Best impact drivers

Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way

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What to look for

An impact driver sinks long screws a drill struggles with; torque and battery platform matter more than speed.

Models worth comparing

From manufacturers' specifications and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not tested by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.

Budget

Ryobi R18ID2-120S 18V ONE+ Impact Driver Starter Kit

DIYers starting out with cordless tools who want a ready-to-use impact driver that shares batteries with Ryobi's large ONE+ range.

Rated at 200 Nm, plenty for decking screws and long wood screws
Starter kit comes with a battery and charger, so nothing else to buy
ONE+ batteries fit a very wide range of Ryobi tools and garden kit

Watch out for: It is longer and bulkier than compact brushless rivals, and a single 2.0 Ah battery runs down quickly on big decking jobs.

Voltage: 18 V
Max torque: 200 Nm
Bit holder: 1/4" hex quick-change
Battery: 1 × 2.0 Ah and charger included

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Sources: Ryobi UK product page · DIY Garden impact driver review

Mid-range

Makita DTD157 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver

Makita LXT owners and regular DIYers who value a compact, controllable driver over outright power.

Brushless and compact, so it fits into cupboards and between joists
Three modes, including an assist mode that starts screws gently
Runs on Makita's widely sold 18V LXT batteries

Watch out for: At 140 Nm it is the least powerful driver here, so large coach bolts in hardwood may be a struggle, and the DTD157Z comes without a battery.

Voltage: 18 V
Max torque: 140 Nm
Bit holder: 1/4" hex
Weight: 1.2–1.5 kg (with battery)
Battery: Not included with DTD157Z (body only)

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Sources: Makita UK product page · ITS Makita impact driver range review

Premium

DeWalt DCF887 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver

Keen DIYers and trades on DeWalt's 18V XR system who want a short, light driver with selectable power for different screws.

Up to 205 Nm from a brushless motor in a 135 mm long body
Three speed and torque settings help avoid snapping small screws
Light ring of LEDs and a drop-in bit holder for one-handed bit changes

Watch out for: Costs noticeably more than mid-range drivers, and kits differ (N is bare, D2 has 2.0 Ah packs, P2 has 5.0 Ah packs), so check the code.

Voltage: 18 V
Max torque: 205 Nm
Bit holder: 1/4" hex drop-in
Weight: 0.9 kg (tool only)
Battery: Depends on kit code

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Sources: DeWalt UK product page · The Garden Patch impact driver tests

Pro

Milwaukee M18 FID3 FUEL Impact Driver

Tradespeople driving fixings all day who want maximum power in a very short body.

226 Nm of torque, the highest on this list
Only 113 mm long, which helps in tight spots
Four drive modes, including an automatic mode and settings that protect small fasteners

Watch out for: It is far more driver than occasional DIY needs, and with a 5.0 Ah pack fitted it weighs around 1.7 kg, so check whether your listing is bare (0X) or a kit.

Voltage: 18 V
Max torque: 226 Nm
Bit holder: 1/4" hex
Weight: 1.7 kg (with 5.0 Ah battery)
Battery: M18 FID3-502X: 2 × 5.0 Ah, charger and case

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Sources: Milwaukee UK product page · Toolden M18 FID3 overview

Shop impact drivers

We are gathering the customer ratings this board needs from UK shops. When they are in, the ranked list replaces this guide at the same address, scored the way every board is: star ratings weighed by how many people left them. How we score.

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