Thanks for taking your time to read our reviews on the best impact wrench that are currently available on the UK market. Hopefully you will get a better insight as to what is available and a few tips on what is actually the best performing and best value impact wrench.
Impact wrenches are powerful tools that have revolutionised the world of mechanical work. These handheld devices, driven by compressed air, electricity, or battery power, deliver high torque output with a series of rapid, impacting blows. With their unique mechanism, impact wrenches allow for easy loosening or tightening of nuts, bolts, and other fasteners, significantly reducing the effort and time required compared to traditional manual tools.
Widely used in automotive repair, construction, and industrial settings, these versatile tools have greatly improved productivity and efficiency in various applications. From professional mechanics to DIY enthusiasts, impact wrenches have become indispensable allies for anyone seeking to tackle heavy-duty fastening tasks with ease.
In a Hurry?
We provide a lot of information on this page, so if you want a quick answer, then, in our opinion, the best impact wrench is the Ryobi R18IW3-0 18V ONE+ Cordless 3-Speed Impact Wrench
This is the best seller in the UK at the present time. With 3 speeds and a 1/2" square drive, it has those key features that you need in an impact wrench, and we think it makes great value for money
"With over 2,000 online buyer reviews and a 94% buyer satisfaction rating, this is the most popular choice by UK buyers, based on our extensive research.
What is an Impact Wrench Used For?
Before you part with any of your cash, it is worthwhile fully understanding what you are buying.
Impact wenches are fantastic for loosening or tightening nuts and bolts. In reality, these will never be needed around the home. That is simply because they will deliver more power than you would generally need for almost every project around your home.
For the most part, they are used on cars to remove wheel nuts faster. As you know, if you have ever had a flat tyre, then getting the wheel nuts off is not always an easy job. We will use the wheel brace that comes with the car to do that, and sometimes that does not give you enough leverage to remove these.
That is especially true on older cars where the wheels haven't been off for a while. An impact wrench will do this in no time at all and save you a great deal of effort.
You will see impact wrenches being used in garages and it tyre fitting businesses throughout the United Kingdom.
Compressed Air vs Electric or Cordless
It is worth pointing out that most garages and tyre shops will use a pneumatic impact wrench and that is because they have a compressed air supply.
For the home user, and those who want to be able to carry an impact wrench, it is unlikely that they will have a compressed air option. That is when the electric and cordless options are the only real choice.
Cordless is taking over in most areas now, so really that's what we would be recommending you to focus on.
Top 10 Impact Wrenches in the UK
Best Professional - Dewalt 18 V XR Brushless 1/2 Inch High Torque Impact Wrench
- 10.63 x 9.45 x 4.17 cm; 2.5 Kilograms
- Up to 950 Nm of torque and 2400 impacts per minute for heavy duty fastening applications
- Up to 1625 Nm of breakaway torque ensures removal of the tightest bolts
- 3 Speed and torque settings gives you the control to best suit your application
- Comfortable rubber XR grip and switch for greater application comfort and maximum control
- Bright white LED with delay feature for improved visibility and flashlight functionality
This is a seriously heavy duty impact wrench that produces more than twice the power of most standard models. It is big, it is heavy and it will remove any nut. Definitely a tool for the most serious of tradesmen.
For a 1/2" drive impact wrench there is nothing as powerful that you can buy and we think this is very well priced for the spec. Definitely an easy number one choice for me but it's built for professionals and for use everyday, so that is reflected in the price.
Definitely the professionals choice.
Best Seller - Ryobi R18IW3-0 18V ONE+ Cordless 3-Speed Impact Wrench
- 23.2 x 80 x 200 cm; 1.8 Kilograms
- High power motor that delivers up to 400Nm of torque
- 3 speed settings provide added control and versatility
- 1/2in square drive with locking pin for easy socket fitment
- Tri-Beam LED light, eliminate shadows on bits
- Low vibration design. Vibration impact screwing [m|s²]-14.3.
- Vibration impact screwing uncertainty [m|s²]-1.5. Impact rate (ipm)-0-3200
I think this is pretty much the best all round value in a professional quality impact driver that you are likely to find. 400nm is plenty of power for most applictaions. This is definitely very well priced, especially if you already have some Ryobi batteries.
Keep in mind that this is the Ryobi entry level model and even though it's great and is the best value, you won't be erecting scaffolding everyday with this model. It won't stick the pace for that and you will need to spend a bit more, for serious everyday use.
