Leave the Pancake Compressor on the Shelf with These 7 Cordless Impact Wrenches 

There are few things more frustrating than struggling with stubborn nuts and bolts that don’t want to budge, and that’s where a good cordless impact wrench can really come in handy. A handheld ratchet wrench has its well-deserved place in every garage, but sometimes, the moving and twisting power of an impact wrench is necessary.

These cordless power tools have the capacity to loosen or tighten even the most stubborn fasteners with minimal effort. Though these used to be available only as air-powered (pneumatic) options that required an air hose and compressor, technological innovations have led to the creation of cordless options that can go practically anywhere. We put seven of those impact wrenches to the test and found the Makita 18V cordless impact wrench, which packs a lot of power into a compact size, to be the best of the bunch. We really liked a few other models, too, so if it’s time to replace those air hoses with batteries, read on for tips on finding the best cordless impact wrench.

1. BEST OVERALL: Makita 18V Cordless ½-Inch Impact Wrench Kit
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Kimo 20V Cordless Impact Wrench
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3. BEST HIGH-TORQUE: Flex 24V Cordless ½-Inch Impact Wrench
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4. BEST UPGRADE: Milwaukee 2767-20 ½-Inch High-Torque Impact Wrench
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5. BEST COMPACT: DeWalt Atomic 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench Kit
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6. BEST FOR DIYERS: Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Impact Wrench Kit
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7. BEST MID TORQUE: Skil PWR CORE 20 ½-Inch Impact Wrench Kit
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Cordless Impact Wrenches Product Comparison

Our Top Picks

Below, you’ll find a lot of brain-wrenching background information on the best impact wrenches. But shopping for one of these tools doesn’t need to be intimidating. For help, refer to the following list of products. These models made the list by hitting all of the important considerations outlined below. 

Best Overall

Makita 18V Cordless ½-Inch Impact Wrench Kit

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What We Like

• Powerful compared to other compact models
• Bright LED makes working in dark spots easier
• Compact design fits nearly anywhere

What We Don’t Like

• Different modes and speed settings were somewhat confusing

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque Fastening: 430 foot-pounds Nut-Busting: 240 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

The Makita 18V Cordless ½-inch Impact Wrench Kit offers a full package of power, runtime, and versatility. Its brushless motor can generate 430 foot-pounds of torque that users can control with its 4-speed power selector. This level of control prevents users from overtightening in one direction, and its “reverse rotation autostop” mode automatically stops the rotation when it detects the fastener is loose. 

This kit comes with two 5-amp-hour (Ah) batteries, a charger, and a carrying bag. The lightweight and compact design allows the user to maneuver this ½-inch drive impact wrench into tight spaces, such as engine bays or wheel wells. It features four adjustable speeds: 0 to 1,000 RPM; 0 to 1,800 RPM; 0 to 2,600 RPM; and 0 to 3,200 RPM. 

During testing, the Makita proved to be our favorite model. While it’s not the most powerful model we tested, it still has plenty of oomph, and we had a hard time finding something it couldn’t eventually loosen. It fits almost anywhere but the tightest of engine bays, and the LEDs will light up those greasy crevices. The only thing we didn’t like was that switching through the different speeds and autostop modes was a bit confusing. 

Get the Makita cordless impact wrench kit at The Home Depot.

Best Bang for the Buck

Kimo 20V Cordless Impact Wrench

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What We Like

• Kit comes with several sockets and extensions
• Powerful enough for smaller jobs
• Budget-friendly price point

What We Don’t Like

• We wish it were a little more powerful

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque 600 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

Impact wrenches will shatter standard sockets, so a model that comes with a relatively comprehensive starter kit of impact-ready sockets is a huge plus. The Kimo 20V Cordless Impact Wrench comes as a kit that includes seven impact sockets (10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21 millimeters). It also comes with a belt clip and a carrying case.

This 20V model features a brushless motor that produces up to 600 foot-pounds of torque. It also has three speed settings, including 0 to 1,800 RPM; 0 to 2,500 RPM; and 0 to 3,000 RPM. There’s an onboard LED, and the kit comes with a battery and charger.

We appreciated the kit that this impact wrench came with. It’s also fairly powerful, though other compact models did beat it in output. Also, it’s hard to argue with its budget-friendly price point.

Get the Kimo cordless impact wrench on Amazon.

