Have too many cordless impact wrenches to choose from? We support you!
Looking for the best cordless impact wrench of the year? You have come to the right place! While impact wrenches are one of the core tools of mechanics covering the automotive and heavy equipment sectors, construction, landscaping, MRO, utilities, and many other fields also use them. We've pulled together our team of experts and determined which models deserve your consideration.
Editor's note: This article is part of PTR's "Best of 2022" series and was originally published on January 26, 2022. Our recommendations haven't been updated…yet. Keep an eye out for our 2023 update!
Check out our article on the differences between impact drivers and impact wrenches!
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Medium Torque Impact Wrench
With Milwaukee's latest generation M18 Fuel medium torque impact wrench, with up to 550 foot-pounds of tightening torque and 650 foot-pounds of nut breaking torque, the performance we get helps us avoid switching to high torque models. When you're working on a passenger vehicle, this impact wrench can replace the need for heavier, high torque 95% or more of the time. Even for heavy equipment and diesel mechanics, they have a lot of work to do beyond lug nuts.
At the same time, the power levels of these impactors are very compact, with a length of only 6 inches, a weight of only 5 pounds, and a 5.0Ah battery. All of this makes this generation of the M18 Fuel model the best cordless impact wrench in our book. They are available in 3/8" friction ring (2960), 1/2" friction ring (2962) or 1/2" pin detent type (2962P).
Price: $249 bare, $429 kit with two 5.0Ah batteries (based on 2962 friction rings)
Best 3/8" Cordless Impact Wrench
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/8" Medium Torque Impact Wrench 2960
Milwaukee's next-generation M18 Fuel impact wrench is available in a 3/8" option, and this model is our top pick for the best cordless 3/8" impact wrench. In addition to the performance and size we discussed above, there are some significant feature upgrades.
The 3-LED light ring does a better job of eliminating shadows than foot lights. There's also a 4-mode drive control that includes an assist mode. With it, you can quickly set a nut or bolt before the tool automatically stops at a maximum of 35 foot-pounds. From there, finish it off with your torque wrench, and make sure you don't damage the piece by over-tightening.
Price: $229 bare, $329 kit with two 2.0Ah batteries, $429 kit with two 5.0Ah batteries
Best 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench
Makita 40V max XGT Medium Torque Impact Wrench GWT07/GWT08
Makita's latest 40V Max XGT Medium Torque Impact Wrench definitely deserves your consideration as the best cordless 1/2" impact wrench. It has a tightening torque of 560 foot-pounds and a loosening torque of 810 foot-pounds. But Makita is more humble than most, and we've found that their impact wrenches often exceed specs in the real world.
Considering the power you're getting (6.7 inches), it's a pretty compact option. But what really sets it apart are the 6 assist modes—3 forward and 3 reverse—as well as 4 standard speeds. Each will give you a different degree of tightening or loosening before automatically stopping, and are useful when you're working with fasteners with various load sensitivities.
Price: $349 bare tool, $549 kit with two 2.5Ah batteries
Best Compact / Stubby Impact Wrench
DeWalt 20V Max Atomic 1/2" Impact Wrench
DeWalt has an unexpected surprise for us in the Atomic line – a compact stubby unit with 450 ft-lbs of breakaway torque…we verified it on our test bench! It's also very compact, below 5 inches and the head slopes up to ensure the battery doesn't get in your way.
For control, there are two standard modes and two auxiliary 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 (3/8-inch version also available)
Best Budget Cordless Impact Wrench
Ridgid 18V Octane 1/2" Medium Torque Impact Wrench R86011KSB2N
Coming up with a single recommendation for the best budgetary impact wrench means we have to make some assumptions and trade-offs. For some, they just need a compact model, while others may legitimately need higher torque. We may not agree on everything, but we do agree that today's cordless medium torque impact wrench is the best all-round wrench, so that's where we're headed.
Ridgid's Octane mid-torque costs $149, which shouldn't be overlooked considering it comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Up to 620 foot-pounds of nut-breaking torque, assist modes, and a 3-LED light ring deliver the performance and features we want to see at a price that sets it apart. But act quickly. Home Depot is currently listing it as a "special sale," and we're not sure how long they'll be available.
Price: $149 kit with one 4.0Ah battery
Who Makes The Best Cordless Impact Wrenches?
