Best Cordless Impact Drivers UK 2026
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Why this tool matters
An impact driver is the tool every professional tradesperson owns that homeowners often skip — and then regret. A cordless combi drill will put screws in and drill holes, but for decking screws, long timber fixings and any job where you are putting in more than twenty screws an hour, an impact driver is the difference between a two-hour job and an eight-hour one.
The impact action hammers the bit rotationally — thousands of blows per minute — which drives long screws without stripping heads, without cam-out, and without wearing your wrist out. Once you have used one for a week you will not go back. In this guide we compare the best cordless impact drivers available in the UK in 2026, from trade-grade Milwaukee and Makita down to sensible DIY picks.
What to look for
Before spending money, here are the key features that separate a professional-grade pick from a DIY-shelf disappointment:
- Peak torque: Measured in Newton-metres (Nm). Entry-level models offer 100–150Nm; mid-range 180–200Nm; top professional models 220Nm+. For decking, fencing and structural timber, 180Nm minimum.
- Battery platform: Stick with a single battery platform (Makita LXT, DeWalt 18V XR, Milwaukee M18, Bosch 18V) so you can share batteries across tools. This is the single most important long-term cost factor — buy a kit in a platform you will stay with.
- Brushless motor: All current professional-grade models are brushless. Brushed motors are still available in budget kits but run hotter, wear faster, and have 30–40 percent less battery life. Pay the extra £20 for brushless.
- Speed / torque settings: Better models have 3 or 4 speed modes plus a dedicated self-tapping mode that stops as soon as the screw head bottoms out. This prevents over-driving into softwood.
- Weight and balance: An impact driver lives in your hand for hours on a decking or fencing job. Anything over 1.5kg (with battery) becomes exhausting. Compact brushless models come in at 1.1–1.3kg and feel dramatically lighter to use.
Top picks: cordless impact drivers
Makita DTD157 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver
~£160–£220 (body only)Best for: Best overall, trade-standard
The UK trade-standard impact driver. 180Nm peak torque, 4 speed modes including an assist mode that starts slow and ramps up, and the Makita LXT battery platform which is the most widely used on UK sites. Body-only if you already have LXT batteries; otherwise buy as part of a twin-pack with drill.
View on Amazon →DeWalt DCF887 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver
~£170–£240 (body only)Best for: Best for heavy framing and decking
205Nm peak torque and a slightly more powerful motor than the Makita equivalent — DeWalt's impact driver is the choice for long structural timber screws and decking. Three-speed with a precision mode for delicate work. Heavier than the Makita but more grunt for the biggest jobs.
View on Amazon →Milwaukee M18 FUEL Gen III Impact Driver (2953)
~£200–£280 (body only)Best for: Best for ultimate power
Milwaukee's top-end impact driver outputs 226Nm peak torque and adds four speed modes plus a self-tapping mode. Overbuilt for most domestic work; the right choice if you are on site every day or doing a lot of lag bolts, coach screws and structural fixings. Premium pricing, premium performance.
View on Amazon →Bosch Professional GDR 18V-200 Brushless Impact Driver
~£130–£180 (body only)Best for: Best value trade-grade
Bosch Professional's mid-tier impact driver offers 200Nm peak torque, three speed settings, and the Bosch 18V platform. Cheaper than the Makita and DeWalt with most of the performance. Worth considering if you are already in the Bosch battery ecosystem or buying your first trade-grade kit.
View on Amazon →Quick comparison
| Model | Peak Torque | Weight (no battery) | Speed Modes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DTD157 | 180 Nm | ~1.3 kg | 4 | Trade-standard daily use |
| DeWalt DCF887 | 205 Nm | ~1.5 kg | 3 | Heavy timber / decking |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL | 226 Nm | ~1.4 kg | 4 | Maximum power / lag bolts |
| Bosch GDR 18V-200 | 200 Nm | ~1.3 kg | 3 | Best value trade-grade |
How to get the best out of it
- Use impact-rated bits only: Standard screwdriver bits snap under impact torque. Spend the extra £2 on impact-rated Torsion bits — they flex under load and last ten times longer.
- Start in low mode for softwood: At full power you will over-drive screws into pine and split decking boards. Drop to speed 1 or 2 and the screw stops flush with the surface.
- Keep the bit square to the screw: Angled bits cam out under impact and round off the screw head. Keep the driver in line with the screw, let the tool do the work, and the screw head will stay clean.
- Charge batteries before storing: Lithium-ion batteries last longer when stored at 40–60 percent charge in a cool place. Fully discharged batteries left in the van for weeks lose capacity. Top up once a month if not in use.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an impact driver if I already have a combi drill?
If you are doing more than occasional DIY, yes. A combi drill can drive screws but wears out your wrist and strips screw heads on anything longer than 50mm. An impact driver handles 100mm+ decking screws, lag bolts and structural timber fixings with no effort. Professional tradespeople always carry both.
What is the difference between Nm and in-lbs?
Both are measures of torque. 1 Newton-metre equals roughly 8.85 inch-pounds. UK and European manufacturers generally quote Nm; US-market tools may quote in-lbs. Convert by multiplying the Nm figure by 8.85 (or divide in-lbs by 8.85) if you are comparing spec sheets from different regions.
Can I use an impact driver for drilling holes?
For drilling small holes in wood with a hex-shank bit, yes. It will not take round-shank drill bits, and the impact action is unsuitable for clean holes in masonry, metal or for drill bits over 10mm. For proper drilling, use a combi drill; the impact driver is a dedicated screwdriver.
Which brand's batteries are cheapest to replace?
DeWalt 18V XR and Makita LXT have the widest third-party battery market and the lowest genuine replacement prices in the UK. Milwaukee M18 is slightly more expensive. Bosch Professional 18V is comparable to Makita. Over five years, battery replacement cost can equal or exceed the original tool cost, so it matters.