need.
The 2767-20 weighs under six pounds, but it doesn’t sacrifice power for size — its brushless motor delivers 1,000 pound-feet of fastening torque and 1,400 pound-feet of breakaway torque for removing stubborn fasteners like a lug nut. The 1/2-inch socket size is one of the most common, meaning that it can handle many of the nuts and bolts you’ll encounter.
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2767-20 is currently the second-best selling power impact wrench on Amazon, with an astonishing 4.9 stars out of five. That rating is based on over 4,400 reviews, meaning that the cordless wrench has a lot of satisfied customers. Not only is this Milwaukee impact wrench sold by itself, but it’s also available in one- and two-battery kits.
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.
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Best Cordless Impact Wrench For 2022
These cordless impact wrench picks won’t let stubborn nuts and bolts derail your next car maintenance project.
Mechanics and gearheads know that if you want to tinker with your car, you need the right tools for the job. If you want to get the most enjoyment out of fixing up your car, then a cordless impact wrench is what you need in your toolkit. Cordless impact wrenches are easier to maneuver than a regular corded electric or air impact wrench, while still being able to exert high levels of torque on nuts, screws and bolts. The truth is cordless impact wrenches make the process of working on your car a whole lot smoother.
There are many different kinds of cordless impact wrenches, though — so how do you know which one is right for you and your home garage? Size and price will ultimately dictate your choice, but so will your personal needs, so it’s important to have the right electric impact wrench guide before getting started.
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Here are our picks for the best cordless impact wrenches across a variety of categories, chosen based on customer satisfaction, expert opinion and hands-on experience. Please note that unless otherwise stated, the prices given are for the wrenches themselves. Kits that include batteries and other accessories may cost more.
After the cordless impact driver selections, read on for more information about them and what they do.
Dewalt Cordless Impact Wrench Review Performance
The impact wrench is designed for multi uses but we used it to take off some lug nuts on our truck, trailer, and the Ventrac. This wrench performed flawlessly but with 300 ft-lbs of torque, thats what you would expect.
While its a little heavy, it seems all powerful impact wrenches carry the same weight so this isnt a knock against the tool.
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Important Considerations For Choosing The Best Cordless Impact Wrench
Not all cordless impact wrenches are the same so there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best one for you. The first is the socket size. Cordless impact wrenches come in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1-inch, and even 2-inch models .
The next thing to consider is torque although a wrench that generates higher rotational force might be regarded as the best option, this is not always true. Depending on the types of jobs youll be using the wrench for, a lower torque could ensure that you dont overtighten bolts, and, in addition, the battery will last longer. Some of the latest impact wrenches, such as the DeWALT DCF899HB , have adjustable torque settings, providing more options and allowing you to set the optimal power for the specific job.
Most of the newer versions have brushless motors. Although slightly pricier, a cordless impact wrench with a brushless motor like the Makita XWT08Z , makes maintenance easier as there are fewer parts to worry about.
Choosing the same brand as the other tools in your collection might have more benefits than just looking good having the same battery packs and chargers for a range of tools can come in extremely handy.
Weve scoured the net and searched through thousands of reviews to find the best cordless impact wrenches on the market. Our list includes the eight best tools from the big hitters such as DeWALT, Makita, PORTER-CABLE, Bosch, and Milwaukee. Thomas Top Picks for the Best Cordless Impact Wrenches