Identifying the best brand of cordless impact driver can be difficult given the number of options available. However, Makita and Milwaukee are leading the race with their latest generation of two horses.
In general, Milwaukee is leading the way by pushing the limits of performance further and getting into cordless models (such as their 1-inch line) where no one else has yet.
With a more refined design in the competition, the Makita is neck and neck with the Milwaukee in performance. They don't have a huge range of impact wrenches, but where they compete, they are very effective. Additionally, the 40V XGT system gives Makita some extra headroom to expand its higher performance offerings.
More Cordless Impact Wrench recommendations from brands we trust
Most of the time, the best cordless impact wrench for you is the one that uses the batteries you already have. If that's you, here are our top recommendations for other brands we trust to get the job done.
The best Bosch cordless impact wrenches
Bosch has revived its 18V line with advanced batteries and BiTurbo brushless motors to form the ProFactor line, and the latest 3/4-inch high-torque impact wrench is a beast! The 3-speed GDS18V-770 is extremely efficient with 770 ft-lbs of tightening force and 1250 ft-lbs of nut breaking torque. Now it's in the hands of our marine mechanic, saving him some flare time by breaking loose bolts that were exposed to salt water for too long.
Price: $249 bare metal
Best Craftsman Cordless Impact Wrench
Our favorite Craftsman cordless impact wrench is the 3/8" CMCF910. It makes slightly less power than some competitors at 165 foot-pounds, but that's still more than enough to tackle most automotive tasks other than lug nuts. If you're using a Craftsman V20 system, it's easy to add for less than $100.
Price: $99 bare metal
Best DeWalt Cordless Impact Wrenches
As our friend Paul pointed out to us, DeWalt has a huge assortment of cordless impact wrenches in the 20V max line, plus some 12V Max offerings. So, if we could only have one, which one would we choose? The 1/2" Atomic we mentioned above is certainly a good example. However, we turn to DCF894 for full performance. This is a solid medium torque pick with 330 ft-lbs of tightening torque, 600 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and a tip speed of 2000 RPM. You can also choose between arch ring and pin brake actuation. If you're a fan of Tool Connect, you get the same bones as the DCF896 with added technology.
Price: $219 bare, $419 with two 5.0Ah batteries ($269/$449 DCF896 with tool connection)
Best Flex Cordless Impact Wrench
The Flex only has a cordless impact wrench as we write this, but it’s a great tool! The FX1471 features a 1/2-inch high-torque design with 800 foot-pounds of tightening force and 1150 foot-pounds of breakaway torque, controlled by three electronic speeds and an assist mode. Considering the performance and the kit's 5.0Ah battery and fast charger, its $299 price tag makes it one of the best high-torque values you'll get in a professional-grade impact wrench.
Price: $299 with 5.0Ah battery
Best Greenworks Cordless Impact Wrench
Greenworks has been busy expanding its line of 24V/48V lawn care equipment for homeowners, and has power tools that run on the same battery to complement them. For an impact wrench, see Greenworks' 24V Brushless 3803402AZ. This 1/2-inch 3-speed model is capable of holding up to 540 ft-lbs—more than enough for most jobs around your home and garage. It's also easy to save money by purchasing a brushless impact wrench.
As an added bonus, the battery has a USB port built into it so you can use it as a power source.
Price: $89.99 bare metal
Best Hart Cordless Impact Wrench
Hart has been creating a DIY emporium at Walmart, and has even branched out into other cordless products you can use in your home, like vacuum cleaners. When it comes to impact wrenches, they have a variety of options. While they don't have a brushless model yet, the 1/2-inch HPIW01 can withstand up to 350 foot-pounds of pressure and should cover most of your home and garage needs without breaking the bank.
Price: $119
Learn more on Hart's website.
Best Hilti Cordless Impact Wrench
Hilti are high quality and a great choice for commercial and industrial work outside of general construction and they have announced the Nuron range as a higher performance platform. For installation or steel work use Hilti's Ultimate Class 1/2" SIW 8-22. With a tightening force of 738 ft-lbs and a massive nut breaking torque of 1217 ft-lbs, it is currently the most powerful model in the line. Backed by a 20-year warranty, this premium professional impact wrench is sure to work long after other models have been tossed in the trash.
