🔧 Tools Comparison
Cordless Impact Driver vs Impact Wrench UK: Which Do You Need?
They look similar, they sound similar, and they both hammer away at fasteners. But an impact driver and an impact wrench are built for different jobs. We compared the two across torque, drive type, weight and real UK workshop tasks so you buy the one that actually fits the work you do.
James Walker
Tools Writer · Updated 2026-08-29
Key takeaways
- An impact driver uses a 1/4-inch hex collet for screws and small bits, while an impact wrench uses a 1/2-inch square drive for sockets and heavy bolts.
- Impact drivers deliver 100-250Nm, which is plenty for decking screws and cabinet hardware. Impact wrenches push 300-700Nm for wheel nuts, scaffolding clamps and structural bolts.
- Drivers weigh 1.2-1.5kg and are easier overhead. Wrenches run 1.8-2.5kg but deliver the muscle for automotive and steel-frame work.
- You cannot swap between them without adapters, and adapters lose torque. Pick the tool that matches your dominant task, then add the other later if your projects demand it.
Suggested reading: best impact drivers and best impact wrenches.
Quick picks
DeWalt DCF887N 3-Speed
Makita DTW300Z 18V
Einhell TP-CI 18
DEKOPRO Corded 450W
How the two compare
Both tools use a hammer-and-anvil mechanism to deliver rotational impacts, but the similarities stop at the mechanism. The drive type, torque range and intended applications are fundamentally different, and understanding those differences saves you from buying the wrong tool or, worse, trying to force one tool to do a job it was not designed for.
| Factor | Impact Driver | Impact Wrench |
|---|---|---|
| Drive type | 1/4-inch hex collet | 1/2-inch (or 3/8-inch) square drive |
| Typical torque | 100-250Nm | 300-700Nm |
| Weight (with battery) | 1.2-1.5kg | 1.8-2.5kg |
| Primary fasteners | Wood screws, coach screws, cabinet bolts | Lug nuts, scaffolding clamps, structural bolts |
| Control | Variable speed trigger, often 3 modes | Higher impact rate, less finesse on small fasteners |
| Price range (cordless, bare) | £40-£130 | £50-£200 |
| Best for | Woodworking, decking, cabinetry, general DIY | Automotive, scaffolding, steel framing, heavy construction |
If you want the full range of impact drivers available in the UK, our best impact drivers roundup covers six models in depth. For the wrench side, see the best impact wrenches.
What an impact driver does best
The impact driver is the workhorse of woodworking and general DIY. Its 1/4-inch hex collet accepts standard screwdriver bits and small drill shanks, so you can drive screws, drill pilot holes and assemble furniture without swapping tools. The compact body and lighter weight make it the go-to for overhead work, tight spaces and jobs where you need to feel the screw seat without splitting the timber.
The hammering mechanism inside an impact driver delivers rotational impacts along the axis of the fastener. This means the torque is applied in short, sharp bursts rather than steady rotation, which reduces the reaction force on your wrist. That is why a 200Nm impact driver feels more manageable than a 200Nm drill on long screws.
DeWalt DCF887N 18V XR 3-Speed Impact Driver
18V XR · brushless · 205Nm · 3 speed settings · bare unit
The DeWalt DCF887 is the impact driver we recommend to most UK makers. The three-speed selector lets you match output to the job: low for cabinet hinges, mid for general screws, high for driving 100mm decking screws into treated softwood. At 205Nm it handles everything a home workshop throws at it, and the XR battery platform covers hundreds of other tools if you grow your kit.
Three speed settings
Precise control for small screws
Huge XR battery range
Sold bare (battery extra)
Slightly heavier than compact rivals
Einhell TP-CI 18 Li BL-Solo Impact Driver
18V PXC · brushless · 140Nm · bare unit
At around £40 bare, the Einhell TP-CI 18 is hard to beat for the price. The 140Nm output handles most home DIY tasks without drama, and the brushless motor means less battery drain and longer service life. If you are building your first cordless kit on a budget, this is the impact driver to start with, then add a cordless angle grinder or drill from the same PXC range later.
