At one point, you’ve surely come across nasty, rusty bolts that are difficult to turn. Doing this to a large number of bolts when upgrading your project is a total migraine. Nonetheless, when you find yourself in such a situation, you can always rely on impact wrenches for a quick fix.

Impact wrenches are a precious tool in any home or workplace. It is one tool that has never met a bolt it cannot loosen. 

However, the different brands of impact wrenches in the market have made it quite challenging for interested buyers to identify one that suits them best.

So, to help make your work more comfortable, we have reviewed the top five best impact wrenches currently available in the market. We will also offer you a thorough discussion of the qualities you should look for the best impact wrenches through our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide.

Lastly, feel free to click on the buttons below to get the latest and best Amazon deals of the items below.

Best Impact Wrenches Comparison & Rating

Impact Wrenches

Features

DEWALT (DCF899HB) 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench, Brushless, High Torque, Hog Ring Anvil, 1/2-Inch, Tool Only
  • 700 feet-pounds of torque
  • battery-operated
  • variable speed trigger
Milwaukee 2454-22 M12 Fuel 3/8 Impact Wrench Kit W/2 Bat
  • 1,400 inch-pounds of torque
  • 20% more power
  • 3,500 IPM and 2,650 RPM
Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX Drive Air Impact Wrench, 1/2 Inch
  • four-position power regulator
  • 930 foot-pounds  torque
  • 109 decibels
Campbell Hausfeld 1/2" Impact Wrench, Air Impact Driver (TL140200AV), 550 FT/LBS Torque
  • 8,000 RPM and 1,200 IPM
  • 550 foot-pounds torque
  • soft rubber grip
Ingersoll Rand 2317G Edge Series Air Impactool and Ratchet Kit, Black
  • durable and affordable
  • wrench with 500 foot-pounds of torque
  • 231G impact wrench, five-piece socket set, and a 170G air ratchet wrench

1. DEWALT DCF889HB 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench

DEWALT (DCF899HB) 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench, Brushless, High Torque, Hog Ring Anvil, 1/2-Inch, Tool Only
Specifications:
98% Overall

Brand

DEWALT

Dimensions

9.94 x 4.25 x 10.63 inches

Weight

5.8 pounds

Torque

700 foot-pounds

98%
durability
98%
performance
97%
value for money
97%
features
Pros:
  • Delivers up to 700 feet-pounds of torque, perfect for the cordless impact wrenches.
  • Only measures 10 inches in length and weighs 5.8 pounds.
  • Despite not being the lightest or smallest on our list, it is among the smallest machines currently available in the market. When you put on the cargo pants, you can easily toss them in your pocket without worrying about them falling.
  • You can adjust its power with ease, thanks to its variable speed trigger.
  • Boasts of having an ergonomically designed comfortable grip.
Cons:
  • This DEWALT DCF889HB is sold separately as a standalone tool. It means you will have to purchase a battery and charger separately despite the accessories being costly. 
Final Take:

This DEWALT DCF889HB comes with a brushless motor that helps in ensuring superior performance. It comes with a 3-speed selector switch for control. It also has a LED work light that makes it possible for use in dark places or at night. Charger and battery are sold separately from its package. This unit comes with a battery fuel gauge that enables you to know the fuel levels when using it.

2. Milwaukee 2454-22 Impact Wrench

Milwaukee 2454-22 M12 Fuel 3/8 Impact Wrench Kit W/2 Bat
Specifications:
96% Overall

Brand

Milwaukee

Dimensions

13.8 x 3.72 x 11.44 inches

Weight

2.4 pounds

Torque

1,400 inch-pounds

97%
durability
96%
performance
96%
value for money
95%
features
Pros:
  • Delivers up to 1,400 inch-pounds of torque, which is enough for a cordless impact wrench.
  • Ergonomically designed, lightweight, and capable of taking any small to average task.
  • Comes with all the necessary accessories, such as the REDLITHIUM 2.0 compact battery pack, that delivers 2X more recharge and up to 20% more power.
  • Can comfortably deliver up to 3,500 IPM and 2,650 RPM of speed, which enables it to handle tasks effectively.
  • Made using high-quality and durable materials that ensure it lasts for a long time while in good condition.
Cons:
  • The speed is not that impressive. Nonetheless, it has enough torque to handle the tasks it is meant to manage effectively.
Final Take:

This Milwaukee 2454 is of a very superior pack construction, and it performs much better by delivering more work per charge. It also provides more work over pack life than any battery available in the market. It comes with two fastening modes that offer variable power and speed for precision work and heavy-duty application. It also provides optimized performance and overload protection using total system communication. This unit produces maximum and sustained torque to complete various types of applications.

3. Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX Drive Air Impact Wrench

Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX Drive Air Impact Wrench, 1/2 Inch
Specifications:
94% Overall

Brand

Ingersoll Rand

Dimensions

7.60 x 2.91 x 7.48 inches

Weight

4.6 pounds

Torque

930 foot-pounds

94%
durability
95%
performance
95%
value for money
93%
features
Pros:
  • Only weighs 4.6 pounds which means you will never find it a challenge to use for more extended periods.
  • Despite its size, this product is in a position of delivering a more significant amount of power than can get up to 930 foot-pounds of nut-busting torque.
  • Very durable product and boasts of a composite housing and steel wear plate.
  • Made using a heavy-duty titanium hammer case. It means that apart from being lightweight, it can also outlive the rest of your impact tool.
  • Works by only producing 109 decibels.
  • The control level offered by this wrench is second to none since it will provide you with a four-position power regulator that you can switch with ease between the modes.
Cons:
  • It can easily catch rust if it is not well maintained.
Final Take:

A top-rated manufacturer makes this unit. Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX will ensure you bring your A-game to any task that involves nuts and bolts. It is built with a titanium hammer case and a steel wear plate. Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX is well-tuned and offers a tremendous nut-busting torque. It is an impact wrench that can pack enough punch on any project.