Best High-Torque

Flex 24V Cordless ½-Inch Impact Wrench

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What We Like

• Produces tremendous fastening and nut-busting torque
• Has multiple speed settings and a reverse mode
• Built-In LED worklight

What We Don’t Like

• Heavy build can feel cumbersome
• No setting to prevent overtightening

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque Fastening: 1,100 foot-pounds Nut-Busting: 1,500 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

Flex’s cordless power tools have a reputation for offering unprecedented torque, thanks to their large 24-volt motor and battery, and this impact wrench from Flex is no exception. Thanks to the impressive amount of torque it generates, we had no problems driving 3-inch lag bolts into lumber. It also didn’t flinch when removing lug nuts from our truck. 

This unit’s features include a reverse mode that automatically cuts off the motor after a second or two. This was useful for preventing spinoff when removing lug nuts. Oddly, there is no assist mode for driving in fasteners. This meant we had to be mindful to move to one of its lower speed settings to avoid overdriving fasteners. 

The Flex’s power is no joke. Set to its highest speed, it pulled off the nut head, causing us to nearly run it along the face of one rim. On another occasion, we buried a 3-inch lag bolt into lumber so deeply that it splintered the wood. 

This ½-inch impact wrench is also designed with vibration suppression, which made it one of the more comfortable impact wrenches to use despite being the most powerful. Though well balanced, it is a tad on the heavy side, weighing in at nearly 9 pounds with its included 6 Ah battery. While the Flex ½-inch impact wrench may be overkill for the average homeowner, it’s a worthy tool for pro shops or serious DIYers.

Get the Flex cordless impact wrench at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best Upgrade

Milwaukee 2767-20 ½-Inch High-Torque Impact Wrench

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What We Like

• Most compact heavy-duty model we tested
• Tremendous amount of power
• Brushless design and tech

What We Don’t Like

• Hog ring is too stiff

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque Fastening: 1,000 foot-pounds Nut-Busting: 1,400 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

For some heavy-hitting power, the Milwaukee high-torque half-inch impact wrench packs a punch. This model uses Milwaukee’s 18V batteries to generate up to 1,400 foot-pounds of torque to bust nuts loose, and 1,000 foot-pounds under typical circumstances. It features a 4-speed variable power controller that lets users choose between 0 to 550; 0 to 1,400; and 0 to 1,750 RPM. The additional nut-busting mode starts out at full speed (1,750 RPM) and then slows down to 750 RPM when the nut is loose.

This impact wrench has power to spare, and we enjoyed testing it head-to-head with the other torque monster in the test. This model was only barely slower, but these impact wrenches are more about sheer power than speed. We liked that the Milwaukee featured a very compact design, being the smallest of the heavy hitters in the group. Our biggest complaint about this model is consistent with other heavy-duty impact wrenches: the hog ring’s stiffness is excessive. Also, ours didn’t come with a battery, but this model is available as a 5 Ah kit.

Get the Milwaukee cordless impact wrench on Amazon or at The Home Depot (without a battery).

Best Compact

DeWalt Atomic 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench

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What We Like

• Weighs under 4 pounds
• Short head fits tight spaces easily
• Multiple modes and speed settings

What We Don’t Like

• Not as powerful as larger impact wrenches

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque Fastening: 300 foot-pounds Nut-Busting: 450 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

Compared to most cordless impact wrenches, DeWalt’s Atomic wrench serves as a far more compact and lightweight tool that’s easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Whereas other impact wrenches can weigh upwards of 8 pounds (and sometimes more!), the DeWalt Atomic weighs in at under 4 pounds with the battery. Couple that with a head that measures just 5 inches long from tip to tail, and the DeWalt Atomic impact wrench is far easier to wield than any of the other impact wrenches we tested. 

It produces 300 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 450 foot-pounds of breakaway torque. While that’s significantly less than the high-torque impact wrenches we tested, it was enough to remove the lug nut off our truck wheel and drive in 3-inch lug nuts into stacked 2x4s with relative ease. It just took a few ticks longer to do it than it did with our more powerful high-torque impact wrenches. 

We actually used the DeWalt Atomic impact wrench to build a set of wood shelves out of 2x4s in our workshop. Since this project involved driving in 30 lag bolts, we appreciated its compact size and lightweight. 

