The Best BUDGET Impact Driver + GIVEAWAY!

*This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. I have been compensated for my time and provided with product in exchange. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. 

I chose my blog name, Pneumatic Addict, after being inspired by my favorite power tool, the brad nailer. A very close second is the impact driver. I love those little guys! I can honestly say I use an impact driver on almost every project. If you're interested in learning what's the difference between an impact driver and a power drill, check out this blog post all about drills. 

I currently own 5 different impact drivers, all from different manufacturers. If you are on a budget, I'd hands down recommend the new brushless impact from Ryobi.

My father-in-law is a general contractor and he has given me the same advice I've heard regarding most purchases: don't take the cheapest offer. Take the bid (or buy the tool) one or two steps up from the bottom. At $99, the Ryobi impact certainly isn't the cheapest option, but it's nowhere near the top, and it's worth every penny. I've made a list of what sets my new impact driver apart from the competition and what makes it the best choice on a budget. One of you lucky friends will actually win this exact tool! 

1. It's Brushless

A couple of years ago I started seeing the term "brushless" stamped on tool boxes, usually with a much higher pricetag than those without. What exactly is a brush and why don't you want them? 

Conventional electrical motors had spinning carbon bundles or "brushes" that worked with magnets to create momentum. Brushless motors have spinning magnets that move around an armature. Ignore the technical mumbo jumbo and just know that it means a brushless motor has more power and more control. They last longer and have the ability to make tools "smart" by having variable power.  

2. LED Lights

Just like storage, you can never have enough lighting when you work! My old impact driver had a light as well, but a single bulb underneath the driver bit created so many shadows it sometimes made it even harder to see what I was doing. Whoever designed the Ryobi impact was pretty smart and put three different LEDs around the chuck, so the business end is always well illuminated. 

3. Magnetic Holder

I have a few different impact drivers and believe it or not, a couple don't even have a place to hold a spare driver bit. It's super annoying when I want to switch from a flat to a Phillips or from a nut setter to a square drive. The Ryobi brushless impact driver has a holder clip in the front, but it also has this sweet area called a Magtray. It's a little magnetic dish that can hold extra bits, as well as screws or nuts. I use it on almost every project. 

4. Variable Speed

The problem when the first impact drivers came on the market was people started using them for everything 

*quietly raises hand  

It doesn't take too many stripped screw heads or broken light switch plates to learn you don't always need tons of power and speed. However,  with three different speed settings, it's okay to use this impact for almost any situation or material.

I found the adjustable speed settings really useful when starting screws. I start on the slower speed to get the threads engaged, then I speed up to drive the screw in.

5. The ONE+ Battery Platform

You guys know I don't work with one tool brand exclusively. If you look at my process shots from past projects, you'll see DeWalt, Makita, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Ridgid - all of them. Each brand has their pro's and con's. 

Ryobi's biggest claim to fame is their One+ battery platform. You can take the exact same 18-volt battery from your cordless drill, and use it to power a floodlight or hedge trimmer. That was a smart move. Lithium batteries aren't cheap, so once you make a commitment to a product line, it's nice when that line carries a large variety of compatible tools. I think there are over 70 now. 

Ready to get your hands on your own Ryobi Brushless Impact Driver? Fill out the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of the page for chances to win. I will send this exact tool! Want to save this idea for later? Feel free to pin the image below!

If you like this project, you'll love these ideas: 

    

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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