Drill & Impact Driver Buying Guide — What's the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
A cordless drill and an impact driver look similar but work very differently. Understanding which tool does what — and when to use each — makes every project faster, cleaner, and less frustrating. This guide covers the key differences, what to look for in each, and the best combo kits for your garage.
Drill/Driver vs Impact Driver — Core Differences
- Cordless drill/driver — uses continuous rotational force. Designed for drilling holes and driving screws in light to medium applications. Chuck accepts round and hex shank bits. Better for precision work where you need controlled torque.
- Impact driver — uses rapid rotational impacts (hammering action) in addition to rotation. Dramatically more torque for driving long screws, lag bolts, and fasteners into hard materials. Hex chuck only. Louder but far more efficient for high-volume fastening.
- Hammer drill — a drill with a forward hammering action for drilling into concrete, brick, and masonry. Different from an impact driver. Uses SDS or standard round shank bits.
When to Use Each
| Task | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Drilling pilot holes | Drill/Driver |
| Driving short screws | Either |
| Driving long lag screws | Impact Driver |
| Furniture assembly | Drill/Driver |
| Decking & framing | Impact Driver |
| Drilling into concrete | Hammer Drill |
| Automotive bolts | Impact Driver |
Key Specs to Compare
- Voltage — 12V for compact/light use; 18V–20V for full-power garage and job site work. Stick to one voltage platform to share batteries.
- Torque (in-lb or ft-lb) — more torque = more driving power. Impact drivers typically deliver 1,500–2,000+ in-lb. Drills typically 400–600 in-lb.
- Speed settings — two-speed drills (low/high) give more control. Variable speed trigger is essential on both tools.
- Chuck size — 3/8" or 1/2" for drills. 1/4" hex for impact drivers.
- Brushless motor — more efficient, runs cooler, longer battery life, and less maintenance than brushed motors. Worth the premium.
- Battery platform — buy into a brand ecosystem (Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 20V MAX, Makita 18V LXT) so batteries are interchangeable across tools.
Why Buy a Combo Kit?
Combo kits pair a drill and impact driver from the same battery platform, typically at a lower price than buying each separately. You get one charger, shared batteries, and a carrying case. For a home garage, a 2-tool combo kit is almost always the best value starting point.
Recommended Drill & Impact Driver Kits
- WORKPRO 20V Cordless Drill & Impact Driver Combo — 2x 2.0Ah Batteries & 1-Hour Fast Charger
- PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX 2-Tool Cordless Drill/Driver & Impact Driver Combo Kit
- Bosch 12V Max Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit — Drill/Driver & Impact Driver (CLPK22-120)
- Makita CXT 12V Max Cordless Drill Driver & Impact Driver Combo Kit — 1.5Ah
Browse our full Cordless Drill collection and Impact Driver collection for individual tools, combo kits, and accessories for every project and battery platform.