Best Cordless Impact Wrench for 2020
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An impact wrench is one of the most valuable tools in a handyman or mechanic’s arsenal. With a good one, you’ll be able to speed along with your projects – with a poor one, you’ll be pulling your hair out and spending unnecessary time on basic tasks.
A cordless one (one that you can carry around effortlessly) can get jobs done even faster. It’s the dawn of 2020 – there are a lot of cordless impact wrenches on the market today. Take a look at our list of the best cordless impact wrenches for 2020 below. We’d bet that at least one of them will suit your needs perfectly.
If you are one who is not bothered about wires and tubes running through your garage, you should check out our list of best electric impact wrenches of 2020.
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#1 – Ingersoll Rand W7150-K1 1/2-Inch High-Torque Impactool
Price: $$$$
Click here to view product specs
Usually, going cordless means sacrificing power. In the case of the W7150-K1 from Ingersoll Rand, the opposite is true – this powerful impact wrench boasts 1,100 ft-lb of forwards torque and 780 ft-lbs of reverse torque.
As if that’s not enough, the unit isn’t a bulky, clunky cordless wrench like a cell phone from the 90s. At 9.4" from tip to tail, it is shorter than most cordless impact wrenches – we’ll say that. Click here to see the pictures.
The downside to this one is that although it’s the cream of the crop, it’s also expensive as it comes with a Kit that consists of 2 Li-ion batteries, 20V charger and a blow-molded case. Click here to view the current cheapest price – as of early 2020, it stands as one of the least expensive on Amazon.
If you’re a serious mechanic or know that you’ll need more power than usual, go with the W7150-K1. You can also check out the W7150-K2 – which is a slightly different version of the K1.
Click here to read the 50+ user reviews
If you’re looking for something a bit more within your budget, read on.
#2 – DEWALT DCF880HM2 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
Price: $$$
Click here to view product specs
Smaller, lighter, less powerful, cheaper. That’s what you get with the DCF880HM2.
Coming in at two-thirds of the price, the DCF880HM2, of course, does not provide the amount of torque that #1 does. DEWALT only claims 300 ft-lb.
However, for the average handyman or hobbyist, that’s more than enough. If you’re a mechanic or you foresee yourself removing some serious lug nuts, then another, more powerful impact wrench may be right for you. The DCF880HM2 is for those of you doing standard projects with standard lug nuts, etc.
DEWALT made it even more suitable for casual use with a few key features:
1.The unit automatically lights up when the trigger is pressed, giving you easy visibility. This is perfect if you need to maneuver the compact cordless impact wrench into a space where light is blocked and there’s not room for a flashlight
2.The batteries are included, and they’re XR lithium-ion to last 33% longer than standard backs (no waiting for the unit to charge and wasting precious time)
There’s a carrying case for it, too. It’s pretty slick.
To sum it up, the DCF880HM2 is good for casual mechanic or handyman jobs, but a heavier-duty one will be needed for more industrial purposes.
Click here to read the 70+ user reviews
#3 – Makita BTW253 Cordless 3/8-Inch Impact Wrench
Price: $$$$
Click here to view product specs
With the BTW253, Makita is shying away from the industrial aspect and going towards giving the user a compact and lightweight impact wrench. (The hefty price gets you the tool plus two 18V Li-Ion batteries, 30-minute Rapid Optimum Charger and tool belt clip.)
155 ft-lbs of torque isn’t going to get getting off the sturdiest of lug nuts, but it’s good enough for a wide variety of jobs. And despite the low price, there’s a power adjuster, so you can use less power for smaller jobs and full power only when you need it.
This makes the cordless wrench quieter, and the motor itself is pretty quiet, too. Reviewers attest to the fact that they didn’t have to wear earplugs or take breaks so that they didn’t blow their eardrums out.
On the official page, Makita is trying to shy away from the stigma behind cheap tools – read all about where the materials on the BTW253 come from and why they’re better than the rest. The description alone might sell you!
One of the cheapest cordless impact wrenches on the market, quiet, and made with good parts. Not the most powerful, but definitely worthy of being on the top 5 list of 2020.
Click here to read the 40+ user reviews
#4 – Milwaukee 2663-20 1/2-Inch High Torque Impact Wrench
Price: $$
Click here to view product specs
Milwaukee is all about the power. With the 2663-20, you get 400 ft-lbs of torque and a sturdy, light, compact, and ergonomic (fits in your hand well) cordless impact wrench for right around the affordable range.
Keep in mind that this one is just a bare tool, so you’ll have to get bits, batteries, and a carrying case (if you want one) from another seller either on Amazon or somewhere else. This will increase the overall price, so although the tool itself is available for less, you can expect to pay 20% to 30% more than that right off of the bat for the other parts.
Aside from the raw power, there are a couple of cool features in the 2663-20.
Overload protection means a long-lasting tool
Trying to remove lug nuts that simply aren’t coming out can be damaging to your impact wrench. The 2663-20 has “overload protection” – this means that when the wrench encounters something that’s damaging it, it’ll automatically shut off. Truth be told, it’s a bit annoying the first few times that it happens, but the feature does wonders for the longevity of your tool.
Not terribly light, but still cordless
At right above five pounds, you won’t be tossing it around, but it’s easy to move around and very small considering the weight. Click here to view pictures and the current price.
Click here to read the 70+ user reviews
#5 – Bosch IWH181-01 3/8-Inch Square Drive Compact Impact Wrench
Price: $$
Click here to view product specs
Let’s end with a specialized cordless impact wrench. The IWH181-01 is six inches long – that’s a mere half of a foot – and can be stuffed in your pocket, your jacket, or really anywhere else relatively easy. It’s definitely a tool that you take with you on the go. Automotive mechanics will probably need something a bit more powerful for the stationary wrench in the shop.
The power isn’t bad, though. For some reason, Bosch uses inch-lbs instead of the industry standard of ft-lbs – regardless, the IWH181-01 has roughly 133 ft-lbs of torque. That’s pretty good considering the size.
Really, this is for the handymen and mechanics who are done with the annoyance of clunky cordless wrenches or corded wrenches that are nearly impossible to move around. It’s like going from wearing a heavy backpack to not wearing one at all – it just feels good.
Click here to read the 30+ user reviews
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Read the whole list? We congratulate you – an impact wrench is an important decision.
Go back up and pick the wrench that’s right for you. #5 is the lightest, #1 has the most power, and #2, #3, and #4 are all right in the middle.
Good luck!