The Best Impact Wrenches in 2023

If you’re working in a car shop or you own farming machinery, you’re likely doing a lot of maintenance on a usual basis. In that case, the M18 Fuel impact wrench from Milwaukee will bring enough torque to make every job a breeze. Axel nuts, wheel nuts, they’re very tight. Having to remove an axle nut by hand or with a subpar impact wrench will prove to be quite the challenge, but the max reverse mode brings you 600 foot-pounds of reversible torque, giving you the ability to remove any pesky nut.

This product is cordless, high-torque, and brushless. The ½-inch friction ring allows for easy socket changes without the need for any tools. It’s also compatible with standard sockets, so you don’t have to invest in new ones if you already have a good collection. The battery life is outstanding, and you can definitely go through multiple projects in a day without worrying about recharging.

The only real drawback of this product is the price. The 4 settings provide torque for multiple scenarios. The max reverse mode winds down as soon as you drive the nut out, in order to prevent stripping the metal. Overall, it’s a solid torque wrench, but I would recommend you find something more affordable if you’re on a budget or won’t make the most out of this bad boy.

If you’re looking into high-quality power tools, DeWalt, along with Makita and Ryobi, is a name that pops up all over the place. Their MAX XR impact wrench is a high-torque impact wrench made specifically for any kind of mechanic. The brushless motor allows it to operate for lengthy sessions without overheating and also makes it much more energy-efficient.

Overall, the high torque variant is a pretty good purchase. With 700 foot/pounds of max torque and 1200 foot/pounds of nut-busting torque, you can pretty much tighten or unfasten any type of nut. Whether you’re working with cars, industrial equipment, farming equipment, this product provides enough power to split any sort of machine.

This product comes with a detent anvil. While it’s not as quick to operate as a friction ring, it brings more reliability in the long run. It’s a loss in terms of speed, since you can’t swap your sockets as quickly, but you do get a more durable mechanism. As with the previously-featured impact wrench, the DeWalt 20v MAX XR impact wrench is a premium product, targeted towards people who will make good use of it. It has three speed settings + reverse, LED work light, and a battery fuel gauge.

The Makita XWT 18V ½” impact wrench is a compact, energy-efficient tool. Makita is a premium Japanese-based manufacturer, with over a decade of experience in producing power tools. It’s a smaller impact wrench (a little over five inches in length), and it’s amazing for working in tighter areas.

The size and the weight make it amazing to handle in difficult positions, the handle is extremely ergonomic, and packed full with power. For lug nuts and mudsill bolts, you have 740 ft/lbs of max torque, and 1180 ft/lbs of breakaway torque. The motor is electronically controlled, and it has built-in safety features, so when you’re using one of the three speed settings, the speed adjusts to prevent causing damage to the tool or to the sockets.

The rest of the design is pretty standard. You have a forward/reverse switch, a safety, a powerful LED light, and a dented anvil for securing your sockets. Now, the real selling point for this product is the price. It’s around 40% less than other premium wrenches and brings the same level of torque in a much more ergonomic package. It’s also more available internationally, so if you have trouble getting your hands on a DeWalt or a Milwaukee, then this is the best alternative.

If you’re on the market for a mid-torque impact wrench to have on hand when you need to change a tire or when you have to drive in some screws in some plywood, the Porter-Cable 20V Max impact wrench is a good choice. It has 260 ft/lbs of max torque, good enough to remove and tighten tires, to do some woodworking, and other applications.

The variable speed trigger simplifies use since the lesser power makes the multiple-speed settings obsolete in this case. While we understand that the lower RPM makes this less appealing, you have to understand that for most applications, it still packs a lot of power. Actually, this is a far better choice for people who are looking for value over performance.

The Porter-Cable 20V Max delivers enough nut-busting torque to work on vehicles, mechanical equipment in general, without taking a big hit on your budget. It comes with a very powerful 4.000 mAh battery that will last for a long, long time on a single charge. Buy it as is or with the extra battery pack and you have a very potent, budget-friendly impact wrench.

When you’re on the market for a mid-range impact driver, you’re on the prowl for value. The Ridgid Octane 18V impact wrench brings value in a very feature-packed kit that’s bound to satisfy enthusiasts and amateurs alike.

