Surprising outlets and new voltage levels change best hydraulic impact drive results
Two big changes have occurred since we first published our reviews for the best hydraulic impact drivers. First, the surprise exit of Ridgid Stealth Force. It is larger in size and weight than offerings from Makita and Milwaukee, and has reasonable performance that deserves serious consideration.
We also saw Milwaukee Tool introduce the M12 Fuel Surge, the only hydraulic impact driver available on the 12V platform from a major manufacturer. While it's in a different voltage class, we still wanted to see how it compares to other oil shock drivers we've tested.
Makita 18V LXT Oil Pulse Driver XST01
The Makita XST01 Oil Hydraulic Driver strikes a solid balance between ergonomics and performance, making it the best overall hydraulic impact driver in our test. It is the lightest and fastest running under load of the 18V models. While others were more powerful in our torque tests, the XST01 held its own.
The only flaw in the armor is that there is no kit option. If you're new to Makita's cordless tools, you'll need to add the battery starter kit to the bare-bones price of $209. This should not cause problems for current Makita 18V LXT users.
Best hydraulic impact driver for fastening speed
Makita 18V LXT Oil Pulse Driver XST01
In addition to earning our top recommendation, the Makita enjoys the highest fastening speed in its class, nearly 60 RPM faster than the second-ranked Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge. We tested it extensively using both hard and soft torque applications. In the end, Makita tightened fasteners faster – even under load.
Best hydraulic impact driver torque and power
Makita 18V LXT Oil Pulse Driver XST01
Initially, the Ridgid Stealth Force took the top spot, but now that Home Depot no longer offers it, Makita has slipped into its place. After all, we can't recommend a tool that you can no longer buy!
The Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Surge and M12 Fuel Surge make it excellent in nut breaking torque, but the Makita has a solid edge in tightening torque.
Quietest hydraulic impact driver
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Surge 2551
Ridgid set the bar for noise levels in our initial tests, but Milwaukee's M12 Fuel Surge dropped another 5 decibels. At 87 dB(A), it's the only impact driver we've tested to average below 90 dB(A) under load.
All remaining 18V models have the same SPL level of 94 dB(A). Priced at $179 for the kit, the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Surge is a relatively powerful but quiet impact tool.
Editor's Note: Check out our Milwaukee M12 Fuel impact vs M12 Surge article for how these tools compare.
Most compact hydraulic impact driver
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Surge 2551
Adding the 12V model to the mix gives the M12 Fuel Surge a win, but it's not completely out of control. Its 5.2-inch head length is actually 0.2 inches longer than the M18 Fuel Surge, though its 6.8-inch height is nearly an inch shorter than any 18V model.
In terms of weight, the M12 Fuel Surge is a bit more comfortable. Using batteries, its 2.4 lbs is 0.4 lbs lighter than Makita's Oil Impulse.
best hydraulic impact driver value
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge 2760
The Tne Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge has the performance to match with its compact design, wide range of compatible tools and the best warranty in its class today. Additionally, they are the only brand to offer a hydraulic impact driver as an option with a battery kit, which earned the award for best value in its class. At $329, the tool isn't cheap, but if you want quieter results, the value proposition makes sense.
The M12 Fuel Surge is no slouch either. Consider this model if you prefer smaller size and lighter weight.
The Best Hydraulic Impact Drivers for the DIY Enthusiast
Ryobi P290 QuietStrike Pulse Driver
Listed at $149 for the kit and $79 for the bare tool, the Ryobi P290 QuietStrike Pulse Driver remains our top choice for DIYers looking for a quieter impact driver. It provides plenty of power for basic fastening tasks, and while it's not terribly compact, the Ryobi does a decent job of producing tool-balanced tools. It can certainly get the job done for less money, so look here to save some money when you want to reduce noise.
Test Results
Note: To see the details of our testing methodology, check out our best impact driver reviews article.
speed under load
Driving deck screws is a very simple task and our oil hydraulic drivers can keep up with traditional models very well. However, adding an extra load of 1/4" ledger screws changes everything. Makita topped the list with 503.8 RPM and Milwaukee's Surge came in second with 444.6 RPM.
The average speed here is a bit lower compared to a conventional impact driver. They're not slow, though, and we often use hydraulic impact drivers to keep the noise down, even if they don't drive as fast.
Fastening efficiency
Having the fastest speed is all well and good, but using speed effectively also has its place. To measure efficiency, we compare the no-load speed of the test to the speed under load. The higher the percentage, the easier the motor is to run. Reducing the stress on the motor should increase the overall life of the tool.
Makita holds the lead with 17.7 percent efficiency, followed by Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Surge at 15.4 percent. Interestingly, Ridgid's Stealth Force was pretty solid at 17.2%.
Standard 18V impact drivers have an efficiency rating of up to 24%, while their average is closer to 16%. The 12V class averaged just under 11%. This keeps the hydraulic drive consistent. Even if they're a little slower, there's no real efficiency loss or gain.
Tightening torque
Our torque tests do not and cannot replace the way manufacturers test to their specifications. Check out our Best Impact Driver home page for details on our testing methodology.
