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I Tested 6 Impact Drivers… Here’s Which One Is Actually Worth It
I Tested 6 Impact Drivers… Here’s Which One Is Actually Worth It
Writtten and Edited by: Benjamin White
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If you’re a DIYer or working on projects around the house, an impact driver is one of those tools you’ll reach for all the time. But with so many options out there—from budget brands to pro-level tools—the question is:
Do you really need to spend more money to get better performance?
So I picked up 6 impact drivers and put them through real-world tests:
- Screw driving speed
- Lag bolt power
- Noise levels
- Durability
If you’d like to see my video testing these drivers, watch here:
If you’d like to watch the video of me testing these vacuums, watch this video:
🔧 Product Overview: The Impact Drivers I Tested
Before getting into the tests, here’s a quick look at each impact driver and what they bring to the table.
This is DeWalt’s XR line, which is their pro-level lineup—and it shows.
Key Features:
- 1,825 in-lbs of torque (built for heavy-duty jobs)
- 3-speed settings for control and versatility
- Brushless motor for better efficiency and runtime)
- Compact design + LED lights for tight spaces
👉 This is built to drive long screws, lag bolts, and handle serious work.
Milwaukee is known for packing power into a smaller body—and this one follows that trend.
Key Features:
- 1,825 in-lbs of torque (built for heavy-duty jobs)
- 3-speed settings for control and versatility
- Brushless motor for better efficiency and runtime)
- Compact design + LED lights for tight spaces
👉Up to ~2,000 in-lbs of torque
- Brushless motor for durability and performance
- Compact size (fits tight spaces easily)
- Quick-change 1/4″ hex chuck
Ryobi sits in that sweet spot of price vs performance.
Key Features:
- ~1,800 in-lbs of torque
- Quick-connect chuck for fast bit changes
- LED work light for visibility
- Lightweight design
👉 Great for DIYers who want solid performance without spending a lot.
Greenworks is a mid-range option that runs on a 24V battery system, which is a little different from the typical 18–20V tools.
Key Features:
- 24V lithium-ion platform (higher voltage system)
- Brushless motor for efficiency
- Part of a large tool ecosystem (200+ tools)
- Compact cordless design
This is one of the more budget-friendly options in the test.
Key Features:
- 20V cordless system
- Variable speed trigger
- Includes battery, charger, and bits
- LED work light
This one is built more for light-duty and occasional use.
Key Features:
- 1,375 in-lbs of torque
- Compact and lightweight design
- Quick-release 1/4″ chuck
- Easy to handle for beginners
🔩 Screw Driving Speed Test
First, I tested how fast each driver could sink a #16 x 4-inch wood screw into a 4×6.
Results
| Brand | DeWalt |
| Time (Seconds) | 4 sec |
| Result | Fastest (very aggressive) |
| Brand | Milwaukee |
| Time (Seconds) | 11 sec |
| Result | Slowed down near the end |
| Brand | Greenworks |
| Time (Seconds) | 11 sec |
| Result | Consistent, tied for 2nd |
| Brand | Ryobi |
| Time (Seconds) | 12 sec |
| Result | Strong and steady |
| Brand | Black & Decker |
| Time (Seconds) | 13 sec |
| Result | Slowed near the end |
| Brand | Galax Pro |
| Time (Seconds) | — |
| Result | ❌ Could not finish |
What I Noticed
- DeWalt wasn’t just fast—it was on another level. It actually started driving through the wood.
- Milwaukee and Greenworks were solid, but noticeably slower.
- Galax Pro struggled early and couldn’t complete the task, which is a red flag right away.
🔩 Lag Bolt Test (Power Test)
Next, I stepped it up with ½-inch x 5-inch lag bolts. This is where power really shows.
