Cordless Drill vs Impact Driver vs Hammer Drill: Which Do You Need?
Three tools look similar, feel similar in your hand, and all drive fasteners. But each one does a different job well. Pick wrong and you will fight the tool the whole project.
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Cordless Drill/Driver
A cordless drill/driver handles 90% of what homeowners need: drilling holes and driving screws in wood, drywall, and light metal. If you only get one tool, this is it.
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Common Questions
Can an impact driver drill holes?
Yes, with hex-shank drill bits. It works fine for quick rough holes in wood. For precise holes, especially in metal or with Forstner/spade bits, a drill/driver with a 3-jaw chuck gives better control.
Do I need both a drill and an impact driver?
If you do one project a year, a drill/driver alone is enough. If you build things regularly, the combo is worth it. The impact driver saves real time and effort on fastening, and the drill handles precision drilling.
What about a rotary hammer?
A rotary hammer is the heavy-duty version of a hammer drill. If you are drilling into concrete more than occasionally, or drilling holes larger than 1/2", a rotary hammer is worth the upgrade. For a single mounting job, a hammer drill does the job.