If you’re working on a vehicle or other machinery and encounter a rusted or over-tightened nut or bolt, you’ll want to have a cordless impact wrench in your arsenal of tools. Sporting more torque than most drills, cordless impact wrenches can quickly free stuck nuts or bolts, saving you significant time, energy and frustration.
If you don’t already own one—or are considering an upgrade—keep reading to learn what makes the best cordless impact wrench indispensable and which five models offer the best bang for your buck.
How Do Cordless Impact Wrenches Work?
Cordless impact wrenches draw on battery power to generate energy via a spinning mass inside the tool. The wrench’s motor concentrates the rotational energy into an anvil on the end of the tool, producing a massive amount of torque.
In addition to being extremely powerful, they’re also incredibly precise, making them the safest choice for use on construction sites, in automotive shops and in many other applications
How Do Cordless Impact Wrenches Compare to Other Tools?
Cordless impact wrenches create serious torque, although less than similar tools that generate torque with compressed air. As a result, they’re best suited for small or medium-sized jobs and tasks being performed in tight spaces such as home workshops.
Their battery pack makes them slightly heavier than corded impact wrenches, but they also provide excellent mobility for work in the field or in places where a power cord won’t reach. However, it’s important to follow similar safety pointers that you’d expect with power tools.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Cordless Impact Wrench
- Brand: If you own other cordless tools, buying a cordless impact wrench from the same brand will allow you to use battery packs and chargers interchangeably. Your brand should also have generally positive reviews, a robust warranty, good customer service and a reputation for quality.
- Style: Cordless impact wrenches are available in both inline and pistol-grip body styles. Inline impact wrenches look similar to screwdrivers, featuring a grip behind the anvil and hammer. Pistol designs resemble handguns, with the grip located under the motor. Inline wrenches tend to be more compact and work best for jobs in tight spaces, including most automotive work. However, the more ergonomic design of pistol-grip wrenches puts less strain on your hands and wrists, reducing fatigue and risk of repetitive-motion injury over time.
- Comfort: Look for comfort grips and anti-vibration features to minimize impact on your arms and hands. Avoid choosing a wrench more powerful than you need for your typical tasks, since excessive vibration can also cause strain that accumulates over time.
- Durability: High-end features like all-metal gear housing, brushless motors and strong plastic overmolds can cut down on maintenance and extend the life of your investment.
- Torque: Wrenches with multiple torque settings are more versatile than single-setting styles and allow you to adjust the torque to fit the job at hand, which prevents overtightening and maximizes battery life.
Five Best Cordless Impact Wrench Options: Our Choices
Ingersoll Rand W7150 Cordless Torque Wrench
This incredibly well-rounded tool delivers as much as 1,100 ft.-lb. of standard torque and 780 ft.-lb. of reverse torque, powering through challenging jobs quickly and accurately. The Ingersoll Rand W7150 features a steel-lined aluminum hammer case, providing powerful protection of the tool’s internal components while keeping the overall weight to a manageable 6.8 pounds including the battery pack.
The patent-pending soft-touch over-molded grip keeps vibration to a minimum, so fatigue won’t slow you down. Its angled head allows you to work easily in tight spaces, while variable speed gives you added control. It truly belongs on a list of the best cordless impact wrench options.
Specifications
- Weight: 6.8 pounds
- Maximum speed: 1,900 RPM
- Torque: 780 ft.-lb.
- Battery: 3Ah
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Lightweight yet powerful, with the best power-to-weight ratio in its class
- Portable
- Soft-touch grip reduces vibration for enhanced comfort
- Durable construction
Cons
- Expensive
- Modest battery capacity
- No LED light for working in dark conditions
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DEWALT DCF880HM2 Cordless 1/2″ Impact Wrench
This long-lasting, lightweight cordless impact wrench is manufactured by power tool mainstay DEWALT, known for its high-quality products and reliable customer service. At less than four pounds, the wrench lets you work for hours without fatigue, and thanks to its incredibly efficient battery system, it won’t quit before you do. Textured anti-slip grip further enhances its safety and comfort.
For added convenience, DEWALT incorporated a hog ring anvil into the design, allowing you to quickly make socket changes and keep working. Two high-capacity XR lithium-ion batteries are included with the set, each one lasting for almost 24 hours without needing to be recharged. An onboard fuel gauge ensures you won’t unexpectedly run out of power in the middle of a task.
Specifications
- Weight: 3.4 pounds
- Maximum speed: 2,300 RPM
- Torque: 150 ft.-lb.
