Best Impact Drivers
Top 5 on Amazon
Our #1 pick is the DeWalt DCF845 XR. An impact driver drives long screws a drill struggles with, and it won’t twist your wrist doing it. We compared the 5 best cordless impact drivers on Amazon from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita and Craftsman.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 11, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most DIYers, the DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCF845 is the impact driver to buy. Its brushless motor delivers 1,825 in-lbs of torque at up to 3,400 RPM, enough to sink long deck screws and lag bolts, and the 3-speed setting lets you slow down for small screws so you don’t snap or strip them. It is compact, has a 3-LED work light and runs on the same 20V MAX batteries as the most popular drill kits on Amazon.
If you already own Milwaukee batteries, the M18 Fuel 2953 has the most torque here (2,000 in-lbs) and four drive modes. Makita owners should pick the XDT14Z, whose Quick-Shift and T-mode settings help with self-drilling screws into metal. The DeWalt DCF870 hydraulic driver is the one to get if noise bothers you or your neighbors, and the Craftsman V20 CMCF813B is the budget way into a good battery platform.
Skip the DCF845 if you have no 20V MAX batteries yet. This listing is the bare tool only, so a battery and charger add a lot to the real price, and a kit that includes them can be better value. Also skip it if you mostly loosen rusty car lug nuts: an impact driver takes 1/4-inch hex bits, and a 1/2-inch impact wrench is the right tool for sockets on big bolts.
How we picked: we compared the most popular impact drivers on Amazon and what real owners say about them after months of use, the praise and the complaints. Then we checked each listing for torque, speed, modes and what comes in the box, and compared them side by side. We don’t claim hands-on testing: these picks reflect listing specs and real owner experience. Checked October 2026.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall DeWalt DCF845 XR 20V brushless impact driver |  Most Torque Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 18V brushless impact driver |  Best Control Makita XDT14Z 18V LXT brushless impact driver |  Quietest DeWalt DCF870 Hydraulic Quiet hydraulic impact driver |  Best Budget Craftsman V20 CMCF813B 20V impact driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 91 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 82 / 100 |
| Best for | Decks, framing and general DIY | Pros and Milwaukee M18 owners | Metal roofing, sheet metal and fine work | Indoor work, apartments and early starts | Occasional home projects |
| Typical price (checked October 11, 2026) | $110–$130 | $120–$140 | $120–$140 | $160–$180 | $90–$100 |
| Max torque | 1,825 in-lbs | 2,000 in-lbs | 1,550 in-lbs | See listing | See listing |
| Max speed | 3,400 RPM | See listing | 3,600 RPM | See listing | 2,800 RPM |
| Speeds / modes | 3 speeds | 4-mode Drive Control | 3 speeds + Quick-Shift + T-mode | See listing | See listing |
| Battery | Tool only (20V MAX) | Tool only (M18) | Tool only (18V LXT) | Tool only (20V MAX) | Tool only (V20) |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
DeWalt DCF845 XR
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $110–$130 on Amazon (checked October 11, 2026)The DCF845 hits the sweet spot of power, control and price. Its brushless motor puts out 1,825 in-lbs of torque and up to 3,400 RPM, which the listing says is 30% more torque than the model it replaces, and that is enough for 3-inch deck screws and lag bolts. The 3-speed selector plus a variable-speed trigger let you slow right down for cabinet hardware so you don’t strip heads. A ring of three LEDs lights the screw, and it is covered by a 3-year limited warranty. Owners call it light and well balanced. The downside: it is tool only, and like most impact drivers it is loud.
Pros- 1,825 in-lbs drives long deck screws and lags
- 3 speeds plus a variable trigger for control
- Fits the huge DeWalt 20V MAX battery range
Cons- Bare tool: battery and charger cost extra
- Loud, like most standard impact drivers
- No dedicated self-drilling screw mode
- 2. Most Torque
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $120–$140 on Amazon (checked October 11, 2026)The M18 Fuel 2953 is the strongest impact driver in this guide, with 2,000 in-lbs of torque, and Milwaukee’s listing claims the fastest driving speed of any impact driver without giving up control. That control comes from 4-mode Drive Control, which changes how hard it hits for different jobs, and a trigger tuned for smooth starts so small fasteners don’t strip. Tri-LED lighting cuts shadows around the bit. Pros like how quickly it sinks lag screws and how well it holds up on job sites. It costs a bit more than the DeWalt, it is also tool only, and it makes most sense if you already own M18 batteries.
Pros- Most torque here at 2,000 in-lbs
- 4 drive modes for delicate to heavy jobs
- Tri-LED light reduces shadows
Cons- Bare tool: M18 battery and charger extra
- Pricier than the DeWalt for most DIYers
- Top speed not stated on this listing
- 3. Best Control
Makita XDT14Z
BeastScore 88 / 100Typically $120–$140 on Amazon (checked October 11, 2026)The XDT14Z gives up some raw torque for the smartest driving modes here. Quick-Shift mode automatically drops speed and impact rate right before the screw seats, so you are far less likely to strip a head or sink it too deep. T-mode is built for self-drilling screws in metal, which makes it a favorite for roofing and HVAC work. It still puts out 1,550 in-lbs and 3,600 RPM, and the listing says the brushless motor gets up to 50% more run time per charge. Owners praise the smooth feel. The trade-off is less torque than DeWalt or Milwaukee for big lag bolts, and it is tool only.
