The 10 Best Impact Drivers

Ranked from live Amazon data — the tool that drives long screws and lag bolts a drill can't.

An impact driver is the tool you reach for when a drill starts to stall: it adds rotational hammer blows to power long screws, deck fasteners, and lag bolts with almost no arm strain, all through a quick-change 1/4-inch hex. DEWALT dominates this category on Amazon, so the list leans that way, but there are strong value picks too. One thing to watch, and the biggest gotcha here: many impact drivers sell as a bare tool (no battery), which is great if you already own a battery platform and a trap if you don't. Each pick below says which it is.

Best Overall

DEWALT

DEWALT DCF787D1 20V MAX Brushless Impact Driver Kit

AVID POWER 20V Brushless Impact Driver Kit

DEWALT DCF870B 20V MAX Hydraulic Impact Driver (tool only)

4.7 (781)

$175.63

View on Amazon →

Side-by-side comparison

#	Tool	Price	Rating	Reviews	Voltage	Max speed	Chuck	Brushless	Score
1	DEWALT DCF845B	$122	4.7	3,160	20V MAX	3,400	1/4 in hex	Yes	84
2	DEWALT DCF787D1	$129.89	4.8	1,726	20V MAX	2,800	1/4 in hex	Yes	83
3	DEWALT DCF809B	$89.73	4.7	3,324	20V MAX	—	1/4 in hex	Yes	82
4	AVID POWER Impact Kit	$42.99	4.4	1,854	20V	2,600	1/4 in hex	Yes	81
5	CRAFTSMAN CMCF800C1	$68.99	4.7	2,312	20V MAX	2,800	1/4 in hex	No	79
6	DEWALT DCF870B	$175.63	4.7	781	20V MAX	3,000	1/4 in hex	Yes	78
7	GALAX PRO 20V	$39.99	4.4	1,887	20V	2,800	1/4 in hex	No	75
8	RYOBI PCL235B	$41	4.6	1,372	18V	3,400	1/4 in hex	No	74
9	SKIL ID6744A-11	$59.99	4.9	29	12V	2,900	1/4 in hex	Yes	71
10	Litheli 20V	$35.61	4.4	122	20V	2,800	1/4 in hex	No	67
✕	GEVEELIFE 450N	$49.99	4.4	284	An impact wrench, not an impact driver				AVOID

The full ranking

DEWALT

DEWALT DCF845B 20V MAX XR 3-Speed Impact Driver (tool only)

4.7 3,160 reviews

Score 84/100

$122

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2K+/mo

The highest-scoring tool on this list, and the one pros pick: XR brushless, 1,825 in-lbs, and a 3-speed selector. Just remember it's bare — you'll need a 20V battery.

Voltage: 20V MAX
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 3,400 rpm
Transmission: 3-speed
Torque: 1,825 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: Tool only — battery sold separately
Weight: —

Pros

Most torque here (1,825 in-lbs) with a 3-speed selector for control
XR brushless motor, 3,400 rpm, LED
3,000+ reviews at 4.7 stars

Cons

Tool only — no battery or charger included
Pricey once you add a battery if you don't own one
Overkill for light household jobs

Best Overall

DEWALT

DEWALT DCF787D1 20V MAX Brushless Impact Driver Kit

4.8 1,726 reviews

Score 83/100

$129.89

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3K+/mo

The one to buy if you're starting fresh. Brushless DEWALT power, 4.8 stars, and it comes with a battery and charger so you can work the day it arrives.

Voltage: 20V MAX
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 2,800 rpm
Transmission: 1-speed
Torque: 1,500 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: 1.3Ah + charger included
Weight: —

Pros

Highest rating here — 4.8 stars over 1,700+ reviews
Brushless motor for longer runtime and tool life
Battery and charger included — ready to use out of the box

Cons

Single-speed (no precision modes)
Only one battery in the kit
Costs more than the bare-tool DEWALTs below

DEWALT

DEWALT ATOMIC DCF809B 20V MAX Brushless Impact Driver (tool only)

4.7 3,324 reviews

Score 82/100

$89.73

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600+/mo

The compact favorite. ATOMIC is DEWALT's short, light brushless line — 1,700 in-lbs in a body that fits between studs. Bare tool for people already on the 20V platform.