Best Entry Level Makita DTW190 LXT Impact Wrench
- Measures 6 x 54 x 23 cm
- 190 Nm maximum tightening torque and 320 Nm nut busting torque
- Electric brake
Variable speed control trigger. - Forward/reverse rotation
- LED job light
- Ergonomically designed handle with rubberised soft grip fits your hand perfectly to provide maximum control and comfort
- Not Recommended for Scaffolding Applications
Makita do a great range of impact wrenches and I would consider this to be the entry level model. It's powerful enough for most jobs and it is light and easy to use.
To give you an idea on the range of power, this model will bust nuts up to 320Nm and the most powerful, Makita DTW1001Z 18 V LXT Brushless 3/4In, boasts an impressive 1700Nm.
You also have models like the Makita DTW285Z Impact Wrench which is in between, so really its a balance of power, price and requirement. At least there is plenty of choice and all these models are in the high 90% ratings.
Best Starter - NoCry 20V Cordless Impact Wrench
- 34.29 x 28.3 x 9.7 cm; 3.76 Kilograms
- 400 Nm of torque, and tighten with 350 Nm.
- 5 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)
- The 2700 max IPM rate creates heavy duty impacts for easy fastening and loosening of nuts and bolts
- The 1/2in detent anvil will remove tires from cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, lorries, vans and trailers at 2200 rpms
This is a great starter kit for anybody that comes complete with batteries, charger and everything you need to get you going. It even includes a nice carrying case. All at a reasonable price.
You may not have heard of this manufacturer but this model is actually a big seller and gets really good buyer ratings, as you can see.
Definitely a great starter choice for anybody, though if you are building up a range of cordless tools I would suggest you look at the big names, whose batteries will fit all their different tools.
Most Affordable - Silverstorm 593128 - 400W Electric Impact Wrench
90% buyer satisfaction based on 700+ online buyer reviews.
- 48 x 28 x 33 cm; 2.37 Kilograms
- Max torque 350 Nm
- Ideal for freeing tight bolts and fastening to high torque values
- Variable speed trigger
- 1/2 inch square drive
- Includes 17, 19, 21 and 23 mm hardened steel sockets
- Supplied with a four-piece socket set, including 17, 19, 21 and 23 mm
- Forward and reverse modes for fast insertion and removal of nuts and bolts
Cheap, cheerful and is very well rated buy the many buyers who have purchased this model. This is a corded model impact wrench and that's really how they manage to get it down to this low price.
It's a handy tool for your workshop, that is powerful enough for most jobs and won't set you back a fortune. Well worth a look for any DIY ethuisiast or somebody who needs this type of tool for occasional jobs.
Best Impact Wrench for Scaffolding - Bosch Professional 06019D8200 Carton 18 V System Cordless Impact Wrench
- 32.5 x 25 x 11 cm; 1.82 Kilograms
- Max Torque 300nm
- Auto Bolt Release (ABR) automatically shuts down the impact wrench in anticlockwise rotation
- Socket spanner changes are always quick and a secure fix is guaranteed
- Professional 18 V System. Ultimate performance. Maximum freedom.
- Batteries are compatible with new and existing Bosch Professional tools in the same voltage class
Bosch is well known for their full range of great quality, mid-range in my opinion, tools. This is no different.You get a powerful unit that will do most jobs, will never let you down and should last a lifetime.
This is what Bosch excels at and you are getting a quality impact wrench at a pretty reasonable price with this model. Not very exciting but you know it will do your job.
Best Impact Wrench for Car Wheel Nuts - Ryobi R18IW7-0 18V ONE+ Cordless Brushless 3-Speed Impact Wrench
- 23.22 x 8 x 20.02 cm; 1.55 Kg
- 18 volts of power delivers up to 270Nm of torque for rapid nut attachment and removal
- Brushless motor provides more power and longer life
- 3-Speed settings provide complete control and Versatility
- Clever ‘auto-stop’ mode automatically tightens nuts to 120Nm (prevent over-tightening) - ideal for cars
- Part of the Ryobi one+ system – over 100 tools powered by one battery
This is slightly underpowered for me, especially at the price. It comes with a brushless motor and that probably puts the price up a bit but really I would be expecting a bit more "poke" for my money.
