An impact wrench is one of the most useful tools for home mechanics and handymen out there. Haven’t we all found ourselves with stubborn rusty bolts that can’t easily turn with a spanner? If you have found yourself in such a situation, then you will be glad to know that impact wrenches can help you do the job fast and easily. It can turn pretty much any bolt and makes a good investment and a tool worth having in your toolbox. However, with dozens of them out there, it can be a daunting task to pick the right one.
In this comprehensive buying guide, we have done an extensive research and gotten the help of experts to help handpick the best cordless impact wrenches one can get.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench
Brushless Motor for Superior Performance
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench has a brushless motor that delivers superior performance. It has high torque for all the heavy-duty applications you plan to perform. You can choose from 3 operating speeds with the speed selector. There is an LED light you can use to improve your visibility in the dark.
Best Cordless Impact Wrenches 2023 To Buy
With able assistance from industry experts, here are some of the best cordless impact wrenches that one can get.
9. Werktough 1/2 Inch Cordless Impact Wrench
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Quality CRV sockets, Quality carrying case.
Power: 20 Volts.
The Werktough impact wrench is designed with high quality materials and a powerful motor. It comes with everything that one would want in an impact wrench. Among some of the handy features it has includes a reversible function with a switch lock, an LED light, a carrying case, charger and a 3.0 A battery.
With its 20 Volts battery and a powerful motor, the impact wrench can change up to 4 tires on a single charge. Overall, this is a high quality impact wrench that delivers on its promise.
Pros and Cons
- It is easy to use.
- The wrench is powerful and delivers excellent performance.
- It is not very sturdy.
8. Bosch PS82-02 Impact Wrench Kit
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Compact & light, powerful, 3 LED lights, 2 speed settings, optimized for overhead work, EC brushless efficiency, greater runtime.
Power: 12V.
If you are looking for a compact and light impact wrench for your mechanical jobs, then you can never go wrong with the Bosch PS82-02 Impact Wrench. This cordless impact wrench has a brushless motor for unmatched efficiency. You can use it for various driving tasks with its compact and light nature making it perfect for overhead work. It has an ergonomic design to provide you with a proper grip for your overhead applications. The unit has 2-speed settings you can select from the performance control system. You can choose the high-speed setting for high torque or the low-speed setting for low torque.
The wrench also comes with LED lights to enable you to go about your tasks in low light settings. It has a powerful battery that packs enough power to provide you with greater runtime. The wrench has been optimized for impact with its high-impact system offering high impact force for better performance on wood and metal surfaces. You will get a carry bag when you buy this wrench to make it easy for you to move from one job site to another.
Pros and Cons
- It has 2 speed settings for different driving applications.
- Its compact and light design makes it perfect for overhead tasks.
- The 3 LED lights improve illumination in dark workspaces.
- Some users report that the wrench stops working unexpectedly.
7. AUTOJARE Cordless Impact Wrench
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Brushless motor, Ergonomic design, LED lights.
Power: 20 Volts.
AUTOJARE Cordless Impact Wrench comes in a compact design and handy features that makes challenging tasks easier. It is also lightweight, has an ergonomic design and a soft grip handle that makes it easy to hold and use. The wrench features convenient LED lights to make it possible and easy to operate in dark spaces with limited light.
The 20-volt rechargeable battery delivers steady power and runs for a long time on a single charge.
Pros and Cons
- It is very compact and easy to carry.
- The wrench offers high power and performance.
- Its grip could be improved.
6. Ingersoll Rand Cordless Impact Wrench
Price: High price tag.
Special features: Superior power, intelligent control, unmatched durability, 360-degree LED light, proven reliability.
Power: 20V.
The Ingersoll Rand Cordless Impact Wrench is the most powerful cordless impact wrench in its range. It’s capable of delivering 1000 – 1500 pounds of torque to help you loosen and fasten nuts in various applications. It utilizes intelligent control to allow you to move from maximum torque to ‘hand tight’ grip in no time. Its brushless motor has a superior power to weight ratio that delivers a high impact mechanism for all your applications.
