5 Best Cordless Impact Driver for the Money in 2023

Confused about which is the best cordless impact driver? Have questions like if you should go with a DEWALT or a Makita and if you really do need a kit?

You are in the right place.

After trying out 10+ cordless impact drivers for both commercial projects and DIY stuff at home, I picked some favorite drivers that are worth your money in 2023.

These have been reviewed based on important factors functionality, durability, ease of handling, battery life, price, etc.

So let’s jump straight into the reviews and comparisons.

In case you are in a hurry and already know about impact drills, you can make an instant purchase. Here’s a summary of my top picks.

1. Dewalt Cordless Combo Kit, DCK940D2 – Complete tool kit
2. Makita XDT131 – Best Impact Driver Kit
3. Ryobi P235A – Budget Impact Driver
4. BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill Combo
5. Bosch 25618B Impact Driver

If you need a little more details this comparison chart is exactly what you need.

Best Cordless Impact Drivers for 2023 Reviewed

Image	Product
	Our Top Pick Dewalt Cordless Combo Kit, DCK940D2 Comes with 9 woodworking tools All tools are ideal for any commercial or home tasks	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Makita XDT131 Comes with battery, charging kit, and toolbag Ideal driver for small and large bolts and screws	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Ryobi P235A Works with both small and large bolts and screws Compact and light enough to be held with one hand	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill Combo You get both a drill and driver in this combo Powerful and fast enough to work on any screw or bolt	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →
	Bosch 25618B Impact Driver Better durability and cooling than the Ryobi or Black and Decker Quick-release hex for a quick bit change	VIEW ON AMAZON → READ REVIEWS →

In case you want to know the nitty-gritty details about the impact drivers before you use them, here in-depth reviews of the cordless impact drivers that passed my testing.

1. Dewalt Cordless Combo Kit, DCK940D2

If you are a professional and are willing to spend the big bucks on a complete tool package for all your projects, Dewalt has just the thing for you, and here’s why.

Included in this package are 9 cordless tools that help you accomplish pretty much any and every task a woodworker has. These tools range from a Jobsite Blower, Oscillating Multi-tool, Impact driver, compact impact driver to even a Circular saw, Jobsite speaker, reciprocating saw, and a grinder.

Let’s jump to the impact drivers first.

With a torque of 2800 RPM and 3200 impacts per minute, the driver is ideal for fastening pretty much any kind of screw (big or large screws or bolts, this is the only solution you need).

And you can do this all even with one-hand thanks to the compact size of the impact driver and its lightweight build (weighs a mere 2.8lbs).

Also, adding to the comfort of using the impact driver is the rubberized handle and the ergonomically placed trigger that is easy to press.

Apart from that, even loading 1” bits into the hex requires only one hand.

Furthermore, it also comes equipped with an amazing 3 LED lights that have a 20-second delay to ensure shadows do not cause any distraction and you can work just as comfortably in low light as in the day.

Together these features make it one of the best impact drills for tight corners (there’s no place this bad boy can’t reach giving you excellent versatility).

Similarly, even the circular saw and grinder are tailor-made for all kinds of tasks. The saw delivers an RPM of 5150 thus allowing it to make even the most demanding cuts with ease while the grinder’s motor delivers 8000 RPM.

It also gives you the power to make wheel changes without any additional tools and in less than 60 seconds thanks to the quick release feature.

There’s also an oscillating tool that gives you a much higher runtime than tools from other brands and is super easy to hold and use thanks to the dual-grip and the special guide system. Add to that a reciprocating saw that is just as efficient and easy to use and you have everything a woodworker ever needs.

And once you are done with all the work, making it easy to clean the entire area and rid it of all the dust and allergens is the powerful Jobsite blower.

Oh, and you won’t be bored either with all the sawing, drilling, and cleaning everyday. Why? Because to keep you entertained, there is a Bluetooth speaker that you can easily connect to any wireless headphones and blast your favorite music all day long.

To carry all the tools you need for the day, you are also given 2 solid and spacious tool bags that will easily fit in all the tools along with their batteries and charging packs.

Yes, since this is a kit, you don’t have to worry about getting batteries and the charger separately. And in case you have trouble with any of the tools, they are all backed by an amazing 3-year warranty (much higher than the 1-year warranty other brands provide).

One of the few drawbacks here is that if you were looking for just an impact driver and don’t want to spend big just yet, this isn’t the toolkit for you. But don’t worry, we have you covered as well below.

2. Makita XDT131 (Best Impact Driver Kit)

If you were looking only for an impact driver kit rather than an entire toolkit, Makita has exactly what you need, and here’s why I rate the Makita XDT131 so highly.

Firstly, this is an impact driver kit which means it also comes with an excellent battery and charger along with the driver and a solid tool bag to carry everything easily.

Talking about the driver, it goes toe to toe with the DEWALT impact drivers. It delivers 1, 500 inches pounds of max torque and has a variable speed of 0-3,400 RPM and 0-3,600 IPM which means it works on any kind of screw or bolt.

Oh, and you don’t have to worry about changing the speed all the time either as it automatically adjusts it for you based on the load making its usage effortless.

This also helps save battery but isn’t the only feature for that. The impact driver is also equipped with a brushless motor that has been electronically programmed to optimize the driver for better run-time resulting in about 40-45% more battery than brands like Black and Decker, Porter-Cable, etc.

