Impact Wrench vs Impact Driver - Which Do I Use If I Am Not A Pro? You'll Be A Pro After This!

Sep 14, 2022

While these two power tools are used to loosen/tighten nuts & bolts, there is one principal difference, and that is, the drive style.

An impact wrench uses a square drive to attach sockets to it while an impact drive has a 1/4 inch hex collet to insert 1/4 inch hex shank bits. The impact wrench is usually 1/4″, 3/8″ or 1/2″ square drive and will not accept the hex bits.

Impact wrenches have more torque, impact drivers has less torque but more suited for driving long screws into wood.

Impact wrenches are very useful tools to have in the garage. But what if you are not a professional mechanic and don’t own a shop? Does the fact that you don’t have a power tool mean you have to settle for an impact driver?

This is a question you're bound to ask yourself after reading this. So which tools do you choose?

This article explains the differences between impact driver vs impact wrench. Which one will help you better accomplish your tasks?

Read this article today and learn which tool to use when tightening or loosening bolts or driving long screws.

How To Choose Which Model Is Best For You

Match the features, capabilities to your budget. Once you have narrowed down, click on the "Check Price On Amazon" button to get further confidence you have made the right choice by reading some past customers reviews.

How We Choose The Best For You

Which tool should I buy for a home handyman, the impact driver or the impact wrench?

If you're confused, it's not just you. It's time we took a look at the whole range of tools available to you. You could end up buying something you don't actually need.

A lot of handymen choose the wrong tool for the job. But they don't think to ask for advice because there's no one to ask.

There are many great options for home improvement tools but it’s tough to find the right one. You’re in luck. I’m going to help you decide which tool is best for your needs.

An impact wrench is for heavy duty jobs, such as removing stubborn nuts and bolts, and an impact driver is for driving screws and of course, loosen/tighten nuts & bolts on lighter items like bicycles, home appliances.

Milwaukee Impact Driver M12 2462-20

Amazon #9 in Power Impact Drivers

Why We Think This Is Among The Best

Milwaukee 1/4-Inch Hex M12 Impact Driver powers 1,000 inch-pounds of torque to take on any hard material jobs
Variable speed to give maximum control & maintain battery charge
Ergonomic handle reduces wrist strain & provide secure grip
Keyless chuck for quick & easy bit changes

Things To Know About This Model

Voltage : 12V
Watts : 800W
Torque : 1000 inch-pound
Weight : 1.9 lbs
Speed : 2,500 RPM
Special :

Makita Impact Driver XDT13SM1 18V LXT®

Amazon #12 in Power Impact Drivers

Why We Think This Is Among The Best

When it comes to power tools, the 18V LXT® is the best in its class.

This impact driver is an efficient tool with a brushless motor and its electronics manage for longer run time, increased speed and power, and longer service life.

The variable speed brushless motor delivers 0-3,400 RPM and 0-3,600 IPM, plus up to 1,500 in. lbs. of torque.

5" compact design weighing only 3.3 pounds with battery. Ergonomic grip designed for user comfort.

The LED lighting allows you to see the application for making repairs in the dark.

Things To Know About This Model

Voltage : 18V
Watts : 350W
Torque : 1500 inch-pound
Weight : 3.3 lbs
Speed : 3,400 RPM
Special : LED Light

Craftsman Impact Driver CMCF810C1

Amazon #30 in Power Impact Drivers

Why We Think This Is One Of The Best

30% more runtime brushless motors with better durability
1,500 in-lbs of torque in this 1/4in cordless impact driver suited for larger fasteners
Easy1-handed bit changes with the quick release chuck
Max 2,800 RPM for quick fastening
Included V20 20V MAX* Lithium Battery
Fast charge 60 minutes V20 20V MAX* Lithium charger

Things To Know About This Model

Voltage : 20V
Watts : 800W
Torque : 1500 inch-pound
Weight : 2.05 lbs
Speed : 2,800 RPM

Porter Cable Impact Driver 20V MAX*

Amazon #31 in Power Impact Drivers

Why We Think This Is One Of The Best

50% more runtime brushless motor
1,400 in-lbs of torque for large fastening
2,700 MAX RPM for speed of fastening
One handed quick and easy bit 1/4-inch hex changes