This cordless impact wrench also promises unmatched durability with its reinforced steel construction. The unit can withstand high-impact drops, chemical corrosion, and aggressive fluids to provide you with long-lasting durability. Controlling this tool is easy, and you can count on it to get the job done every time. You will be able to use the power tool at night in case of emergencies, thanks to the 360-degree LED lights with 4 dimmable settings.
Pros and Cons
- The brushless motor delivers high-impact operational mechanism for all your applications.
- It has been built with high-quality reinforced steel for enhanced durability.
- The 360-degree LED lights ensure proper visibility in dark areas.
- The setting for ½ inch drive doesn’t work properly.
5. Makita XWT11R 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact Brushless Cordless
Price: High price tag.
Special features: 3 speed power option, Brushless motor, Compact design.
Power: 18 Volts.
Makita needs no introduction in the tools arena. Their high quality products that ranges from power tools to mechanical tools speak for themselves. This particular impact wrench is designed with a compact and ergonomic design and is powered by an 18 Volt rechargeable battery. Like most advanced impact wrenches, this one has an array of functional features such as reverse rotation, speed selection and auto-stop functionality.
It has proven to be very reliable in handling wrenching work and fastening. Although pricier than most, it offers great value.
Pros and Cons
- The impact wrench is easy to use.
- It is of great quality, sturdiness and is durable.
- Some people feel that the wrench could be more powerful.
4. PORTER-CABLE PCC740B Cordless Impact Wrench
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: Variable speed trigger, Solid & Compact design.
Power: 20 volts.
Porter Cable impact wrench is yet another well designed 1/2″ Cordless Impact Wrench. The wrench is powered by a motor that can deliver up to 1,650 rpm which ensures quick fastening even on heavy applications. There is a 1/2″ hog ring that ensures quick socket changing.
The variable speed trigger that it has ensures that users can easily adjust the speeds and get better precision. The battery is excellent and delivers dependable performance. It can also be used on almost any kind of fastening, both small and heavy applications.
Pros and Cons
- The impact wrench is powerful and dependable.
- It operates fast and easily.
- Its battery life could be improved.
3. Makita XWT08Z Impact Wrench
Price: Affordable.
Special features: 3-speed selection, efficient motor, high torque, easy socket changes, compact, ergonomic design, LED lights, easy to operate.
Power: 18V.
Fastening and loosening nuts/bolts is a challenging and tiring job, especially when working on nuts/bolts with damaged ends. The solution to this problem is to get an impact wrench that properly grips the nut to ensure smooth fastening/loosening. The Makita XWT08Z Impact Wrench is an excellent choice if you need the best cordless impact wrench for tough jobs. It has a brushless motor that delivers powerful torque for extended runtime. You can choose from 3 operating speeds depending on the task at hand. The unit provides fastening control to prevent damage to the surfaces you’re working on.
The motor has been optimized to consume less battery power, thus providing you with more run time. The handle has been ergonomically designed to make sure you are comfortable when using the machine. It is also compact to reduce the weight you have to carry when operating it. The built-in LED lights illuminate your working area to ensure you can see things clearly when working in dark-lit rooms.
Pros and Cons
- The brushless motor runs efficiently and consumes less power.
- Compact design to reduce operator fatigue.
- Easy to operate the machine with the forward/reverse switch.
- The battery attachment case is loose in some models.
2. Milwaukee M18 FUEL Impact Wrench
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Brushless motor, Hard case, High quality compact design.
Power: 18 Volts.
Milwaukee is a synonymous brand that has been praised for its incredible line of tools. This kit comes with a hard case that features a high quality impact wrench designed to perform. It is powered by a 18-volts Lithium-ion battery that ruins a brushless motor. The wrench is made with a Friction ring kit that ensures good gripping and quick fastening with increased precision.
