10 Best Budget Impact Drivers under $100 – Reviews 2023

While the standard drill is invaluable to any craftsperson, it might be underpowered for some tasks. Impact drivers allow you to take on heavy-duty jobs, such as driving bolts or screws through concrete, metal, and other dense materials.

As you can imagine, impact drivers are significantly pricier than standard drills, typically costing hundreds of dollars. While there are cheaper impact drivers on the market, most of them are low-quality tools. Therefore, finding a quality driver on a budget will take a significant amount of digging.

We have reviews of high-performance impact drivers under $100 to save you the hassle. After the reviews, you can check out our buyer’s guide for additional tips.

A Quick Glance of our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		BLACK+DECKER BDCI20C MAX Impact Driver	Compact and lightweight Reliable 20V battery Variable speed setting	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		TEKTON 2905 Manual Hand Impact Driver	Versatile Comfortable non-slip handle Ideal for both professionals and non-pros	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		DEWALT DCF885C1 MAX Impact Driver	Variable speed setting Lightweight and easy to handle Built-in LED lights	CHECK PRICE
		Milwaukee 2656-20 M18 Impact Driver	Excellent torque Ergonomic design for comfort and ease of use Features a battery fuel gauge	CHECK PRICE
		Ryobi One+ P236 Cordless Impact Driver	Variable speed Keyless chuck Durable and reliable	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Budget Impact Drivers under $100

1. BLACK+DECKER BDCI20C MAX Impact Driver – Best Overall

The BDC120C by Black and Decker is a low-cost but reliable impact driver ideal for light to medium-duty DIY tasks. Its moto delivers a respectable 1,375 inch-pounds of torque and can handle most applications with ease. It also comes with a variable speed setting to allow you to adjust the motor’s speed to suit the needs of different materials. As a result, you enjoy greater control over your project.

The BDC120C runs on a 20V lithium-ion battery. When empty, the battery takes around 4 hours to charge to full capacity. Therefore, ensure to factor in charging time when planning for a project. While it only lasts a few hours at best when working at maximum capacity, the advantage of the battery is its reliability.

It is incredibly durable, thus allowing years of service before you consider replacements. Moreover, the BDC120C is compatible with other 20V batteries by Black and Decker, and you do not have to wait for the impact driver’s battery to charge if you possess another Black and Decker power tool.

The impact driver features a compact frame that allows you to access tight spaces that standard impact drivers would have difficulty fitting into. It also has built-in LED lights for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. Moreover, the BDC120C weighs only 3.5 pounds, making it one of the lightest impact drivers in production.

You will also appreciate the BDC120C’s fast-releasing hex chuck that makes swapping bits a breeze. The major downside is that it has a brushed motor. Brushed motors degrade faster than brushless motors.

You will also find it unsuitable for heavy-duty use. Nonetheless, the Black and Decker BDC120C impact driver is a compact and lightweight unit that would be great for household DIY applications and is our pick for the best overall budget impact driver under $100.

2. TEKTON 2905 Manual Hand Impact Driver – Best Value

The Tekton 2905 is an example of a high-quality manual impact driver that can meet the needs of professionals and DIYers. It will do everything a quality electric driver can do. The only difference is that you will use your strength to power the tool. The Tekton 2905 particularly excels at loosening rusted or frozen screws and bolts.

Even though it is a manual driver, you don’t have to apply brute force to get the job done.  This driver utilizes the benefit of leverage to convert the strike of your hammer into high torque to allow you to take on the hardest of jobs. The compact, lightweight design of the 2905 enhances its practicality tremendously, thus allowing you to use it for numerous applications.

The Tekton 2905 is also quite versatile, thanks to its reversible drive, which makes loosening left-hand fasteners a breeze. It also comes with a convenient, durable storage case. However, its lack of an instruction manual can pose challenges to beginners. Nonetheless, with the low price, the versatility of the Tekton 2905 makes it arguably the best budget impact driver under $100 for the money.

3. DEWALT DCF885C1 MAX Impact Driver – Premium Choice

If there is one characteristic that you can expect from a DeWalt tool, it is reliability, and the DCF885C1 is no exception. Even though it is on the affordable side of the spectrum, the DCF885C1 can hang with the best of them.