Pros- Quick-Shift mode helps stop stripped and over-driven screws
- T-mode for self-drilling screws into metal
- Efficient brushless motor for longer run time
Cons- 1,550 in-lbs is the lowest torque of the big brands here
- Bare tool: 18V LXT battery sold separately
- Older design than Makita’s 4-speed models
- 4. Quietest
DeWalt DCF870 Hydraulic
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $160–$180 on Amazon (checked October 11, 2026)Standard impact drivers bang like a hammer, which is fine outdoors and miserable in a finished basement. The DCF870 uses a hydraulic mechanism instead, and DeWalt calls it its quietest impact driver: up to 57% quieter, with up to 40% faster driving than its comparison model, by the listing. Nine LEDs light the work, with a 20-minute work light mode for dark corners, and DeWalt says it keeps performing in the cold. Owners who work indoors or start early say it is a real relief for their ears. It costs more than the standard DCF845, the listing does not give a torque figure, and it is tool only.
Pros- Far quieter than standard impact drivers
- 9-LED light with a 20-minute work light mode
- Same DeWalt 20V MAX batteries as the DCF845
Cons- Costs more than the standard DCF845
- Torque figure not stated on the listing
- Bare tool: battery and charger extra
- 5. Best Budget
Craftsman V20 CMCF813B
BeastScore 82 / 100Typically $90–$100 on Amazon (checked October 11, 2026)The CMCF813B is the cheapest way here into a solid, widely sold battery system. Craftsman’s V20 tools are sold in big-box stores and online, so batteries are easy to find. The listing rates it at up to 2,800 RPM and 3,500 impacts per minute, with a quick-release chuck for one-handed bit changes, and lists screws, lag bolts and large fasteners as its job. That is enough for shelves, fences and a weekend deck repair. It is slower than the brushless picks, the listing does not give a torque number, and it has fewer owner reviews than the big three. Like the rest, it is tool only.
Pros- Lowest price in this guide
- Quick-release chuck for one-handed bit swaps
- V20 batteries are easy to find in stores
Cons- Slower than the brushless DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita
- Torque not stated on the listing
- Fewer owner reviews than the big brands
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with DeWalt DCF845 XR. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- TorqueMilwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 · 9.6/10
- SpeedMilwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 · 9.4/10
- ControlMakita XDT14Z · 9.6/10
- Compact sizeDeWalt DCF845 XR · 9.0/10
- QuietnessDeWalt DCF870 Hydraulic · 9.8/10
- ValueCraftsman V20 CMCF813B · 9.4/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You want the best all-round impact driver
- You own or plan to buy DeWalt 20V MAX batteries
- You want the most torque for lag bolts
- You already own Milwaukee M18 batteries
- You drive self-drilling screws into metal
- You want help avoiding stripped screws
- You work indoors or near neighbors
- You want a much quieter impact driver
- You only use an impact driver a few times a year
- You want the lowest price on a store-brand battery system
DeWalt DCF845 XR
Strong, controllable and on the most popular battery platform.
- 1,825 in-lbs
- 3 speeds
- Brushless motor
Quick tips before you buy
Batteries cost more than the tool. Buy the brand you already own, or the one with the other tools you want next.
Start small screws and soft wood on the lowest speed. Full power strips heads and snaps thin screws.
Regular bits shatter under impacts. Buy impact-rated 1/4-inch hex bits, and use a fresh one for long deck screws.
Standard impact drivers are very loud. Wear ear protection for long jobs, or pick the hydraulic DeWalt for indoor work.
Quick answers
What is the best impact driver?+
The DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCF845 is the best for most people: 1,825 in-lbs of torque, 3 speeds for control, a brushless motor and a fair price. Milwaukee owners should pick the M18 Fuel 2953, which has more torque.
Impact driver vs drill: which do I need?+
A drill is better for drilling holes and gentle screwing. An impact driver is better for long screws and lag bolts because it adds rapid hammer blows that drive fasteners without twisting your wrist. Many DIYers own both, and kits often bundle them.
DeWalt vs Milwaukee impact driver: which is better?+
Both are excellent. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 has more torque (2,000 vs 1,825 in-lbs) and four drive modes; the DeWalt DCF845 usually costs a little less and has 3 speeds. Choose the brand whose batteries you already own.
Do impact drivers come with a battery?+
Not these listings. All five picks are tool only, so you need a battery and charger. If you are starting from zero, a kit such as the DeWalt DCF787D1, which includes a battery and charger, can be better value.
How much torque do I need in an impact driver?+
For shelves, furniture and fences, 1,500 in-lbs is plenty. For 3-inch deck screws, long structural screws and lag bolts, look for 1,800 in-lbs or more, like the DeWalt DCF845 or Milwaukee M18 Fuel.
Can I use an impact driver for lug nuts?+
With a hex-to-socket adapter it can loosen small nuts, but it is not the right tool for car lug nuts. A 1/2-inch impact wrench has far more breakaway torque and takes sockets directly.
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