When you’re an automotive enthusiast, your worst nightmare would be a rusted bolt.
It usually takes great strength to unscrew these without breaking anything in the process.
These bolts can be anywhere – from your vehicle’s rims to tricky parts of your engine bay.
In this article, we bring you the best cordless impact wrenches for automotive work available in the market today.
They were carefully researched and brought to you so that you can make a properly informed decision.
In the yesteryears, we had massive impact wrenches, which helped the painstaking process.
However, they did not do much for portability. Now, we have cordless ones that have come to us as a blessing.
They do well on versatility and have enough torque to complete anything thrown at them.
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What’s the Benefit of Using an Impact Wrench for Automotive?
Down below is a list of all the benefits that you should be aware of before making your purchase. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Ease of Use
Rusty bolts can be very challenging to tackle as they are fragile and difficult to unscrew.
Sheer forearm strength is almost never enough unless you plan on hurting yourself in the process.
Impact wrenches help greatly in situations where brute force is necessary to get the job done.
Improved Efficiency
The vehicle repair industry has greatly benefitted from the introduction of corded and cordless impact wrenches. And the use of such tools makes the task faster and more efficient.
Great Value for Money
Although there are many pricey tools to choose from, a good impact wrench will be a great purchase in the long run.
Think of these tools as an investment for your business as they are long-lasting and boost your employees’ productivity.
It is usually a one-time purchase that will last years.
Portability
One upside of a cordless impact wrench is that you can take it anywhere you go.
This has reduced the hassle of lugging around the heavy corded tools of the past.
The battery-operated tools can be taken anywhere your work takes you as they are compact and lightweight.
Best Cordless Impact Wrench for Automotive
The use of cordless battery-operated tools has seen a steep increase since people are now always on the run.
Investing in such equipment for personal and professional use can help a great deal in the long run. Here are the top 9 products currently available in the market.
Avid Power 20V MAX
When convenience is what you’re looking for in a compact frame, this product should be a top pick for you.
Although it is a newcomer to the market of wrenches, it is still able to offer decent work experience with enough power to tackle any light task.
The wrench comes packed with a decent amount of torque and speed, given its affordable price.
It has a variable speed trigger that can be switched as per your need. A compact design makes sure you can carry it around with you wherever the job takes you.
Its lightweight build makes for a very portable design. The product comes included with a carrying case, which adds to its mobility.
There is an included 20V battery with a charger. Additional features like LED lights are very welcomed as it adds to your productivity.
This wrench has a motor output of 2200 RPM, which is enough for the battery pack to run for hours.
It has a ½ inch chuck, which makes for a tight grip on lug nuts in cars. The drill can easily perform almost all work thrown at it. For a newcomer, this is a great choice for its affordability.
For all the car enthusiasts out there, the product also includes 4 driver impact sockets, which is pretty rare as these are additional purchases. Also included is a hefty carrying case to store all of your tools.
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DEWALT 20V MAX XR
When efficiency and portability is a necessity, the DCF890B is a gem of a product. Unscrewing stuck lug nuts is a task for amateurs when it comes to this wrench.
Throw any automotive job at it, and it will handle it with no problem. It is compact and easily storable for jobs on the go.
It is rated to have one of the best power outputs in the market. A flat tire change for your car will be a cakewalk.
A great amount of torque is supplied by the motor, which can be used to unjam the tightest of stuck screws on any vehicle.
For working in dim-lit situations, the built-in LED light will assist you greatly. It has a decent LED light for low light situations.
You can adjust the amount of power that the tools put out through the variable speed trigger.
Operating this drill is very simple and straightforward, making it a newcomer’s dream.
This product comes as a solo driver; thus, you have to invest in a battery and charger separately.
The batteries available for it can easily support a whole day of moderately heavy work.
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Makita XWT11SR1 18V Kit
Have a lot of screws to tighten and don’t want to break a sweat? The XWT11SR1 is what you need.
It comes packed with a brushless motor in a compact frame. And it is easily a must-have for any automotive work because of the sheer power it can put down.
The wrench boasts a very capable brushless motor, which can bring 50% more efficiency in your work.
Throw any stuck nuts at it and see the tool do all the work. Its ergonomic design causes less fatigue when working long hours. Having a small size, you can fit it in your car’s glove box too.
Extra features like a built-in LED light is present for working in poorly lit situations.
For your comfort, the body is covered with a rubber gripped handle. This also reduces slip if you have sweaty palms.
Another nifty feature that makes this tool stand out from the rest is the 3-speed reverse rotation auto-stop functionality.