The DeWalt Atomic impact wrench comes with two speed settings and two additional settings. Its patented PRECISION WRENCH Control tech prevents overtightening and nuts from flying off when loosening. There’s also a Timber Screw mode that automatically sets the impact wrench to the optimal speed for driving in lag bolts. We like that it’s equipped with a 3-LED ring work light with two brightness settings—we found this extremely useful when working in less well-lit spots. Overall, this model is admittedly pricey, and it can’t match the power of bulkier high-torque impact wrenches, but it’s ideal if you want something that’s easier on the arm and capable of fitting into tight spots.

Get the DeWalt cordless impact wrench at The Home Depot or Amazon.

Best for DIYers

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Impact Wrench Kit

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What We Like

• Torque and speed comparable to premium brands
• Equipped with 3 speed options and auto mode
• Good weight and balance

What We Don’t Like

• Battery doesn’t last as long

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque Fastening: 700 foot-pounds Nut-Busting: 1,170 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

In recent years, Ryobi’s cordless power tools have been closing the power gap with other premium tool brands, and the Ryobi ONE+ brushless cordless impact wrench is a prime example. While its 700 foot-pounds of fastening torque isn’t quite as powerful as some of the premium brand high-torque impact wrenches we tested, it wasn’t very far behind. 

Compared with our other top performers, the difference in the Ryobi’s ability to drive in a 3-inch lag bolt was negligible. What’s more, this cordless torque wrench’s other specs, including its 1,170 foot-pounds of breakaway torque and its top speeds of 2,100 RPM and 2,800 IPM, put it on par with these premium brands. 

Along with being powerful, the Ryobi ONE+ impact wrench is also lighter than other high-torque wrenches we tested, weighing just 6.7 pounds with its 4 Ah battery. That lightweight, coupled with a balanced feel, made it relatively easy to handle. 

The Ryobi impact wrench features an auto mode, along with its three manual speed options. It stops the motor after a revolution or two when loosening to prevent nuts from flying off and after a few impacts when tightening to prevent over-torquing nuts. 

Given the power the Ryobi produces and comparatively low price tag, it’s an ideal choice for any homeowner working on their car or with larger construction fasteners. 

“While I tested it, this high-torque impact wrench packed nearly as much punch as premium brands but at a fraction of the price, making it a great deal for weekend warriors.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Ryobi ONE+ cordless impact wrench at The Home Depot or Amazon.

Best Mid Torque

Skil PWR CORE 20 ½-Inch Impact Wrench K

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What We Like

• Broad torque range makes it versatile
• Nut-busting setting boosts torque for nut removal
• Reverse Control Mode prevents fasteners from flying off

What We Don’t Like

• Not powerful enough for larger bolts, longer fasteners

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Specs 

• Motor type Brushless
• Torque Fastening: 480 foot-pounds Nut-Busting: 800 foot-pounds
• Drive size ½ inch

Our Ratings

The Skil PWR Core may not have the muscle that the larger ½-inch impact wrenches we tested claim on paper to possess, but it’s more versatile and performs just as well as those larger rivals when it counts. It removed lug nuts from our truck in about the same amount of time as the high-torque impact wrenches we tested, and it was only a tad slower when driving in our 3-inch lag bolts. 

The Skil PWR Core also features a nut-busting setting that cranks up the torque for better nut-removing power, as well as a Reverse Control mode that automatically stops the motor after loosening a stuck nut to prevent it from flying off. Unlike larger ½-inch high-torque impact wrenches, the Skil PWR Core can also drop to lower torque levels of just 200 foot-pounds. That means you can use it for smaller automotive fasteners without worrying about snapping the head off a bolt. 

While the differences in torque and speed certainly show up as you move to large nuts and longer lag bolts, that only makes a difference if you require an impact wrench for those heavy-duty applications. If you don’t, the Skil PWR Core is a great option at a very low price. 

Get the Skil cordless impact wrench at Amazon or Acme Tools.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Cordless Impact Wrenches

We sure felt the pressure when it came to putting together a list of the best cordless electric impact wrenches. These tools are all about power, and we needed to really put them through their paces. This is what we did.

First, we used them for basic wrenching. For the larger models, we removed and installed lug nuts on an old 4×4 and a truck to see how well their various speed settings and torque outputs worked. We took the one small model we tested under the hood, tightening up some exhaust manifold bolts and other parts to see how it worked in tight places. Next, we put these models head to head by torquing some hardware down and seeing which models could loosen them, and how quickly they could do it. Finally, we drove 6-inch lag bolts into a wet 4×4 before removing them again.

