Buying guide
Best impact driver kits and bare tools
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 DCK276P2 twin pack with DCF887 impact driver
The DCD996 drill is listed at 95 Nm, enough for large augers and hole saws.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Bosch GDR 18V-215: 215 Nm with auto modes, L-BOXX
215 Nm and 3,300 rpm handle long screws and hardwood, according to Bosch.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Milwaukee M18FID2: 226 Nm Fuel driver, two 5 Ah packs
226 Nm is the highest torque listed in this guide, for long screws and coach bolts.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
An impact driver drives long screws, decking screws and coach bolts with far less effort and wrist strain than a drill, because its hammer mechanism adds rotational blows once the screw starts to resist. The best ones also give you control on small screws, through speed modes or a quieter hydraulic or oil pulse mechanism. This guide compares 18 V and 12 V impact drivers by the torque, speed and length each listing states, and it is clear about what you get: some are kits with batteries, some are bare tools for people already on a platform. If you are starting from nothing, a twin pack with a drill is often the better buy. Use impact rated bits, keep your hand away from the bit, wear eye protection and follow the manual and HSE guidance.
All products compared
- DeWalt DCK276P2 twin pack with DCF887 impact driver
- Max torque
- Not stated for the driver
- Max speed
- Not stated
- Length
- Not stated
- In the box
- Combi drill, impact driver, 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, case
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Milwaukee M18FID2: 226 Nm Fuel driver, two 5 Ah packs
- Max torque
- 226 Nm
- Max speed
- 3,600 rpm
- Length
- 116 mm
- In the box
- Driver and 2 x 5.0 Ah batteries
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Bosch GDR 18V-215: 215 Nm with auto modes, L-BOXX
- Max torque
- 215 Nm
- Max speed
- 3,300 rpm
- Length
- Not stated
- In the box
- Driver, belt clip, L-BOXX (no battery)
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCF870N: quiet hydraulic driver, 101 mm, bare
- Max torque
- 56 Nm
- Max speed
- 4,000 rpm
- Length
- 101 mm
- In the box
- Tool only (no battery)
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Bosch 12 V set: GDR 12V-105 driver plus combi drill
- Max torque
- Not stated per tool
- Max speed
- Not stated
- Length
- Not stated
- In the box
- Driver, GSB 12V-15 drill, 2 x 2.0 Ah, charger, bag
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - HiKOKI WHP18DA: oil pulse quiet driver, body only
- Max torque
- 33 Nm
- Max speed
- Not stated
- Length
- 128 mm head
- In the box
- Tool in Stackable System Case 2 (no battery)
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Max torque | Max speed | Length | In the box | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCK276P2 twin pack with DCF887 impact driver | Not stated for the driver | Not stated | Not stated | Combi drill, impact driver, 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, case | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Milwaukee M18FID2: 226 Nm Fuel driver, two 5 Ah packs | 226 Nm | 3,600 rpm | 116 mm | Driver and 2 x 5.0 Ah batteries | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Bosch GDR 18V-215: 215 Nm with auto modes, L-BOXX | 215 Nm | 3,300 rpm | Not stated | Driver, belt clip, L-BOXX (no battery) | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| DeWalt DCF870N: quiet hydraulic driver, 101 mm, bare | 56 Nm | 4,000 rpm | 101 mm | Tool only (no battery) | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Bosch 12 V set: GDR 12V-105 driver plus combi drill | Not stated per tool | Not stated | Not stated | Driver, GSB 12V-15 drill, 2 x 2.0 Ah, charger, bag | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| HiKOKI WHP18DA: oil pulse quiet driver, body only | 33 Nm | Not stated | 128 mm head | Tool in Stackable System Case 2 (no battery) | 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 DCK276P2 twin pack with DCF887 impact driver
DeWalt's popular XR brushless twin pack with the three speed DCD996 combi drill, DCF887 impact driver, two 5 Ah packs, charger and TOUGHSYSTEM box.
In its favour
- The DCD996 drill is listed at 95 Nm, enough for large augers and hole saws.
- Two 5.0 Ah batteries and a multi-voltage XR charger are included.
- Comes in a TOUGHSYSTEM DS150 box that stacks with DeWalt storage.
Good to know
- The listing does not give the impact driver's torque or speeds.
- The boxed kit weighs 7.66 kg according to the listing, so it is bulky to carry.
Listing title: DeWALT | DCK276P2 Brushless Twin Pack | 18V 2 x 5.0Ah Li-Ion | DCK276P...
