7 Best Cordless Impact Wrenches for Changing Tires in 2023

As battery technology has improved, cordless impact wrenches have become more powerful, allowing them to be a viable option over other pneumatic options. However, not all cordless impact wrenches are created equal. Choosing the right one depends on your particular situation and which projects you’re working on.

For the average homeowner and contractor, the mobility these machines add to your toolbox can be quite significant, especially when changing tires. However, choosing one with enough power can be a challenge since these machines only rely on a battery. Below, you’ll find our reviews of the top cordless impact wrenches for changing tires on the market today.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023:

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Impact Wrench	Compact Fast 4-mode drive control	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Avid Power MAX Cordless Impact Wrench	Variable speed trigger LED light Fast-charging battery	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		CRAFTSMAN CMCF900M1 Impact Wrench Cordless Kit	Powerful motor Long-lasting battery Hog anvil ring	CHECK PRICE
		PORTER-CABLE PCC740B MAX Impact Wrench	Cheap Variable speed trigger LED light	CHECK PRICE
		Makita XWT11Z Cordless Impact Wrench	Multiple battery sizes available 3-speed option Reverse rotation stop	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Cordless Impact Wrenches for Changing Tires:

1. Milwaukee M18 Impact Wrench – Best Overall

If you want the best cordless impact wrench available, the Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Impact Wrench is an ideal option. It can remove high torque fasteners in a fraction of the time it takes the competitors. It is also incredibly small and portable compared to similar machines in its class. We particularly liked that it has a four-mode drive control, which gives you complete control over the speed and forces the wrench is producing.

With the unique “RedLink Plus” feature, this machine will not overheat, which could cause damage to the tool and battery. You also don’t have to worry about overloading it. The batteries are exceptionally high-quality, which allows them to deliver a lot of force and still be compact and portable.

A friction ring design makes changing sockets very fast and comfortable so that you can change the tire faster. We also liked the premium rubber over mold, which adds a significant amount of durability to this machine. Plus, the rubber makes the impact wrench far more comfortable. Like many similar machines, this one also has an LED light to illuminate darker workspaces.

Overall, there is a lot to like about the Milwaukee, and we’ve rated it the best overall cordless impact wrench for changing tires.

2. Avid Power MAX Cordless Impact Wrench – Best Value

The previous impact wrench we reviewed by Milwaukee is a bit expensive, especially if you purchase it with a battery. If you need a cheaper option, this Avid Power MAX Cordless Impact Wrench may work. We particularly recommend this for the average homeowner who is not going to use this tool every day.

This machine is equipped with a powerful motor that provides plenty of power. If you need to remove rusted-over bolts, the Avid Power can do it. It also has a variable speed trigger, giving you complete control over this machine. The LED light allows you to brighten dimmer workspaces and is a standard feature on most impact wrenches.

Because it comes with a 3.0-ampere hours (Ah) battery, the Avid Power is significantly cheaper than other options. The battery can charge in only a few hours and lasts quite a while. It may not be enough for some professionals who spend their whole day using this tool, but it should be plenty for your average homeowner.

While this isn’t the best option on the market, it is the best cordless impact wrench for changing tires for the money.

3. CRAFTSMAN Impact Wrench Cordless Kit – Premium Choice

The CRAFTSMAN CMCF900M1 Impact Wrench Cordless Kit is more expensive than other options. However, there is a reason for that. Out of all the impact wrenches on the market, it is probably one of the most powerful with the most premium features. It comes with a hog ring anvil for easy socket changes, so you can spend less time fighting with your tool and more time changing the car’s tires. It also has a very high amount of torque, allowing you to remove any nut easily.

The variable speed trigger gives you complete control over how much torque the machine uses at any given time, and an LED light makes darker areas visible. The Craftsman comes with a 20V high-capacity lithium battery, so you won’t need to spend more than the list price. Because the battery is included, this tool isn’t much more expensive than other brands.

