Impact Driver vs Drill: Which Should You Buy First? (October 2026)

On this page (12 sections)

1. Impact driver vs drill: which should you buy first?
2. Which tool is better for drilling holes?
3. Which tool drives screws better?
4. How do the chucks and bits differ?
5. How should you set up each tool?
6. Which tool is easier for a beginner?
7. Does a combo kit make sense?
8. What should you buy first for common home jobs?
9. Which mistakes should you avoid?
10. How should you care for a drill or impact driver?
11. Which tool gives you the better value?
12. Which should you buy: an impact driver or drill?

Buy a cordless drill first if you need to make holes and handle a range of home tasks; choose an impact driver first if you mostly drive screws. In an impact driver vs drill comparison, the best first tool is the one that fits your regular jobs.

A drill driver accepts drill bits and can also drive screws. An impact driver is built for fastening, with a 1/4 in. hex chuck and rotational impacts that help turn screws.

If you expect to do both kinds of work, a combo kit gives you both tools. The DeWalt DCK240C2 includes a drill driver, an impact driver, 2 batteries, a charger and a contractor bag.

Impact driver vs drill: which should you buy first?

Choose a drill for mixed jobs and an impact driver for frequent fastening. Start with the tool you'll use most, then add the other when your projects call for it.

A drill driver is the more flexible single tool. Its chuck holds drill bits for making holes, and it can drive screws with a driver bit.

An impact driver focuses on fastening. Its hex chuck accepts compatible 1/4 in. hex-shank bits, and its rotational impacts help turn stubborn or long screws.

For a first tool in a typical home, the drill is usually the practical starting point. It handles holes and basic screw driving, while an impact driver is less suited to general drilling.

How does impact driver vs drill use differ?

A cordless drill turns a bit at a steady speed. Many drill drivers also have a clutch, which helps limit how far a screw goes when the setting matches the task.

An impact driver combines rotation with short impacts around the bit's turning direction. That action can help with repeated fastening, but it can feel abrupt with a small screw or delicate material.

The impact driver's 1/4 in. hex chuck is made for driver bits and compatible accessories. A drill chuck grips different round or hex-shank bits, making it more adaptable for holes.

Which tool is better for drilling holes?

A drill driver is the better choice for regular drilling because its chuck accepts drill bits and its steady rotation is easier to manage. Use an impact driver for holes only when you have a compatible bit and the task suits it.

A drill lets you choose among common bit types for wood, metal and other materials. Adjust speed and pressure as the bit starts, then keep the hole aligned as it goes deeper.

An impact driver may work for some holes with a compatible hex-shank bit, but its impact action is designed for driving. It can be harder to control when a hole needs a clean start or careful placement.

The Milwaukee M18 2606-21CT Compact Drill Driver Kit has a 1/2 in. chuck and 2 speed ranges, making it the more flexible choice here for drilling and routine fastening. It includes a hard case and 1 battery.

For masonry, neither a standard drill nor an impact driver is automatically the right choice. A hammer drill adds a hammering action for masonry work.

Match the bit to the surface and tool. See how to drill into brick with a cordless drill for a project-specific guide.

Which tool drives screws better?

An impact driver is better for frequent screw driving, while a drill is easier to use for occasional screws and delicate work. The impact driver's rotational force can help drive longer fasteners, but control still matters.

A drill driver can handle furniture assembly, cabinet hardware and other everyday screws. Set the clutch for the fastener and material, then start slowly so the bit stays seated.

An impact driver is useful when a project has many screws or longer fasteners. Its impact action helps keep the bit turning as resistance rises, but use steady pressure and the right bit.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver has 4-mode drive control and variable speed.

Its Tri-LED lighting helps illuminate the work area, and those drive features give you options for controlling repeated fastening.

For smaller fasteners, gentle trigger control can help reduce the chance of stripping a screw or damaging the material. A drill's clutch can be more forgiving when you need to stop at a set depth.

How do the chucks and bits differ?

A drill driver gives you a more flexible chuck, while an impact driver uses a quick 1/4 in. hex connection for compatible bits. Check the bit shank before buying accessories.