- Battery: 4Ah
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Two long-life batteries included
- Batteries charge quickly
- Extremely lightweight
- Three LED lights allow for work in low-light conditions
Cons
- Expensive
- Not powerful enough for heavy-duty jobs
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Makita XWT08Z LXT High Torque Drive Impact Wrench
The Makita XWT08Z LXT cordless impact wrench packs a ton of power into a small package. The compact 9-inch unit is lightweight and easy to handle, but it also generates 740 ft.-lb. of maximum torque and up to 1,180 ft-lb of breakaway torque, making it an excellent choice for the toughest jobs. Its three-speed power selection switch provides precise control that can be adjusted to the demands of the task at hand.
The Makita’s powerful brushless motor delivers substantial power while maintaining a low core temperature, so you won’t have to worry about overheating or damaging the unit. The ultra-efficient motor is also designed to maximize battery usage to extend time between charges by up to 50 percent. It truly belongs on a list of the best cordless impact wrench options.
With its valuable combination of comfort and strength, this durable cordless impact wrench punches above its weight in a wide range of applications, including iron and steel work, pipe fitting, automotive and railroad repair and much more.
Specifications
- Weight: 7.9 pounds
- Speed: 2,200 RPM
- Torque: 740 ft.-lb.
- Battery: 5Ah
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Compact, ergonomic design
- Built-in dual LED lights with preglow and afterglow to illuminate work area
- Star Protection Computer Controls feature monitors performance in real time to protect against overloading, over-discharging and overheating
- Energy-efficient brushless motor optimizes power for extended battery life
- Includes three speed selections for added control
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Expensive
- Somewhat heavy
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Ryobi P261 18V ONE+ 1/2″ Cordless Impact Wrench
Beloved by many contractors, the Ryobi P261 18V ONE+ Cordless Impact Wrench makes its mark in a variety of heavy-duty settings. A three-speed motor and square anvil system offer flexibility and precision, while integrated tri-beam LED lights eliminate shadows for a safer work space.
The Ryobi P261 generates 300 ft.-lb. of torque and hits speeds of up to 3,200 impacts per minute. Paired with a Ryobi 18-volt ONE+ high-capacity battery, you’ll enjoy hours of uninterrupted work time and enhanced productivity. Unfortunately, you’ll have to purchase your battery and charger separately, as they aren’t included with the wrench itself.
Specifications
- Weight: 7.9 pounds
- Maximum speed: 2,900 RPM
- Torque: 300 ft.-lb.
- Battery: 3Ah or 6Ah high-capacity
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Affordable price
- Three speed options
- Onboard LED light illuminates dark work areas
- Comfortable grip reduces fatigue on major jobs
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- May not be powerful enough for removing some lug nuts
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Milwaukee 2763-22 M18 1/2″ Inch Impact Wrench
If you have some wiggle room in your budget and want to treat yourself to a premium power tool, look no further than the Milwaukee 2763-22 M18 cordless impact wrench. While its price tag is almost double that of many of its competitors, you’ll understand why as soon as you pick it up. Its innovative design is comfortable to hold and operate, and this mighty unit generates 700 ft.-lb. maximum fastening torque and up to 1,100 ft.-lb. of nut-busting torque. It truly belongs on a list of the best cordless impact wrench options.
Brushless engine technology keeps the unit cool while delivering impressive power output, and a half-inch anvil with friction ring enables quick, easy socket switches. It also incorporates Milwaukee’s proprietary Drive Control feature for smooth toggling between fastening modes. Best of all, it comes with a best-in-class five-year manufacturer’s warranty, making it a little easier to stomach the up-front price tag.
Specifications
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Maximum speed: 2,300 RPM
- Torque: 700 ft-lb
- Battery: 4Ah
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- Brushless motor with no wearable components runs cool and outperforms competitors
- REDLINK PLUS Intelligence with Milwaukee’s proprietary DRIVE CONTROL feature lets the user choose between two fastening modes
- Batteries and charger included
- Extended warranty
- Onboard LED light for working in dark conditions
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Heavy
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Final Thoughts on the Best Cordless Impact Wrench
Cordless impact wrenches are an invaluable tool for many home and professional applications, and with more than a dozen quality models with a wide range of features and price points, there’s sure to be one that fits your needs. We recommend selecting one of the five models reviewed here for best results and years of hassle-free use. Our list of the best cordless impact wrench options is ever-changing, so stay tuned for more!