And when the battery does drain the quick charge feature means it recharges to full in a mere 30-minutes (that’s even faster than your laptop and smartphone).

Furthermore, it is just 5” long and in tandem with the rubberized grip ensures you can slide under tables, shelves, etc., and comfortably use it with one hand. Plus, it doesn’t slip even if the hands get sweaty.

And you can do it just as comfortably in low light or at night as well thanks to the bright LED lights that perfectly illuminate any workspace.

Even changing bits take less than a minute since it has a one-touch ¼-inch hex chuck (Using an impact driver for the first time? No problem).

The solid aluminum housing makes it highly durable as well ensuring you don’t have to spend on repairs or maintenance even with slight bumps and hits that come with working at construction sites.

These features and ease of use do come at a premium cost that is worth paying if you need a professional-grade impact driver that over 1000 woodworkers have loved and appreciated (not kidding, just check out its reviews and ratings).

3. Ryobi P235A (Budget Impact Driver)

Did you know that you can get your cordless impact driver for less than $50? Yes, if you are on a tight budget or need an impact driver for occasional use, the Ryobi P235A is the impact driver for you.

But I didn’t mention it only for the price, there’s plenty of other things to love about it as well.

For example, even though so cheap, it delivers an impressive 3200 impacts per minute and a torque of around 1,800 in./lbs. This puts it pretty much at par with the Dewalt and Makita drivers in terms of performance.

Small, medium, or large bolts, you will have no trouble screwing them or unscrewing them with ease. 

It is also at par with the others in terms of changing bits as it only takes seconds with the quick-release and quick-connect coupler feature.

There’s also a rubberized grip that provides you a firm grip which is a must with impact drivers as in most tight areas you would be using it with one hand. Also, helping with that is the compact size so it has a snug fit around your hand and the lightweight build (weighs a mere 2.7 lbs).

I also like the fact that the trigger and the emergency stop button are within reach so you can press either instantly as and when needed.

On the downside, the durability is poor. Use it too often and it won’t last more than a year. Also, working with it in low light isn’t possible as it does not have any LED lights.

Also, this is only the bare tool which means you will need to buy the charger and batteries separately. They are also pretty cheap and everything can still be covered in less than $100 which still makes it a good budget pick.

4. BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill Combo

If you need both a drill and an impact driver, Black and Decker have just the combo for you, and here’s why I love their products.

Being a cheaper combo, I was pleasantly surprised by the power delivered by both the drill and the impact driver. The impact driver has a torque of 1375 in-lbs which is even higher than the Makita. Even the variable speed of 3000 rpm and impact per minute of 3900 is impressive as it allows you to use the driver for a variety of tasks.

There’s also a quick-release hex chuck so putting on new bits is hassle-free.

A major drawback with cheaper drills is that many a time you could end up over-driving the screws or stripping it (ah, the horror). To prevent this, the Black and Decker driver comes with 11 clutch positions.

Also, you will be able to work flawlessly in low light as well as there are LED lights to light up the work area.

I would have liked the emergency stop button to be slightly bigger but that’s a personal preference.

On the other hand, the grip is good and the trigger is placed ideally for quick on/off. Plus, its compact size and weight make for easy carrying and lifting when at work.

In case you do not want a drill and driver combo there are other combos to choose too. For example, you could also go with a battery combo, reciprocating saw combo, circular saw combo, and so on (there’s something for everyone here).

On the downside, the drill and driver are a tad noisier when compared to models on the top.

Another drawback is the battery life which could have been better as right now, it needs to be charged more often than the Ryobi or Makita and charging isn’t the fastest.

5. Bosch 25618B Impact Driver

If you want a bare tool but something better than the Ryobi, Bosch is worth the consideration, and here’s why.

One big advantage that you get with the Bosch driver is that it gives you the freedom to work in the dark as well as it is armed with LED lights.

It is also one of the lightest impact drivers on the list at 2.6 lbs. Plus, it is pretty compact so working in tight spaces like under the shelf is hassle-free.

Further ensuring that is its rubber grip with the emergency stop button and trigger located close by for easy access.

Another big advantage it has over the Ryobi and the Black and Decker impact drivers is the better battery life. This is mainly because of the Electronic Cell Protection feature that includes a special battery pack design and customized electronics for optimal battery use.

Also, it does not heat up easily and has better durability thanks to the strong metallic housing.

Another thing I love about the Bosch impact driver is that it comes with a 3-year tool warranty and also a 2-year warranty on the battery (not something other brands do).

There’s also a quick-release hex feature so you can change bits without wasting time on it.

As for speed and power, that’s where the Ryobi excels as the Bosch only delivers a no-load speed of 2,800 RPM and a torque of 1,500 in.-lbs. It is only a tad lesser but does limit the use of the Bosch to slightly easier tasks.

Lastly, if you are willing to spend around $200 more, you can also get your hands on the special L-Boxx which is way better than any bag. That’s because it is more durable, compact, easy to carry, and comes with special inlays for the tool and accessories for easy transportation.

Conclusion

Those are my top picks for the best cordless impact drivers in 2023. If you need a complete set, Dewalt is the brand for you and if you need just an impact driver kit, Makita has exactly what you need.

And if you are a hobbyist or someone on a tight budget, Ryobi and Black and Decker impact drivers are tailor-made for you.

Got questions about these or other impact drivers you intend on buying? Drop them in the comments below or you can get in touch with me via the contact page.