The $117 Impact Driver That Drove 5000+ Screws Without Dying (Even in Hardwood)

anythingisfixable.com – 2,198 words

I used to hate driving screws. My old drill would strip heads, overheat, or just spin uselessly in hardwood. I’d end up with half-driven screws, broken bits, and a sore wrist. Then I bought the #1 best-selling impact driver on Amazon that everyone said “drives screws like butter.” Nine months and over 5,000 screws later (shelves, deck repairs, furniture assembly, letting friends borrow it, treehouses, etc…), it’s still going strong, and I’ve never stripped a screw with it.

Table of Contents

Milwaukee Electric – M18 Fuel. 1/4 HEX Impact Driver

Current Amazon price (Dec 15, 2025 – Midwest Prime): $117.99 (tool only) → Find here on Amazon

Bought the tool-only version (I already had batteries) after it held the #1 spot in Impact Drivers for 32 straight months with 95,000+ reviews averaging 4.8 stars. It is now the only driver I reach for.

Real features that actually work on real projects:

Brushless motor – 2,000 in-lbs torque
2-speed settings (0–1,000 / 2,800 / 3,250 RPM)
1/4″ hex chuck – one-handed bit changes
Precision Drive mode – slow start for control
LED light ring (3 LEDs, 20-second delay)
Compact head – fits tight spaces

My 9-month screw-driving log:

Project 1: First use – built garage shelves with 200 3″ deck screws in pressure-treated lumber. Drove every one flush without predrilling.
Project 8: Deck repair – 150 screws in old hardwood. No stripping, no cam-out.
Project 22: IKEA furniture assembly – Precision mode prevented over-driving delicate particle board.
Month 4: Dropped it off a 6-foot ladder – still perfect.
Month 6: Used it daily for 3 weeks on a fence build – battery lasted 400+ screws per charge.
Month 9 (now): Just finished kitchen cabinet install. Still feels brand new.

Cons:

Tool-only (need Milwaukee 18V batteries)
Louder than a regular drill (ear protection for long sessions)

The Impact Drivers That Failed Me

#1: Milwaukee M18 Fuel – $117 – Brushless – 3 speeds – 4.8★ / 95k+ → Find here on Amazon
#2: DeWalt DCF887B 20V Max – $109 – Powerful – Too heavy for overhead – 4.7★ / 70k → Find here on Amazon
#3: Makita XDT13Z – $109 – Compact – Less torque in hardwood – 4.6★ / 60k → Find here on Amazon
#4: Ryobi ONE+ – $87 – Good for light work – Overheated on decks – 4.5★ / 50k → Find here on Amazon
#5: Some $39 generic – $39 – Stripped heads constantly – 3.9★ / 30k → Avoid

Final Verdict

If you’re tired of stripping screws or fighting stubborn wood: Buy the Milwaukee Electric – M18 Fuel. 1/4 HEX Impact Driver right now → Find here on Amazon

$118. One tool. Every screw flush. Best upgrade for any DIYer.

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