If you’re a very serious DIY enthusiast – or even a pro – and have this much to spend on an impact driver that delivers in spades and is tough as old boots, pop this one at the top of your list. The DeWalt’s high-power, brushless motor outputs a mighty maximum torque of 205Nm, which makes it suitable for almost all heavy-duty applications. Other convenient features include a variable speed trigger, a three-speed switch for different length screws (which is a boon for novices unfamiliar with the power of these things), three bright LEDs for illuminating the job, a handy magnetic holder for two spare bits and a trouser clip.

This compact driver’s brushless Powerstate motor boasts a maximum torque range of 203Nm, which is ample for pretty much any heavy-duty task you throw its way. As one startled user so accurately points out, “this driver just tears in and I’ve yet to find a screw it can’t drive”. Expect a combined weight of around 1.7kg if used with an all-day 18V battery. Key specs – Weight as tested: 1.54kg; Motor: Brushless; Voltage: 18V; Max Torque: 270Nm; Power modes: 4

By comparison, an impact driver is the tool to reach for if you’re doing some serious woodcraft that involves driving longer screws into all types of wood. These little titans look very similar to drill drivers, only their bodies are usually smaller, making them well-suited to working in confined spaces. Most decent drill drivers are equipped with two gears for smooth, controllable drilling and screwing, and, perhaps more importantly, an adjustable torque clutch that stops the driver’s rotation the moment it senses resistance. This helps save you from driving screws too deep into the wood or, in the case of nuts and bolts, stripping the threads.

The best impact drivers you can buy in 2023 1. Gtech 20V Impact Driver: The best value impact driver Despite their diminutive size, these dinky batteries deliver oodles of power and seem to run forever – certainly long enough for several hours of hard grafting. It’s no surprise that they also help keep the weight to a minimum (at just 1.31kg, this model is the second lightest here) and provide better balance. Whichever way you use it – vertically or horizontally – this driver sits perfectly level, making the task of driving screws utterly effortless. Its slim and ergonomic rubberised grip is extraordinarily comfortable too.

What voltage should I choose?

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Aside from the obligatory variable speed trigger, many impact drivers now come equipped with a variety of speed modes. This one features four modes of operation, each producing a different speed and torque range (mode four is an especially clever setting that automatically adjusts the bit speed if it detects a high level of resistance). As with all good modern power tools, the M18FID comes with a front-mounted LED and a handy power gauge that lets you know when it’s time to recharge or change the battery. The downside is that impact drivers don’t come with an adjustable torque clutch like most drill drivers, so there’s every chance you could – and probably will – drive the screw too deep into the wood, especially if it’s a small screw. As a consequence, some manufacturers have now started fitting their impact drivers with two and three-speed switches that allow you to drive the screw in at a more leisurely pace and be able to stop it before it buries itself too deep. Despite being equipped with a variable speed trigger, an impact driver’s gearing system is less subtle than that of a drill driver, so having a slower speed also lets you align the screw more accurately, which will prevent it from veering off at an angle. This compact Bosch model is from the German behemoth’s DIY range (hence the green body) so it’s not as powerful as its blue-liveried professional stablemates. No, we’re not sure why some manufacturers prefer to divide their power tools into two different retail categories (DIY and Professional), but it’s true to say that this model costs quite a bit less than the company’s cheapest pro alternative.

In the pantheon of lightweight, easy-to-store DIY power tools, this little green machine cuts a great deal of mustard.

Key specs – Weight as tested: 1.12kg; Motor: Brushed; Voltage: 20V; Max Torque: 180Nm; Power modes: Variable speed trigger The Ryobi’s frictionless, brushless motor delivers a whopping torque of 270Nm (more powerful than anything else in this roundup), but that extra power does equate to more weight. In fact, even with a slim 2.5mAh 18V battery attached, it weighed in at 1.54kg, which is 230g more than the DeWalt. Perhaps bear this in mind if your work entails having your arm outstretched for lengthy periods. On the plus side, Ryobi’s batteries come with smart management electronics that are said to deliver a 20% longer runtime than other models.