Once these tests were complete, we had a good idea of what each model could do and which ones would make our list of the best cordless impact wrenches.

What to Consider When Choosing a Cordless Impact Wrench

Determining which battery-powered impact wrench is right for you depends largely on the use it will see. Keep the following features in mind when determining which impact wrench is best suited to a given set of needs. 

Brushed vs. Brushless Motor

Without getting lost in the complexities of power tool motor mechanics, it’s enough to say that brushless motors don’t have as many moving parts as brushed motors. Moving parts create friction, and friction causes a loss of efficiency. Consequently, a good cordless impact wrench with a brushless motor has several advantages over one with a brushed motor. This includes a greater power-to-weight ratio, higher motor speeds, a longer lifespan, and less maintenance. 

But all these advantages come at a cost. Because of their superior features and more advanced technology, cordless impact wrenches with brushless motors can be considerably more expensive. However, factoring in that brushless motors tend to last longer and require less maintenance, the extra cost might be worth it.

Torque, RPM, and IPM

Torque, RPM, and IPM are the three key factors that determine an impact wrench’s power. Of these three, buyers should pay the most attention to the torque value. Simply put, torque is the amount of twisting power an impact wrench has, so an impact wrench with higher torque will have more overall power and generally perform better. Also, keep in mind that many models have two torque values: nut-busting (or loosening) and tightening. 

Additionally, RPM and IPM are important values to keep in mind. Standing for “revolutions per minute,” RPM measures how quickly an impact wrench can drive fasteners. Short for “impacts per minute,” IPM refers to the number of impacts from the “hammer” (the internal mechanism that puts the “impact” into an impact wrench) generated per minute. The higher the IPM, the more blows per minute.

Batteries and Runtime

Cordless impact wrenches are powered by rechargeable batteries, and the battery’s voltage is a key factor in influencing the tool’s overall performance. A battery with a higher voltage can allow the motor to deliver more torque, as well as achieve faster rotation (RPM) and more frequent impacts (IPM).

Cordless impact wrenches most often have 18V (volt) batteries, but there are some exceptions. Impact wrenches with greater amounts of torque can have batteries as large as 20 volts, while less powerful and more compact impact wrenches can have batteries as small as 12 volts. 

Although the voltage rating of a battery determines the tool’s power, it doesn’t say anything about how much runtime the battery has. That’s determined by a battery’s amp-hour (Ah) rating. For example, an 18V 3 Ah battery will run about twice as long as an 18V 1.5 Ah battery. 

Drive Size

Every socket consists of two main parts: the drive end, which connects to the wrench or ratchet, and the socket head, which fits over the nut or bolt. The drive end has a square-shaped recess sized to match the tool’s drive, while the socket head grips the fastener. A cordless impact wrench’s drive size is based on the size of its anvil, or male input shaft that the socket fits onto. In other words, an impact wrench’s drive size dictates the size of the sockets it can use.

Cordless impact wrenches are available in sizes from ¼ inch to 1 inch, with each size having its set of advantages and disadvantages. As a general rule, the larger the impact wrench’s drive size, the more powerful the impact wrench. But the downside of a wrench with a larger drive size is that, due to its size and bulk, it will be more difficult to maneuver into tight spaces. For general-purpose use, an impact wrench with a ½-inch drive size will be the most versatile since it’s both moderately powerful and compact, allowing it to accomplish the widest variety of tasks.

Sound and Vibration

You might assume that an impact wrench with more power is inherently superior to a less powerful counterpart, but that’s not always the case. As with so many other things in life, there’s a trade-off. When it comes to a cordless impact wrench’s power, the biggest trade-off is in the form of increased sound and vibration. Although an airless impact wrench doesn’t generate as much sound and vibration as its pneumatic counterpart, both forms of impact wrenches are known for causing hand and ear fatigue. For users who expose themselves to either for too long, the sound and vibration can be bothersome, if not outright damaging.

Thankfully, many cordless impact wrenches incorporate vibration-reducing ergonomic handles to buffer the impact of excessive vibrations through the user’s hands. Many also allow for adjustable torque levels to limit the exposure to the loud and physically jarring high-torque setting to times when it’s really necessary to bust a fastener loose. But no matter what noise and vibration reduction features an impact wrench might have, always wear hearing protection (power tools can be loud!) and take regular breaks when operating it.

