Impact Driver vs Drill: Which Do You Need?

Impact driver or drill? It's one of the most common questions we get. Here's the honest answer: they do different jobs, and ideally you want both. But if you can only have one, here's how to decide.

What Each Tool Does

Drill/Driver

A standard drill driver does two things: drills holes and drives screws. It uses continuous rotation to do its work. The chuck accepts round-shank drill bits of various sizes.

Best for:

• Drilling holes in wood, metal, plastic
• Driving short screws
• Precision work where you need control
• Using larger drill bits

Impact Driver

An impact driver uses rotational force combined with concussive blows. It's designed specifically for driving screws and bolts. Uses hex-shank bits only.

Best for:

• Driving long screws without cam-out
• Removing stuck fasteners
• High-volume screw driving (decking, framing)
• Working all day without fatigue

The Key Differences

Torque and Control

Impact drivers deliver much higher torque - typically 150-200Nm versus 50-70Nm for drills. But that torque is delivered in bursts, which can make fine control harder.

Chuck Type

Drills have a three-jaw chuck that grips round bits. Impact drivers have a hex collet for 1/4" hex bits only. This means impact drivers can't use standard drill bits without an adapter.

Size and Weight

Impact drivers are typically more compact and lighter. Easier to get into tight spaces, less tiring for extended use.

Noise

Impact drivers are loud. That hammering action isn't quiet. In noise-sensitive environments, a drill might be more appropriate.

Our Recommendations

If You Can Only Buy One

Get a combi drill. It drills, it drives, and with hammer action it handles masonry too. More versatile than an impact driver. Browse our combi drill range.

If You're Buying Both

Get a matched pair that share batteries. DeWalt's 18V XR system or similar platforms let you swap batteries between tools. Many power tool kits include both.

If You're Doing Lots of Screw Driving

The impact driver is your primary tool. Decking, fencing, framing - an impact driver saves your wrist and gets through screws faster. Check our impact driver collection.

The Ideal Setup

Professional tradespeople typically carry both:

• Combi drill for drilling and hammer drilling
• Impact driver for driving screws and bolts

Swap between them as needed. One drills the pilot hole, the other drives the screw. Efficient working without constantly changing bits.

Still deciding? Our best-selling power tools show what's popular with our customers.