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Best Overall
Best Overall
$242 at Amazon
Key Features:
Models like this Milwaukee are the heavy hitters when it comes to impact wrenches. They’re bigger, heavier, and torque-ier (1,400 foot-pounds for the M18 Fuel here). All that torque requires a lot of power, so the M18 comes with two, big 5-Ah batteries. Removing lugs nuts on our F-250 Super Duty was no challenge for this impact wrench. It barely hesitated breaking them loose. Judging by the amount of battery charge consumed in our test, a full day of changing tires should be possible with the two batteries.
Four modes, three different speeds, and Bolt Removal mode means it’s easy to set the speed/torque for the job. And that Bolt Removal mode is a pleasure to use; it backs off the speed and torque once a nut or bolt breaks loose so that it doesn’t run off the end and go flying. When it came to the rusty old bolts on the farm equipment, the M18 broke them free without much effort, and using the Bolt Removal mode also helped prevent damage, spinning the nuts off over-rusted threads. The M18 impact wrench is an effective tool for seriously big jobs like heavy equipment repair, industrial maintenance and repair applications, or any other task with big, tough nuts and bolts.
High Torque for the Price
High Torque for the Price
$258 at Amazon
Credit: CourtesyKey Features:
We could tell the DeWalt 20V Max XR was a beast when we picked it up.
High-torque impact wrenches tend to weigh more because they have beefier components required to handle the forces involved in transferring all that torque. This is no exception, weighing 7.2 pounds with one of the two big 5-Ah batteries clipped to the bottom—the heaviest impact wrench in the test. The weight does give the impression it’s well built and can take some abuse though. Removing the lug nuts on the F-250 Super Duty was seemingly effortless, the Max XR breaking them free in a fraction of a second. We tried it in all three speed settings, with the highest removing them the fastest. We had to get a feel for when to back off the trigger and let the tool’s momentum spin the nut off—do it too late and the nut could run off the stud at high rpm and fly out of the socket. Working on the rusty farm implement felt like a perfect job for the Max XR. The rusted nuts and bolts were no match for it—the only issue was being able to reach a couple of them because of the size of the wrench. DeWalt’s high-torque impact wrench would be a natural fit for auto, truck, or tractor repair out in the field or on the roadside.
BEST VALUE
BEST VALUE
$133 at Amazon
Credit: CourtesyKey Features:
Ryobi’s 18V One+ hits a price point that’s hard to beat, at the same time accomplishing everything we asked of it in testing. When we used it to remove lug nuts, it impacted for a little more than a second before breaking them loose and spinning them off. It only took slightly longer when we removed rusty bolts on a farm implement. We also drove 6-inch lag bolts into pressure-treated lumber. We found the three speeds were most useful when trying to avoid over-tightening fasteners. The lack of a brushless motor means we wouldn’t expect it to stand up to daily use, but this is a capable tool that will help get a lot of projects done around the house.
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Trevor RaabMost Affordable
Most Affordable
$119 at Walmart
Credit: CourtesyKey Features:
With no speed or drive mode settings, Hart’s 20V 1⁄2-inch impact wrench is about as simple as it gets. The good news is that it’s all that many folks will need. During our testing, we found it could pretty easily perform many common tasks, and there wasn’t one thing it couldn’t do. We were able to break loose large, rusty nut and bolts on an old piece of farm equipment, as well as remove lug nuts on the F-250 farm truck. We also drove some lag bolts into pressure-treated lumber. It doesn’t have a brushless motor, so it might not stand up to daily use, however it may be ideal for homeowners with an occasional need for an impact wrench.
If you’ve already invested in Hart 20-volt tools, this tool could be a good choice for you, because it doesn’t come with a battery or charger. (They’re available separately if you need them.)
Solid All-Around
Solid All-Around
$160 at Amazon
Key Features:
This mid-range wrench is engineered and priced to satisfy a wide variety of workers, from DIY homeowners and backyard mechanics to pro contractors. We particularly liked its over-molded rubber handgrips, 1⁄2-inch hog ring, and 4-Ah battery.
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BEST CORDLESS-CORDED Combo
BEST CORDLESS-CORDED Combo
Impact Wrench$199 at Amazon
Key Features:
Metabo HPT’s 36V uses the brand’s MultiVolt power system, allowing you to plug in with an AC adapter or use a 36-volt lithium-ion battery—the best of both worlds. The tool has some heft, and is on the heavier end of the wrenches we’ve tested. This is reasonable, considering this is a professional-level tool suited to industrial applications.
In our testing, it accomplished everything we asked of it without hesitation. Lug nuts on our F-250 Super Duty pickup broke loose almost instantly, and then spun off easily using the highest of the three speed settings. Rusty nuts and bolts on our farm equipment took a second or two of impacting to break loose.