The Dewalt driver sports a small frame, but it is an incredible performer thanks to a powerful motor that conveys up to 1,400 inch-pounds of torque. In addition, it can deliver up to 3,200 impacts per minute, thus allowing you to take on relatively challenging applications with ease. It also comes with a variable speed setting to allow you to choose the most appropriate speed for a particular application.

The DCF8851C1 features a small, lightweight frame, which allows you to work in tight spaces. Moreover, weighing in at around 3 pounds, you can work for longer before fatigue sets in. It also features an ergonomic design to enhance ease of use. The handle is comfortable, while the weight of the driver is evenly distributed to allow for easier handling. It also comes with built-in LED lights to allow you to work in low-light conditions. This feature comes in handy, especially when working in tight, hard-to-reach areas.

The DCF885C1 comes with a ¼-inch hex chuck, which is compatible with most impact bits. It also accepts 1-inch bits. However, the manufacturer does not include bits in the package, and you must purchase your own. It runs on a 1.5Ah 20-volt battery. While it recharges quickly, the battery does not last long, and you should consider investing in extra batteries if you intend to take on labor-intensive applications.

Nonetheless, the Dewalt DCF885C1 is an affordable and reliable impact driver that has what it takes to handle most applications.

4. Milwaukee 2656-20 M18 Impact Driver

If you are looking for a powerful and reliable budget driver, consider the Milwaukee 2656-20. For starters, it delivers 1,500 in-lbs of torque, which is remarkable considering its small size. It also achieves up to 2,570 RPM with variable speed and 3,450 impacts per minute. As a result, the Milwaukee can drive screws into tough materials with ease. The variable speed setting allows you to optimize the driver to handle delicate materials without destroying them.

The 2656-20’s motor is equipped with Redlink Technology that allows it to communicate constantly with its battery to facilitate maximum efficiency, thus resulting in a longer lifespan. This impact driver is also remarkably easy to use thanks to its ergonomic design and lightweight nature.

Its compact head allows the unit to fit into tight spaces, while the ergonomic handle sports a textured rubber grip to enhance comfort. It also comes with LED lights to allow you to work in dark spaces. You will also appreciate the fact that the 2656-20 is compatible with batteries from other Milwaukee M18 tools. This is especially relevant, considering the manufacturer does not include the battery in your order.

5. Ryobi One+ P236 Cordless Impact Driver

Ryobi is another power tool manufacturer renowned for its quality offerings, with the One+ P236 being one of their best budget products. The P236 offers excellent performance thanks to its motor that delivers up to 1,600 in-lbs of torque, which is incredibly high for a cordless driver of its size. It also has a variable speed trigger to adjust the speed and power, thus enhancing your precision.

The P236 is also user-friendly. It is fitted with 3 LED lights to facilitate usage in low light conditions and a keyless chuck for faster swapping of bits. You will also appreciate the magnetic bit holder feature that allows you to keep an extra bit with you.

The P236 has an ergonomic handle that enhances comfort and ease of use immensely. Its rubber cover prevents the unit from slipping and also absorbs vibrations, thus giving you better control over the driver. However, its battery and charger are sold separately.

6. ARES Manual Reversible Impact Driver

The ARES 70006 is another great manual impact driver that will prove its worth when loosening corroded, rusted, or frozen fasteners. With a few strikes of the hammer, you should be able to generate enough torque to loosen the most dogged of bolts.

The 70006 comes with four interchangeable bits with precision-milled tips to ensure they fit into the fastener perfectly. This design allows you to avoid the hassle of drilling and tapping a dogged bolt to loosen it. The rest of the set includes the driver, a ⅜-inch chuck, and a storage case.

This unit features an S2 steel alloy frame and a corrosion-resistant chrome-plated finish for maximum durability. Additionally, it has an ergonomic knurled non-slip grip to enhance comfort and ease of use. The ARES 70006 takes a while to get used to, and its bits are susceptible to breaking.