Price: From $334
Best Ingersoll Rand Cordless Impact Wrench
Ingersoll Rand's W9000 Series 1-Inch Cordless Impact Wrench is by far the most powerful model available. With 3000 ft-lbs breakaway force and 2200 ft-lbs tightening torque, no one else comes close. With standard and extended anvils, they use a pair of batteries to save fleet and heavy equipment technicians from the days of lugging hoses.
Price: $1399 kit with four 5.0Ah batteries
Best Kobalt Cordless Impact Wrench
If you're looking for solid power on a budget, look no further than Kobalt's XTR series of high torque impact wrenches. The 1424A-03 is capable of an eye-popping 1200 foot-pounds of nut breaking force and 750 foot-pounds of tightening torque. Meanwhile, a kit of this advanced tool is only $269. At $219, as we write this, it's a better deal (the sale ends 2/2/22).
Price: $269 kit with 4.0Ah Ultimate Output battery
Best Metabo HPT Cordless Impact Wrench
Metabo HPT's 36V MultiVolt series is unique in that the entire line is AC adapter compatible, giving you the choice of cordless convenience or unlimited corded runtime without switching tools. If that sounds appealing to you, the MultiVolt 3/4" Impact Wrench is an excellent high torque option. Heck, even without the AC option, it's still a powerful tool with 812 foot-pounds of tightening force and 1328 foot-pounds of nut breaking torque.
Price: $289 bare metal
NOTE: Keep an eye out for a new mid-torque option for the 36V MultiVolt series from Metabo HPT coming soon! It has higher performance than Milwaukee's Cordless Medium Torque.
The best Ryobi cordless impact wrench
Ryobi offers a variety of cordless impact wrench options in its line of high performance 18V One+ HP brushless products. Stronger is the 1/2 inch P262. Its brushless motor provides 450 foot-pounds of tightening force and 600 foot-pounds of breakaway torque. We have a feeling there could be something more powerful in the works, but for now, it has solid power levels in the mid-torque range.
Price: $169 bare metal
Best Skil Cordless Impact Wrench
Skil's PWRCore 20 Brushless 1/2" Impact Wrench is rated for a breakaway torque of 200 foot-pounds, but actually exceeded it in our testing by almost 300 foot-pounds! Like other Skil impact tools, the IW5739-1A has a heavier impact than it appears on paper. Offering prices that exceed your expectations has been a hallmark ever since Skil rediscovered itself as a high value brand with true Pro potential.
What We Look For When Testing Cordless Impact Wrenches
strength and speed
Whether it's tightening or loosening, power is at the heart of your cordless impact wrench. The more power you have, the more likely you are to get the fastener moving fast and not strain the motor.
Speed is secondary, but still important. If you are running long wood screws etc. in construction or landscaping, you want to run them as fast as possible while keeping them under control.
size and weight
Once you know how much power you need, finding it in the smallest, lightest package without giving up quality is of the utmost importance. Most impact wrenches are much heavier than impact drivers, and the vibration and noise of the tool can tire you out quickly. Achieving the title of best cordless impact wrench in any category requires great attention to power-to-weight ratio.
In general, there are 3 main categories to look at: compact (including stubby), medium torque, and high torque. As your size increases, so does your strength. Keep in mind that today's brushless models are much more capable than they used to be. Smaller class sizes are often used to achieve the same performance as larger models of just one generation ago.
Electronic assistance and intelligent control
Assist modes and smart controls are extremely valuable features of impact wrenches. Many fasteners have torque ratings, and it's easy to overtighten them if you're not careful. Having an auto-stop feature helps you tighten a nut or bolt quickly and still get it done with a torque wrench.
Conversely, automatic mode can back off the fastener and stop or slow it down significantly so you don't shut it off completely. It's great when you're working high or just hate chasing rogue nuts and bolts.
Smart controls like the Milwaukee One-Key, DeWalt's Tool Connect and Bosch Connected tools offer even more benefits. Inventory management and tracking are the main highlights, but there's a lot more to consider in the app.
ergonomics
Impact wrenches are violent, noisy, clunky tools, and ergonomics can be an afterthought in some designs. However, reducing weight, perfecting the balance, and creating a comfortable handle all make this tool easier to use and less tiring when working long hours.
price and value
As always, value is an important part of what we see with any tool. It's not about which one is the cheapest, it's about doing a good job while getting the most bang for your buck.
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