DeWalt Or Craftsman: Which Brand Has The Best Impact Driver For You

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When you're starting a collection of power tools, an impact driver is a popular addition. HGTV star Mina Starsiak Hawk says it's a tool every homeowner should have, as its design is less physically taxing on your hands and wrists than using a regular power drill. It has a smoother acceleration and movement, meaning it shouldn't strip the screw heads as frequently as a drill. Nearly every major power tool brand makes an impact driver, giving you plenty of choices in the market.

Two of the best-ranked power tool brands that are worth considering for your next impact driver are DeWalt and Craftsman. Both brand names have a good reputation, as they've each been in existence for roughly 100 years. Our research shows that DeWalt's impact drivers are pricier, but they will also stand up to rough treatment from professionals due to their high-quality designs and materials. Craftsman is a bargain tool brand that's made for DIY residential users who don't use their tools every day.

What should you know before you buy an impact driver from Craftsman or DeWalt? Both are currently owned by the Stanley Black & Decker company, but the two brands are aimed at different segments of the market. Stanley Black & Decker decided a few decades ago to market its high-end power tools for professionals under the DeWalt name, including impact drivers. In contrast, the designers at Stanley Black & Decker are making the Craftsman tool line for a segment of the market looking for affordability with good durability. Here's more about how the best DeWalt and Craftsman impact drivers compare to each other.

The DeWalt 20V Max Brushless 1/4-Inch Impact Driver Kit (model number DCF860) is one of DeWalt's most popular impact drivers. It has a 4.7-star rating on the DeWalt website and 4.9-star ratings on Amazon and Home Depot. It costs $239 on Amazon with a battery and charger. This is more than double the cost of the Craftsman impact driver kit, though.

While both the DeWalt and Craftsman impact drivers run on a 20-volt battery and use a 1/4-inch chuck size, the DeWalt model has more power and rotational speed. The DeWalt impact driver has 2,500 in-lbs maximum torque and a maximum rotational speed of 3,800 RPM (revolutions per minute). The Craftsman tool delivers up to 1,460 in-lbs of torque and a maximum speed of 2,800 RPM. Having more torque available makes it easier to drive larger screws and bolts into denser wood, meaning people who frequently work with longer fasteners will appreciate the power of the DeWalt model and probably be willing to pay more for it. As the rotational speed of the impact driver increases, the tool must reduce its torque, so the DeWalt tool's higher settings for both of these measurements give you more operational versatility in how you drive bolts and screws.

Many customer reviewers appreciate the performance of this tool, saying it offers every feature needed. "It handles long lag screws, structural fasteners, and stubborn bolts with ease," one customer reviewer says. "It's an evolution from previous DeWalt impact drivers with upgrades in lighting, power, delivery, and even ergonomics."

The Craftsman V20 Cordless 1/4-Inch Impact Driver Kit (model number DMCF800) is one of its most popular tools, carrying a desirable price point of $99 at Lowe's. It includes a battery and charger, yet it still costs significantly less than the DeWalt kit. This Craftsman impact driver has a 4.6-star rating on Lowe's and a 4.7-star rating on the Craftsman website, based on customer reviews.

Although the Craftsman tool is aimed at the budget segment of the DIY market, it offers a three-year limited warranty, exactly the same as the DeWalt tool. Both impact drivers also have LEDs installed near the chuck that illuminate the area where you'll be driving screws and bolts.

The low price for the Craftsman impact driver is a common reason why customer reviewers decided to purchase and use it. The "20V Craftsman holds up well," one customer reviewer says. "Me and the crew only used DeWalts before, but for the price and new design [and] build, they serve commercially just fine." One reviewer says it works so fast, it outperforms an older DeWalt impact driver. However, the overall build quality of the drill is a question mark for many customer reviewers. "Felt a little less solid than DeWalt or Milwaukee, but [a] good price," a customer reviewer says. "We'll see after a year and any time with warranty service."