5 Best Cordless Impact Wrenches

This review focuses on the best models of cordless impact wrenches. Initially such wrenches were mainly pneumatic (air-powered) instruments used by professional car mechanics. Contemporary cordless impact wrenches go even further because they work from battery-powered motors.

Advantages of using cordless impact wrenches:

• User-friendly tools. Expert car mechanics and novice amateurs can use these wrenches without any problems;
• Good for removing lug nuts from tires. Make sure to hold one of these wrenches in your trunk to make the replacement of a damaged tire easier;
• Speed. These instruments are quite fast and effective at the same time;
• Can remove and tighten bolts. Unlike other wrenches, these cordless impact tools are capable of tightening and removing lug nuts, screws and bolts;
• Mobility. These cordless tools are more portable because they are not connected to an air compressor and you may take the tools whenever you go;

How do cordless impact wrenches work?

Compared to impact drivers and cordless drills, cordless impact wrenches were specifically designed to loosen or tighten different hex-head bolts, lug nuts, screws and other fasteners. This instrument uses torque as the rotational force and impact (short-burst concussive blows) to deliver an unprecedented amount of power.

For instance, most cordless drills can produce no more than 50 ft.-lbs. while any average cordless impact wrench can easily deliver about 250 ft.-lbs. Thanks to such an enormous muscle power transformed into torque you may easily loosen even the rustiest bolts and fattest lag nuts.

Five cordless impact wrenches were picked for the test and then they were reviewed. The strong and weak points of each instrument are listed along with personal expert reviews. Check the comparison table and the buyer’s guide to pick the wrench according to your needs.

Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Wrench – the best for the power!

Thanks to the brushless motor, this 1/2-inch battery-powered wrench is very efficient. This small tool provides more torque than any pneumatic wrenches.

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This Milwaukee M18 instrument offers the 4-mode drive control for removing any bolts effortlessly. And its friction ring makes the process of changing sockets much quicker and easier.

This powerful instrument applies one of the best Lithium-ion batteries – Redlithium with a long charge life. To prevent any internal and external overheating, the tool features the Redlink Plus AI system.

For additional comfort, this instrument offers a top-notch rubber overmold that also protects it from corrosion. The wrench has a maximum breakaway limit of 1.400 ft.-lbs. So it is one of the most powerful impact wrenches in the U.S. market.

DEWALT (DCF899HB) MAX XR Wrench – the best for durability!

The Dewalt tool offers a powerful 20-Volt brushless motor. This wrench comes with a 1/2-inch anvil. Expect from the tool the torque generation of 700 ft-lbs.

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The impressive RPM number is 1900 meaning that you can very quickly fasten or remove the bolts or lug nuts. You may choose among 3 speeds and a LED light will give the notification about the working process. The IPM number is also very impressive – 2,400. It is one of the best and easiest tools to fasten or remove lug nuts.

Also, the manufacturer claims that this wrench is very durable because it may survive a 6-foot drop. The battery charge life is also good – 5 Ah per each of two batteries. Its maximum breakaway torque is 1200 ft.-lbs.

PORTER-CABLE Impact Wrench – the best hybrid!

This particular 1/2-inch impact wrench is recognized for durability, speed and a powerful motor. Professional car mechanics prefer using this instrument for easier socket changing.

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The wrench is actually a kit because it comes with a 1/2-inch hog ring anvil. This hybrid impact wrench may work as a cordless or corded tool, according to your needs.

You may use this wrench for many heavy-duty jobs such as socket changing, for tightening and removing fat fasteners. It is recognized for a very steady and continuous torque force. The instrument can work from a regular AC plug.

Ryobi P1833 Wrench – the best for portability!

This lightweight impact wrench is rather powerful thanks to the 18-volt battery. Users may work for many hours because the battery life is long. Car mechanics appreciate its external coating and durable materials.

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This tool may save you from any extra effort and hand fatigue.

You may easily fit the instrument into a back pocket. The wrench comes with One+ tools effective for different small jobs. It will do a great job of fastening or removing 21-mm lug nuts.