4. Campbell Hausfeld TL140200AV Impact Wrench

Campbell Hausfeld 1/2" Impact Wrench, Air Impact Driver (TL140200AV), 550 FT/LBS Torque
Specifications:
94% Overall

Brand

Campbell Hausfeld

Dimensions

9.85 x 3 x 9.06 inches

Weight

0.5 pounds

Torque

550 foot-pounds

92%
durability
96%
performance
93%
value for money
95%
features
Pros:
  • Delivers a maximum nut-busting torque of 550 foot-pounds together with 8,000 RPM and 1,200 IPM. It makes it suitable for both automobile and construction jobs.
  • Lightweight at 4.4 pounds.
  • Compact and well-designed, making it appealing to the eyes of the user.
  • Easy to remove any of its wheels but with ease; comes with a soft rubber grip, and one size fits all type of tool.
  • Affordable and can easily be afforded by individuals who are on a tight budget.
Cons:
  • Too light which could affect its internal mechanics in delivering good performance over time.
Final Take:

This impact wrench is compact and offers enough power for any assembly and disassembly tasks. It comes with a 3-speed regulator, which makes it easy to choose a suitable speed. This unit is made using a sturdy and composite design that creates a long-lasting and durable tool. It is lightweight and of ergonomic soft-grip design that works in reducing vibration and fatigue. It comes with a Campbell Hausfeld 30 gallon air compressor and air hose for best results.

5. Ingersoll Rand 2317G Edge Series Air Impactool and Ratchet Kit

Ingersoll Rand 2317G Edge Series Air Impactool and Ratchet Kit, Black
Specifications:
93% Overall

Brand

Ingersoll Rand

Dimensions

13.2 x 13 x 4.25 inches

Weight

12.08 pounds

Torque

500 foot-pounds 

92%
durability
93%
performance
94%
value for money
92%
features
Pros:
  • The wrench delivers up to 500 foot-pounds of torque that is more than enough to loosen and tighten lug nuts or take care of tasks that require quick fasteners removal.
  • All accessories that come in this combo kit are well made and designed with durability in mind, giving its users peace of mind.
  • The kit comes with a 231G impact wrench, five-piece socket set, and a 170G air ratchet wrench.
  • Perfect impact wrench for occasional tradespeople, weekend mechanics, and people who cannot afford to get the tools separately.
  • Affordable impact wrench that suits people on a limited budget but needs a durable tool to help loosen and tighten bolts.
Cons:
  • The quality of materials used in making this impact wrench is not so impressive.
Final Take:

This Ingersoll Rand 2317G is an ideal impact wrench for vehicles. It is of ergonomic grip on both tools, ensuring ease of use. The device is of a heat-treated ratchet head for longer life. It has an exclusive twin hammer impact mechanism. The impact wrench comes with a 170G ratchet, 231G impact tools, and a combo socket set, making it useful. You can use this tool on different tasks without any problem.

Best Impact Wrenches - Buyer's Guide

Motor

The cordless impact wrenches pack the brushless motors, whereas the air models come with brushed models. The brushed motors are known to be very powerful, although they are less effective when compared to the brushless units. Selecting the right type of engine will depend on the project's requirements.

torque

Torque is the essential thing in any impact wrench, regardless of the type and model. Torque refers to the power tool's ability to produce rotations, and it is usually measured in foot-founds. The higher the torque, the easier it will be for an impact wrench to remove or tighten bolts. 

Ensure you know what types of projects you will be handling before deciding on the torque amount you will need.

rpm

The speed an impact wrench is capable of producing is as vital as the torque and power. As you already know, the impact wrench relies on the hammer rotations to fasten or tighten screws and bolts. The more cycles a unit can produce the less effort the user will have to use. Ensure you check on an impact wrenches' RPM to know what amount of effort you will be using before making any purchase.

ipm

IPM refers to the Impacts per Minute. You need to consider another essential feature whenever you are in the market for the best impact wrench. Since this tool will need lots of contacts to push down the screws or bolts or loosen them up, you will have to ensure that the impact wrench you are about to purchase provides you with enough IPM to accommodate all your project's needs.

Drive

The drive size is directly proportional to the torque performance. It is another essential factor that you should never forget about when shopping for the best impact wrench in the market. The drive is available in three different sizes. There is the ¼, 3/8, and ½ inches. The bigger the drive, the higher the torque will be.

Best Impact Wrenches - FAQs

What is the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench?

Impact drivers are usually used in drilling long screws into metal or wood. The impact wrenches are used in loosening or tightening bolts and nuts. Impact drivers are straightforward to use, while the impact wrenches are quite heavy and powerful.

Is it possible to use the standard sockets within an impact wrench?

No. Normal sockets will always break or crack whenever used on an impact tool due to how brittle the material is.

Why should I use an impact driver over a drill?

Impact drivers handle large bolts and screws more efficiently when compared to the average compact drill. It is because they automatically add extra rotational force whenever they encounter any form of resistance.

Is it possible to use an impact driver to drill holes in concrete?

When drilling at ¼-inch or under, you will be in a position of preparing brick together with some concrete using an impact driver. The impact drivers have a freakish amount of torque, although they are not designed to be regular drills.

Author

Jimmy Black started his career as a construction and carpenter foreman. After years of hard work, he decided to go on his own. Now, Jimmy is one of the trusted experts at SolidSmack who knows at first glance whether your hammer would do a great job or not. He still involves himself in various construction projects and works for individual clients. Behind formalities, he enjoys being a father to two lovely kids who keep on asking him why they can’t quit school and travel the world like Dora The Explorer.