7. CRAFTSMAN Hand Impact Driver

The Craftsman CMMT14104 is a manual hand impact driver that can convert a hammer strike into 200 foot-pounds of torque. This allows you to loosen frozen and rusted fasteners with incredible ease. It can also tighten screws, bolts, and nuts.

The CMMT14104 package includes the impact driver, five slotted bits, and Phillips fasteners. Nonetheless, its bits are somewhat fragile, but it’s still a great, cheap impact driver.

8. GALAX PRO Hex Cordless Impact Driver

Galax Pro has been making waves in the power tools market due to its high-quality products. This cordless impact driver runs on a 1.3Ah Lithium-ion battery that gives you decent runtime before it needs recharging. It also comes with a battery fuel indicator to allow you to pace yourself during jobs.

The Glax Pro’s motor can deliver up to 100 Newton meters of torque and 3,000 impacts per minute, thus allowing you to take on demanding applications with ease. It also comes with a variable speed trigger that allows you to adjust your speed to suit the needs of the material you are working on.

The Galax Pro’s design facilitates ease of use. It features tool-less bit changes to enhance efficiency, is compact to fit into small areas, and is light to enhance maneuverability. Additionally, it has an ergonomic handle with a rubber grip for enhanced grip and comfort during use.

Nonetheless, the Galax Pro is not ideal for heavy-duty or professional use.

9. Avid Power Impact Driver

This impact driver by Avid Power delivers up to 1,590 in-lbs of torque with a variable speed of up to 2,700 RPM, allowing you to fasten screws and nuts with incredible speed. Its compact, lightweight frame makes it easy and comfortable to use. It also comes with built-in LED lights for enhanced convenience.

The biggest issue with this driver is that finding a replacement battery is almost impossible. Additionally, its bits are of poor quality.

10. Skil ID572702 Hex Cordless Impact Driver

The ID572702 delivers only 1,100 lbs-in of torque, which is suitable for light-duty applications. Thanks to an ergonomic design and variable speed trigger, it is easy to use.

However, this impact driver has more than its fair share of downsides. It does not have enough power to handle medium to heavy-duty applications, runs out of charge fast, and is significantly heavier than most impact drivers.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Budget IMpact Driver Under $100

As mentioned, cheaper tools tend to be poorer in quality. Therefore, when looking for a budget impact driver, it is crucial that you do your homework first. This will allow you to find the best tool for your budget. Consider the following factors when looking for a quality driver:

Torque

The torque rating of an impact driver should be the first thing you look at when evaluating a drill. Torque is the amount of rotational force that a power tool can generate. Therefore, the higher its torque rating, the better an impact driver will be at its job.

Manual or Motor-Powered

Manual impact drivers rely on your strength for operation. As a result, they are not as powerful as motor-powered. Nonetheless, they are quite reliable, in addition to being extremely affordable. However, it is best to use an electric driver for heavy-duty applications.

Brush vs. Brushless Motor

Drivers with brush motors are less reliable, as brush motors are highly susceptible to wear and tear. Brushless motors, on the other hand, are more expensive.

In the long term, however, it pays to invest in a unit with a brushless motor because it will last longer without requiring as much maintenance.

Ease of Use

The ease of use of an impact driver is determined by its design and features. A compact and lightweight driver allows you to work longer and access tight spaces, while LED lights enhance visibility in such areas. Additionally, consider the ergonomics of the driver’s handle. It should be comfortable to hold and feature a non-slip grip to prevent accidents.

Battery Life

As with any tool, you want your impact driver to last as long as possible before recharging. 2.0Ah batteries have the longest runtimes.

Conclusion

Whether you are a DIYer or a professional, there is no denying how essential an impact driver is. Nonetheless, its effectiveness and reliability depend on its quality. That is why evaluating several products first before purchasing is important, especially when you are on a budget.

If you are yet to make up your mind, consider the Black and Decker BDC120C. It is compact, lightweight, powerful, and versatile enough to take on most applications. It is also incredibly reliable. If you are on a tight budget but looking for a high-quality tool, consider the Tekton 2905 manual driver. It is durable and generates incredible amounts of torque. It’s up to you now to take your pick!