Let's get ready to rumble! When it comes to getting the job done quickly, your impact driver makes a huge difference on the work site. A second or two difference in drive time means you're getting a few more screws in every minute, a few more panels every hour and the entire job done fast enough to make a better profit. But which cordless impact driver is best for your job, work style and situation? Here's a look at four top competitors in the market.
Bosch 25618-02 18V Lithium Ion:
When you need a small driver that delivers a serious punch in a limited space, the Bosch wins, hands-down. It has one of the smallest power-heads in the lineup, allowing it to get into some of the tightest angles your job site can throw at you. It's neither lightweight nor heavy, falling towards the middle of the class, and provides middle-of-the-road torque at 1,500 ft-lbs. One area that is a deal-breaker for many contractors, however, is the limited 1-year warranty, when many in the same class are at the industry standard of a 3-year warranty. However, for a solid basic impact driver when you need superior maneuverability, the Bosch wins.
DeWalt DCF885C1 20V Max:
There's something about the two extra volts in the DeWalt system that just does more. In a recent roofing project, my dad and I were running the Makita mentioned below and this driver, respectively. The DeWalt battery lasted longer and drove faster than the Makita, to the point that you could hear the difference in speed while we were working. But beyond personal experience, the DeWalt Driver also delivers a small profile to fit into those tight spaces, a lightweight 2.8lbs design and plenty of torque to get the job done, while the 3-LED light has a 20-second holdover, making it my go-to tool to grab to figure out exactly where that screw fell.
Makita XDT12Z 18V LXT:
So as I mentioned, Dad's a Makita man. He's done contracting in northern Minnesota for over 40 years using Makita products and swears by them for durability and long useable lifespan. His Makita driver had four different speeds, offering a range of options while delivering about 150 more ft-lbs of torque than the DeWalt. However, that additional push comes at a price, specifically a slightly lower driving speed and another half-pound of weight, coming in at 3.3lbs.
Milwaukee 2753-20 18V Fuel:
If you tend to go through tools quickly, the 5-year warranty on the Milwaukee provides some extra peace of mind. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL™ Impact Driver also delivers the highest torque among the entire class compared here at 1,800 ft-pounds, delivering strong performance when it's needed most. It's also light-weight, coming in at a svelte 2.6lbs for all that power. However, it also has a larger power head, making it harder to get into small spaces or tight angles.
As you can see, all of these tools have particular benefits and drawbacks, so deciding exactly which one is the best fit for your situation is entirely up to you. But that doesn't mean we'll just leave you on the ropes! The experienced associates at Star Sales are standing by to tag in on your next project. Please feel free to contact us today for more information, with any questions or to get a quote on one of these high-performance, contractor-grade cordless impact drivers.
