Sink a three-inch deck screw with a regular drill and you feel it fight back, stall, and strip. Reach for an impact driver and the same screw disappears into the board with a quick burst of hammering torque and almost no effort on your wrist. That trick, short rotational hammer blows that power through resistance, is why an impact driver is the tool that turns a dreaded afternoon of assembly or decking into a fast one.
A good impact driver is compact enough for tight corners, brushless if you want efficiency and long life, and backed by a battery platform you can grow into. Whether you are furnishing a first apartment, building a deck, or stocking a working van, the five below range from a two-tool starter kit to a premium high-torque driver, with budget and value options between.
At a glance
| Product | Standout feature | Price tier | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX Drill + Impact Combo Kit | Two tools, two batteries, charger and bag, best-selling value | Mid-range | |
| DEWALT 20V MAX Brushless Impact Driver (DCF787) | Compact brushless standalone with battery and charger | Mid-range | |
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR 3-Speed Impact Driver (DCF845) | High torque, 3-speed control, premium performance, tool only | Premium | |
| CRAFTSMAN 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit (CMCF800) | Budget kit, 2,800 RPM, battery and charger included | Budget | |
| GoYwato Brushless Impact Driver Kit | High torque, two batteries, sockets and bits included | Budget | |
How to choose a cordless impact driver
Impact driver, not drill
The two look similar, but they do different jobs. A drill/driver spins steadily and grips round or hex bits in an adjustable chuck, which is what you want for boring holes and delicate work. An impact driver takes only 1/4-inch hex bits and adds rotational hammer blows, so it drives long screws, lag bolts, and stubborn fasteners far faster and with less strain, without twisting your wrist when the fastener bites. Most people end up wanting both, which is why a combo kit is such a common first buy.
Brushless or brushed motor
Brushless motors run cooler, waste less energy, and last longer because there are no carbon brushes to wear down. In practice that means more screws per charge and a tool that holds up to heavy use. Brushed motors still work fine and cost less, so a brushed budget driver is reasonable for occasional assembly and light projects. If you drive fasteners regularly or want the tool to last for years, spend up for brushless.
Torque and speed settings
Torque, measured in inch-pounds, is the muscle: more of it drives bigger fasteners without stalling. For most home projects, anything in the mid-hundreds to roughly 1,800 in-lbs handles deck screws and lag bolts comfortably. Speed, in RPM, sets how fast the bit turns for quick driving. The nicer feature is multiple speed or mode settings, which let you ease off for small screws to avoid stripping and open up full power for the heavy stuff.
Batteries and platform
The battery is a long-term decision. Once you own batteries on one voltage platform, every future tool on that platform shares them, so it pays to pick a system you can grow into. A kit that includes one or two batteries and a charger gets you working out of the box, while a bare tool is cheaper only if you already own compatible batteries. Higher-capacity batteries run longer between charges but add weight.
Size, weight, and handling
Impact drivers shine in tight spots, so a short front-to-back length helps in cabinets, framing, and cramped corners. A comfortable, balanced grip matters over a long session, and a built-in LED, ideally with a short delay after you release the trigger, keeps the fastener lit in dim spaces. One-handed bit changes on a quick-release hex chuck save real time when you are switching between driving and drilling.
Control that prevents stripped screws
Raw power is only half the story; the other half is stopping at the right moment. A variable-speed trigger lets you feather the start so a small screw seats without spinning out, and multi-mode drivers can ease off automatically as a fastener bottoms out. Some tools add a reverse auto-stop that slows the moment a screw breaks free, which keeps it from launching across the room. If you work with soft materials or delicate trim, that fine control matters as much as the top torque figure.
What comes in the box
Read the kit contents before you compare prices. A bare tool is just the driver, which only makes sense if you already own batteries. A kit adds at least one battery and a charger, and the best-value bundles throw in a second battery, a case, and a starter set of driving bits or sockets so you can work the day it arrives. Two batteries in particular change the experience, since one charges while the other drives, and you never stall a project waiting on power.
DEWALT 20V MAX Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit
This kit is the best seller of the group, and it is the answer for anyone who wants to be ready for everything on day one. You get both tools that most jobs demand: a compact 1/4-inch impact driver for fast, high-torque driving and a 1/2-inch drill/driver for holes and general work, plus two batteries, a charger, and a bag. Both are light and short enough for tight spaces, both carry LED work lights with a handy 20-second delay, and the impact driver’s one-handed hex chuck accepts bit tips quickly. Buying the pair together costs far less than two separate tools, which is why it is such a popular first purchase.
Pros
- Two tools cover driving and drilling from the start
- Two batteries, charger, and carry bag included
- Compact, lightweight bodies for tight areas
- LED lights with a 20-second delay on both tools
Cons
- Standard motors rather than the newest brushless
- More than you need if you only want an impact driver
Best for: a first cordless setup, or anyone who wants a drill and an impact driver on one battery platform.
DEWALT 20V MAX Brushless Impact Driver
If you only need the impact driver, this brushless standalone is the clean choice. The brushless motor stretches runtime and durability, the body is compact and light for reaching into framing and cabinets, and it ships with a battery, charger, and belt hook so it is ready to work. An LED with a 20-second delay keeps the fastener lit after you let off the trigger, which is genuinely useful under a sink or inside a stud bay. It skips the multi-speed modes of the premium model, but for everyday driving it is a focused, reliable tool on a battery system you can expand later.
Pros
- Efficient brushless motor for longer runtime
- Compact and light for hard-to-reach work
- Battery, charger, and belt hook included
- LED with 20-second delay
Cons
- Single-speed, without the modes of pricier drivers
- One tool only, no drill in the box
Best for: buyers who want a dependable brushless impact driver and nothing extra.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR 3-Speed Impact Driver
This is the driver for anyone who pushes a tool hard. The brushless XR motor delivers around 1,825 in-lbs of torque and up to 3,400 RPM to drive large-diameter screws, and a three-speed setting plus a variable-speed trigger give real control, from gentle starts on small fasteners to full power on lag bolts. A three-LED ring lights the work with fewer shadows than a single bulb, and it includes a belt hook. It is sold as a bare tool, so it is the smart buy only if you already own DEWALT 20V batteries. For a demanding user on the platform, it is the standout performer here.
Pros
- High torque for large fasteners and tough driving
- Three speeds plus variable trigger for precise control
- Three-LED ring reduces shadows
- Premium brushless durability
Cons
- Tool only, so you must already own compatible batteries
- Highest price in the group
Best for: pros and serious DIYers already on the DEWALT 20V platform who want top performance.
CRAFTSMAN 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit
CRAFTSMAN keeps things simple and affordable, and for a lot of homes that is exactly right. This kit delivers 1,460 in-lbs of torque and up to 2,800 RPM, enough for screws, lag bolts, and everyday fastening, and it comes complete with a battery and charger so there is nothing else to buy. A quick-release chuck handles one-handed bit changes, and an LED lights the work in dim corners. It is the budget entry that still starts its own battery platform, so you can add matching tools over time. For occasional projects and general fastening, it covers the essentials without overspending.
Pros
- Low price with battery and charger included
- 1,460 in-lbs handles common fastening jobs
- One-handed quick-release bit changes
- Starts an affordable battery platform
Cons
- Less torque and runtime than brushless rivals
- Single-speed operation
Best for: occasional DIY and light fastening on a tight budget.
GoYwato Brushless Impact Driver Kit
GoYwato packs a lot into one box for the money. This brushless kit claims up to 2,655 in-lbs of torque, and it arrives with two 4.0Ah batteries, a charger, a set of sockets and screwdriver bits, and a case, so a beginner can start a project the day it lands. Thoughtful touches include a reverse auto-stop mode that eases off once a screw loosens to keep it from flying out, an all-metal 1/4-inch hex chuck, and a bright trigger-activated LED. As a standalone brand it is not part of a big tool ecosystem, but as a complete, high-torque starter bundle it is strong value.
Pros
- High rated torque for a budget tool
- Two 4.0Ah batteries for long runtime
- Includes sockets, bits, and a carry case
- Brushless motor and reverse auto-stop mode
Cons
- Standalone platform, not a mainstream tool ecosystem
- Heavier than the most compact drivers
Best for: a complete, do-it-all starter kit for home projects and DIY.
The verdict
Best overall: the DEWALT 20V MAX combo kit is the runaway best seller and the most practical buy, giving you a drill and an impact driver, two batteries, a charger, and a bag on a battery platform you can build on.
Best value: the GoYwato kit crams two large batteries, sockets, and bits around a high-torque brushless driver for a budget price, making it the most complete starter bundle here. The CRAFTSMAN kit is the pick if you want a trusted mainstream brand at the lowest cost.
Best premium: the DEWALT XR 3-speed is the performance choice for anyone already on the DEWALT platform, with high torque and precise speed control for demanding work.
FAQ
What is the difference between an impact driver and a drill?
A drill spins steadily and grips bits in an adjustable chuck for holes and general driving. An impact driver adds rotational hammer blows and takes 1/4-inch hex bits, so it drives long screws and lag bolts faster and with less wrist strain. Many people own both.
Do I need a brushless model?
Brushless motors run more efficiently, last longer, and give more screws per charge, which is worth it for regular use. A brushed budget driver is fine for occasional assembly and light projects.
Should I buy a bare tool or a kit?
Buy a kit with a battery and charger unless you already own compatible batteries on that platform. A bare tool saves money only when you can share batteries you already have.
How much torque do I need?
For most home projects, roughly 1,400 to 1,800 in-lbs drives deck screws and lag bolts comfortably. Higher torque helps with the biggest fasteners and heavy repetitive work.
Can an impact driver remove lug nuts?
An impact driver can handle light automotive fasteners, but heavy lug nuts are really a job for an impact wrench, which uses a square drive and far higher torque. Match the tool to the fastener.
Can I drill holes with an impact driver?
Yes, with hex-shank drill bits, and it works well for smaller holes in wood and metal. For larger, cleaner, or more precise holes, a drill/driver with an adjustable chuck is still the better tool, which is another reason a combo kit is so handy.
What battery voltage should I choose?
For home and most trade work, an 18V or 20V MAX platform hits the sweet spot of power, runtime, and tool selection. Lower voltages are lighter but weaker; the bigger point is to commit to one platform so future tools share the same batteries.
How long do the batteries last per charge?
It depends on capacity and the job, but a mid-size battery drives dozens to well over a hundred fasteners between charges. Brushless motors stretch that further, and a kit with two batteries keeps you working while one recharges.
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