A mechanic will find it hard to do their job without an impact wrench, and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel ½-Inch High Torque Impact Wrench is one of the best available — Popular Mechanics named it its best cordless impact wrench in 2023 after some hands-on testing with the product. The power of the wrench is its biggest asset; Popular Mechanics reported that “removing lug nuts on our F-250 Super Duty was no challenge” for the tool. With 1,000 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,400 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, you’ll be able to use the impact wrench on even rusted, stuck bolts. Bolt Removal is one of its four modes, and the tool can slow down to 750 rpm once a fastener is busted loose.
It’s also durable, built with anti-corrosive materials, and allows for quick and simple tool-free socket changes with its ½-inch friction ring anvil. Despite its ergonomic design, you might find the tool a little cumbersome to use — it’s fairly big and heavy, thanks in part to its large 5 Ah batteries. Those batteries are part of what makes the product such a powerful and useful tool to have in your garage. However, Popular Mechanics estimates it can last a full day of changing tires on two batteries. Home Depot sells the M18 Fuel ½-Inch High Torque Impact Wrench for $249 (though it’s currently $20 off).