Voltage: 20V MAX
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: —
Transmission: —
Torque: 1,700 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: Tool only — battery sold separately
Weight: —

Pros

Compact, light brushless design for tight spaces
1,700 in-lbs and 3,300+ reviews at 4.7 stars
Cheaper than the full-size DEWALTs

Cons

Tool only — no battery or charger
No multi-speed selector
Max speed not published by DEWALT for this model

Best Budget

AVID POWER

AVID POWER 20V Brushless Impact Driver Kit

4.4 1,854 reviews

Score 81/100

$42.99

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1K+/mo

The value champ. A brushless, two-speed impact driver with the highest torque rating of the budget kits, a battery, charger, and sockets — all for around $43.

Voltage: 20V
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 2,600 rpm
Transmission: 2-speed
Torque: 2,220 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: 20V Li-ion + charger included
Weight: —

Pros

Brushless and two-speed at a budget price
2,220 in-lbs — more torque on paper than the name-brand picks
Complete kit: battery, charger, sockets, and bits

Cons

4.4-star rating trails the DEWALT and CRAFTSMAN picks
Locked to AVID POWER's own batteries
Off-brand support and durability record

CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN CMCF800C1 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit

4.7 2,312 reviews

Score 79/100

$68.99

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300+/mo

A name-brand kit under $70 with a battery in the box. Brushed motor keeps the price down; fine for the weekend DIYer who doesn't already own a battery platform.

Voltage: 20V MAX
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 2,800 rpm
Transmission: 1-speed
Torque: 1,460 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: 1.3Ah + charger included
Weight: —

Pros

Battery and charger included at a mid-range price
CRAFTSMAN V20 platform, 2,800 rpm, LED
4.7 stars over 2,300 reviews

Cons

Brushed motor — shorter life than brushless
Lowest torque of the name-brand picks (1,460 in-lbs)
One 1.3Ah battery only

Money No Object

DEWALT

DEWALT DCF870B 20V MAX Hydraulic Impact Driver (tool only)

4.7 781 reviews

Score 78/100

$175.63

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1K+/mo

The quiet one. A hydraulic impact driver trades the machine-gun rattle for a low hum — worth it if you drive fasteners indoors or near sleeping kids. Premium price, bare tool.

Voltage: 20V MAX
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 3,000 rpm
Transmission: —
Torque: —
Clutch: —
Battery: Tool only — battery sold separately
Weight: —

Pros

Hydraulic mechanism runs far quieter than a standard impact
Brushless with an LED halo ring for shadow-free light
4.7 stars — the specialist pros' pick

Cons

Most expensive on the list, and it's tool only
Overkill unless you specifically want the quiet operation
DEWALT doesn't publish a torque figure for this model

GALAX PRO

GALAX PRO 20V Impact Driver Kit

4.4 1,887 reviews

Score 75/100

$39.99

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50+/mo

The cheapest complete kit from a driver that sells well. Battery, charger, and bits under $40 — a fine grab-and-go for occasional fastening.

Voltage: 20V
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 2,800 rpm
Transmission: —
Torque: —
Clutch: —
Battery: 1.3Ah + charger included
Weight: —

Pros

Complete kit under $40
2,800 rpm with an LED work light
1,800+ reviews

Cons

Brushed motor and no published torque figure
Small 1.3Ah battery
Generic brand and support

RYOBI

RYOBI ONE+ PCL235B 18V Impact Driver (tool only)

4.6 1,372 reviews

Score 74/100

$41

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1K+/mo

The pick if you're already in the RYOBI ONE+ world. 1,800 in-lbs and 3,400 rpm for $41 as a bare tool — a lot of driver if you own the batteries.

Voltage: 18V
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 3,400 rpm
Transmission: —
Torque: 1,800 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: Tool only — battery sold separately
Weight: —

Pros

Strong 1,800 in-lbs and 3,400 rpm for the price
Works with the huge RYOBI ONE+ 18V battery lineup
4.6 stars over 1,300+ reviews

Cons

Tool only — no battery or charger
Brushed motor
Only worth it if you already own RYOBI ONE+ batteries

SKIL

SKIL 12V Brushless Compact Impact Driver Kit

4.9 29 reviews

Score 71/100

$59.99

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50+/mo

The compact brushless kit. A light 12V body that still hits 1,500 in-lbs, and the battery charges over USB-C — genuinely handy for a small kit or a travel bag.