4. PORTER-CABLE MAX Impact Wrench

The PORTER-CABLE PCC740B MAX Impact Wrench is inexpensive, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a good option. This isn’t necessarily a bad tool; there were just a few things we didn’t like about it. The motor is powerful and produces 330 foot pounds (ft-lb). This allows it to be used for heavier applications despite the lower price. It provides a maximum of 1,650 RPM, which should be plenty for changing fasteners quickly. The hog ring system makes it easy to change the sockets as well.

Like many quality tools, this impact wrench also comes with a variable speed trigger, allowing you to control the amount of power the machine pushes out at any given moment. Plus, the tool also comes with a 3-year limited warranty. However, the warranty is minimal and only covers very specific situations.

Overall,  this impact wrench is less powerful than other options on the market and will not be able to remove tougher nuts.

5. Makita XWT11Z Cordless Impact Wrench

The Makita XWT11Z Cordless Impact Wrench is a decent option for anyone in the market for an impact wrench. However, it isn’t the best device for a few reasons. On a good note, this impact wrench has a brushless motor, though it isn’t incredibly powerful. The Makita only delivers 210 ft-lb of torque power, which is far lower than most of the competition.

It also has three speeds available, but most of the other high-quality impact wrenches have more speeds or even a variable trigger. The battery can run for a long time as long as you purchase the larger battery. Smaller batteries are available as well, but these are inadequate. You have to dish out a little extra for the bigger battery, however. That raises the tool’s price substantially and is one of the reasons we rated it so low on our list. The Makita isn’t bad overall.

6. Ryobi P1833 3-Speed Impact Wrench Kit

If you need an extremely inexpensive impact wrench, the Ryobi P1833 3-Speed Impact Wrench Kit is probably one of the least expensive on the market. However, there is a reason for that. It is substantially less powerful than other brands. It provides only 150 ft-lb, which is far below the average. This is one of the main reasons we ranked it so low on our list.

There is a three-speed selector switch, which offers some speed control. However, most impact wrenches offer more speed options than this. While this tool is inexpensive, the battery and charger are sold separately. You must purchase them if you want to use this impact wrench, which will raise the price substantially.

7. VonHaus MAX Cordless Impact Wrench

Because the VonHaus 9100012 MAX Cordless Impact Wrench comes with both the battery and charger, it is one of the cheapest on the market. However, as you’ve likely learned from our reviews, you get what you pay for when it comes to impact wrenches.

This tool only provides 300 ft-lb of torque, which is far lower than most of the market. This may be enough for some homeowners, but it is unsuitable for larger jobs. Professionals should not purchase this tool; it simply isn’t powerful enough. Defects are also common in this tool, though the company’s customer service seems to be high-quality. The VonHaus is also not very ergonomic.

Despite these negatives, there were a few things we liked. It comes with a carrying bag, which is a nice touch. The cast aluminum gear head is also strong, and the battery is compatible with other tools in the VonHaus 20V Max Lithium-ion D Series.

Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Cordless Impact Wrenches for Changing Tires

Buying an impact wrench is as complicated as you make it. You can purchase the top item off our list or the value picks if you’re on a budget. Alternatively, you could dig into the features of each option and carefully weigh each tool. If you’re more of a type-A personality and want to do all the research, this section is for you.

We’ll dig into some of the nuances of purchasing an impact wrench, allowing you to select the best model for your situation.

Power

The power an impact wrench produces is vital. Without enough torque, you won’t be able to remove nuts. As you might imagine, that can be extremely frustrating. The last thing you want is to purchase an impact wrench only to realize it can’t even remove the nuts on your car.

In general, the more power, the better. However, a higher cost usually comes with a more powerful tool. If you’re looking to save money, you may not be able to purchase the most powerful tool out there.

In this case, we recommend choosing the most powerful impact wrench you possibly can on your budget. Even if it is a bit more powerful than you need, you’ll be thankful later when you can remove the nuts off your wheels without a struggle.

Speed Adjustment

Preferably, you want to have as much control over the torque output of your tool as you can. This prevents you from over-torquing a bolt or snapping a bolt head. At one point, this was more of a luxury feature. Today, though, practically every tool on the market allows you to control the amount of torque produced at least somewhat.