Neiko 10878A Impact Wrench – the best for batteries!

One of the best features of this Neiko 1/2-inch impact wrench is its battery compartment with Li-Ion batteries and a quick charger. Also, the manufacturer added the set of socket adapters.

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Designed for heavy-duty jobs and lifetime use, the Neiko wrench delivers the torque range of 300 ft-lbs for fastening the bolts and almost twice for removing the bolts.

This instrument can be a good pick if you are on a budget. Its 20-volt battery system is very powerful and recharges quickly. The motor’s speed is fully controlled thanks to the variable trigger.

The Buyer’s Guide

There 4 major factors to consider when you choose a cordless impact wrench:

• The higher power, the better. A powerful impact wrench should deliver 200 torques at least;
• High RPM (rotation per minute) – over 3000. Such high RPM can exclude the risk of human errors;
• High IPM (impact per minute) is another factor that affects the reduced risks of human errors;
• Weight – a good cordless impact wrench should be lightweight and portable if you want to apply as less effort as possible;

Besides these factors, check the following things when buying a cordless impact wrench:

The motor type

All these wrenches can offer one of two motor types – non-brushless and brushless. Typically, most tools have brushless motors because they are more powerful and effective. Also, brushless motors tend to serve longer and work quitter. However, non-brushless motors are less bulky and come with more affordable tools.

Power

What makes cordless impact wrenches unique is how they can smoothly transfer high-energy rotational power directly to the fastener instead of your hand or wrist like other wrenches do. It means that the use of this tool takes less effort and time to tighten or loosen even the most “stubborn” bolts.

Surely, such power is achieved to the sophisticated design of cordless impact wrenches. Such tools mostly work from batteries. Two important factors should be considered when you choose the battery-based impact wrenches for your toolbox:

• Volts of the battery. The higher voltage can deliver more power. But the wrenches with smaller voltage and batteries (for 12 Volts) tend to be more portable. You may use such lightweight tools for smaller projects. Also, pick one of these instruments when you need to work overhead safely. However, 18-volt wrenches can offer more versatile options and user-friendly features;
• Amp Hours (Ah) is another important thing to check in the tool’s battery. This number shows how many amps can be discharged per 1 hour of intensive work. Basically it resembles the volume of a car’s gas tank. If this number is large, the tool has to work without any recharge;

Most batteries inside such wrenches are easy to change – just pick the batteries made by the same brand. The battery type is usually Lithium-ion. However, such batteries won’t last more than a few weeks if you use the tool daily.

Drive size

Just like all wrenches, these instruments come in different drive sizes for different bolts and screws. Mostly, cordless wrenches come with adjustable drive sizes. The higher the drive size, the higher the torque is. That’s why it would be wiser to stick to 1/2-inch drivers. If you need smaller drive size – 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch – consider choosing the wrench with adapters.

To define the torque range and drive size for the bolts you need to tighten or loosen, use a torque angle gauge before applying a wrench. Otherwise, you may break the but if the drive size or torque range is large.

Uses

Typically cordless impact wrenches are required when a mechanic needs to put it or take out screws, bolts, lug nuts in vehicles as aircraft machines, autos, bikes, boats, etc. Most pulse-type wrenches are used when you need to change the wheel’s tire and then assemble the parts with properly tightened bolts.

Besides auto repair shops and garages, these tools are also frequently used in home construction when you need to tighten lag-bolts securely into beams/posts. Also, it is a great tool to remove tight bolts in very sturdy columns and steel structures.

Video Tutorial: Choosing Your First Battery Impact Wrench for DIY Automotive Work

Final thoughts

If you don’t have much hand muscle or space in your garage, consider using cordless impact wrenches. They are quite simple to use, portable because work without a cord and do not need you to apply a lot of muscle power to loosen or tighten even the largest bolts. These comparatively affordable instruments can really make your life easier if you regularly repair your car or just need to change the tires from time to time.