When should you use an impact driver vs. a drill? Watch this video and learn the differences between an impact driver and a power drill, plus what applications each is best suited for. Resident tech expert Kurt Repsher walks you through the differences and the pros and cons of impact drivers and power drills, so you can choose the right tool for the task at hand. Subscribe to our channel to see more exclusive how to videos and tips from the pros.
A power drill is an indispensable tool that is used in a wide variety of construction, home improvement and facility maintenance tasks. A power drill is adjustable-speed tool designed to drill and drive in fasteners. Drills are equipped with a chuck to hold the drivers, tools & bits. Round or hex tools & bits can be used.
An impact driver is designed to drive in long screws or large fasteners. Impact drivers are made with quick release shanks that accept all one-quarter-inch hex driver bits, allowing for quick change of tools. Impact drivers use rotational force to drive in the screw or fastener, and are designed to deliver quick bursts of rotational power (up to 50 'impacts' per second) when resistance is sensed. The compact design of impact drivers allows for lighter weight and greater accessibility in tight spaces.
While both a power drill and an impact driver are designed to drill and drive in fasteners, there are a number of differences that make each tool better suited for specific applications.
| DRILL | IMPACT DRIVER |
| Holds drivers and bits within a keyed or keyless chuck | Not equipped with a chuck. Holds drivers and bits within a quick change hex collet (usually 1/4") |
| Holds drivers and bits with a hex, or round shank | Holds drivers and bits with a hexagonal shank |
| Larger & heavier | More compact & lightweight |
| Less torque: equipped with an adjustable clutch for various torque levels | More torque: impact-rated hex-shank bits are required for optimal use |
| Equipped with high and low speeds, and sometimes even three speeds, that user can adjust as needed | Have quick, automatic rotary bursts of power, activated when resistance is detected |
| The driving force is reciprocal | The driving force is rotational |
| Most drill motors use brushes and offer a a higher maximum RPM | Use brushless motors that are more compact and lightweight, allowing extended battery life in cordless models |
When choosing when to use a power drill vs an impact driver the type of fastener you're drilling and the details of your application should be considered. Use the table below to select when to use a drill vs. an impact driver.
| Application | Use A Drill | Use An Impact Driver |
| Drilling precise holes into a surface | X | |
| Drilling holes into a surface where size or placement of the hole is not crucial | X | X |
| Drilling or driving small fasteners or short screws | X | X |
| Drilling or driving large fasteners or long screws & lag bolts | X | |
| Heavy duty application where more torsional force is required | X | |
| Extended, fatiguing usage required | X | |
| Driving fasteners into drywall, thin wood, or soft materials | X | X |
| Driving fasteners into metal, thick wood, or harder materials | X | |
| Drilling holes into drywall, thin wood, or soft materials | X | |
| Drilling holes into metal, thick wood, or harder materials | X |
Like standard power drills, hammer drills are equipped with a chuck. In addition, hammer drills rotate a drill bit while hitting it forward in a fashion similar to how a hammer would deliver force (hence, the name 'hammer drill'). A hammer drill, or the hammer drill mode some power drills are equipped with, should be utilized when drilling holes in stone, concrete or masonry. DO NOT use a hammer drill or hammer drill mode to drill holes or drive fasteners into drywall, thin wood, or soft materials, as the hammering action can lead to damaging the surface of these more delicate materials. If your hammer drill has a 'drill only' mode, that mode should be engaged when you are driving fasteners or performing applications outside of drilling holes into masonry, concrete, or stone.
While a vast amount of power drills are equipped with brushed motors, those that are considered professional grade are equipped with brushless motors. A power drill equipped with a brushed motor will still deliver years of performance – on average lasting 1,000-3,000 hours – ideal for DIY and hobbyist applications. However, a brushless motor on average will deliver over 10,000 hours of performance, as there are no brushes to wear down with each use. In addition to extended tool life, there are several other benefits to brushless motors: