Any professional joiner, carpenter or engineer worth their salt will tell you that when it comes to upgrading your driver from drill to impact, once you cross over the River Styx, you won’t look back again. This, of course, refers to the improved comfort, stability and performance provided by the latter – superfluous it may seem, but if you want to take DIYing seriously, you need an impact driver in the toolbox.
Want to develop your tool collection further? Check out our articles on electric screwdrivers, angle grinders and grease guns.
How do impact drivers work
While regular drills deploy constant driving rotation onto a drill bit, relying on the operator to provide significant downward pressure in order to drive the screw in straight, an impact driver uses a spring-loaded anvil and hammer system to deploy intervallic rotation.
Once the spring reaches its maximum capacity and the anvil disengages, the spring expands again to provide an extra burst of torque. This process reoccurs many times a second, driving the screw in faster and straighter with less force required from the operator.
The system benefits drill-like practices in nearly every way. With an impact driver, handle vibration is restricted as nearly all the energy is focused on the drill bit, meaning that impact drivers are very comfortable to use while more efficient in their role. With an impact driver, you’ll be saving yourself time while extending your working capacity – a must-have.
A few things to consider…
• Unlike regular drill drivers, impact drivers have no clutch. While they are easy to control with a highly responsive trigger, it does mean that an impact driver will continue into a material surface after meeting resistance. This usually won’t be a problem, but if you’re drilling blind – say, in a dark cupboard – you may want to practice first so you have an idea of when to stop. Or flick on a light.
• Impact drills cause a racket in the workshop. They’re much louder than regular drills but fear not for the noise is an indication the mechanism is working properly. Use protective earwear to save yourself some discomfort.
• Unlike most drills, which use a keyless chuck to secure a drill bit in place, impact drivers use a collet instead. This means that drill bit compatibility is restricted to just 1/4-inch hex shank driver bits – something to keep in mind if looking to buy a new set.
Here are our picks of the best impact drivers for your workshop.
Makita Impact Drill
Price: £126.00 | VIEW OFFER
This impact drill from Makita is an excellent example of a quality product from a trusted manufacturer. This drill is powered by a 5AH attachable battery that produces 2900 RPM at full speed, driving your screws with precision and stability.
Weighing just 1.5kg, this tool is very light and portable for efficiency while on the job, but still delivers 165nm of torque. Other features on this driver include an electric brake for better control, LED job lights and one-touch bit installation.
Pros:
• Quality item from a recognised and trusted manufacturer
Cons:
• Cheaper impact drivers out there
Bosch Impact Driver
Price: £70.00 | VIEW OFFER
Like the Matika, this impact driver from Bosch also comes with a lithium-ion battery, delivering one hour of charge through an 18-volt system. This drill is just £70 with the battery included – just under £40 less than the Matika – though with diminished performance statistics.
The Bosch driver is only capable of 0-2,600 RPM with no load and has a maximum torque of 130Nm. However, it still features soft ergonomic grips and a solid build. This is a quality item and would make a great choice for more casual use.
Pros:
• Great price for quality drill
Cons:
• More powerful options – don’t know when you might need the extra boost
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Ryobi Impact Driver
Price: £135.99 | VIEW OFFER
This impact driver from Ryobi is the real deal. Powered by the brand’s ONE+ battery – compatible with hundreds of other appliances across the range, including campervan gear and garage fans – this impact drill is capable of a 3200RPM no-load speed, achieving up to 200Nm of torque with a 3600ipm for fast and efficient driving. Check out our full review of the Ryobi impact wrench here.
The extra driving performance does come at the cost of portability, as this impact drive is 3kg – twice the weight of the Makita. However, if the extra weight doesn’t bother you, this is an incredibly powerful tool. Given that this package comes with an interchangeable battery, it’s a steal, too.
Pro:
• Among the top of its class for power
• Interchangeable and versatile battery
Cons:
• Heavy for its type
DeWalt Impact Driver
Price: £280.00 | VIEW OFFER
If you want the ultimate, this is the impact driver for you. At £280, this is an awfully expensive tool, but for that money, you’ll be equipped with some of the best driving performance statistics money can buy.
The fan-cooled motor delivers up to 950Nm of torque at 2400ipm, suiting this driver to especially heavy-duty tasks with ultra-hard material. The square drive with hog ring socket retention provides more efficient torque delivery, bumping this number up without the need for additional power.
Complete with comfortable rubber XR grips for increased safety, look no further for the best – just be prepared to fork out for it.
Pros:
• As tough and powerful as they come
• Comfortable to use
Cons:
• A lot of money
Black and Decker Impact Driver
Price: £119.00 | VIEW OFFER
If you don’t have either of the driver types, then why not pick up this set from Black and Decker. The pack boasts both a hammer drill power tool and an impact driver, complete with two rechargeable batteries and a carrier bag.
The impact drill has 155Nm of torque from an 18V battery for minimal effort screwdriving. These are two quality items from a reputable manufacturer – all for a great price.
Pros:
• Two for one price – great set
• Still powerful power tools
Cons:
• Individual performance won’t be as strong as rivals.