Just like with power, more control is typically better. Again, you’ll usually pay a bit extra for more control. If you’re a homeowner who doesn’t plan on using this tool much, you may get away with only three speeds. However, a professional who works on cars will need more control since they will likely run into more situations that require it.

Ergonomics

You don’t want your impact wrench to be uncomfortable to use, especially if you’re using it often. For those who plan on only using it occasionally, this is probably a less-important feature. You can put up with using a poorly adjusted tool sometimes, but not every day.

This is one place where buyers tend to cut corners. Many think they can put up with a less comfortable tool if it means they don’t have to spend as much money. However, you’ll thank yourself later if you splurge a bit to purchase the better-balanced tool.

Weight

This goes hand-in-hand with the ergonomics of an impact wrench. However, it deserves its own category. The weight of a tool is an essential factor to consider. If you buy a massive tool, you’ll get worn out faster. For those who plan on using these tools a lot, this can be a significant problem.

You don’t want your wrist or forearm hurting after only a few hours on the job when you have many more hours to go. This feature is less critical for homeowners, but it may still be something you want to consider.

Size

The size involves the actual size of the wrench, which can affect how heavy it is as well as how portable it is. In many cases, bigger tools will be heavier, but that is not always the case. How big of a tool you can handle depends mostly on how portable you need the tool to be. Giant wrenches are not going to be very portable, which can make them a pain to carry around. They’re also harder to handle in general, which can make you fatigue faster.

Smaller tools tend to be less powerful. Choosing a tool that isn’t massive while still being powerful enough for most of your jobs is a balancing act.

Warranty

These tools aren’t cheap, so they must be covered under warranty. Otherwise, you may find yourself out a few hundred dollars after your impact wrench breaks down in only a few weeks. You never know when you’ll receive a defective tool—even one that runs fine for a few times before giving out. A warranty is one way to save money should your tool break earlier than initially anticipated.

Many people do not look at the warranty when they purchase an impact wrench. However, we implore you to do your research and take a look at the warranty. Many “limited warranties” are minimal and don’t cover much. You’d be surprised to find out which damages some of the top company’s warranties don’t cover.

A warranty is like insurance; you don’t need it until you really need it. Be prepared and purchase a tool with a warranty.

No Load Speed

Many companies advertise their no-load speed widely. This is how fast a wrench moves when no load is present. Typically, this translates into the field as well. Machines that go faster when no load is present usually go faster when there is a load. This means you’ll be able to get your project done faster, which is always a good thing.

However, when you increase a wrench’s speed, you almost always decrease its overall torque. You should always prioritize torque over speed. Speed isn’t beneficial if your tool can’t unscrew a nut to begin with.

FAQs

Below, we’ve answered a few of the most commonly asked questions regarding impact wrenches.

Are cordless impact wrenches any good?

Yes, if you purchase the right one. Batteries have come a long way over the last few years, allowing these tools to be quite powerful. Of course, you have to remember to charge the battery. But, many of them last quite a long time. With speed chargers, you can also recharge a battery in only an hour or two.

Will a cordless impact wrench remove lug nuts?

Yes. You should be able to remove lug nuts from your car as long as your impact wrench is powerful enough. All nuts are tightened to a certain amount of torque. Usually, this is 80 to 100 ft-lb. However, it does vary a bit from car to car.

Our other articles about impact wrenches:

• Which brand makes the best air impact wrenches?
• Impact Driver vs Impact Wrench: Which is Best for Your Needs?
• Ryobi P261 Impact Wrench Review

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best cordless impact wrench for changing tires overall, the Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Impact Wrench will be your best bet. It is powerful while also being comfortable to use and inexpensive. Both homeowners and professionals will appreciate this impact wrench. For those that need to save a bit of money, the Avid Power MAX Cordless Impact Wrench is a great option. It is much cheaper but is still powerful enough for most purposes.

Hopefully, this article gave you an idea of which cordless impact wrenches are available on the market. Head to our reviews section for links to some of our favorite impact wrenches.

See also:

• How Much Does It Cost to Mount and Balance Tires

Featured Image Credit: Ralphs_Fotos, Pixabay