Impact wrenches are a must-have tool for working on your own car or truck projects, or if you maintain home lawn equipment and other machinery. These powerful wrenches feature a hammering mechanism that delivers strong, quick blows to blast seized bolts that might otherwise require serious muscle power and a breaker bar. The high-power and torque offered by the right tool will take out or tighten bolts with ease, which will make any job faster and easier.

When it comes to impact wrenches, you get what you pay for. Typically, a less expensive impact wrench will lack the torque needed for tough jobs, so if you run into a seized bolt it’ll take more effort to break it loose. If you buy the best tool that you can afford, it’s unlikely you’ll need to buy another. Recent developments in battery and electric motor technology have also produced very powerful wrenches that don’t require a cord or an air compressor, which wasn’t always the case in the past. Listed below are five top-rated models from brands known for manufacturing quality products.

Forbes Wheels specifically chose only 1/2-inch drives, which is the minimum recommended size for automotive tasks but versatile enough for general use around the home. 

The 20-volt Max XR is Dewalt’s most powerful compact cordless impact wrench, offering a breakaway torque of 1,200 pound-feet and an overall max torque of 700 pound-feet, which ought to be enough to break loose almost any lug nut or stubborn bolt. Its brushless motor is energy efficient and generates less heat than brushed motors, which extends run time and battery life.

Dewalt equipped their DCF899HB model with an LED light for maximum visibility, a three-speed selector switch and a half-inch anvil with a hog ring to secure and remove sockets easily. This particular package includes one pack of two premium XR 5.0h Lithium Ion batteries, which are compatible with other Dewalt 20-volt Max tools. However, the charger is not included.  

Air tools are known for packing more punch than their electric competitors while also being lighter and smaller. Air tools can push more torque and revs to finish jobs faster, and the Aircat 1150 impact wrench is no exception with its 1,295 pound-feet of loosening torque and 900 pound-foot max torque. It’s reportedly the hardest hitting twin-hammer half-inch impact wrench on the market at 1,400 blows per minute.

The Aircat 11500 is surrounded by a compact and durable composite housing. A small rear dial features a flip lever to switch between three forward speeds or reverse. The motor is tuned to be a quiet operator at 86 decibels, however that does not account for the noise that your air compressor puts out when it kicks on for a refill. 

The Porter-Cable PCE211 is one of the best budget-friendly 1/2-inch electric impact wrenches on the market. Its 7.5-amp motor hammers out 450 pound-feet of torque, which is heavy-duty enough for most jobs. Its 750 pound-feet of breaking torque is strong enough to hammer bolts loose on rust belt cars, but you may find yourself using more PB Blaster when compared to competing impact wrenches on this list.

Being a plug-in unit allows the Porter-Cable PCE211 to operate at higher RPMs than its battery-operated competitors. A handful of customers reported that the motor of this impact wrench didn’t last much longer than a year, however the purchase includes a three-year warranty.

If you’re looking for a compact impact wrench to pack in your vehicle’s tool box, this one is the most likely to fit in small spaces. It’s only five inches long.

The M12’s brushless motor withstands repetitive use without overheating. Its 250 pound-feet of torque is reportedly powerful enough to regularly remove lug nuts for wheel and tire swaps at race tracks. Since wheel changes are typically more frequent for race applications, corrosion or stuck lugs are unlikely. If repairing old cars or fixing daily drivers is more your speed, you might consider making room for a more powerful tool with a high break torque rating.

The Ryobi P261 impact wrench kit isn’t just affordable. It’s also easy to use and able to handle a variety of heavy-duty applications. Three speeds allow for better control of the machine’s 300 pound-feet of max torque and 3,200 impacts per minute. The kit includes the impact wrench, an 18-volt charger, one battery, a storage bag and an operator’s manual. 