Under £40 bare
Brushless motor
Part of 200+ PXC range
Lower torque than premium models
No speed selector (single speed)
Makita DTD173Z 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver
18V LXT · brushless · 170Nm · T-mode for thin materials · bare unit
Makita's T-mode is the standout feature here. It automatically reduces impact speed as the screw seats, preventing the common problem of driving a screw straight through MDF or thin plywood. For anyone doing cabinet work, kitchen fitting or any job where material damage is a real risk, that automatic speed reduction is worth the price premium over a basic single-speed driver.
Check Price on Amazon UK →What an impact wrench does best
The impact wrench is built for high-torque, high-resistance fastening. Where an impact driver is designed for wood screws and cabinet bolts, an impact wrench tackles lug nuts, scaffolding clamps, structural bolts and any fastener that needs serious rotational force. The 1/2-inch square drive accepts standard sockets, making it the natural tool for automotive work and steel-frame construction.
The key mechanical difference is the anvil. An impact wrench has a heavier anvil that delivers more forceful blows, which is why the torque figures jump from the 100-250Nm range of a driver to the 300-700Nm range of a wrench. That extra force also means more vibration and noise, so ear protection is strongly recommended during extended use.
The trade-off is control. An impact wrench on a small wood screw will split the timber or snap the screw head off. The variable speed trigger helps, but the sheer force output makes the wrench a blunt instrument for fine work. This is why most workshops keep both tools: the driver for precision, the wrench for power.
Makita DTW300Z 18V LXT Brushless Impact Wrench
18V LXT · brushless · 300Nm · 1/2-inch square drive · bare unit
The Makita DTW300 is the impact wrench we reach for most. At 300Nm it handles wheel nuts without breaking a sweat, and the three-speed selection lets you dial down for smaller bolts. The brushless motor runs cool through long sessions, and being part of the LXT range means the same batteries power your cordless angle grinder and drill.
300Nm handles most automotive work
Three speed settings
Compact for a wrench
Sold bare (battery extra)
Not enough for heavy industrial bolts
DeWalt DCF900NT-XJ 18V XR Impact Wrench
18V XR · brushless · 600Nm · 1/2-inch square drive · bare unit
When 300Nm is not enough, the DeWalt DCF900 steps up to 600Nm. This is the wrench for stubborn wheel nuts on older vehicles, scaffolding clamps that have been rained on all winter, and structural bolts in steel-frame builds. The hog ring anvil holds sockets securely, and the four-mode selection includes a Precision Wrench mode that prevents over-tightening.
Check Price on Amazon UK →DEKOPRO Corded Impact Wrench 450W 230V
230V corded · 450W · 350Nm · 1/2-inch square drive · 4 sockets included
If you work in a fixed workshop and do not want to invest in a battery platform, the DEKOPRO corded wrench delivers 350Nm for under £60. The four included sockets cover common automotive sizes, and the corded design means no battery to charge or replace. The downside is obvious: you are tethered to a plug socket, which limits mobility around a vehicle or site.
Check Price on Amazon UK →When to use each tool
The choice is not about which tool is better overall. It is about which tool is right for the job in front of you. Here is a straightforward breakdown of where each one earns its place in a UK workshop.
Reach for the impact driver when you are
Building flat-pack furniture, where the speed selector prevents overdriving into particle board. Fitting kitchen cabinets and drawer runners, where the compact head fits inside carcasses. Driving deck screws into softwood, where the hex collet accepts quick-change bits and the lighter weight reduces arm fatigue over a full day. Assembling garden furniture, putting up shelves, and any task where a screw goes into wood and you need to feel the torque rather than overpower it.
The impact driver is also the better choice for overhead work. At 1.2-1.5kg with a battery, holding one above your head to fit curtain poles or ceiling brackets is manageable for extended periods. An impact wrench at 2kg or more becomes genuinely uncomfortable overhead.
Reach for the impact wrench when you are
Removing or fitting wheel nuts on a car, van or trailer. The 1/2-inch square drive accepts standard sockets, and the 300Nm+ output breaks free nuts that a breaker bar struggles with. Working with scaffolding, where the clamps need serious torque to lock down safely. Tightening structural bolts on steel framing, where the fastener specifications call for 200Nm or more. Any job where a bolt needs to be torqued to a specific value and you need the muscle to get there.
