Buying guide
Best cordless impact wrenches
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
DeWalt DCF900P2T: 1,898 Nm breakaway kit with two 5 Ah packs
The listing gives 1,356 Nm fastening and 1,898 Nm breakaway torque.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
DeWalt DCF891N: mid torque hog ring with 4 speeds
The listing quotes 600 ft-lb fastening and 800 ft-lb breakaway torque.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
HiKOKI WR36DE: 1,050 Nm nut busting with IP56 rating
The listing gives 770 Nm tightening and up to 1,050 Nm nut busting torque.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
A half inch impact wrench is the tool for wheel nuts, suspension bolts, scaffold fittings and anchor bolts, where an impact driver runs out of grip and torque. Two figures matter most. Fastening torque is what the tool can tighten to. Breakaway or nut busting torque is what it can undo, and it is always higher. Wheel nuts on a car need only a fraction of what the big models produce, so a compact wrench is often the better buy for garage work, while a high torque model suits plant, agricultural and steel work. Also check the anvil. A hog ring or friction ring lets you swap sockets by hand, and a detent pin holds them more firmly. This guide compares cordless models by the torque each listing gives, converting foot pounds to newton metres where a maker quotes only imperial figures. Always finish wheel nuts with a torque wrench to the vehicle maker's figure.
All products compared
- DeWalt DCF900P2T: 1,898 Nm breakaway kit with two 5 Ah packs
- Fastening torque
- 1,356 Nm
- Breakaway torque
- 1,898 Nm
- Anvil
- 1/2 in hog ring
- Voltage
- 18 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - HiKOKI WR36DE: 1,050 Nm nut busting with IP56 rating
- Fastening torque
- 770 Nm
- Breakaway torque
- 1,050 Nm
- Anvil
- 1/2 in
- Voltage
- 36 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Bosch GDS 18V-1000: 1,000 Nm BITURBO with 3 settings
- Fastening torque
- 1,000 Nm
- Breakaway torque
- 1,600 Nm
- Anvil
- 1/2 in
- Voltage
- 18 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCF891N: mid torque hog ring with 4 speeds
- Fastening torque
- 813 Nm (600 ft-lb)
- Breakaway torque
- 1,085 Nm (800 ft-lb)
- Anvil
- 1/2 in hog ring
- Voltage
- 18 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - HiKOKI WR36DH: compact 700 Nm with auto stop and slow
- Fastening torque
- 380 Nm
- Breakaway torque
- 700 Nm
- Anvil
- 1/2 in
- Voltage
- 36 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Milwaukee M18FIWF12: M18 Fuel half inch friction ring
- Fastening torque
- Not stated
- Breakaway torque
- Not stated
- Anvil
- 1/2 in friction ring
- Voltage
- 18 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Makita DTW285: 280 Nm with a scaffolding mode
- Fastening torque
- 280 Nm
- Breakaway torque
- Not stated
- Anvil
- Square drive (size not stated)
- Voltage
- 18 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Makita DTW300: 330 Nm 18 V LXT body in a case
- Fastening torque
- 330 Nm
- Breakaway torque
- Not stated
- Anvil
- 1/2 in
- Voltage
- 18 V
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCF900P2T: 1,898 Nm breakaway kit with two 5 Ah packs
DeWalt's high torque 18 V XR impact wrench as a full kit, with 1,356 Nm fastening torque and a precision wrench mode. Built for flanges, anchor bolts and stubborn wheel lugs.
In its favour
- The listing gives 1,356 Nm fastening and 1,898 Nm breakaway torque.
- Precision Wrench mode helps prevent overtightening in forward and run off in reverse.
- Two 5.0 Ah batteries, a charger and a TSTAK box are included.
Good to know
- Far more torque than car wheel nuts need, so a compact model may suit home garages better.
- The listing does not give the weight with a 5.0 Ah battery fitted.
Listing title: DEWALT DCF900P2T-GB 18V XR Brushless 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench Ho...
No. 2 · HIKOKI
HiKOKI WR36DE: 1,050 Nm nut busting with IP56 rating
A 36 V HiKOKI half inch impact wrench rated for M10 to M24 bolts, with IP56 protection and four auto stop functions. Well suited to outdoor and plant work.
In its favour
- The listing gives 770 Nm tightening and up to 1,050 Nm nut busting torque.
- IP56 protection against dust and water is listed for harsh conditions.
- Four speed modes and four auto stop functions help prevent overtightening.
