# Impact driver vs cordless screwdriver

Source: https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/impact-driver-vs-cordless-screwdriver
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Drill and Bit

**In short:** A small cordless screwdriver, usually 3.6 V to 12 V, is for flat-pack furniture, hinges, electrical fittings and small screws, with a gentle clutch so you do not strip heads. An impact driver delivers far more torque for long screws, decking and coach bolts but has no clutch. Most homes are best served by a cordless screwdriver plus a combi drill, with an impact driver for bigger projects.

Cordless screwdriver can mean anything from a pen sized 3.6 V tool to a 12 V drill driver, and some people even call an impact driver a screwdriver. The tools differ hugely in power and control. This comparison explains what each one is, which screws suit each tool and where a combi drill fits in.

## What counts as a cordless screwdriver

A cordless screwdriver is usually a compact tool with a built in battery or a small 3.6 V to 12 V pack, a 6.35 mm hex bit holder and a clutch with a handful of settings. Examples include pistol or inline pocket drivers such as the Bosch IXO style. They are light, quiet and cannot overdrive a small screw easily.

An **impact driver** uses a hammer and anvil inside to add rotational blows once the screw resists. On 18 V tools, listed peak torque is often around 150 to 230 Nm, many times more than a screwdriver. See [what is an impact driver used for](https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/what-is-an-impact-driver-used-for).

| Point | Cordless screwdriver | Impact driver |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Voltage | 3.6 to 12 V | 12 to 18 V |
| Torque | A few Nm up to about 30 Nm | About 100 to 230 Nm |
| Control | Clutch stops at set torque | Speed modes, no clutch |
| Noise | Quiet | Loud when impacting |
| Best for | Flat-pack, hinges, electrics | Decking, long screws, bolts |

Typical comparison

## Flat-pack, hinges and electrics

Flat-pack furniture uses small screws and cam bolts in chipboard that strip easily. A screwdriver with a clutch, or a drill driver set low, stops before damage is done. An impact driver will spin a cam lock or crush chipboard in a fraction of a second, so use it only with great care, or not at all.

Electricians and kitchen fitters often carry a 12 V screwdriver or drill driver for hinges, faceplates and fittings because it is light and precise.

## Long screws, decking and timber frames

Driving 100 mm screws into joists, building a deck or fixing fence rails is impact driver work. The impacts stop the tool twisting your wrist, and screws go in quickly without a pilot hole in softwood. A small screwdriver would stall, and a combi drill would work but tire you faster.

Use impact rated bits; see [impact driver bits explained](https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/impact-driver-bits-explained).

[See impact driver kits](https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-impact-driver-kits)

## Where a combi drill fits

A combi drill has a clutch for controlled screwdriving and also drills holes, including in masonry. For most homes it is the first cordless tool to buy, and it covers flat-pack and general screws if you set the clutch low. See [combi drill vs impact driver](https://drillandbit.co.uk/blog/combi-drill-vs-impact-driver).

A small screwdriver then becomes a handy extra for quick jobs, and an impact driver an upgrade for building projects.

## Which should you buy?

Buy a cordless screwdriver if you mostly assemble furniture and do small fixings, or want something light to keep in a kitchen drawer. Buy an impact driver if you are building decks, sheds, stud walls or doing lots of timber work. If you can only have one tool, a light 18 V or 12 V combi drill is the most versatile choice; see our [home use drill guide](https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-for-home-use).

A twin pack of drill and impact driver is often the best value way to get both; see [combi drill and impact driver sets](https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-and-impact-driver-sets).

## Size, weight and noise

A pocket screwdriver weighs a few hundred grams and fits in a drawer. A compact 18 V impact driver with a 2 Ah pack is far heavier but still small, often shorter than a drill. The big practical difference is noise: impact drivers are very loud once the impacts start, so wear hearing protection for long sessions and think about neighbours late in the day.

A screwdriver is quiet enough to use in a flat in the evening. If your projects are mostly indoors and small, that matters more than raw torque.

## Frequently asked questions

**Can I use an impact driver as a screwdriver?** Yes for larger screws, but it has no clutch, so small screws and soft materials are easy to damage.

**Can I use a cordless drill as a screwdriver?** Yes. Set the clutch to a low number and use the low gear for control.

**Is an impact driver good for flat-pack?** Not really. It can strip cam locks and chipboard. A screwdriver or drill with a clutch is safer.

**Do impact drivers need special bits?** Yes, use impact rated bits. Standard bits can snap under the impacts.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-impact-driver-kits
- https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-and-impact-driver-sets
- https://drillandbit.co.uk/best/best-combi-drill-for-home-use