We like that the tool is rated IP56, which means it’s protected (to a degree) from dust and water getting in.
So a little rain during emergency repair on a roadside or job site isn’t going to hurt it. Metabo HPT’s 36V is a capable, versatile tool, suitable for most industrial or farm maintenance, commercial construction, or other applications that might be considered heavy duty in nature.
This comes as a bare tool only; the battery and charger, as well as the AC adapter, are sold separately.
MOST VERSATILE
MOST VERSATILE
Now 35% Off
$299 at northerntool.com
Credit: CourtesyKey Features:
While our test is geared more towards half-inch tools, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 3⁄8-inch mid-torque wrench never skipped a beat. We used a 1⁄2-to-3/8-inch adapter to remove and replace the lug nuts on our F-250 Super Duty pickup—a job it easily completed.
We were also able to break free large, rusty nuts on our old farm implement. This impact wrench has four mode settings. The first three step up both rpm and ipm, with the third hitting max on both. The fourth mode, Drive Control, is the one we really like, though. When driving, it limits torque to 35 feet-pounds, so there is no risk of over-tightening fasteners. When removing a fastener, it starts off at full torque, then backs off the rpm when the fastener has broken loose, preventing spinning off at full speed and sending the fastener pinwheeling away. The compact body and three LEDs on the face of the tool make it a good option in tight, dark spaces. This is a professional-grade tool, designed to stand up to daily use, but also an option for homeowners with frequent projects. We’ve turned to this tool several times since testing, as its size and torque are useful for a wide range of jobs.
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Best Wrench/Driver
Impact WrenchBest Wrench/Driver
$376 at Amazon
Credit: CourtesyKey Features:
The Bosch “Freak” is half impact driver, half impact wrench. Through the middle of the square, half-inch impact drive is a quarter-inch, quick-change hex-shank holder—use it with impact sockets or hex driver bits. With three rpm settings, it makes quite a versatile tool, good for a wide variety of fastening and mechanical jobs. On paper, the Freak appears to be lacking with only 150 foot-pounds of torque, but it produces more than 4,200 impacts per minute, the highest number in this test at up to 3,400 rpm. The upside of this is that it easily removed 13⁄16-inch lug nuts on our F-250 but could still drive deck screws—a considerably more delicate operation.
It also had no trouble with rusted bolts on the old cultivator we brought in for the test. The high rpm/ipm actually makes for quieter operation with less vibration; with the impacts closer together, it feels smoother. And the ability to switch between sockets and hex driver bits makes the Bosch Freak good for work where there’s a wide range of hardware—like switching from lag bolts to deck screws. One last thing worth noting is that Bosch offers an optional Connectivity Tool Module that enables customized tool settings via Bluetooth and a connected app.
Plenty of Torque
Plenty of Torque
Now 20% Off
$248 at Amazon
Key Features:
Ultra Compact
Ultra Compact
$280 at Amazon
Key Features:
Makita engineers succeeded in packing a lot of power and features into this diminutive wrench, making it the ideal tool when working in tight spaces. We also love its dual LED work lights and super-efficient brushless motor.
Bradley Ford
Test Editor
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he's not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he's busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
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0003Related materials
Balloon wrench: which one to choose?
The so-called wheel wrench is almost the only tool that is still present in almost every car. If the automaker equipped the car with a spare tire or a stowaway, then there is also a balloon with a jack nearby: without them, you can’t change the wheel. A balloon wrench will last longer than an internal combustion engine: electric cars have wheels attached in exactly the same way.
However, it is inconvenient to use a regular spray bottle - a short lever requires a solid effort, especially if the fasteners were thoughtlessly tightened with an air gun at a tire fitting. Such a key often strives to break off the fasteners - here it is not far from injury. Anyone who has ever had to change a wheel in this way on their own involuntarily thinks about an alternative balloon - especially since there are a lot of them on sale.
Another reason is also possible: after replacing steel wheels with alloy wheels, it may turn out that the old key no longer fits into the deep well of the disc.
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Traffic police will be equipped with 3D scanners — what will change for drivers? N m And the shorter the key handle, the more effort will be required from you. For example, for a torque of 120 Nm with a handle length of 250 mm, you will have to apply 48 kg - can you pull it? Or will we immediately look for a longer handle?
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The presence of light-alloy wheels complicates the task in some cases. A ½-inch square shank is indispensable here, because it can accept any thin-walled head that may be required for especially “designer” wheels.
For examination, we purchased 14 different instruments. Pneumatic tools used by tire fitters were not tested because they are used in stationary premises and require a powerful compressor.
Before measurements, we evaluated the ergonomics of the keys - grip comfort, workmanship, packaging, and so on. Then each key was subjected to loads from the initial 100 Nm to 350 Nm in increments of 50 Nm. The upper threshold was chosen with a margin, since in practice fasteners may require much more effort than is written on paper. There are many reasons: they overtightened it at a tire fitting, “got stuck” ...