With four speed settings, a friction ring design, and a brushless motor, you’re getting the ability to quickly swap sockets, a lot of precision depending on your fastener and material of choice, and efficient design. With 18V max and a weight of just 4 pounds (no battery), it’s a great tool to use in confined spaces and the lightweight aspect makes it ideal for working from different angles.

The grip is slender and comfortable, the trigger turns on the tri-LED lights, and the overall construction is solid. The Ridgid OCTA 18v impact wrench is a great choice for anyone who needs plenty of torque, energy efficiency, and ergonomic design. We’re excited to recommend this product.

Bosch is another international giant. With a hand in the power tools business and another in the automotive business, not to mention their other exploits, they have some of the best engineers in the world working on their designs. The IDH182-02 cordless impact driver brings a hefty set of features for a mid-range price, and it also comes with a battery and a charger.

The ½ and ¼-inch socket size, you have a lot of versatility in your hands. Whether you’re into woodworking, home improvements, automotive repairs, equipment maintenance, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a fastener that this bad boy can’t handle. The brushless design makes good use of the battery, and with an electrically-controlled motor, all of your energy is being carefully managed.

Another plus is the size and weight of the driver. Measuring 6.2 inches in length and a weight of just 3.75 pounds, this tool gets around. Use it vertically, at an angle, horizontally, it doesn’t matter. It’s lightweight and compact, definitely a big selling point. Overall, it’s a very solid choice. Oh, and you also get a Bosch carry bag with this purchase.

Craftsman is a value-oriented, sort of premium manufacturer, and this heavy-duty impact wrench brings premium features at an affordable price. With 0-2500 impacts per minute, up to 350 foot/pounds of torque, and a big battery included in the package, you’re getting everything you need to keep you working.

The 4Ah battery has a beefy charge to it, so you won’t have to worry about charging it after every working session. The battery is also “multi-chemistry”, which, if you don’t know what that means, it’s just a fancy way of saying it’s a normal lithium-ion battery.

Overall, the Craftsman heavy-duty impact wrench is great for home mechanics, DIY enthusiasts, but shouldn’t be used for heavy applications.

Ryobi is a household name in the power tool industry. With more than half a century of experience, they make pro-grade products that are affordable to anyone who’s serious about their craft. This cordless tool features a ½-inch square anvil, a brushed motor (which is kind of a bummer), in an ergonomic, compact package.

Generating 3000 IPM and 300 ft/lbs of torque, you have plenty of power to tackle even the most heavier applications. The brushed motor is not great, since you’ll use more power and generate more heat, but is not a deal-breaker. The purchase gives you the tool plus a 4 Ah battery that lasts a good bit of time on a full charge, so there’s a good amount of value to the product.

The grip is rubberized, the product is lightweight and easy to handle, regardless of the angle, and the tool packs enough power. Overall, a pretty good choice if you want a powerful tool at a competitive price.

If you want power on a budget, the best choice is to go corded. Without the need for an expensive battery, the Porter-Cable impact wrench brings a lot of torque at a low price point. How much power? 450 foot/pounds of torque, to be more precise. With that kind of torque, you can pretty much do anything.

The Porter-Cable PCE211 corded impact wrench has a 7.5 amp electric motor and a ½-inch friction ring anvil, great for swapping sockets quickly. If the corded aspect doesn’t bother you, then this is definitely a great tool. While it’s not mobile, it has much more torque than similarly priced, cordless products.

Craftsman has been one of our favorite brands for a while now. We find it easy to recommend their products because they’re aimed at consumers, not professionals. That’s not to say that they’re not potent, it’s just that they’re priced more fairly and focus more on value rather than incredible power.

The Craftsman CMEF901 corded impact wrench runs on a 7.5-amp electric motor. With 450 ft/pounds of nut-busting torque, you can maintain and repair vehicles, work on a lot of home improvement projects using different materials, and you’ll always have a source of power since it’s a corded model.

The hog ring anvil makes swapping sockets a breeze, important to have in a lot of different applications. Overall, a very nice product by Craftsman. Use it for work or for your home, it will never let you down.