Voltage: 12V
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 2,900 rpm
Transmission: —
Torque: 1,500 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: 2.0Ah USB-C + charger included
Weight: —

Pros

Brushless motor in a light 12V package
1,500 in-lbs — strong for its size
Battery charges over USB-C, no proprietary brick needed

Cons

12V has less headroom than 20V for heavy work
Name-brand SKIL but a newer listing
Single battery, single speed

#10

Litheli

Litheli 20V Compact Impact Driver Kit

4.4 122 reviews

Score 67/100

$35.61

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200+/mo

The budget floor with a real battery. Lowest price here, and it still ships with a 2.0Ah pack and 1,593 in-lbs — enough for furniture, decks, and light framing.

Voltage: 20V
Chuck: 1/4 in hex
Max speed: 2,800 rpm
Transmission: —
Torque: 1,593 in-lbs
Clutch: —
Battery: 2.0Ah + charger included
Weight: —

Pros

Cheapest impact driver on the list
Ships with a 2.0Ah battery and charger
1,593 in-lbs, LED, 3,000 IPM

Cons

Brushed motor
Generic brand with a short track record
Single speed, single battery

How we rank

Every drill gets one score from 0 to 100, weighted 55% on its star rating, 35% on how many people have reviewed it (more reviews = more confidence the rating is real), and 10% on features like a brushless motor, two-speed gearbox, LED light, and a second battery. Best Overall is the highest score. Best Budget is the highest score at or under $60.

Buyer's guide

Impact driver vs drill — which do I need?

A drill bores holes and drives small screws with steady torque and a keyed or keyless chuck. An impact driver adds rotational hammer blows to drive long screws, deck fasteners, and lag bolts without stalling or twisting your wrist, using a quick-change 1/4-inch hex. Most people eventually want both; if you only drive fasteners, an impact driver is the one.

Tool only or kit?

This is the biggest trap in impact-driver listings. A 'bare tool' or 'tool only' unit ships with no battery or charger — a bargain if you already own that brand's batteries, and useless out of the box if you don't. A 'kit' includes a battery and charger. Every pick above says which it is.

How much torque do I need?

Impact drivers are rated in inch-pounds. Around 1,400 to 1,800 in-lbs handles nearly all home work: decking, framing screws, and lag bolts. Over 1,800 in-lbs is pro territory for heavy or repetitive driving. All the picks here clear the home-use bar.

Brushless or brushed?

Brushless motors run cooler, last longer, and squeeze more drives out of a charge. They cost more. For occasional projects a brushed unit is fine; if you'll use it weekly, pay up for brushless.

Will my drill's batteries fit?

Only within the same brand and platform. A DEWALT 20V MAX battery fits DEWALT 20V tools, a RYOBI ONE+ battery fits RYOBI ONE+ tools, and so on. Buying an impact driver on the same platform as a drill you already own means one battery lineup for both — a real reason to stay in one brand.

Tools to avoid

Not everything in the cordless-drill search results deserves your money. This one would rank dead last on our scale — here's the listing to walk past, and exactly why.

✕ Avoid

GEVEELIFE

GEVEELIFE 450 N·m 1/2" Impact Wrench

4.4 284 reviews $49.99

This isn't an impact driver at all — it's a 1/2-inch impact wrench for lug nuts and bolts, with "impact driver" jammed into the title to catch your search. Wrong tool for driving screws.

Why we'd skip it

It's an impact wrench, not an impact driver. The business end is a 1/2-inch square drive for sockets (lug nuts, bolts) — not the 1/4-inch hex that holds screwdriver and drill bits. Your impact-driver bits won't fit it.
450 N·m (332 ft-lbs) is automotive torque, built for lug nuts and heavy bolts. Point that at a wood screw and you'll snap the screw or strip the head instantly.
The listing calls itself an "impact driver," an "impact wrench," and an "impact gun" on the same page to show up in every search. When a product can't decide what it is, it's fishing for the wrong buyer.
If you genuinely need to pull lug nuts or big bolts, an impact wrench is the right tool — but that's a different job from everything else on this list, which drives screws and fasteners.

See the listing on Amazon (so you recognize it)