Best Impact Driver UK: 18V Impact Drivers For Builders
What is the best impact driver for builders?
For a builder the best impact driver is the one on the 18V battery platform you already own. The four below list 180 to 226Nm: Makita's DTD173, DeWalt's DCF887N, Milwaukee's M18 FID3 and Bosch's GDR 18V-210 C. Pick on length and weight if you work in joist voids and stud work, and on the modes if you drive a lot of different fixings. Check torque, speed and weight on the maker's page, because the headline torque is only one of them.
An impact driver drives screws and bolts. It does not replace a drill for accurate holes: for that see the best cordless drill, and for brick and concrete the best SDS drill.
Key takeaways
- Milwaukee M18 FID3 lists the most torque (226Nm) and a 113mm body, 2mm longer than the Makita.
- Bosch GDR 18V-210 C lists 210Nm, 1.1kg without battery and a dedicated wood screw mode.
- DeWalt DCF887N lists 205Nm and 0.9kg tool-only.
- Makita DTD173 lists 180Nm and 0.85kg net, the lightest of the three that state a weight.
Sources: Makita UK: DTD173 Impact Driver LXT, DeWalt UK: DCF887N-XJ 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver (Tool Only), Milwaukee UK: M18 FUEL 1/4 inch Hex Impact Driver (M18 FID3), Bosch Professional UK: GDR 18V-210 C (06019J0100)
Impact driver comparison: four drivers side by side
| Driver | Torque | No-load speed | Length | Weight | Modes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DTD173 | 180Nm | 3,600 min⁻¹ | 111mm | 0.85kg net | 4 impact stages |
| DeWalt DCF887N-XJ | 205Nm | 3,250rpm | 135mm | 0.9kg tool only | 3 speed/torque modes |
| Milwaukee M18 FID3 | 226Nm | 3,900rpm | 113mm | Not on the page | 4 drive control modes |
| Bosch GDR 18V-210 C | 210Nm | 3,400rpm | Not on the page | 1.1kg without battery | 3 settings plus 2 screw modes |
Sources: Makita UK: DTD173 Impact Driver LXT, DeWalt UK: DCF887N-XJ 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver (Tool Only), Milwaukee UK: M18 FUEL 1/4 inch Hex Impact Driver (M18 FID3), Bosch Professional UK: GDR 18V-210 C (06019J0100)
Makita DTD173 and DeWalt DCF887N
Makita DTD173 is an 18V LXT brushless driver with four electronic impact power stages (180Nm at the top stage, with the lower stages listed at 20, 50 and 170Nm), a top no-load speed of 3,600 min⁻¹ and an impact rate that reaches 3,800 min⁻¹. Makita lists an electric brake, a built-in job light, a 1/4 inch shank with an anti-wobble bit structure and a length of 111mm. Weight is 0.85kg net and 1.2 to 1.5kg with a battery, depending on the battery. The page does not say whether a battery is included.
DeWalt DCF887N-XJ is sold as a tool-only 18V XR brushless driver with up to 205Nm, up to 3,250rpm and 3,800 impacts per minute. DeWalt lists three speed and torque modes, a 3-LED ring light and a drop and load bit holder. It is 135mm long and weighs 0.9kg tool only. The box has a magnetic bit holder and a belt hook, and the page says batteries and charger are sold separately. Warranty is 1 year, or 3 years when registered.
Sources: Makita UK: DTD173 Impact Driver LXT, DeWalt UK: DCF887N-XJ 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver (Tool Only)
Milwaukee M18 FID3 and Bosch GDR 18V-210 C
Milwaukee M18 FID3 has a POWERSTATE brushless motor and Milwaukee lists 226Nm, up to 3,900rpm, up to 4,400 impacts per minute and a total length of 113mm. Four Drive Control modes cover precision work, fastener protection, maximum performance and an automatic mode that adjusts speed, impacts and torque. The chuck is 1/4 inch hex. The page does not list a weight or an LED.
Bosch GDR 18V-210 C lists 210Nm at the third of three settings (80, 160 and 210Nm), with no-load speed up to 3,400rpm and up to 4,100 impacts per minute. There are also two modes, self-tapping screw and wood screw, which slow or stop the tool to protect the fixing and the material. Weight is 1.1kg without battery, the holder is 1/4 inch hex, and the page lists a status indicator, an LED light and a belt clip. It takes Bosch Professional 18V batteries and AMPShare batteries. The page does not name the motor type.
Sources: Milwaukee UK: M18 FUEL 1/4 inch Hex Impact Driver (M18 FID3), Bosch Professional UK: GDR 18V-210 C (06019J0100)
What should you check before buying an impact driver?
- Battery platform: buy tool-only on the system your drill and saw already use. See the best circular saw for the same logic.
- Length: Makita lists 111mm, Milwaukee 113mm and DeWalt 135mm. Shorter gets into joist and stud bays.
- Weight: compare like for like. Makita's 0.85kg is net, DeWalt's 0.9kg is tool only and Bosch's 1.1kg is without battery, so all exclude the battery.
- Modes: a lower setting stops you driving a screw through plasterboard or splitting a batten.
- Bit holder: Makita, Milwaukee and Bosch list a 1/4 inch hex holder or shank, and DeWalt's page does not give a size. Use impact rated bits.
- Warranty: DeWalt lists 3 years when registered.
For the rest of the van, see the best circular saw and the best tool bag.
Sources and references
Blake Folgado
Blake is a co-founder of Tradehand, a UK trades marketplace More from Blake
