Best Impact Drivers UK 2026 - 6 Compared & Reviewed

DeWalt DCF887N 18V XR 3-Speed Impact Driver.

205Nm max torque · 3 speeds (0-950/0-1900/0-2850 RPM) · 0-3800 IPM · Brushless motor · 1/4in hex collet · LED · 1.4kg

The DCF887N has been the default answer to "which impact driver" for years, and this listing is the bare tool with five Phillips bits included. The three-speed gearbox is what separates it from cheaper single-speed drivers: speed one drives small screws without burying them, speed two is the everyday setting for cabinet screws and hinges, and speed three with the Precision Drive mode holds the trigger back so you can seat a screw flush without blowing through the face of the board.

DeWalt rates it at 205Nm of torque, which handles 100mm timber screws and M8 coach bolts without complaint. It is not the lightest driver here at 1.4kg, but the rubber overmould and balanced grip make it comfortable for a full day of fixing. If you already own XR batteries, this is the easiest recommendation in the category.

Makita DTD173Z 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver.

180Nm max torque · 4 speeds + T-mode · 0-3600 RPM · 0-3800 IPM · Brushless motor · XPT dust/water protection · 1.5kg

The DTD173Z is Makita's newest LXT impact driver, and it brings a feature few rivals match: a four-speed gearbox with a dedicated T-mode that eases off the hammering as the screw seats. That matters on site, where driving 120mm frame screws into engineered timber all day can wreck screw heads and your wrists if the driver keeps hammering past the seat.

XPT protection shrugs off dust and splashes, which is why this driver survives on roofing and decking jobs where cheaper units die young. The 180Nm of torque is plenty for structural work, and the trigger is progressive enough that you can tickle small screws in cabinet work.

It is a bare tool, so you need LXT batteries, but Makita's 18V range is one of the deepest in the industry. For a pro who wants the newest tech in a proven platform, this is the pick.

Bosch Professional GDR 18V-215 Impact Driver.

215Nm max torque · Brushless motor · 0-3400 RPM · 0-4000 IPM · 1/4in hex collet · LED · 1.1kg · Body only

The GDR 18V-215 is Bosch Professional's entry-level impact driver, and at under 80 pounds it is the cheapest way into the blue range. Despite the price it delivers 215Nm, the highest peak torque in this list, from a compact 1.1kg body. Bosch keeps the controls simple: a single speed with a powerful brushless motor and a solid-feeling trigger that gives you enough control for smaller screws.

The LED ring around the collet lights up the work area far better than the single side lights on most rivals, which you appreciate when driving screws inside a dark kitchen unit. It runs on every Bosch Professional 18V battery, including the newer ProCore packs.

If you already own Bosch blue batteries this is a no-brainer; if you are starting fresh, factor in a starter kit price before you commit to the platform.

Milwaukee M18 2953-20 Impact Driver.

200Nm max torque · 4-mode DRIVE CONTROL · Brushless Fuel motor · 1/4in hex collet · REDLINK Plus electronics · LED

The 2953-20 is the shortest impact driver in this comparison, which makes it the one you actually carry up a ladder or reach into a tight roof void with. Milwaukee packs 200Nm into that stubby body thanks to the M18 Fuel brushless motor, and the four-mode DRIVE CONTROL lets you switch between full power, a softer mode for delicate fixings, and a self-tapping mode that drives metal screws in stages.

REDLINK Plus electronics protect the tool against overload and keep the motor cool under sustained use, which matters on production-style jobs. It is a bare tool at 109 pounds, and you are buying into the premium M18 system where batteries are pricey, but the build quality and compactness justify the cost for professionals who live on ladders.

For pure DIY, the DeWalt or Bosch offer more for less.

Ryobi RID18BL-0 ONE+ Brushless Impact Driver.

Brushless motor · 2 speeds (0-2900 RPM) · 0-3400 IPM · 1/4in hex collet · LED · ONE+ platform (260+ tools) · Battery not included

The RID18BL-0 makes the list for one simple reason: it plugs into the Ryobi ONE+ system, the widest battery platform in the UK with over 260 tools sharing the same pack. That makes it the smart buy if you are building a tool collection from scratch, because one battery and charger runs your drill, driver, circular saw, and everything else Ryobi sells.

The driver itself is a solid brushless performer with two speeds, 3400 impacts per minute, and a comfortable grip with a proper rubber overmould. It is not the most powerful or the most feature-rich driver in this comparison, and the price reflects the brand premium on the ecosystem rather than raw performance.

But for a homeowner who wants one battery system for the whole shed, it is the most future-proof choice on the list.

Einhell TP-CI 18 Li BL-Solo Impact Driver.

Brushless motor · 1/4in hex collet · LED · belt clip · PXC 18V platform · Body only

At under 45 pounds, the TP-CI 18 is the budget pick that refuses to feel like one. Einhell fits a brushless motor into a compact body, which means decent runtime and low weight for the money, and the PXC platform behind it covers drills, saws, and garden tools all on the same 18V battery.

It will not match a DeWalt or Makita for sustained heavy use, but for flat-pack assembly, decking screws, fence repairs, and general shed duty it handles everything a home maker throws at it. The belt clip and LED are welcome inclusions at this price, and the 1,700 plus Amazon ratings averaging 4.6 stars tell the same story as owner feedback in our comparison.

If your budget is tight and you need a second driver to keep at the shed, this is a genuine bargain.