Bundled with it is a battery pack—enough to ensure hours of use. You will get a charger and a carry case along with the product.
The charger has quick charging capabilities and can give you an hour-long operation. A carry bag is also included in the bundle.
There are downsides to the design, though. The compact motor may not be ideal for industrial work as they will fall short of the power required for it. To some, with big hands, the design may be too small to handle.
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Makita XWT08Z
The XWT08Z is a great bank for the buck in the impact wrench market. It has a great power output and can handle most day to day work.
This tool comes as a solo pack; thus, the battery and charger have to be bought separately.
With a flawless brushless motor, this product is tested to run with the highest efficiency.
Stuck rusty nuts will be handled with no problem with this tool. Little maintenance is needed to keep it running regularly. Any person with basic knowledge of the product can operate it with ease.
There is a built-in LED light to assist you in low light conditions. The ergonomic design is light with a fairly compact build.
Plus, a 3-speed motor is present supplying 2200 RPM, enough for any rusty lug nut.
What is also amazing is that the motor can supply up to 740lb-ft.of max torque and 1,180lb-ft. of breakaway torque.
Higher speeds can be achieved with this motor technology, and a great amount of pressure can be applied through it.
There is a ½ inch anvil with a friction ring allowing quick socket changes.
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DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench with Hog Ring (DCF883B)
The DCF883B is a great industrial grade tool to have in your workshop. It comes in a light and compact frame.
There is a built-in LED light to ensure your convenience in tight and dimly lit spaces. Delivering 1,560lb-ft. of torque, the tool is a must-have for any car enthusiast.
This impact wrench is one of the best in the market. It is lightweight and ergonomic with a handle grip.
Its brushless motor increases the tool’s lifespan and can have it running for hours on end. Efficiency on the job is a top priority when it comes to this product.
The wrench has a hog ring anvil, which makes changing sockets a very straightforward task.
It has a strong magnesium gear case, an all-metal transmission, and a heavy-duty impact mechanism that supplies direct torque without kickback.
A downside is that this tool does not come equipped with a battery or charger. It needs to be bought separately.
The battery available is of 20V and can give you hours of work. This impact wrench gives the user 2,700 impacts per minute, making it a steal for the price.
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GOXAWEE 20V Electric Impact Driver
With a tough and rugged gear housing, this product is quite a catch for someone on a budget.
Having a 2400 RPM motor, the wrench can supply more than 2000 IPM. This means it can easily withstand higher payloads.
A higher IPM means you can push it to its limits if you have to when productivity is a top priority.
This product has a 2-speed variable trigger with added soft grip texture. The brushless motor technology is next-gen and makes sure that the wrench is cool at all times.
It has an overload protection feature protecting it from overheating, making the wrench run almost flawlessly all-day.
The build quality on this product is praiseworthy, as the compact frame makes it very easy to carry around.
It is highly durable and sturdy when in use. Also included is a travel case if and when you need to be on the go. For convenience, LED lights have been added for those tricky low light situations.
Although not a brand known for being in the market for long, they have quickly made a name for themselves with this product. It is easily one of the picks for anyone with a restricted budget.
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Milwaukee 2852-20 M18 Fuel
Rusty bolts can never be a problem with this wrench driver. This tool is one of the greats in the automotive industry due to its affordable price and sturdy build.
The tool boasts a brushless motor capable of delivering 450lb-ft. of fastening torque and 600lb-ft. of busting torque.
Due to the addition of a brushless motor, your wrench will be able to supply longer working hours.
This improves its battery life and power output as a whole. It features a friction ring, making socket changes a simple task.
The tool is also very quiet when in operation, thus making it easy for the user.
This tool has a compact design and is very ergonomic. It weighs just around 5.3lbs, making user fatigue non-existent.
Compared to other impact drivers, the anvil on this is built to last. Also included is an LED light for illuminating the work surface in situations with low light.
There is a rubber mold over the handle to improve your grip while in use. It also provides a layer of protection against corrosion.
A built-in anti-burnout tech ensures that your tool will be protected from overheating on heavy use.
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DEWALT DCF902F2 XTREME 12V MAX
The improved DCF902F2 is a 3/8-inch wrench bringing minor improvements over its last generation.
Made of the same old sturdy materials, this wrench is now lighter and highly maneuverable. The wrench is quite small at only 6.7 inches long.
It has an included LED light for better low light visibility. Built for small jobs, the tool can easily fit into tight spaces due to its compact size.
