The 9 Best Impact Wrenches to Buy in 2018

From assembling the patio furniture to removing stubborn lug nuts on vehicles, the Milwaukee Fuel High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench can handle almost any job. The cordless high torque wrench has a four-mode drive control with bolt removal that makes it a stellar choice for serious weekend warriors. Reviewers enjoy the L-shaped handle with rubber over mold that offers a comfortable grip while plowing through lengthy jobs. It is just over 8 inches in length and has a bright LED light that covers a wide swath of work area. The friction ring cuts back on difficult socket changes, and the Redlink Plus intelligence prevents the tool from overheating or overloading and damaging the many moving parts. It is one of the more powerful wrenches on the market for its size and has 1,000 foot-pounds of fastening torque and 1,400 foot-pounds of nut-busting force.

Porter-Cable makes a powerful line of tools, and they are affordable to boot. The tool company’s PCE211 7.5 amp ½" impact wrench is one of the better reviewed models on the market and comes in at under $100. It has 450 ft-lbs of torque with 2,200 RPM, so you're not sacrificing anything with this impact wrench. The forward and reverse rocker switch is easy to manipulate with one hand. Reviewers found it ideal for removing lug nuts on commercial vehicles as well as quickly changing out nuts and bolts on lightweight items such as furniture, shelving and door hinges.

For those just starting out or who want to buy an all-inclusive starter package without paying a bundle, this wrench kit deserves attention. Designed for comfort and power, the DeWalt DCF899P1 20V Max XR Brushless High Torque Wrench Kit packs a punch for a reasonable price. And it has all the high-end features that you would want in a wrench kit.

With up to 700 ft-lb. of max torque, the DeWalt kit is powerful. It is small and lightweight, measuring just 8-13/16” and weighing in at 7.2 pounds. The impact wrench is versatile with multi-speed control to be used in a wide range of odd jobs. It has a bright LED light with a 20-second delay for tight, dark spots and a half-inch anvil with detent pin. This bundle is also a customer favorite.

For jobs that require power but no fuss, the DeWalt 20-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench Kit offers maximum torque without the inconvenience of a long cord. The DeWalt DCF883m2 has 1,560 in. pounds of maximum torque that will get you through wood, masonry, and metal in no time. It is a breeze to use in small spaces, and cuts through rusted bolts or oxidized lug nuts quickly and easily. It is also stocked with items for long-term use in places that may not have easy access to power. The kit includes two 20-volt lithium-ion batteries with built-in fuel gauge so you can go longer and faster on those difficult jobs that put you in a tight squeeze. The three front-facing LED lights offer brightness to dark workspaces. It’s also one of the smaller impact wrenches with the most torque at 3.4 pounds.

Sometimes a tool that is required to do two things at once actually does one thing better than the other. This isn't the case with the Bosch 18 Volt Hybrid Impact Wrench. It’s a driver and a wrench, and it makes quite an impact.

It uses ¼” hex screwdriver bits and ½” impact sockets. The practical tool quickly switches between screwdriver and nut-driver bits (as well as sockets), so you won’t have to search around for an adaptor for the more complicated jobs that require different tools. It may be on the bulkier side, but for those who need a driver and a wrench the extra weight can be overlooked.

Removing stubborn lug nuts can be a painstaking task, so you'll want to invest in a heavy duty tool that can get the job done quickly. Our top pick is the DeWalt 10V Max XR Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Wrench because it has 700 ft. lbs. of maximum torque and a brushless motor that will extend its life. A ½” anvil with a dent pit makes the wrench resistant to breakage and the annoying shearing that so often comes with lug nut removal. It can handle drops from as high as 8' with its compact design and durable casing. This impact wrench also has an LED light with a 20 second delay for use in dark spaces. Reviewers praise this model for its ability to execute a variety of different tasks.

If you're looking for a high-performance tool that is lightweight but still able to pull off big jobs, the Ingersoll Rand 2235TiMAX Drive Air Impact Wrench is a great option. It has a well manufactured drive mechanism to put out serious spin ability with 1,350 torque pounds. Ingersoll’s ½" air impact wrench is known for its power-to-weight ratio, as it weighs in at only 4.6 pounds and has a four-position power regulator (which makes the torque easy to adjust).

Sometimes you don't want the extra bulk that comes with a traditional impact wrench. If that's the case, this model is affordable as well as lightweight—not to mention that it's highly rated by online customers. The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless ¼' hex impact driver kit has a free pack out case. This Milwaukee impact wrench has 1,400 inch/pounds of power on its 3/8-inch head with two settings, but it's the ergonomic handle that gets the most attention from users. The rubberized grip wraps around the shaft of the M12 Fuel, cutting down on fatigue after hours of work.

The Chicago Pneumatic CP7732 ½-inch Stubby Impact Wrench is an absolute workhorse. It can easily maneuver tight spaces and it packs a powerful punch. It can strip pull out stubborn stripped screws or oxidized bolts that are squirreled away in an inconvenient location. If a bolt or lug nut is lodged in a difficult place, the user-friendly stubby impact wrench won’t hold you up as you grapple with finding a good grip on the handle. It has a one-hand operation trigger with three position settings that come in both forward and reverse. Plus, this tool works well for people who are left-handed and right-handed.