Impact Driver or Drill/Driver? Pick the Battery First
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Prices were listed by the retailer as of Oct 30, 2026 and can change. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer's page before you buy.
Before you compare torque figures or chuck sizes, decide which battery system you want to live with. A cordless tool is only as flexible as the battery behind it, and the first tool you buy usually sets the platform for every later purchase. A battery platform is the family of packs and chargers that fit a group of tools, so buying into one means future tools from that family can often be bought as bare tools, without paying for another battery. Every one of the 34 impact drivers and 90 drill/drivers in this catalog sample is cordless, so the platform question applies to both sides.
On the impact driver side, the catalog lists 34 models from Milwaukee (16), Hilti (8), Makita (5), DeWalt (2), Ridgid (2) and Ryobi (1). The most common platform is M12 with 13 models, followed by NURON 22V (4), LXT 18V (3) and 20V MAX (2). By configuration, 25 are kits, 7 are bare tools and 2 do not state it. Brushless motors are stated on 82 percent of the listings.
The drill/driver side is larger and wider: 90 models from Milwaukee (50), Makita (20), Hilti (7), DeWalt (6), Ridgid (5) and Ryobi (2). Prices span $208 to $6,199, with a median of $334. Platforms lead with M12 (23 models), then M18 (15), LXT 18V (14) and M4 (8).
Keep in mind that these are catalog listings, and a spec appears only where the listing states it. Use the tables and example models on this page as a starting point, then open the listings for full details.
At a glance
| Impact drivers | Drill/drivers | |
|---|---|---|
| Models listed | 34 | 90 |
| Price range | $208 to $579 | $208 to $6,199 |
| Median price | $286 | $334 |
| Battery platforms named in listings | M12 (13), NURON 22V (4), LXT 18V (3) | M12 (23), M18 (15), LXT 18V (14) |
| Cordless models stating a brushless motor | 82% of 34 | 72% of 90 |
| Most common configuration | kit (25), bare tool (7) | kit (62), bare tool (26) |
| Listings stating batteries, charger or case | 41% | 46% |
| Tool types covered | Impact driver (34) | Drill/driver (90) |
Kit listings
Kit listings bundle the tool with batteries and usually a charger, so the price covers a ready-to-run package. Among the examples, the Ridgid impact driver kit (ID01K1R840041) and the Ridgid drill/driver kit (DD01K1R840041) are both listed at $208.00, and both list 2 batteries and a charger. The impact driver lists 2,000 in-lbs max torque and 3,800 RPM; the drill/driver lists 750 in-lbs and 2,000 RPM. Ryobi's ONE+ HP 18V kits appear on both sides at $258, and Makita's XPH10R hammer driver kit is listed at $279.14. Overall, 41 percent of impact drivers and 46 percent of drill/drivers state kit contents.
Impact drivers
Ridgid 18V NUKE SubCompact Brushless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver Kit w/ 2Ah MAX Battery, Charger & 18V 4.0 Ah EXP Battery
$208.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Compact 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver Kit w/ (2) Batteries, Charger, & 4Ah Battery
$258.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: ONE+ 18V · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL SURGE 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Hydraulic Impact Driver Kit W/ M18 5.0AH Battery
$492.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver Kit w/2.0 Ah Battery
$216 to $278 · Kit · Voltage: 12 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M12 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 2 Ah
Drill/drivers
Ridgid 18V NUKE SubCompact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit w/ 2Ah MAX Battery, Charger & 18V 4.0 Ah EXP Battery
$208.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Ridgid 18V NUKE SubCompact Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit with 2.0 Ah MAX with 4.0 Ah MAX Lithium-Ion Battery
$268.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Compact 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit w/ (2) Batteries, Charger, & Cordless Clamp Speaker 2Pk
$258 to $288 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: ONE+ 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 4 Ah
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Compact Cordless Hammer Driver Drill Kit with two Batteries (2.0 Ah), Charger and Hard Case
$279.14 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 2 Ah · Max speed: 1,900 RPM
Bare tool listings (tool only)
Bare tool listings are the tool only, with no battery or charger stated, so they suit buyers who already own packs on the same platform. The impact driver examples include the Milwaukee M18 FUEL SURGE 2761-20-48-3 at $213.00, the DeWalt DCF870B at $219.00 and Makita's XDT20Z, listed from $249 to $429. The drill/driver examples lean toward Makita, including the XGT 40V GPH03Z at $259.00 and two right angle drills at $374.00 each. Seven impact drivers and 26 drill/drivers are bare tools, and several examples list a battery capacity, but the box contents still show tool only.
Impact drivers
Milwaukee M18 FUEL SURGE 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool-Only) w/ Bit Kit
$213.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Max torque: 1,000 in-lbs
Makita 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)
$249 to $429 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Battery capacity: 5 Ah · Max speed: 3,800 RPM
DeWalt 20V XR Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Quiet Hydraulic Impact Driver (Tool-Only)
$219.00 · · Voltage: 20 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: 20V MAX · Size / capacity: 1/4 in.
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless High Torque 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)
$234 to $499 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Max torque: 2,040 in-lbs
Drill/drivers
Makita 40V Max XGT Compact Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Driver-Drill, Tool Only
$209 to $449 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 2.5 Ah
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless 3 Speed 1/2 in. Hammer Driver-Drill, Tool Only
$259.00 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Max torque: 1,590 in-lbs
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only)
$374.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 7/16 in. Hex Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only)
$374.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 7/16 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Which one fits you
Choose Impact drivers if...
- You want a narrower catalog to browse: 34 models, with M12 the leading platform at 13 models.
- You prefer a side where 82 percent of listings state a brushless motor.
- You like buying a kit: 25 of the 34 impact drivers are listed as kits, though only 41 percent state the contents.
Choose Drill/drivers if...
- You want the widest platform choice, with M12 (23 models), M18 (15), LXT 18V (14) and M4 (8) all well represented.
- You want a broader price range, from $208 up to $6,199, with a median of $334.
- You are happy with 72 percent of listings stating a brushless motor and want more options beyond that group.
- You want either route: 62 kits for a ready package or 26 bare tools to pair with batteries you already own.
Ready to weigh specific models against each other?
Frequently asked questions
Why does the battery platform matter so much?
A platform is a family of batteries and chargers shared across tools. Pick one and later tools can often be bought as bare tools, as listed for 7 impact drivers and 26 drill/drivers here. Pick tools on different platforms and you may pay for extra batteries and chargers.
How do the price ranges compare?
Drill/drivers run from $208 to $6,199, with a median of $334. Both sides start at the same $208 price, so the difference is mostly in the upper range and the typical mid-price.
Does a brushless motor appear on both sides?
Yes. Listings state a brushless motor on 82 percent of impact drivers and 72 percent of drill/drivers. A brushless motor is a design without carbon brushes.
What does a kit include?
Only what the listing states. Examples such as the Ridgid ID01K1R840041 list 2 batteries and a charger, and the Makita XPH10R lists 2 batteries, a charger and a case or bag. Some kits do not state contents, so check the listing before buying.