
Why You Can Trust Pro Tool ReviewsĮver check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. That’s how we give each impact driver a value rating. Regardless, it’s the sum of what you get compared to the price you pay that determines the value for you. The value a tool offers will be different for everyone depending on what features, performance, and price you prioritize the most. We look for anything out of the ordinary that’s genuinely beneficial. Of course, smart controls aren’t the only thing manufacturers add. Some manufacturers like Makita choose to program helpful modes rather than having you customize them. Brushless motors require electronics that open the door to systems like Milwaukee One-Key, Bosch Connected control, and DeWalt Tool Connect. Here’s the standard list of what we look for: When we look at the feature set to help determine the best impact driver, we’re looking for features that have tangible benefits. Sales 101 will teach you that every feature must have a benefit. While we look for abnormalities that affect everyone, different hands prefer different styles. We also check how comfortable and secure the rubber overmold is.


Stick packs have to fit into the handle and tend to be thicker than slide pack designs.īeyond the handle diameter, we look at how the tool fits in your hand. Slide packs are important because they give design teams more freedom in handle and grip design. While we don’t come across many tools that have a terrible grip, some are better than others. We check the weight of each impact driver bare and with a battery along with measuring the length of the head. They can reach into tighter areas and are less fatiguing when you’re working overhead. One of the reasons we love impact drivers is that they tend to be smaller and lighter than drill drivers. We test the decibel level of impact drivers to help us understand which ones are the best for using in occupied spaces such as schools and office buildings. At least, that’s the way it was up until hydraulic impact drivers became affordable. They’re loud and that’s just the way it is. Noise level wasn’t a big deal with impact drivers for a long time. We drive a series of fastener sizes, drill with impact driver-compatible bits, and break loose bolts to determine which impact drivers are the fastest and strongest.

Their speed helps drive small fasteners more quickly while the power and impacts tighten or break loose fasteners better than drills. Impact drivers benefit from higher speeds and greater torque than their drill counterparts. Impact Driver vs Impact Wrench | Which Impact Tool Do You Need? Best Impact Driver Buying Guide | What We Look For Performance