Good to know
- Sold without battery or charger, and it is designed around HiKOKI 36 V packs.
- The listing describes the case contents only as accessories.
Listing title: HIKOKI Akku-Schlagschrauber WR36DE 1/2" (36V, Max. Festdrehmoment: 770...
No. 3 · Bosch Professional
Bosch GDS 18V-1000: 1,000 Nm BITURBO with 3 settings
Bosch's BITURBO brushless half inch impact wrench with 1,000 Nm of tightening torque and three speed and torque settings. A strong bare tool for Bosch 18 V owners.
In its favour
- The listing states 1,000 Nm tightening and up to 1,600 Nm breakaway torque.
- Three speed and torque settings are listed for controlled work.
- BITURBO brushless technology pairs with ProCORE18V batteries for full output.
Good to know
- Bare unit in a cardboard box, with no battery, charger or case.
- The listing does not describe the anvil retention type.
Listing title: Bosch PRO Cordless Impact Wrench GDS 18V-1000
No. 4 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCF891N: mid torque hog ring with 4 speeds
A compact DeWalt 18 V XR brushless impact wrench with four speed settings and Precision Wrench control. It suits mechanics who want plenty of torque in a shorter body.
In its favour
- The listing quotes 600 ft-lb fastening and 800 ft-lb breakaway torque.
- Four speed settings and a variable speed trigger give control over output.
- A compact, lightweight design and LED work light are listed.
Good to know
- Bare unit, so you need DeWalt XR batteries and a charger.
- Torque is quoted in imperial units only, so figures here are converted.
Listing title: DEWALT DCF891N-XJ 18V XR Brushless 1/2 inch Hog Ring Anvil Impact Wren...
No. 5 · HIKOKI
HiKOKI WR36DH: compact 700 Nm with auto stop and slow
A compact 36 V HiKOKI impact wrench for bolts up to M20, with Auto Stop and Auto Slow modes. Good for wheel nuts and general fixing work where control matters.
In its favour
- The listing gives 380 Nm tightening and 700 Nm nut busting torque.
- Auto Slow reduces speed once a bolt loosens so it does not drop out.
- IP56 rating and a listed weight of 1.3 kg suit outdoor and overhead use.
Good to know
- Not enough breakaway torque for large plant or agricultural fixings.
- Supplied without battery or charger, only the case.
Listing title: HIKOKI WR36DHW2Z 36V Cordless brushless 1/2'' Impact Wrench with 700 N...
No. 6 · Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18FIWF12: M18 Fuel half inch friction ring
Milwaukee's M18 Fuel half inch impact wrench with a friction ring for quick socket changes, sold as a bare tool. A light option for M18 owners doing vehicle work.
In its favour
- A 1/2 in friction ring holder is listed for quick socket swaps.
- The listing gives up to 2,500 rpm and 3,100 impacts per minute.
- A listed weight of 1.2 kg makes it easy to handle under a vehicle.
Good to know
- The listing gives no usable torque figure in newton metres.
- No battery, charger or case comes with the tool.
Listing title: M18FIWF12-0 Fuel Impact Wrench Friction Ring (1/2") (Naked-no Batterie...
No. 7 · Makita
Makita DTW285: 280 Nm with a scaffolding mode
A light Makita 18 V impact wrench for M10 to M20 bolts with a medium mode suited to scaffolding. It suits scaffolders and fitters who want a small, light tool.
In its favour
- The listing says the medium mode suits scaffolding applications.
- A battery fuel gauge, protection circuit and LED job light are listed.
- A listed weight of 1.13 kg is the lightest in this guide.
Good to know
- At 280 Nm it is the least powerful wrench here.
- The listing does not state the anvil size or breakaway torque.
Listing title: Makita DTW285Z Impact Wrench, 18 V, Blue/Black, Small
No. 8 · Makita
Makita DTW300: 330 Nm 18 V LXT body in a case
A Makita 18 V LXT half inch impact wrench rated at 330 Nm, supplied in a carry case. A practical add on for LXT owners who do occasional vehicle and fixing work.
In its favour
- The listing gives 330 Nm of torque from an 18 V LXT battery.
- Supplied as a body in a Makita case rather than a cardboard box.
- Shares batteries with the large Makita 18 V LXT range.
Good to know
- The listing is brief and does not state breakaway torque or speed settings.
- No battery or charger is included in the case.
Listing title: Makita DTW300ZJ Cordless Impact Driver
More buying guides: Impact drivers
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