The 18V impact driver is the most-used tool on a job site. Good news: competition in 2026 is fierce and value for money has never been better. Bad news: choosing between Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee and DeWalt is not obvious — each brand has its philosophy. Here is our field comparison.
Torque and raw performance
On an 8×80 screw into oak, the 4 tested models drive a Spax screw without complaint. But on pure speed:
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel ONEKEY (226 Nm torque) remains the king for heavy work — frame assembly, metal structure. Its POWERSTATE motor is over-sized for 95% of uses but it is useful on the remaining 5%.
The Bosch GDR 18V-200 C (200 Nm torque) follows very closely with a very well-tuned auto-stop at the screw head. It is the “precise” choice: less brutal, more accurate.
- Milwaukee: 226 Nm — maximum torque, ideal for framing
- Bosch GDR 18V-200: 200 Nm — precision and auto-stop
- Makita TD172: 180 Nm — weight/power balance
- DeWalt DCF887: 205 Nm — US robustness, mediocre ergonomics
Real runtime and battery system
Over 2 5Ah batteries per brand, in continuous use (driving 6×80 into pine), we measured:
Makita XGT 40V apart: this is no longer 18V but the same ergonomics. For users already on Makita batteries, switching to XGT is not urgent — except for Ø230 grinders and SDS-Max rotary hammers where the power difference changes everything.
Runtime verdict: Milwaukee wins on endurance, Bosch on fast charging (35 min for a 5Ah), Makita on ecosystem universality.
Ergonomics & weight
The Makita TD172 remains the lightest (1.5 kg with 5Ah battery) and the best balanced. Over 8h on site, those 200 grams less change a day.
The Bosch GDR Pro has a very well-made rubberised grip and an LED around the chuck (not above it) that lights without shadow — an important detail when working at height.
Our final verdict
For 80% of pros: Bosch GDR 18V-200 C with 2× 5Ah ProCORE battery. Perfect price/performance balance, massive ecosystem (>180 18V tools at our store).
For heavy sites: Milwaukee M18 Fuel — the investment is higher but the lifespan justifies it.
For the demanding DIYer: Makita TD172 with 2× 5Ah — lightness + the consumer ecosystem.