Perfectly good and gets really great reviews but I think there are much better options at this price point. The Ryobi entry level model above is much cheaper and has 50% more power, so the brushless motor feature doesn't compensate for that, not for me anyway
WORX WX279 18V 20V MAX Cordless Brushless Impact Wrench with 2 x 2Ah Battery
- 27 x 12 x 26.2 cm; 3.06 Kig
- Torque ranges are 0-100/180/300 in/Nm
- 1/2" impact wrench
- Variable 3-speed Design meets most common Fastening applications
- Brushless motor technology delivers 50% longer runtime
- Compact & lightweight Design
Power share battery platform is interchangeable with other 20V WORX tools - On-board LED light
I really like the Worx range of tools and they are becoming a serious contender for anybody who wants to build up a full set of cordless tools. They are no longer a cheap option, as you can see, but offer a great range of tools for a fair price.
You get two batteries with this wrench, which is really good if you are trying to build up your range. It's probably not a choice for anybody with an existing range of battery tools as a stand alone tool.
Sealey CP400LI 18V 1/2"Sq Drive Cordless Impact Wrench
- 38 x 13 x 27.5 cm; 2.57 Kilograms
- Produces torque of up to 400Nm(295lb.ft).
- Variable speed trigger for greater control.
- Cast aluminium gearbox.
- Rubber gearhead cover.
- Thermal overload protection.
- Double injection body with rubber grips for added comfort.
- LED Work light illuminates work area when trigger is pressed.
Here we have another nice, starter model, impact wrench from Sealy. You get everything you need including battery, charger and even a good carrying case.
Great for someone who will use this type of tool occasionally but not aimed at the seasoned pro or somebody who is going to use it every day.
Impact Wrench Buying Tips
What is Good Torque for an Impact Wrench?
A key purpose of using an an impact wrench is that it delivers a high level of torque output. This torque is made by a powerful hammering mechanism that delivers strong, blows very quickly.
Most of the models allow you to choose from different impact wrench torque settings. It really depends what you are using it for, as to what level this is set at.
Impact wrenches are typically used for loosening and tightening lug nuts on car wheels. There are 9 different types of these, with the Hex nut being the most popular.
Proper wheel installation requires the lug nuts or bolts be tightened to the recommended torque specification for the vehicle make, model and year. Torque specifications are usually found in the vehicle's owner's manual.
Impact Driver vs Impact Wrench?
People do mix these two names so we wanted to explain the differences to avoid any buying confusion.
Impact Wrench
An impact wrench is used to loosed and tighten nuts and bolts, usually on cars.
Impact Driver
An impact driver is designed for heavy duty screw driving of screws
Impact Wrench vs Torque Wrench?
Impact Wrench
An impact wrench is used to loosed and tighten nuts and bolts, usually on cars.
Torque Wrench
A torque wrench is a tool used to apply a specific torque to nuts, bolts, or lag nuts. It is usually a manual application.
Still Undecided?
If you still haven't made up your mind then don't forget our recommendation which is the Ryobi R18IW3-0 18V ONE+ Cordless 3-Speed Impact Wrench
This is the best seller in the UK at the minute. We also have a full section just on Makita Impact Wrenches if you have a range of this make of tool already.
"With over 2,000 online buyer reviews and a 94% buyer satisfaction rating, this is the most popular choice by UK buyers, based on our extensive research.
Impact Wrench FAQ
Opinion is divided as to whether a scaffold wrench or an impact wrench is better. The impact wrench is faster as long as it is used properly and nuts are not over tightened. So our advice is that when choosing an impact wrench, it is important to find one with a variable-speed that can be adjusted to get the right amount of torque.
Around 50 Nm (37 ft lbs) need to be applied in order to tighten a typical scaffolding nut. Any of the impact wrenches on our list above will be able to deliver that.
Amy mechanic will agree that a good impact wrench takes the hard work out of almost any garage job. This includes the basics such as a simple wheel change, or brake and suspension repairs.
An ideal wrench has plenty of torque but is light in weight. The latest cordless impact wrenches are more than powerful enough to be able to do this type of work. The Ryobi model shown above came out the best in our opinion.
An impact driver can speed up almost every job on your motorcycle. The Dewalt model shown on our list has a compact design and can easily fit into tight areas. The three built-in LED lights offer lots of visibility for your task, with a 20-second delay after the trigger release. The hog ring anvil makes it easy to change sockets, and the XR Li-ion batteries with fuel gauge provide 33 percent more capacity over standard packs.
Most of the cordless impact wrenches cost less than £100. The problem is they are sold as a tool only option. Unless you already own a compatible battery then you will have to buy a battery and charger and that will push the cost well over £100.
If you have a compatible battery, then there are a few on our list where the impact wrench is less than £100.
However if you want an impact wrench along with a battery and charger, then the one that ticks the box is the Bsioff Cordless Impact Wrench