Hydraulic impact drivers have a different mechanism than impact drivers and do not take a hard blow. Some manufacturers are reluctant to provide torque figures, so we're really interested to see how this group compares to the traditional model.
The Makita tops the group, needing an average of 1871 inch-pounds of torque to break its fastening work. Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Surge has only a small advantage over the M12 Fuel and is in third place, a considerable distance from Ryobi.
Our conventional impact drivers offer up to 1413 to 2656 lb-in of torque. While Makita's Oil Impulse falls into that range, all of these models generally have lower measurable tightening torques than the standard models.
Nut breaking torque
To test bolt breaking force, proof loading was performed on grade 8 hardened nuts and bolts using a Gearwrench digital torque wrench and a Gearwrench torque multiplier (where necessary).
The Milwaukee (2880 in-lbs) soars to the top of our nut breaking torque test, with the Makita not far behind at 2760 in-lbs and the M12 Fuel Surge at a solid 2400 in-lbs. The Ryobi averages only 600 inch-pounds of nut breaking torque.
With the Makita and Milwaukee both posting 3600 in-lb efforts in our 18V impact driver class, and the Ridgid Octane impact driver topping out at 4800 in-lbs, torque for hydraulic impact drivers is still pretty far behind.
weight
Add an oil pulse mechanism to an impact driver and you'd expect higher weight. That's not surprising, but the weight gap between the four tools is huge. Milwaukee's M12 Fuel Surge is lightweight at 2.4 lbs and has a 2.0Ah battery.
Stepping up to the 18V model, Makita's compact battery weighs 2.8 pounds, which is 0.5 pounds lighter than Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Surge.
Looking back at traditional models, these weights are basically in the range, just a little bit heavier. The exception is Makita, which is slightly lighter than its XDT16 counterpart.
footprint
Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Surge has the shortest tip length at 5.0 inches, giving it a surprising advantage over its M12 counterpart. However, due to the significantly shortened height, the M12 Fuel Surge features an integral compact crown.
In fact, 3 of these 4 tools are pretty compact for an impact driver. The Ryobi stands out, though, with its rather bulky 7.6-inch head and 7.6-inch height.
feature set
The main feature of the hydraulic impact driver is the hydraulic impact mechanism. Here's a breakdown of the other benefits these tools bring:
Makita 18V LXT Oil Pulse
- Brushless Motor
- 3 speed modes
- Quick Shift Mode (for metal fixed T-patterns)
- One-handed drill insertion
Milwaukee M12 fuel surge
- Brushless Motor
- 3 speed modes
- Self-tapping screw method
- One-handed drill insertion
Milwaukee M18 fuel surge
- Brushless Motor
- 3 speed modes
- Self-tapping screw method
- One-handed drill insertion
Ryobi 18V One+ QuietStrike
- Triple-beam LEDs around the chuck
- One-handed drill insertion
- bit pop
- Mag tray for holding drill bits and screws
noise level
Each of our Oil Impulse Drivers claims to significantly reduce noise. But which one is the best hydraulic impact driver that can actually lower it?
The award went to the M12 Fuel Surge, which measured an average sound pressure level of just 87 dB(A). M18 Fuel Surge, Makita and Ryobi are all 7 dB(A) higher.
Remember that noise measurements are not linear. That 7 decibel drop is more than four times the sound intensity! In terms of the loudness (perceived loudness) of a sound, it is cut in half for every 10 decibel drop. Between the M12 Fuel and others, you can really hear the difference under load.
The standard impact driver we tested has a sound range of 97 to 105 decibels. In the best case, they have at least twice the sound pressure of the worst hydro-impact sound pressure. From the best hydronic standards to the worst – a difference of 18 dB is 64 times the pressure level and almost 4 times the difference in perceived loudness!
value
Value is more than just a price list. In our value calculations, we consider performance, design, the impact of purchasing a battery system, and more.
Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Surge received the highest value score, followed by the M12 Fuel Surge, Makita and Milwaukee. Neither of these is a bad value, but none of them really live up to the stellar ratings we've seen from some of the standard effects.
That's because we rate them alongside their standard counterparts. With generally lower performance and higher prices, the overall value proposition isn't great.
However, everyone prioritizes different aspects in different ways based on their preferences. If you work in an occupied space such as a school or office building, the difference in noise levels can be so dramatic that a hydraulic impact driver will rocket to the top of your value list.
*Note: The M12 Fuel Surge's value rating is based on how it compares to 12V models. All other models are compared to 18V models.
price list
- Makita XST01 (Oil Pulse) : $209 bare metal
- Milwaukee 2551 (M12 Fuel Surge): $149 bare, $179 kit (2 x 2.0Ah)
- Milwaukee 2760 (M18 Fuel Surge) : $169 bare, $279 kit (2 x 2.0Ah), $329 kit (2 x 5.0Ah)
- Ryobi P290 (QuietStrike) : $49 bare metal
final ranking
18V Hydraulic Impact Driver
- Makita 18V LXT Oil Pulse Driver
- Milwaukee M18 fuel surge
- Ryobi One+ 18V QuietStrike
12V Hydraulic Impact Driver
- Milwaukee M12 fuel surge