Things To Know About This Model

Voltage : 20V
Torque : 1400 inch-pound
Weight : 2.9 lbs
Speed : 2,700 RPM
Special : 2 batteries included

Bosch Impact Driver CLPK27-120 12V Max

Amazon #62 in Power Impact Drivers

Why We Think This Is Among The Best

265 in.-lbs. of max torque for the 2-speed PS21 pocket driver while the PS41 impact driver delivers 930 in.-lbs. torque.
Compact and lightweight, the PS21 drill driver is designed for overhead operations and tight spaces. The PS41 impact driver offers precision variable speed, light-body, and a short-head.
0-350 RPM and 0-1,300 RPM speed for the PS21 pocket driver for various applications, and a max 2,600 RPM for the PS41 impact driver with a no-load BPM of 0-3,100.

Things To Know About This Model

Voltage : 12V
Watts : 850W
Torque : 930 inch-pound
Weight : 1 lb
Speed : 2,600 RPM
Special : Combo Impact Driver & Drill

Power Impact Driver FAQs

People are always asking us questions about impact drivers, and there are many of them.

It can be hard to find good information about getting the right tools, especially if you had not used them before or not sure where to look. Or worse, you might end up with bad information that should have been to make your home projects much easier.

We know you are a seasoned handyperson or a trade professional looking for a replacement but for the benefit of new users, an impact driver can make your work projects a whole lot easier.

Here are the most frequently asked questions about impact drivers and our top answers:

Is an impact driver better than a drill?

An impact driver is very powerful and much stronger than a drill when it comes to delivering the extra torque needed to break loose stuck bolts or drive screws deeper faster.

When should you not use an impact driver?

An impact driver should not be used with non-hex shank bits, on short screws and on soft materials as the power will easily drive them in and damage the work surface, when precision driving is required and also not to be used for drilling holes.

Is an impact driver worth having?

Short answer, yes. An impact driver is an excellent tool for repetitive jobs such as hanging drywall or building a deck.

It drives screws quickly and reliably, with more power and less weight than a regular drill. So it’s ideal for quick & easy work.

Can I drill holes with an impact driver?

Some of the latest impact drivers are designed to do more than drive longer screws and many include accessories that can make them as versatile as a cordless drill with the right bits.

When it comes to drilling and screw driving, the cordless impact driver is the best tool for the job. It is advised to do a trial run on whatever task you are trying to achieve with an impact driver.

What can a drill do that an impact driver cant?

Impact drivers are designed with extra power to drive longer screws fast and well as they come with the more torque built in. Normal drills can perform drilling screws too but not as efficiently as their main function is to drill holes.

Are impact drivers overkill?

Impact drivers are great for situations where standard drills just don't have enough power.

An impact driver as well as an impact wrench uses successive rotational blows to drive a fastener into the work piece; whereas a drill spins in place without generating a rotational blow.

What is an impact driver best used for?

If you want to drive longer screws without pre-drilling the hole, an impact driver is the tool for the job.

Impact drivers are designed to drive fasteners into dense or knotty wood.

With an impact driver you'll also be able to remove the nuts or bolts from your projects easier than with any other tool.

What's the difference between an impact driver and a hammer drill?

Impact drivers are usually smaller, shorter and lighter than a hammer drill, so it’s much better suited for tight awkward places.

Hammer drills are used for drilling holes at set speeds. Impact drivers use the trigger to vary the speed of the drill bits.

What is the difference between cordless drill and impact driver?

These tools are available in various voltage ranging from 12 volts up to 20 volts. More voltage means greater power.

The difference between an impact driver and a drill is that an impact driver does not have a chuck instead, they have a quick-change clamp that holds drill bits and driver bits with a hexagonal shank.

Can I use an impact driver to remove lug nuts?

To do that, you'll need to attach a hex shaft to square drive adapter so you can attach a lug nut socket to the tool.

An impact driver may not have enough power to loosen an over tightened lug nut or to unscrew a rusty lug nut.

An impact wrench is more suited for the job.

We hope this article has helped make your decision easier and that you enjoy using your purchase!