Craftsman vs. Ryobi Impact Driver – A Comprehensive Comparison

Introduction

In this head-to-head review, we will delve into the popular Prosumer class by comparing the Craftsman and Ryobi impact drivers. Craftsman offers the reliable CMCF820 V20 brushless model, which has stood the test of time. On the other hand, Ryobi introduces its latest addition to the 18V One+ HP brushless product family, the PDLID02. Join us as we explore the performance of these two models and share our findings with you. We are also eager to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Looking for more impact driver content? Check out our recommendations for the best impact drivers of the year!

Why not use the newer Craftsman brushless RP impact driver?

While Craftsman has recently launched its brushless RP series, including a new impact driver, the V20 Brushless model still outperforms the newer version. We will keep an eye out for any updates from Craftsman later this year.

Craftsman Vs Ryobi Impact Driver Specifications

Let’s take a look at what the manufacturers have to say about these two impact drivers, along with our own measurements of head length and weight:

Craftsman vs. Ryobi Impact Driver Test Results

We conducted three performance tests to evaluate the capabilities of these impact drivers. Before we begin, we need to decide on a battery to use. Craftsman uses the 20V Max platform, while Ryobi operates on 18V. Although the Craftsman appears to have a higher voltage, both models have the same maximum state of charge (20V) and nominal state of charge (18V). You can learn more about the difference between 20V Max and 18V batteries.

For our tests, we used a 4.0Ah battery for both tools. Craftsman does not currently offer any premium battery packs, so we utilized their standard batteries. Ryobi, on the other hand, specifically designed the HP brushless range to take advantage of their high-performance batteries, so we used state-of-the-art batteries for them.

Test 1: GRK Fasteners RSS Screw Test

We conducted a moderate load test, driving 6″ x 1/4″ GRK Fasteners RSS screws into a stacked OSB subfloor. The results are the average of three tests.

Image: Craftsman vs. Ryobi Impact Driver – GRK Fasteners RSS Screw Test

Test 2: Lag Bolt Test

We measured how far each model could drive a 10″ x 1/2″ lag screw into the same material within 30 seconds. The results depict the average number of screws that remained raised after three tests—the lower the better.

Image: Craftsman vs. Ryobi Impact Driver – Lag Bolt Test

Test 3: Nut Loosening Time

We timed how long it took to loosen a nut set at 150 ft-lbs (1800 in-lbs). The total time for loosening five bolts was recorded.

Craftsman and Ryobi Impact Driver Feature Highlights

Craftsman CMCF820 V20

Image: Craftsman Impact Driver

• Brushless Motor
• 3 standard speeds
• Triple-beam LEDs around the chuck
• One-handed bit insertion and active ejection
• Manufactured in the USA using global materials

Ryobi PDLID02

Image: Ryobi 18V HP Impact Driver

• Brushless Motor
• 3 standard speeds and an assist mode
• One-handed bit insertion and active ejection

Prices mentioned were accurate at the time of writing and are sourced from Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Conclusion

Now it’s your turn to decide the winner! Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to tell us why you made your choice.