An impact driver is a compact cordless tool that drives screws and bolts with short rotational bursts. Most use a quarter inch hex chuck for quick bit changes. Some are sold as kits with a battery and charger, others as a bare body, so the box contents matter as much as the torque number.
The six drivers below range from a compact 18V body to a 24V model with a USB-C battery. Voltage, torque, speed and kit contents come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these tools ourselves. All performance figures are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Kit or bare tool | Bare bodies need a battery and charger you may already own |
| Battery platform | Batteries swap only inside the same brand system |
| Torque and speed | Higher numbers suit larger fasteners |
| Speed settings | Several modes help with small screws |
| Size and weight | Compact bodies reach tight spots |
Specs at a Glance
| Driver | Voltage and torque | Speed | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCF787D1 | 20V MAX; torque not reliably listed | Up to 2800 rpm | 2Ah battery, charger, belt hook |
| DEWALT DCF845P1 | 20V MAX; 1825 in-lbs | Up to 3400 rpm; 3 speeds | 5.0Ah battery, charger, belt hook, kit bag |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL | 18V; 2000 in-lbs | Up to 3900 rpm; 4 drive modes | Battery not mentioned |
| Makita XDT11Z | 18V; 1460 in-lbs | Up to 2900 rpm | Tool only |
| Greenworks 24V | 24V; 1950 in-lbs | Up to 3400 rpm | 2Ah USB-C battery, 30W charger, cable |
| BLACK+DECKER BDCI20C | 20V MAX; 1375 in-lbs | Up to 3000 rpm | Battery, charger, one bit |
The 6 Best Cordless Impact Drivers
1. DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver DCF787D1
A quarter inch brushless driver with an LED light that stays on for 20 seconds after the trigger is released. The kit has a 2Ah battery, a charger and a belt hook. The torque figure on the page reads 1500 ft-lb, which cannot be right for this tool, so we do not repeat it.
Suits: a compact kit for home projects. Strengths: battery and charger included, plus a belt hook. Weaknesses: the listing gives no usable torque figure. Skip it if you want the numbers before buying.
View DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver 1/4 in Kit DCF787D1 on Amazon
2. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Driver DCF845P1
A brushless driver with three speed settings, 1825 in-lbs of torque and up to 3400 rpm, three LEDs and a 5.0Ah battery, charger, belt hook and kit bag in the box.
Suits: larger screws and a full kit. Strengths: three speeds and a larger battery. Weaknesses: the kit is bulkier than a bare body. Skip it if you already own DEWALT batteries.
View DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Driver 3-Speed Kit DCF845P1 on Amazon
3. Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4 in Hex Impact Driver
An 18V driver listed at 2000 in-lbs and up to 3900 rpm, with a four-mode drive control and Tri-LED lighting. The listing gives amperage as 4 kiloamps, which looks like a data error, and does not say whether a battery is included.
Suits: owners of M18 batteries. Strengths: the highest listed torque and speed here. Weaknesses: unclear box contents. Skip it if you need a battery included.
View Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4 in Hex Impact Driver 2953-20 on Amazon
4. Makita XDT11Z 18V LXT Impact Driver
A tool-only driver at 5-3/8 inches long, listed at 2.8 lbs with a battery (not included), 1460 in-lbs and up to 2900 rpm, with a one-touch hex chuck, an all-metal gear housing and a 3-year limited warranty.
Suits: a compact body for Makita 18V owners. Strengths: small and light. Weaknesses: no battery or charger. Skip it if you are starting from scratch.
View Makita XDT11Z 18V LXT Impact Driver Tool Only on Amazon
5. Greenworks 24V Brushless Impact Driver
A 24V brushless driver listed at 1950 in-lbs, 3400 rpm and 4500 impacts per minute, with a 2Ah USB-C battery, a 30W USB-C charger and a braided cable. The maker says the battery also charges phones. The weight shows as 2.14 lbs in the text and 1.92 kg in the details, so treat it as unsettled.
Suits: a USB-C charging setup. Strengths: a charger that doubles as a phone charger. Weaknesses: a 24V system, so batteries differ from the big brands. Skip it if you want a wide battery range.
View Greenworks 24V Brushless Impact Driver 1/4 in 2.0Ah Kit on Amazon
6. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit BDCI20C
A quarter inch driver listed at 1375 in-lbs, 3000 rpm and 3900 impacts per minute, with a 1.5Ah POWERCONNECT battery, a charger and one screwdriving bit. The power figure on the page (1800 watts) is not credible, so we leave it out.
Suits: light household fastening. Strengths: a complete kit. Weaknesses: the lowest listed torque here and one bit. Skip it if you drive large fasteners.
View BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit BDCI20C on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Seat the bit fully in the hex chuck before starting.
- Start on a low speed for small screws.
- Keep batteries out of heat and away from damp.
- Wipe dust from vents with a dry cloth.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a bare tool without a matching battery.
- Mixing batteries across brands.
- Comparing torque numbers from different makers as exact.
- Using ordinary bits where impact-type bits are intended.
Cordless Impact Driver FAQ
Is an impact driver the same as a drill?
No. It drives fasteners with rotational bursts and usually takes hex bits, while a drill holds round shanks in a chuck.
Do I need a kit?
Only if you lack a battery and charger for that brand. Otherwise a bare tool is simpler to add.
The Short Version
For a compact 20V kit, the DEWALT DCF787D1. For three speeds and a larger battery, the DEWALT DCF845P1. For the highest listed torque, the Milwaukee. For a small tool-only body, the Makita. For USB-C charging, the Greenworks. For a basic complete kit, the BLACK+DECKER.
