If you are a DIY enthusiast then you will undoubtedly be working with nuts and bolts at some point. As you will know, in order to remove and tighten them you will require a wrench. For large projects, this can be quite a lot of hard work. One of the best ways to get around this is to use a cordless impact wrench. These tools will dramatically reduce your work load and remove the toughest of bolts in seconds.
In order to get the most out of your impact wrench, you first need to make sure that you have chosen the best model for your needs and there are certainly a lot of them to choose from. Because of this, we have tested and reviewed some of our favourites so that we can give you a better idea of what each model has to offer. Please read on below for our verdict.
3. VonHaus Cordless Impact Wrench
Features: 20v – Lithium Ion Battery – 1 /2” Square Drive – 240Nm of Torque – Direction Control – Variable Speeds – 2760bpm Impact Rate – Cast Aluminium Gear Head – 75 Minute Rapid Charge – Carry Case
Pros:
- Tackles rusted over bolts with absolute ease.
- Very lightweight tool.
- Battery life is quite reasonable.
- Quick charge option is really convenient.
Cons:
- Can be a little noisy.
- Forward and reverse switch is a little too sensitive.
The Review
The first impact wrench that we want to add to our list is this one from VonHaus. This is a brand that we are quite familiar with, so we were fairly certain that it would be a contender for the list. We definitely weren’t disappointed with this one. To start off with, we were impressed that straight out of the box it already had a full charge. This is something that we were not expecting.
Once we had a good look at the wrench, the first thing that stood out for us was how lightweight this one is. The ergonomic design makes handling it no problem at all. The battery life is quite reasonable for a tool of this standard and one thing that we did like is the 75 minute quick charge option. We found this really useful for impromptu projects.
We tried the wrench on all different kinds of bolts and were really surprised when it managed to remove a very rusted over bolt within a matter of seconds. Again, this is something that we were not expecting. We did, however, have a couple of things that we didn’t like so much with this one. First of all, we found that it was a little on the noisy side.
As well as this, we found that the forward and reverse switch was a little bit too sensitive and we kept accidentally hitting it whilst working which caused us a few problems. However, we suspect that this is something that can be remedied with extra practice using the wrench.
2. Makita DTW1002Z Impact Wrench
Features: 18v – 500w – ½” Square Drive – Variable Speeds – Variable Impact – 1000Nm of Torque – 2200bpm Impact Rate – Brushless Motor – Twin LED Job Light – Electric Brake – Forward & Reverse
Pros:
- It will snap off any bolts that it is unable to undo.
- Very powerful torque level.
- Twin LED job light is quite powerful.
Cons:
- The wrench is quite heavy and bulky which can make it difficult to use in tight spaces.
The Review
Next on our list is this impact wrench from Makita. If you have read our reviews before then you will know that we have tested plenty of their tools and always been quite impressed so it is no surprise to us that we were pleased with their impact wrench. The first thing that we have to say about this one is that it is quite heavy. We did find that this made using it in tight spaces a little difficult.
However, what really stood out for us with this one is the sheer amount of power that you get with the 1000Nm of torque. Any bolts that we were unable to undo with this impact wrench were simply snapped off which was very helpful. The variable speed and impact settings really let you control the wrench with precision.
One thing that we really liked with this one is the twin LED job light. We were really surprised by how bright the LEDs are and found them extremely useful when working in darker areas. It has a forward and reverse function so you can tighten and loosen bolts with ease. It isn’t too noisy and the brushless motor keeps the wrench cool.
Although it is a little on the bulky side, we still rate this one. It is important to keep in mind, though, that this is a bare unit so you will need to buy the battery and charger separately. However, it is definitely worth the extra hassle.
1. DeWalt DCF899HN-X3 Impact Wrench – The Best Choice
Features: 18v – ½” Square Drive with Hog Ring – 950Nm of Torque – 2400bpm Impact Rate – 3 Speed and Torque Settings – LED Job Light – Rubber XR Grip and Switch
Pros:
- Hog ring square drive means that bits are held by friction; much more secure.
- Rubber XR grip and switch is very comfortable in the hand.
- Very powerful impact wrench.
Cons:
- Lower torque settings will struggle with rusted over bolts.
The Review
Number 1 on our list today is this impact wrench from DeWalt. We have always been very impressed with DeWalt tools and this one is no exception. To start with, it is extremely comfortable to use thanks to the rubber XR grip and switch. We had no trouble holding the wrench and it is light enough to use without any discomfort.
One of the features that we really liked with this one is the hog ring square drive. This holds bits in by using friction which we felt really made a difference to how sturdy the wrench felt during use. We certainly noticed the power that comes from the 950Nm of torque; this is a seriously powerful wrench.
This is a bare unit, so you will need to buy the battery and charger separately. It is important to buy a high quality battery too so that it can cope with the power that this wrench consumes. One thing that we did notice is that the lower torque and speed settings seemed to struggle with rusted over bolts.
However, despite this, we felt that all of the features that it has to offer and the quality of this impact wrench made it deserving of our top spot today.
As you can see, there are some great impact wrenches on the market right now so take a look at those we have listed above and see which the best option for you is.
