Although they’re commonly confused with impact drivers, which have a 1/4-inch hex opening, a cordless impact wrench uses 1/2-inch sockets, and are often used to remove the lug nuts from automobiles. That isn’t the only thing they’re used for, however. They’re actually a very useful tool that can be used for a number of different jobs. Which is why they’re an important tool for just about anyone to own.
Before you can add the power of this tool to your arsenal though, you have to buy a model that is built to do the job right. That’s why we’ve done some research and have determined the best cordless impact wrench models which are currently available. The following impact wrench models are the ones we feel are the best in their class.
Best Cordless Impact Wrenches – Reviews
#10 OEMTOOLS 24662 20V Max
This OEM TOOL impact wrench has a number of features which will endear it to many different DIY mechanics. It has a 1/2-inch drive ball detent, delivers up to 240-foot-pounds of maximum forward torque and 300-foot-pounds of max foot-pounds, has an electric brake and a 2.0-Ah Lithium-Ion slide battery.
To go along with this battery, it also has a diagnostic fast battery charger that charges the battery really quickly and has it ready for the user in no-time flat. And since this tool is made with a cast aluminum gear head for strength and an over-molded rubber grip for comfort, this product is sure to provide the user with many years of use.
#9 Ryobi P261 18 Volt One+ 3-Speed
While this may only be a bare tool and the user still has to buy the battery separately, it is still one of the best impact wrenches available. That’s because it’s manufactured using high-quality components that allow it to hold up to heavy-duty use and also makes it extremely easy to use.
This tool has a 3-speed selector that allows the user to determine the speed of the tool–from 0 all the way up to 3,200 impacts per minute. It also has an LED light built into the chuck so that you can see what you are working on while you are working on it. And since it uses an 18-Volt Ryobi One+ Battery System, the tool will perform a lot of work before the battery has to be recharged.
#8 DEWALT Bare-Tool DC820B 1/2-Inch
While this is a bare impact wrench, and the consumer still needs to buy the battery and charger for it, it’s robust design and plethora of features make this a worthwhile tool to have. It has a frameless motor that’s designed for long life and durability, and it delivers up to 1,740 inch-pounds of torque.
It can also deliver up to 2,700 impacts-per-minute, and its motor has replaceable brushes so it can be serviced for increased longevity. Manufactured with a magnesium gear case and a heavy-duty impact mechanism, this tool is able to hold up to even tough job assignments every time it’s used. And it still manages to maintain an ergonomic design thanks to its comfort grip.
#7 Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Fuel
Anyone who needs to bust a frozen lug nut loose or tighten an even tougher one may want to take look at this wrench. This 1/2-inch impact wrench has a friction ring that just about makes traditional pneumatic wrenches obsolete. It can deliver up to 1,000 foot-pounds of fastening torque or up to 1,400 foot-pounds of nut loosening power.
This allows the user to get the job done twice as fast as conventional cordless models. It’s also one of the more compact wrenches, coming in at only 8.39-inches in length, but it doesn’t sacrifice power for size. And since it uses Red Lithium Batteries, this product can deliver a great day of work without needing to be constantly charged.
#6 Craftsman C3 Heavy Duty 1/2-Inch Kit
Ideal for use in just about any garage, this impact wrench is designed to really get the job done. It delivers up to 300 foot-pounds of torque and can deliver up to 3,000 impacts-per-minute. It also has 3 built-in LED lights, so you can always see what you’re working on in even the darkest of garages. Another key feature which can be found on this unit is its 4-Ah XCP Lithium-ion battery. This battery allows it to work for longer periods than older Lithium-ion batteries.
Other features found on this wrench include an overmolded grip with micro-texture design, and the ability to work in weather conditions which range from 5-degrees Fahrenheit all the way to well over a 100-degrees Fahrenheit.
#5 Hammerhead HDIW075 7.5-Amp
With a powerful 7.5-Amp, this wrench is ideal for a variety of different tasks. It can deliver up to 2,200 RPM and 2,700 BPM, so it can be used to remove a variety of nuts or for fastening them down quickly and effortlessly. It has a rocker switch that allows it to be comfortably placed in either forward or reverse mode and it has a non-slip grip that makes it easy to control.
It can deliver up to 240 foot-pounds of torque and has a 1/2-inch square drive with a friction ring that ensures secure retention of the socket. All things considered, this tool is a good one to use for automotive or heavy equipment repair.
#4 Porter Cable PCC740B 1/2-Inch
Equipped with a 1/2-inch hog-ring for quick socket changes and a fully variable speed trigger, this impact wrench delivers the ease-of-use and precision that most people are looking for out of one of these tools. It also manages to offer power as well and has a motor that can deliver up to 330 foot-pounds of torque for heavy-duty projects.
This product has a speed of approximately 1,650 RPM, so driving fasteners are easier and quicker than ever before. And while this is a bare tool and doesn’t come with either a battery or a battery charger, it’s still reasonably enough priced to be useful to most people.