Hot keys can be easily rolled into a ram's horn.
Hot keys can be easily rolled into a ram's horn.
Telescopic wrenches are mostly frail, and this one bent on the first try.
Telescopic wrenches are mostly frail, and this one bent on the first try.
The load moment was set with the help of a calibrated torque wrench, which was always paired with the tested one. During the tests, one of the keys was rigidly fixed on the bench frame, and the second one was turned either until the torque wrench cut-off mechanism was triggered, or until a deformation appeared in the tested tool.
Testing an impact wrench: it has to unscrew a nut tightened to 350 Nm.
Testing an impact wrench: it has to unscrew a nut tightened to 350 Nm.
After several cycles of work, nicks appeared on the ratchet elements of electric wrenches, and broken metal particles went to cripple electric motors.
After several cycles of work, nicks appeared on the ratchet elements of electric wrenches, and broken metal particles went to cripple electric motors.
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Non-separable cross. These keys take up a relatively large amount of space in the trunk. However, it is convenient to work with them: there is no reactive component (unless, of course, you work with both hands).
Phillips wrenches use sockets in the most common sizes 17, 19, 21 and 23 mm; sometimes a half-inch square is used, which allows you to put on any standard head and use the key not only for tire fitting.
These wrenches help you to work "helicopter", quickly unscrewing or tightening loose fasteners. But at the same time, we hold the "tail of the helicopter" with our hands - we get a lot of friction plus the inconvenience of working with gloves.
DT/10 Case of Technology. Balloon cross reinforced wrench 531221, 17×19×21×1/2˝ — 380 mm
DT/10 Delo Tekhnika. Reinforced balloon cross wrench 531221, 17×19×21×1/2˝ — 380 mm
| Approximate price* 1000 ₽ I didn’t like the design: if the hand breaks, it’s easy to injure yourself on the thin riveted plate. Yes, and why there are rivets at all - it is not clear. However, the key withstood the proposed 350 Nm without deformation. But in general, we can not recommend. |
Airline. Balloon wrench AK-V-04, 17, 19, 21 for 1/2˝
Airline. Balloon wrench AK-V‑04, 17, 19, 21 for 1/2˝
| Approximate price 700 ₽ Bright coloring allows you to quickly find the tool among other inhabitants of the trunk, although the coating is short-lived.  Withstood the load. The price is acceptable. Recommended. |
STELS. Balloon reinforced key-cross 14249, 17×19×21×22 with 1/2˝ adapter
STELS. Reinforced balloon wrench 14249, 17×19×21× 22 with 1/2˝ adapter
| Approximate price 1400 ₽ Packaging is disgusting. I didn't like the riveted joints. The adapter initially gets stuck: you can’t pull it out with your bare hands. Withstood the load, but the overall impression is negative. We cannot recommend. |
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*Here and below as of 03/16/2022.
Split cross. Foldable in small package. They have a comfortable handle for easy rotation like a helicopter. They allow the use of an increased lever arm and the ability to compensate for reactive force.
They have two interchangeable double-sided heads in the kit, covering the entire range of wheel fastener sizes. The disadvantages include a high price, although they will serve you on more than one car.
GROSS. Balloon wrench with variable lever 14270
GROSS. Balloon wrench with variable lever 14270
| Approximate price 4000 ₽ Convenient packaging, pleasant to use. You can work as a "helicopter". He survived everything. Recommended . |
Inforce. Balloon Phillips wrench 06-05-85 17, 19, 21 mm
Inforce. Balloon cross wrench 06-05-85 17, 19, 21 mm
| Estimated price 5500 RUB Compact, convenient packaging. The entire key is actually in one pipe. Working as a "helicopter" is not quite convenient - except to use your own palm as a plain bearing.  I passed the tests calmly, but I didn’t like the price. However, in general - recommend . |
Ombra. Balloon inertia wrench A
, 17, 19, 21, 22 mmOmbra. Balloon inertia wrench A
, 17, 19, 21, 22 mm| Approximate price 4500 ₽ The package is solid and convenient, the key allows you to work like a helicopter. Expensive, but I liked it: recommend . |
SKYWAY. Balloon cross folding wrench S04303002
SKYWAY. Balloon cross folding key S04303002
| Approximate price 1000 ₽ The design of the key is somewhat reminiscent of a skeleton from cartoons - at the same time it constantly rattles. The case is frankly weak, disposable. It passed the tests to the limit: the articulated joints began to “give slack”. True, the price is one of the lowest in the sample, but even with this in mind, we cannot recommend it.  |
MASTAK. Balloon openable Phillips wrench 1/2˝, 17, 19, 21, 23 mm, case 028–42079C
MASTAK. Balloon demountable cross wrench 1/2˝, 17, 19, 21, 23 mm, case 028–42079C
| Approximate price 5500 ₽ The wrench allows you to work “helicopter”, famously unscrewing or tightening loose fasteners. Such a tool is pleasant to take in hand. The proposed load withstood without problems. The price is high, but - recommend ! |
Gross, Ombra and Mastak look like twin brothers, but a closer look reveals the difference
L-shaped. These are the most common simple balloons of all times and peoples. For them, the size of the axial knee of the head is important (in other words, the size of the horizontal line of the indicated letter). Usually, when working with such a tool, an uncompensated reactive component occurs, which breaks the key from the fastener, sometimes causing injury.