Results
| Price (Amazon) | ~$124 |
| Weight | 7.6 lbs |
| Suction | Hypervelocity Accelerated Suction |
| Runtime | Up to 40 min (standard mode) |
| Bin Capacity | 0.83 gallons (XL) |
| Filtration | HEPA + Anti-Allergen Complete Seal |
| Brushroll | PowerFins (self-cleaning, no hair wrap) |
| MultiFLEX Wand | Yes — bends under furniture, freestanding |
| Converts to Handheld | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
What I Noticed
- DeWalt dominated again—the only one that fully finished the job.
- Ryobi surprised me by getting the closest out of the rest.
- Milwaukee underperformed here compared to the screw test.
- Most of these drivers simply don’t have the torque for heavy-duty work.
🔊 Sound Test (Noise Levels)
Impact drivers get loud—so I tested them with a meter from 2 feet away.
Results
| Brand | Black & Decker |
| Trigger (dB) | 79 dB |
| Impacting (dB) | 89 dB 🔇 Quietest |
| Brand | Galax Pro |
| Trigger (dB) | 74 dB |
| Impacting (dB) | 91 dB |
| Brand | Ryobi |
| Trigger (dB) | 86 dB |
| Impacting (dB) | 92 dB |
| Brand | Greenworks |
| Trigger (dB) | 80 dB |
| Impacting (dB) | 93 dB |
| Brand | Milwaukee |
| Trigger (dB) | 78 dB |
| Impacting (dB) | 96 dB |
| Brand | DeWalt |
| Trigger (dB) | 83 dB |
| Impacting (dB) | 113 dB 🔊 Loudest |
What I Noticed
- Black & Decker was the quietest overall
- DeWalt was by far the loudest, but also the most powerful
- Greenworks actually shook the meter—so it felt louder than the numbers suggest
🧱 Durability Test
I dropped all the drivers to see if anything would fail.
Results
| Brand | Ryobi |
| Result | Battery popped out, still works |
| Brand | All others |
| Result | No issues after drop |
What I Noticed
- No major failures across the board
- Ryobi had the only noticeable issue—but still worked fine
🏆 Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you want maximum performance, this is it.
- Fastest by far
- Only one to handle lag bolts
- Clearly the most powerful
Downside: It’s loud—but that comes with the territory.
If you’re on a budget, this is the one.
- Kept up in speed
- 2nd best in the power test
- Way more affordable
For around $44 at the time of testing, this is a great bang for your buck.
🎯 Final Thoughts
If you’re doing light work, most of these will get the job done.
But if you want something that can handle anything you throw at it, DeWalt is on another level.
❓ Impact Driver FAQs (What People Are Searching For)
What’s the difference between an impact driver and a drill?
This is one of the biggest questions people have.
- A drill spins continuously and is best for:
- Drilling holes
- Light screw driving
- More precision work
- An impact driver adds rotational ضرب (impact force) while spinning, which gives you:
- Way more torque
- Easier driving of long screws and lag bolts
- Less strain on your wrist
- A drill spins continuously and is best for:
👉 In simple terms:
Use a drill for holes. Use an impact driver for driving screws.
Do you really need an impact driver?
If you’re:
- Building furniture
- Doing DIY projects
- Driving long screws or lag bolts
👉 Then yes—it makes your life way easier.
If you’re just hanging pictures or doing super light work, a drill will get the job done.
Why are impact drivers so loud?
Impact drivers use a hammer-and-anvil mechanism inside.
That “impact” action is what gives them more power—but it also creates that loud, rapid clicking noise.
👉 More power = more noise
That’s why your most powerful tool (DeWalt) was also the loudest in your test.
Can an impact driver replace a drill?
Not completely.
- Impact drivers are great for driving screws
- But they’re not ideal for:
- Precision drilling
- Large drill bits
- Delicate materials
👉 Best setup: have both
That’s what most pros use.
What should I look for when buying an impact driver?
Based on this test, here’s what actually matters:
- Power (torque) – Can it handle tough jobs?
- Speed – How fast does it drive screws?
- Control – Does it slow down too much?
- Price – Is it worth what you’re paying?