The dual-chemistry P118 IntelliPort charger reportedly charges the battery in as little as an hour. To avoid pauses in projects, purchasing a backup battery or two is recommended. Many users complain about the battery losing power. More importantly, the brushless motor could overheat if too much pressure is applied, but pressing with that much force shouldn’t be necessary for the tool to do its job.

Bestselling Power Impact Wrenches on Amazon Sponsored Sale Bestseller No. 1 192 Reviews Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 FUEL High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench with Friction Ring $279.99 −$13.99 $266.00 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Sale Bestseller No. 2 4,550 Reviews DEWALT 20V Max XR Impact Wrench Kit, Brushless, High Torque, Detent Pin Anvil, 1/2-Inch, Cordless (DCF899M1) 1/2 inch cordless impact wrench has up to 700 ft-lbs of max torque and 1200 ft-lbs of max breakaway torqueDEWALT 1/2 inch impact wrench has a compact design of 8-13/16-inch length and weighs only 6.0 lbsMulti-speed control of the battery-powered impact wrench is made for a variety of applications (0-400/ 1,200/ 1,900 RPM) $379.00 −$74.83 $304.17 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Sale Bestseller No. 3 6,198 Reviews AVID POWER Cordless Impact Wrench, 1/2 Impact Gun w/ Max Torque 330 ft lbs (450N.m), 20V Impact Driver Kit w/ 3.0A Li-ion Battery, 4 Pcs Drive Impact Sockets and 1 Hour Fast Charger, Electric Impact Powerful - Equipped with a high spec powerful motor, this impact wrench provides maximum productivity by removing rusted-on or over tightened nuts and bolt. The max tightening torque is 3,983 in-lbs and max loosening torque is 4,465 in-lbs.Variable Speed & Bright LED Light - With variable speed trigger, you can very easily control the speed of your wrench from 0-2000 RPM. Bright LED light will enhance visibility in the dark working areas.Versatile Applications - Not only suitable for removing tires from cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, and trailers, but also can be used for automotive repairs, major construction projects, heavy equipment maintenance, or product assembly. $139.99 −$40.00 $99.99 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Sale Bestseller No. 4 4,398 Reviews PORTER-CABLE Impact Wrench, 7.5-Amp, 1/2-Inch (PCE211) 1/2-Inch Electric Impact Wrench Comes With 7.5 Amp Motor For Heavy Duty ApplicationsPorter-Cable 1/2 Inch Impact Wrench Has 450 Ft-Lbs Of Torque For Installing And Removing Heavy Fasteners2,200 Rpm & 2,700 Bpm Of The Corded Impact Wrench Provide Fast Application Speeds $106.00 −$26.01 $79.99 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Sale Bestseller No. 5 3,771 Reviews DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench with Detent Anvil, Cordless, Tool Only (DCF899B) 1/2 inch cordless impact wrench has up to 700 ft-lbs of max torque and 1200 ft-lbs of max breakaway torqueDEWALT 1/2 inch impact wrench has a compact design of 8-13/16-inch in lengthMulti-speed control of the battery-powered impact wrench is made for a variety of applications (0-400/ 1,200/ 1,900 RPM) $249.00 −$12.06 $236.94 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Bestseller No. 6 118 Reviews Cordless Impact Wrench, SeeSii Brushless Impact Wrench 1/2 inch Max Torque 479 Ft-lbs(650Nm), 3300RPM with 2x 4.0 Battery, 6 Sockets, 9 Drill, 6 Screws, High Torque Power Impact Wrench for Car Home 【What's In Your Package】- The cordless impact wrench kits include impact driver machine, 2pcs 4.0AH battery pack and fast Charger, 6 pcs impact sockets(14mm/17mm/18mm/19mm/21mm/22mm), 9pcs impact drill, 6pcs impact screws, 2 changeover heads, 1 portable strap, and carry box. Seesi impact wrench kits provide most convenient and durable accessories to deal with any situation.