The wrench also excels at disassembly. Rusted bolts on older vehicles, corroded scaffolding couplings, and seized fasteners on outdoor equipment all respond better to the heavier hammer action of a wrench than the lighter impacts of a driver.
Head-to-head: five real tasks
To put the theory to the test, we looked at five common UK workshop tasks and matched each to the better tool.
| Task | Better tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Driving 75mm deck screws | Impact driver | Hex collet for quick bit changes, variable speed for softwood |
| Removing car wheel nuts | Impact wrench | 300Nm+ breaks free seized nuts, square drive fits sockets |
| Assembling IKEA furniture | Impact driver | Light weight, precise control, won't split particle board |
| Tightening scaffolding clamps | Impact wrench | High torque for safety-critical fastening, socket-ready |
| Fitting kitchen cabinet hinges | Impact driver | Low speed setting, compact body fits inside cabinets |
For the woodworking side of things, our best cordless nail guns guide covers the other fastening tool you might want in the shed. And if you are choosing between a combi drill and an impact driver, that comparison breaks down the differences.
The verdict: buy both eventually, but start with the right one
If you can only buy one tool, the answer depends on your dominant task. A UK home workshop that mainly builds furniture, fits shelves and does garden projects needs an impact driver. The DeWalt DCF887N is our top pick for the balance of torque, control and battery range.
If you work on cars, maintain scaffolding, or build with steel, the impact wrench is non-negotiable. The Makita DTW300Z covers most automotive and light construction tasks at 300Nm, while the DeWalt DCF900 is the one to get when you need serious muscle.
The reality for most UK makers is that you end up with both. They do not overlap enough to make one redundant. The driver handles the daily woodworking and assembly tasks, while the wrench comes out for automotive work and heavy bolting. Buy the one that matches your current projects, then add the other when the need arises.
For a full comparison of the best impact drivers available, see our impact driver roundup. If you are still deciding between an 12V and 18V drill for your main kit, that guide covers the voltage question in depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an impact driver to remove lug nuts?
Not reliably. Impact drivers produce 100-250Nm of torque with a 1/4-inch hex drive. Lug nuts typically need 80-120Nm per wheel, but the hex-to-socket adapter adds slop and an impact driver's anvil is not designed for the sustained hammering a wheel nut demands. An impact wrench with a 1/2-inch square drive is the right tool for wheel work.
Do impact wrenches work for woodworking?
They can, but they are overkill. An impact wrench delivers far more rotational force than a wood screw needs, which risks splitting timber or overdriving fasteners. For decking, fencing and general carpentry, an impact driver with variable speed gives you the control to stop before the screw head sinks too deep.
Which is lighter to hold overhead?
Impact drivers are typically lighter. A compact 18V impact driver weighs around 1.2-1.5kg with battery, while a mid-range impact wrench comes in at 1.8-2.5kg. For overhead work like fitting brackets or ceiling-mounted shelving, the lighter impact driver reduces fatigue significantly.
Are impact wrenches louder than impact drivers?
Yes, noticeably. The heavier anvil and higher torque output of an impact wrench produce more noise, often in the 100-110dB range. Impact drivers run closer to 90-100dB. Both benefit from ear protection during extended use, but the wrench is the louder of the two.
What batteries do I need for either tool?
Both run on 18V lithium-ion battery platforms. The key difference is that impact wrenches draw more current under load, so higher-capacity batteries (4.0Ah or above) prevent the tool from cutting out mid-job. Impact drivers manage fine on 2.0Ah packs for most tasks.
Can one tool do everything?
No. The drive type is the hard boundary. Impact drivers use a 1/4-inch hex collet for screwdriver bits and small drill bits. Impact wrenches use a 1/2-inch square drive for sockets. You cannot mount a screwdriver bit in a wrench or a socket on a driver without adapters, and adapters lose torque and add wobble.
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James Walker
Tools Writer · MakerUK
James writes about power tools, hand tools and workshop setup for MakerUK, helping makers buy the right thing the first time. He has used and broken enough drills and saws to know which specs matter.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always follow manufacturer safety guidelines and wear appropriate personal protective equipment when using power tools.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-29
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