No. 2 · Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18FID2: 226 Nm Fuel driver, two 5 Ah packs
Milwaukee's M18 Fuel impact driver with 226 Nm, listed with two 5 Ah batteries. Short and very strong, it suits decking, framing and trade fixing.
In its favour
- 226 Nm is the highest torque listed in this guide, for long screws and coach bolts.
- At 116 mm long, the listing describes it as the most compact in its class.
- Two 5.0 Ah batteries give long runtime between charges.
Good to know
- A charger is not listed in the contents, so check whether you need to buy one.
- So much torque can snap small screws; use the lowest setting for light work.
Listing title: Milwaukee M18FID2 18v M18 Fuel Impact Driver with 2 x 5Ah Batteries
No. 3 · Bosch Professional
Bosch GDR 18V-215: 215 Nm with auto modes, L-BOXX
Bosch Professional's 18 V impact driver with 215 Nm and two auto driving modes, supplied in an L-BOXX without battery. Strong and controllable for trade and DIY.
In its favour
- 215 Nm and 3,300 rpm handle long screws and hardwood, according to Bosch.
- Two Auto Driving Modes with automatic shut down and slow down help avoid over driven screws.
- Fits the Bosch 18 V system and AMPShare batteries.
Good to know
- No battery or charger is included in this listing.
- The listing does not give the head length, so check fit in tight spaces.
Listing title: Bosch Professional 18V System Cordless Impact Driver GDR 18V-215 (incl...
No. 4 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCF870N: quiet hydraulic driver, 101 mm, bare
A DeWalt 18 V XR hydraulic impact driver, only 101 mm long, sold as a bare unit. Quieter impacts and fine control suit indoor fitting and cabinet work.
In its favour
- The hydraulic mechanism reduces impact noise, according to DeWalt.
- 101 mm long, so it reaches into small spaces.
- Drop and load bit holder for one handed bit changes, plus a flashlight mode.
Good to know
- Listed torque of 56 Nm is far below standard impact drivers, so it is not for big coach bolts.
- Bare unit: battery and charger are sold separately.
Listing title: DEWALT DCF870N-XJ 18V XR Brushless Hydraulic Impact Driver, Bare Unit,...
No. 5 · Bosch Professional
Bosch 12 V set: GDR 12V-105 driver plus combi drill
Bosch Professional's light 12 V twin pack with a combi drill, an impact driver, two 2 Ah batteries and a charger in a bag. Good for home and installer work.
In its favour
- Both tools together weigh 2.5 kg according to the listing, so they are easy to carry.
- The combi drill has a hammer mode for small plug holes in masonry.
- Two batteries and a GAL 12V-40 charger are included.
Good to know
- 12 V tools are slower than 18 V on decking and long coach screws.
- Torque for each tool is not stated separately in the listing.
Listing title: Bosch Professional 12V System Set: Cordless Combi Drill GSB 12V-15 + I...
No. 6 · HIKOKI
HiKOKI WHP18DA: oil pulse quiet driver, body only
HiKOKI's brushless 18 V oil pulse impact driver, described as the quietest in its class, sold body only in a system case. Good for indoor and occupied homes.
In its favour
- Oil Pulse technology for the lowest noise level in its class, according to HiKOKI.
- Compact 128 mm head and an adjustable three LED light are listed.
- IP56 rating and variable speed trigger, per the listing highlights.
Good to know
- 33 Nm listed is low, so heavy coach bolts are outside its job.
- Body only and one of the dearer tools here for its torque.
Listing title: HiKOKI WHP18DAW2Z 18V Brushless & Silent Impact Driver, Body Only
Read before you buy
- What is an impact driver used for?How an impact driver's rotational impacts and hex bit holder work, and the jobs from decking screws to coach bolts where it beats a drill.
- Impact driver vs impact wrench: hex bits or square drive?Hex bit holder against square anvil, typical torque ranges and why wheel nuts and large bolts usually call for an impact wrench, not a driver.
- Impact driver vs cordless screwdriverSmall cordless screwdrivers suit flat-pack and electrics; impact drivers sink long screws and coach bolts. Compare torque, size and when to use a drill instead.
- Impact driver torque settings and speed modes explainedWhy impact drivers have speed modes not a clutch, what the Nm figure means, and how to use modes for self drilling screws, small screws and bolts.
- Impact driver bits: what makes them impact ratedHex shank sizes, torsion zones, PZ, PH and Torx tips for UK screws, and hex shank drill bits for impact drivers, explained simply.
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