【650N.m High Torque & Variable Speed】Seesii 21V impact wrenche delivers 479ft-lbs (650Nm) max torque, making it the Most Torque Battery Impact Wrench on the market. You don't have to worry about not being able to control the speed accuratel. There are 2 speed selection(0-2600RPM/0-3300RPM) at the bottom of the wrench, which can help you work at the right occasion at the right speed to avoid damage to your work. Tool speed can increase by increasing the pressure on the switch trigger.【53.5% More! High-Efficiency Brushless Motor】Seesii 21V Impact Wrench adopts high-efficiency brushless motors, the operation becomes more stable and stable. It provides 2-speed mode and up to 3300 RPM, saves your time and energy, suitable for tires removal, automotive repairs and construction projects. Many professionals and DIYers are moving in the direction of brushless motors, enjoying a longer running time of 53.5% and a more efficient experience. $139.99 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Bestseller No. 7 874 Reviews Milwaukee 2962-20 M18 18V Fuel 1/2" Mid-torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring Friction ring (hog ring) ensures quick and easy socket changesTri-LEDs deliver high definition lighting to increase workspace visibility with less shadowsAuto shut-off control applies no more than 35 ft. lbs. of torque for hand-tight fastening applications to prevent overtightening $189.90 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Sale Bestseller No. 8 297 Reviews DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Impact Wrench, Cordless Kit, 1/2-Inch Mid-Range and 3/8-Inch Compact, 2-Tool (DCK205P1) Premium XR 2-kit includes a DCF894 1/2 in. Mid-Range Impact Wrench and DCF890 3/8 in. Compact Impact WrenchDCF894: Up to 330 ft-lbs max of fastening torque and 600 ft-lbs of break away torque at only 3.48lbsDCF894: Compact and lightweight design for comfort when working in tight spaces $399.00 −$20.00 $379.00 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Sale Bestseller No. 9 1,629 Reviews Makita XWT08Z 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless High-Torque 1/2" Sq. Drive Impact Wrench, Tool Only BL Brushless Motor delivers 740 ft.lbs. of Fastening Torque and 1,180 ft.lbs. of Nut-Busting Torque3-speed power selection switch (0-900/ 0-1,000/ 0-1,800 RPM & 0-1,800/ 0-2,000/ 0-2,200 IPM) provides precise fastening control for a wide range of applications1/2" anvil with friction ring for quick and easy socket changes $240.00 −$18.00 $222.00 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer Bestseller No. 10 855 Reviews GardenJoy Cordless Power Impact Wrench: 21V Electric Impact Driver with Brushless 300N.m. 1/2"Chuck 220 Ft-lb Max High Torque 4pc Impact Drill Sockets Fast Charger & Home Tools Kit Set Top Rated 21-Volt Cordless Brushless Impact WrenchPowerful Brushless Impact Wrench with 3,132 in-lbs Torque: This electric impact wrench uses a brushless motor. The max tightening torque is 3,132 in-lbs and max losening torque is 3,940in-lbs. Rusty or over-tightened nuts and bolts can be easily removal. Max no load speed is 2200 rpm and 3800 bpm impact rate for driving large fasteners and tough sockets. You can change the speed of the impact power wrench cordless with the pressure you apply to the trigger.Upgrade Capable for Impact Driver: The impact screwdriver can extend the running time by 48%. Fast charging in 1 hour is 15% faster than the same hammer drill and it can be fully charged in 1-2 hours. The smart chip can provide discharge, overcharge, over temperature and over protection. $59.99 Buy on Amazon Partner Offer

For our list of the best impact wrenches for 2021, we specifically chose the highest-rated most readily available impact wrenches that are strong enough to handle most day-to-day automotive related tasks. We considered the products that are the most accessible to consumers residing throughout the U.S. 

Forbes Wheels selected five top-rated impact wrenches by considering a broad range of end-user ratings and professional evaluations. Each product is rated on quality, longevity, level of power offered and ease-of-use.

For partnership inquiries please reach out to us at partnerships@forbeswheels.com