After weeks of real-world testing, this Craftsman impact driver became my go-to tool. (Fox News / Christopher Murray)
A few weeks ago, my trusty impact driver finally gave out. It had served me well for years, but I wasn’t ready to spend hundreds of dollars on a replacement. After comparing a few options, I chose the Craftsman impact driver, largely because it was on sale for just $59 (and still is).
Since then, it’s powered through weeks of DIY projects, from woodworking and deck repairs to drilling into concrete planters, and has become the tool I reach for most.
Original price: $99
Get a reliable impact driver for tougher jobs. (Amazon)
What you should know
Just $59 (40% off) for a cordless drill from a trusted, FOX reader-favorite brand.
Everything you need is in the box, including the tool, battery and charger.
Lightweight design and comfortable grip help reduce hand and wrist fatigue.
Long-lasting battery delivers up to 120 drives per charge.
Highly rated by shoppers, with a 4.7 Amazon rating and more than 1,000 purchased last month.
Lightweight design, full-size performance
The Craftsman drill powers through a variety of drilling and driving projects. (Fox News / Christopher Murray)
After using impact drivers from brands like DeWalt, Bosch and Ryobi, the Craftsman immediately stood out because it was noticeably lighter in my hand. That made it easier to use for longer projects without my wrist getting tired.
Despite its lighter build, it doesn’t feel underpowered. While building a picnic table and repairing raised garden beds, it drove long deck screws into pressure-treated lumber without any lags. It isn’t quite as fast as my comparable DeWalt driver, but with a little extra forward pressure, the performance gap was surprisingly small.
READ MORE: Buy it for life: Durable products worth every dollar (now on sale)
One charge lasts through multiple projects
The set comes with a battery and a charger. (Fox News / Christopher Murray)
While some online reviewers criticized the battery life, I found it lasted much longer than expected. On a single charge, I built a picnic table, repaired a few garden beds and assembled a wooden pallet bar, and still had enough charge left to tackle smaller jobs the next day. None of these were quick five-minute jobs. They took several hours spread across a single weekend.
A built-in LED for low-light jobs
This small light brightens dark corners. (Fox News / Christopher Murray)
I often find myself working right up until sunset, so the built-in LED has become one of my favorite features. While installing planter boxes one evening, it lit up my work area well enough that I didn’t have to stop and grab a flashlight. It also stays on for a few seconds after you release the trigger, which made it much easier to line up the next screw.
READ MORE: Built like they used to be: American-made tools worth every penny
Swap bits in seconds with one hand
Switch out bits in seconds with a quick pull of the chuck. (Fox News / Christopher Murray)
One feature I appreciated almost immediately was how quickly I could swap bits between jobs. Whether I was drilling pilot holes or driving screws, I could change bits in a couple of seconds without reaching for extra tools. That’s because the Craftsman drill uses a keyless chuck instead of the older keyed design that requires a separate chuck key.
While drilling drainage holes into a concrete planter, the bit stayed securely locked in place without slipping. Later, I switched to driving screws into planter box brackets, and changing between bits only took a few seconds.
What I didn’t like
If I had one complaint, it’s that the charger isn’t particularly fast. It’s compact and takes up much less space than some competing models, but that convenience comes at the expense of charging speed. Expect to wait a few hours for a full charge, so it’s worth keeping a spare battery on hand if you have bigger projects planned.
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Bottom line: A budget-friendly impact driver that delivers
After a few weeks of regular use, I’d buy this Craftsman impact driver again without hesitation. It isn’t the fastest model I’ve used, and I wish the charger worked a little quicker, but neither issue outweighed its lightweight design, solid battery life and dependable performance. At $59, it’s one of the best values I’ve found for homeowners and weekend DIYers.
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