Impact drivers are the best way to finish the tough jobs that other power tools can’t handle.
If you’ve never used one before, or you aren’t sure which type is right for you, take a look at our reviews of the best impact drivers on the market in Australia.
We’ll also break down everything you need to know in our handy buyer’s guide.
1. Makita 18V Li-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-Stage Impact Driver (Top Pick)
This impact driver from Makita is one of the best around. It is lightweight and comfortable in your hand; it is well-balanced, but it still packs a load of power.
It runs relatively quietly, which helps if you are doing a lot of drilling. The speed settings are good and they allow you to screw in any screw no matter how tough the job.
There are 8 settings in total, and there is a button just above the trigger that allows you to change between settings instantly. This can all be done one-handed, which is very convenient.
This tool features a brushless motor, which means it adjusts itself according to the task. If the impact driver senses a lot of resistance, it will draw on more power, while conversely, it won’t apply unnecessary power when it senses resistance is low.
Overall, this is a great addition to your collection. It can handle just about any job that comes up and is convenient and easy to use.
What We Like:
- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Brushless motor
- Plenty of settings
What We Don’t Like:
- May have too many settings for a newbie
2. Milwaukee 18V Li-ion Cordless GEN 3 Hex Impact Driver
Milwaukee has done a great job with this impact driver. It is compact and feels light in the hand, but it has a lot of power. It has no trouble sinking screws into tough material, and it spins very fast so you can drill holes quickly and easily.
The size of this tool is what stands out the most; it is compact enough to get into some really tight spaces. You will need a large battery to get the most out of this, which will add to the size, but it still handles well and is pretty convenient.
It has four-mode drive control, so you have full control over the speed and power, and it has plenty of torque to handle the toughest jobs. Overall, this is a really great impact driver that can handle anything you throw at it.
What We Like:
- Compact
- Powerful
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like:
- Best with a large battery but you lose some of the
- Benefits of the compact size
3. Baumr-AG 20V Lithium Cordless Impact Driver
This impact driver from Baumr-AG is a good budget model for the home handyman or someone trying an impact driver for the first time. It has decent power and will handle most jobs.
It feels good in the hand; it’s well-balanced and reasonably lightweight, so you should have no trouble handling it for extended periods. The quick-release chuck works as expected, and the unit has many of the features of the more expensive impact drivers.
The battery that comes with it is a little small; you will need a larger battery if you are doing some tough jobs or you may find the drill getting stuck. The supplied battery is good enough for most jobs around the house though.
What We Like:
- Inexpensive
- Reasonable power
- Good features
What We Don’t Like:
- Not for recommended for industrial use
4. Matrix 20V Li-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Drill
Here’s a great deal; it’s a cordless drill and impact driver kit sold together for a great price. These Matrix units are good for a handyman or for occasional jobs around the home. You probably won’t find anything much cheaper than this.
Both units operate well, they drill and drive screws with reasonable power, and they have most of the features of higher-end models. The supplied battery is too small for serious work with the impact driver, so you will need to upgrade if you plan to drill dense material.
Overall, this would make a great starter kit for anyone interested in DIY jobs.
What We Like:
- 2-in-1 Drill and Impact Driver set
- Inexpensive
- Good for occasional jobs
What We Don’t Like:
- Not recommended for frequent use
5. Bosch Cordless Impact Driver
Bosch is well known for being a reliable brand and this impact driver delivers. It has high torque and plenty of power for driving screws into hard timber or metal. It also uses power more efficiently so that it runs for longer. This is good for frequent use and will handle just about any job you might have.
It handles well and is fairly lightweight; you can use it for a long time without feeling fatigue in your hand. It also uses Bosch’s universal battery system which makes it very convenient to switch batteries during longer jobs.
Overall, this is a great impact driver for serious work.
What We Like:
- Powerful
- Easy to handle
- Universal battery
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
Impact Driver Buyers Guide
Battery size
One of the key things to consider with an impact driver is the size of the lithium ion battery. Bigger is better. It won’t just have more battery life, it will also give you maximum power from the start. If you are having trouble drilling a surface, try putting a bigger battery on your impact driver and see the difference.
Clutch
Most impact drivers don’t have a clutch. A clutch is used for tightening screws with a cordless drill; when the drill meets a certain amount of resistance, it disengages the chuck from the drive shaft so that the drill won’t force the screw in any further.
A clutch isn’t suitable for an impact driver because of its tapping motion. Some impact drivers do come with a clutch, but they are typically a drill and impact driver in one. You can use it as a drill with a clutch or as an impact driver, but not both at the same time.
Hex sleeve
Impact drivers do not have a chuck, instead, they have a keyless hex sleeve that allows you to slide drill bits into place quickly. The drill bits are hex-shaped so they do not slip while drilling dense material.
Impact Driver FAQs
A cordless drill is used to drill holes and screw in screws. It functions as you would expect; it rotates at high speed in order to drive a drill bit or a screw into wood or plaster. The problem with this is when you have to drill a thick or dense material the drill may not have sufficient power and it will fail to drill the hole or tighten the screw.
That’s where an impact driver comes in. An impact driver has greater torque than a drill and uses rotational tapping to help drive the screw or drill bit. It’s like when you repeatedly tap the trigger of a drill to get a little more power. An impact driver does the same thing, but much faster than you can do it with your finger. Not to be confused with a hammer drill that uses a hammering motion.