The motor inside is highly capable for a tool of this size. There is a speed control feature present in the trigger to fine-tune how much power is required.
The tool uses a brushless motor, which boosts its efficiency and ensures that the tool will not overheat on heavy use.
This tool comes as a full kit. Thus, you will get a standard 20V battery with a fast charger. Also included is a utility carry case for your job on the run.
Furthermore, the motor has a 3-speed transmission system running at 1900 RPM at the high gear and 400 RPM at the lowest.
It is rated to put down 460 Watts of power with a max torque of 700lb-ft. and a breakaway torque of 1200lb-ft.
Overheating is a problem of the past when it comes to a superior tool like this one.
The wrench is very lightweight and ergonomic. There is a rubber molding on the handle for added comfort and grip during long hours of work. This also enables the compact size to fit in tricky tight spaces.
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NoCry 20V Cordless Impact Wrench Kit
This product is an extremely affordable and versatile impact wrench. It is a very capable tool for anyone who is looking for a light, no-nonsense tool to get a day’s work done.
It has a decent build quality and will be perfect for casual work on your vehicle on any given Sunday morning.
Equipped with a steel gear, this tool boasts a long lifespan and increased durability.
The ½ inch anvil assures that attaching add-ons will be a simple task. There is a soft rubber mold on the handle for added grip during heavy use.
For use in low light conditions, a nifty LED light illuminates the work surface.
This cordless tool makes a hell of a product for anyone on a budget. The product works well on lug nuts, trucks, and other heavy-duty vehicles.
Fitted with a brushless motor, you will never have to stop working as they are the best in class when it comes to preventing overheating.
Its motor is rated to run at 2200 RPM and can run almost constantly without fail. However, it is not recommended to push it too hard.
The included battery will last you a whole day of work. In case you run out, you can always rely on the fast charger that comes with the tool.
The motor can put out 300lb-ft. of nut-busting torque and 250lb-ft. of breakaway torque.
It has a max output of 2700 impacts per minute rate – making it secure a top spot on the market.
Throw any heavy or rusty nut at it, and it will breeze through it with no problem at all.
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Features to Look for Before Buying
Buying your first wrench can be challenging if you do not know what you are actually looking for.
The following checklist can be consulted if you want to make a properly informed decision before your purchase.
Wrench Motor
When you want to invest in a new tool, always check the power ratings on it. The torque, RPM, and IPM are the building blocks of a good wrench.
Try to find a tool that will best serve your purpose of work. The higher the power, the better the performance.
Keep a lookout for brushless motors of enhanced performance.
Battery Size and Amp-Hours
The size of your battery gives you the number of hours a wrench can remain operational.
Check the requirements you need to fulfil with the tool when looking for one to purchase.
Most compact tools come with a decent battery, which is enough for a day’s work.
Standard batteries make do with lightweight tasks. If you have dealt with such tools before, you will have spare batteries lying around that can help you out greatly. If not, investing in a second pack would be a wise idea.
Dimensions
A wrench’s practicality depends on how it is made. The design language itself is enough to ruin the feeling you get when using a tool.
Try looking for tools that are lightweight and compact. This will make sure that you can easily store it and take it with you on the go.
Weight
Investing hundreds of dollars on a wrench that you can’t work with is obviously not a great idea as productivity will be hampered.
Always check the weight of the product before you decide. You have to keep your comfort in mind when investing your hard-earned money.
Heavier and more powerful tools are required during professional jobs. A “compact” wrench may not have enough power in this scenario.
Heavier industrial-grade wrenches will definitely have more power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can remove lug nuts, as most of them can be unscrewed at around 100lb-ft. So, if your wrench supports that torque, it will be a piece of cake.
Torque is one of the selling points of a good impact wrench. It is the sheer power that a wrench can put out.
RPM is the revolutions per minute, which basically refers to the number of times the tools can spin the attached socket.
IPM is the impacts per minute; that is, the number of impacts from the internal motor on the work surface.
An impact wrench can only be used to unscrew nuts and light jobs. If you want to work on concrete, refer to buying a hammer drill.
A variable trigger speed allows you to control how much torque your wrench can put out.
Tools that have this feature are generally sought after, as you can really have full control over your task in hand.
A standard drill only rotates a bit, whereas an impact wrench can put out additional torque when the nuts get tough or jammed.
Final Words
These are the top 9 wrenches that we have thoroughly researched. This was done solely for your convenience so that you can make an informed decision before the purchase.
Almost everyone should get a little taste of what they are looking for, given they are looking to invest in the best impact wrench for automotive use.