#3 Makita XWT11T 18V LXT
Power, durability, and ease-of-use all go hand-in-hand with this impact wrench kit. It comes with a 1/2-inch 3-speed impact wrench that has 210 foot-pounds of maximum torque and is only 5-3/4-inches long. It’s three speeds include 0 to 1,600 RPM; 0 to 2,100 RPM and 0-2,800 RPM. It can also deliver speeds from 0 to 3,500 impacts-per-minute. Another key feature found on this wrench is a built-in LED light which allows it to be used in poorly lit conditions.
Other items found in this remarkable kit, besides the wrench, is two 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion 5.0-Ah batteries, an 18-Volt Rapid Optimum Charger, and a 20-inch contractor tool bag. All of which allows this tool to be used as soon as possible after it’s been received.
#2 Ingersoll Rand W7150-K22 1/2-Inch Kit
Weighing only 6.8-pounds and capable of delivering up to 780-pounds of torque, this wrench is ideal for anyone looking for a nut-busting wrench. It’s manufactured using rare Earth magnets in its motor, has a variable speed trigger, metal-reinforced housing, and an all-metal drive train. All of these things allow it to be extremely durable and to perform heavy-duty jobs with ease. It also has a balanced ergonomic handle with an over-molded grip that makes it easy-to-use, even when it has to be used for long periods of time.
And its 20-Volt Lithium-Ion batteries deliver maximum power without sacrificing runtime. This kit not only comes with the impact wrench but it also comes with two 20-Volt Lithium-Ion 5.0-Ah batteries, a universal charger and a blow-molded case for storage.
#1 DEWALT DCF883M2 3/8-Inch 20-Volt Max Lithium
This kit comes with two 20-Volt Max XR Li-Ion 4.0-Ah batteries, a fast charger, a kit box and of course, an impact wrench. This wrench is just any ordinary tool, however. It has a number of features which make it exceptional, especially when it’s paired with the rest of the kit. This compact unit is approximately 5.70-inches from back to front and only weighs 3.4-pounds.
Its small size doesn’t mean that it sacrifices power, however, because it most certainly does not. It delivers 130-foot pounds of power. This tool is equipped with a hog ring anvil for easy socket changes, three LED lights for working in low light conditions and has a design that enables it to fit into very tight spaces
How to Buy the Best Impact Wrench
It doesn’t take a lot of research to find a battery powered impact wrench that will suit you. All that’s required is that you take a few moments to determine your particular needs. These type of impact wrenches are an important tool for any homeowner or mechanic to have in their toolbox because it provides them a tool to deal with not only lug nuts but any over-tightened or rusted nut or bolt. Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing one of these cordless wrenches.
Impact Wrench Shape & Sockets
Impact wrenches come in two different styles: pistol-grip models and inline models. Pistol style wrenches look like a handgun with a grip that’s seated underneath the motor. Inline wrenches look like oversized screwdrivers which have a grip in the back of them.
For most instances, pistol grip impact wrenches will work just fine. However, inline impact wrenches are often good for getting into tight spaces. Pistol-grip models are easy to use and also fatigue the hands less. That’s why most people start off with a pistol grip model and only add an inline impact wrench if they have a specific need for getting into tight spaces.
Inline models tend to have fewer socket options available than pistol-grip models. Inline grips tend to have 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch sockets. Pistol-grip models, on the other hand, often can use sockets from 1/4-inch up to 1-inch.
Power and Comfort
While some people tend to look for wrenches with the most power, that isn’t the best way to choose a wrench. The best way to choose an impact wrench is to choose one that has just enough power to get the job done. The less power an impact wrench uses, the fewer vibrations it will emit. And fewer vibrations mean that the tool will be easier to hold for longer periods of time and therefore, easier to use.
Construction Quality
You also will want to make sure that the impact wrench has a durable construction. Models with brushless motors have fewer moving parts and are generally more durable than other types of wrenches. Also look for models which are constructed with a metal housing and which have over-molded plastic grips.
Torque
Torque is one of the most important considerations any potential tool buyers need to make. Without the adequate amount of torque, the tool is not going to be able to do what it was designed to do. That makes it extremely important for you to check out the maximum torque provided by each cordless impact wrench and compare it with other models.
It’s also important to check to see if the impact wrench has multiple settings available. This can also be an important feature. With the ability to select a lower torque when needed, you can save your tool’s battery-life and prevent the bolt from being over-tightened.
Checking the Battery
The last thing to consider before buying one of these tools is what type of battery it has and how this battery performs. While there are a number of different battery types, the most common ones are the Li-Ion battery and NiMH batteries. What happened to the lead-acid and NiCd batteries, you ask? Well, those are still around, kind of, but they are on their way to extinction, so your two basic choices are NiCd and Li-Ion batteries. *(Recommended: battery carrier)
So, you basically have a choice between Li-Ion and NiMH batteries. Which one is better? Well, it depends. Li-Ion batteries are more compact and portable, and they also deliver current for longer periods of time than NiMH batteries. However, they also deliver a smaller amount of current over that time. NiMH batteries, on the other hand, can deliver higher bursts of energy for shorter periods of time, but they tend to be a little bit bulkier. Your particular needs will determine which battery is right for you. However, it should be noted that it may be difficult to find anything but Li-Ion batteries because they are quickly becoming the norm.
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