Impact Driver vs Drill: Which One Do You Need? (2026)
Here is the short answer: a drill makes holes, an impact driver drives screws. A drill spins steadily and has a clutch, so it is the better tool for drilling and delicate work. An impact driver adds rapid hammer blows as it turns, so it sinks long screws and lag bolts with far less effort.
If you can only buy one, get the drill. If you build decks, fences or anything with lots of long screws, you will want both, and a combo kit is the cheapest way to get them.
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Impact Driver vs Drill: Side by Side
| Drill/driver | Impact driver | |
|---|---|---|
| How it turns | Steady rotation | Rotation plus rapid hammer blows when the screw resists |
| Chuck | Keyless chuck, 3/8 or 1/2 inch, holds round or hex bits | 1/4 inch hex collet, hex shank bits only |
| Clutch | Yes, adjustable so you do not overdrive screws | No clutch on most models (some have special modes) |
| Torque example | Milwaukee 2903 drill: 1,400 in-lbs | Milwaukee 2953 impact: 2,000 in-lbs |
| Best at | Drilling holes, hole saws, small screws | Long screws, lag bolts, stubborn fasteners |
| Noise | Quieter | Loud under load. Testers measured up to 97 dB |
| Masonry | Only a hammer drill | No |
Specs: Milwaukee 2903, Milwaukee 2953. Noise from TechGearLab and This Old House.
Which Should You Buy? Use the Job Picker
Drill or Impact Driver? Job Picker
Tick the jobs you expect to do in the next year. The picker tells you which tool to buy first.
How Each Tool Works
The drill/driver
A drill spins the bit with steady torque. The keyless chuck clamps round or hex bits, and the clutch slips at a set torque so you do not strip a screw or sink it too deep.
That clutch is why a drill is still the right tool for cabinet hinges, small brass screws and anything in hardwood where you need control. The downside: when a big bit binds, a drill can twist your wrist hard.
The impact driver
An impact driver also spins, but when the screw starts to resist, a spring loaded hammer strikes an anvil over and over. Pro Tool Reviews says this happens more than 50 times a second (Pro Tool Reviews). The best models hit about 4,000 impacts per minute (IPM).
Those blows push the bit into the screw head, so you get less cam out and fewer stripped heads. The force goes into the screw instead of your wrist, which is why a small impact driver can sink a long lag screw that would stall a bigger drill.
What about a hammer drill?
A hammer drill is a drill with an extra mode that adds a forward chipping action for brick, block and concrete. It is a different tool from an impact driver, and an impact driver is not for masonry at all. For holes much bigger than 1/2 inch in concrete, you want a rotary hammer.
Which Tool for Which Job
| Job | Best tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling holes with twist bits | Drill | Steady speed, cleaner holes |
| Hole saws, spade, Forstner and auger bits | Drill | Needs steady torque and a bigger chuck |
| Cabinet hinges and small screws | Drill | The clutch prevents stripping |
| Deck screws and subfloor | Impact driver | Faster, less fatigue over hundreds of screws |
| Lag screws and ledger screws | Impact driver | High torque without wrist strain |
| Removing stuck screws and bolts | Impact driver | Hammer blows break them loose |
| Holes in brick or concrete | Hammer drill | Hammer action chips the masonry |
| Mixing paint or thinset | Drill | Steady, controllable speed |
A common pro trick: drill the pilot hole with the drill, then drive the screw with the impact driver. That is why combo kits come with both.
Can You Drill With an Impact Driver?
Yes, with hex shank drill bits rated for impact use. It works for quick holes in wood. But it will not do everything a drill does, and Pro Tool Reviews says it is very rare for an impact driver to drill a hole faster than a drill.
Avoid big spade bits in an impact driver, because they can bind. If you only buy one tool, This Old House recommends the drill.
Use Impact Rated Bits
Regular screwdriver bits snap or round off under impact. Impact rated bits have a torsion zone that flexes slightly to absorb the torque spikes, so they last longer and cam out less.
A set like the DeWalt FlexTorq 40 piece kit covers the common screw types in an impact ready case.
Check DeWalt FlexTorq 40 Piece Bit Set →
What to Buy
For most homeowners, a two tool combo kit is the best value. You get both tools, two batteries and a charger for less than buying them separately.
DeWalt 20V MAX Drill + Impact Driver Kit (DCK240C2)
The classic starter kit: a compact drill/driver, an impact driver, two batteries, a charger and a bag. Read our full DCK240C2 review.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill + Impact Driver Kit (3697-22)
A pro grade kit with the M18 FUEL hammer drill (1,400 in-lbs with a hammer mode for masonry) and the 2953 impact driver (2,000 in-lbs). Worth it if you also drill into concrete.
Ryobi ONE+ HP Compact Drill + Impact Kit
A brushless kit on Ryobi’s ONE+ battery, which fits a huge range of yard and shop tools. A good fit if you want one battery for the mower, blower and drill.
Already own a drill? Read our best impact drivers for homeowners and buy a bare tool on the battery you already have. Shopping during Black November? Our Black Friday tool deals page tracks the combo kits worth watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an impact driver if I have a drill?
Not for occasional jobs. A drill drives screws fine. If you build decks, fences or drive lots of long screws, an impact driver saves time and wrist strain, and it is worth adding.
Is an impact driver better than a drill?
It is better at driving screws and bolts. A drill is better at drilling holes, using hole saws and delicate screw work because it has a clutch. They do different jobs.
Can an impact driver replace a drill?
Not fully. It can drill small holes with hex shank bits, but it cannot take round shank bits, hole saws work poorly, and there is no clutch for delicate screws.
Can I use regular bits in an impact driver?
Only if they have a 1/4 inch hex shank, and even then regular bits wear out fast. Impact rated bits last much longer.
Can an impact driver drill into concrete?
No. Use a hammer drill for small holes in brick, block and concrete, or a rotary hammer for bigger ones.