This is a high quality impact wrench that has everything well figured out. Despite being pricey, it is one of the most reliable one can get.
Pros and Cons
- The impact wrench is of excellent quality with guaranteed durability.
- It offers impressive performance and dependability.
- This impact wrench is a bit pricey than others.
1. DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench
Price: Affordable.
Special features: Brushless motor, high torque, 3 speed options, LED work light, compact design.
Power: 20V.
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench is the best cordless impact wrench you can have in your power tools arsenal. The wrench is very powerful and versatile to make it easy to fasten various applications. The tool has been designed for comfort, with its ergonomic design guaranteeing your comfort when handling the tool. This multi-speed wrench allows you to control the operating speed for the different applications you’re working on. The tool has a compact design to make storage and transportation easy.
The wrench has also been designed for use in dark spaces with its LED working light. This allows you to use the wrench even at night to solve emergencies that cannot wait till daybreak. The machine has a high torque to support your heavy-duty applications. It packs enough power in the battery to enable you to use the wrench for a long time. The exterior surface is tough and rugged to ensure the unit doesn’t get damaged when it drops to the ground.
Pros and Cons
- The brushless motor provides a superior running time.
- The 3-speed selector allows you to choose the operating speed.
- You can use the wrench in dark spaces thanks to the LED lights.
- The impact can be very loud when tightening bolts.
Choosing the Best Cordless Impact Wrenches
Here are crucial features to consider when you are choosing the best cordless impact wrench to buy.
Battery
Cordless impact wrenches runs on batteries which can be either rechargeable or not. You can find those that are made of Nickel cadmium batteries as well as those designed with Lithium-ion batteries. Both are great, but Lithium-ion battery powered wrenches are more superior. It is also important to consider the battery voltage output that you are getting because that will determine the performance and reliability.
Motor
The motor is probably the most important part of an impact wrench because it determines the performance. That said, the RPM and torque that one gets from an impact wrench is an important factor to watch out for. It is also important to consider the design of the motor and see whether it is brushless or not. Although brushless powered impact wenches tend to be a bit pricier, they are excellent in performance and really worth going for.
Ease of Use
Some impact wrenches are easy to use, while others will make your work hard. Although one cannot easily know the user-friendliness of an impact wrench by just looking at it, it is worth checking out user reviews and expert reviews. This is a factor that we have also looked into when we were handpicking the best cordless impact wrenches in our list.
Grip
Lastly, one should always consider getting a good impact wrench that offers good grip. Having a good grip means that you can count on that impact wrench to easily open even the most stubborn bolts with a lot of ease. A good grip also means that the user will be comfortable holding and using the impact wrench.
Final Verdict
Every handyman loves a tool that eases their work. When it comes to opening bolts and nuts that are old and rusty or just too tight, it can be hectic doing it manually with a spanner. The use of an electric power wrench makes it all a breeze. Listed above are some of the best cordless impact wrenches that you can buy. Check also our review on the best cordless screwdriver here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an impact wrench?
A: An impact wrench is a handy tool that is used to loosen or open up bolts fast. It is electronically powered, which makes it powerful and reliable as compared to manually opening the bolts, especially those that are rusty and stuck.
Q: How does an Impact wrench work?
A: An impact wrench is designed with an electric-powered motor or an air motor which powers it. When in use, the motor takes charge and offers the twisting and circular motion that helps to open up nuts. The motors uses strong bursts of force and opens up the nuts in seconds.
Q: Is it worth investing in an Impact wrench?
A: If you are a mechanic or a handyman, then you must at some point find yourself with a stuck bolt that needs to be opened. In such instances where the spanner or other alternatives cannot be used, an impact wrench is a great tool to have in your toolbox.
Q: Will an Impact wrench break bolts?
A: Impact wrenches, like any other electric tool is powerful and depending on how one handles them, the tool can break bolt. However, as compared to other similar tools, an impact wrench is much better and more reliable as compared to pneumatic and electric impact guns. It is, therefore, the best option that one can get.