Grip

Cordless impact wrenches have two basic grip styles: pistol grip and in-line grip. As the name implies, pistol-grip handles resemble the handle and trigger assembly of a standard pistol. This is the handle type that most power drills and impact drivers have and is also the type most commonly found on impact wrenches. Pistol-grip handles are the most popular because they’re comfortable to hold and they minimize hand fatigue during long work periods. 

Impact wrenches with in-line handles are long and slim, somewhat resembling a regular screwdriver. With in-line impact wrenches, the anvil aligns with the body of the impact wrench, and the handle and trigger are integrated into the back side of the wrench. This variety is best for maneuvering in tight and compact spaces where a pistol-grip impact wrench can’t fit. However, there are compact versions of traditional pistol-grip impact wrenches that serve this purpose as well.

Adjustable Speeds

Many of the best cordless impact wrenches feature adjustable speeds that the user can toggle through. This gives the user the ability to control how fast the anvil and socket are spinning, ensuring that they don’t damage the nut or bolt threads while tightening or loosening.

Many models have three settings: high (which can be up to 3,000 RPM), medium (which is usually around 2,000 RPM), and low (which can be around 400 to 1,200 RPM). Low speeds are typically suitable for most jobs, but higher speeds can get the job done faster. 

There are also models with variable-speed triggers. The user throttles the speed of the impact wrench by modulating their trigger squeeze. A light squeeze is slow, while a heavy squeeze is full speed. 

Safety Tips for Using a Cordless Impact Wrench

All power tools should be used with caution, and cordless impact wrenches are no exception. The first step of using an impact wrench safely is to read the user’s manual for instructions on proper use and recommended safety considerations. Be sure to select the recommended torque setting for the sockets in use, and don’t force the tool to operate beyond its stated performance specifications.

Be sure to use all the necessary safety accessories (like hearing protection, safety goggles, and gloves) and take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue. Using an impact wrench for only its intended purpose with the proper safety equipment will go a long way toward keeping safe, but here are a few more tips: 

• Inspect the impact wrench for damage before using it, and if there are any defects, either fix the wrench or replace it. 
• Make sure the sockets are rated for use with an impact wrench because if they’re not, they can break and cause injuries.
• Dress appropriately, avoiding baggy clothes, loose jewelry, and free-flowing long hair.

FAQs

A cordless impact wrench can be a considerable investment, so it’s natural to have some questions. Since there are many factors to consider and options to choose from, discovering the answers to these common questions might help bring more clarity to your decision.

Q. What is a cordless impact wrench used for?

A cordless impact wrench is used to loosen and tighten nuts and bolts, especially those that are too difficult to adjust with a manual socket set. 

Q. How does a cordless impact wrench work?

Impact wrenches are designed to apply short bursts of intense rotational force (torque) to loosen or tighten.

Q. Which voltage should I choose for a cordless impact wrench?

That depends on what you’re going to use it for. If you’re mostly going to be working in tight spaces, a 12V impact wrench should be sufficient. On the other hand, if you’re working with 1-inch drive sockets, you’ll probably need a 20V impact wrench. For general-purpose use with the greatest versatility, an 18V impact wrench is probably your best bet.

Q. Will a cordless impact wrench remove lug nuts? 

Absolutely! You can easily remove lug nuts with a ⅜-inch or ½-inch anvil. 

Q. What is the most popular size impact wrench?

An impact wrench with a ½-inch drive is the most common. This size is versatile enough for handling most work around a car, including changing tires and working on engines. A ½-inch drive is also useful for carpentry work that involves driving large lag bolts into lumber. 

Q. Is there a risk of overtightening bolts with an impact wrench?

Impact wrenches can deliver a tremendous amount of torque, so it is possible to overtighten bolts if you don’t set the tool to the appropriate torque setting. Overtightening can shear off bolts or make them very difficult to remove.

Q. Can I use an impact wrench for all automotive bolts?

Since impact wrenches produce so much torque, you should avoid using them on smaller bolts that could easily break or shear off. Consider using a smaller ¼-inch or ⅜-inch impact wrench or even a portable impact driver for smaller fasteners.

Meet the Tester

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design. His articles have been featured on such sites as Popular Mechanics, Futurism, SFGate, Pro Tools Review, and more. With each review, his goal is to help readers determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or isn’t worth its price tag.

Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience as both a contractor and a commercial building mechanic. As a lover of construction and DIY, he’s always looking for new tools and techniques.

Additional research provided by James Fitzgerald.

 

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