The longer the key has the second part of the letter (vertical), the easier it will be to unscrew the fasteners. However, when working, the long handle can touch the asphalt.
IZELTAS. Bent socket wrench 17 mm 19400
IZELTAS. Bent socket wrench 17 mm 19400
| Approximate price 900 ₽ Packing - disposable bag. A simple key is combined with a mounting spatula. The tests went well. A short lever of 290 mm is not an assistant in the fight against a stubborn nut. For the simplest key, it's expensive. We cannot recommend. |
STELS. Balloon wrench, 17 mm 14210
STELS. Balloon wrench, 17 mm 14210
| Approximate price 600 ₽ Inexpensive hardened wrench withstood all loads. Very short lever - 250 mm. To be honest, it makes no sense to buy. |
Telescopic.
In fact, these are complicated L-shaped wrenches with an extendable handle. The extended shoulder allows higher torque to be applied than with conventional L-joints. The disadvantage of such keys is that, as a rule, they are curved less than 90 degrees, and therefore it is almost impossible to hold them to compensate for the reactive force.
AUTOVIRAZH. AV‑011719 Balloon wrench 17/19 mm
AUTOVIRAZH. AV‑011719 Balloon telescopic wrench 17/19 mm
| Approximate price 1200 ₽ Packaging type "taken out and immediately thrown away". At the turn of 250 Nm, it began to deform, and after testing it stopped folding. We cannot recommend. |
THORVIK. TLHTW1719 52508 Balloon wrench 17×19 mm
THORVIK. TLHTW1719 52508 Balloon telescopic wrench 17×19 mm
| Approximate price 1300 ₽ One-time packaging.  But, despite the telescopic design, it passed all the tests without deformation. We recommend limited use if there is no alternative. |
Impact wrenches. Power tools with a supply voltage of 12 V. We took them into the test because the price is close to the cost of a good collapsible wrench. A weak (power not more than 150 W) electric motor spins the massive leading element of the clutch. Upon reaching a certain speed, the flywheel ratchets hit the cam of the output shaft. The impact wrench can be used even with the wheel out. The disadvantages include the fact that in such a price range the strength of the impact elements is low, and the resource of the devices will certainly not exceed several seasonal changes of footwear.
Einhell. Impact wrench CC-HS 12–1 2048312
Einhell. Impact wrench CC-HS 12–1 2048312
| Approximate price 5000 ₽ The tool coped with the proposed torque of 350 N m, although it suffered for 10–15 seconds.  We believe that it is still better to carry an ordinary mechanical tool in the trunk - it is not so capricious. When opened after several cycles of testing, significant wear of the ratchet element was found. The reason is the choice of a cheap steel grade and poor heat treatment. We recommend limited use. |
KRAFT. Electric impact wrench KT 705057 1/2", 350 Nm
KRAFT. Electric impact wrench KT 705057 1/2", 350 N m
| Approximate price 5500 ₽ The proposed load was met by the wrench, although until the last second there was no confidence in the successful outcome. During disassembly, a significant chipping of the ratchet was found, and the chipped particles were magnetized to the electric motor, threatening to jam. We recommend limited use. |
There were several selection criteria. The key should be more convenient than the regular one - otherwise why even think about replacing it? At the same time, it is obliged to withstand the maximum load proposed by us.
Other things being equal, we looked at the price tag.
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Of the 14 products, 12 have withstood the proposed load.
L-keys have no special advantages over standard tools. Telescopic wrenches, in general, look frail: at large moments they can fail. But of the cruciform keys, we really liked Mastak, Gross and Ombra. All three designs are of the same type and at the same time quite expensive, but such a tool is pleasant to hold in your hands. We remind you that there is no uncompensated reactive component when working with such keys, and therefore it is convenient to use them. According to our estimates, such a tool will serve for a long time - we recommend allocating a place in the trunk for it.
Use the capabilities of your car to 100% thanks to the interesting offers of our online store. Screensaver photo: Depositphotos
Balloon wrenches: we found the strongest of the inexpensive ones
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