Most cordless drill drivers use a keyless chuck that grips round-shank drill bits and many driver bits. A 1/2 in. chuck can hold a broader range of bit sizes than a 1/4 in. hex chuck.

An impact driver accepts 1/4 in. hex-shank bits. This makes bit changes quick, but you need accessories designed for the tool and its impact action.

If you already own drill bits, check their shanks and the chuck size of your tool. Our guide to changing a drill bit on a cordless drill explains how to fit a bit securely.

How should you set up each tool?

Use a sharp, compatible bit, secure the work and choose a low starting speed. A careful setup helps you keep the bit aligned and reduces slipping or damage.

For drilling, select a bit suited to the material and hole size, then tighten it securely in the chuck. Mark the hole location and hold the tool square to the surface before starting.

For screw driving, match the driver bit to the screw head and seat it fully. On a drill, start with a low clutch setting and increase it only if the screw stops before reaching the intended depth.

An impact driver has no drill-style clutch in the same sense, so ease into the trigger and use its drive modes where available. Practice on scrap material when you are learning how quickly the tool responds.

Keep your free hand clear of the bit and fastener. If the bit slips, stop and reset it instead of pushing harder.

Which tool is easier for a beginner?

A drill driver is usually easier to learn for mixed home jobs because its speed and clutch settings support controlled work. An impact driver can be simple for screws once you get used to its sound and feel.

Start at low speed and hold the tool in line with the bit. A drill can still damage a screw head or material if you use too much pressure or the wrong bit.

An impact driver can deliver more force than a small fastener needs. Begin with a light trigger press and practice on scrap material before working on a visible surface.

If you are unsure what the drill's settings do, read what the numbers on a drill mean. The clutch and speed controls help you match the tool to a task.

Does a combo kit make sense?

A combo kit makes sense if you'll drill holes and drive many screws, or want both tools ready for different tasks. It takes more storage space than a single tool, so consider how often each job comes up.

The DeWalt DCK240C2 kit includes a DCD771 drill driver and DCF885 impact driver, along with 2 lithium-ion batteries, a charger and a contractor bag. Both tools have integrated LED work lights.

A kit saves you from making one tool cover every task. Use the drill for holes and controlled screw work, then switch to the impact driver for repeated fastening.

If your projects mostly involve hanging pictures, tightening hardware and drilling occasional pilot holes, one drill driver may be enough. If you build decks, assemble large projects or drive many long fasteners, the second tool is more likely to earn its place.

What should you buy first for common home jobs?

Match your first tool to jobs you do often, not the most demanding project you might do someday. A drill covers more kinds of basic work, while an impact driver is a focused fastening tool.

Is a drill or impact driver better for furniture and shelves?

A drill driver is the better first buy for assembling furniture, attaching shelves and handling small repairs. It drills pilot holes and drives screws with one tool.

For occasional long screws, use a suitable driver bit and work at a controlled speed. If you find yourself driving fasteners throughout a project, consider adding an impact driver.

Is an impact driver worth it for decking and framing?

An impact driver is a strong fit when you drive many long screws or fasteners in a row. Its rotational impacts help keep the bit turning as resistance increases.

A drill can make pilot holes and handle other drilling tasks. If your projects regularly involve both steps, a combo kit lets each tool handle the work it suits.

Which tool should you use for wood, metal or masonry holes?

For regular holes in wood or metal, start with a drill driver and the right bit. For brick or concrete, check whether the task calls for a hammer drill and a masonry bit instead.

Our guide to drilling through metal with a cordless drill covers speed, bit choice and setup for that material. For concrete, see how to drill into concrete with a hammer drill.

Which mistakes should you avoid?

Most problems come from the wrong bit, too much speed or forcing a tool into work it doesn't suit. Stop when the bit slips or the tool struggles, then correct the setup.

Don't use a round-shank drill bit in an impact driver's hex chuck unless it has a compatible hex shank. Don't assume every bit is designed for impact use, either.

Avoid driving every screw at full speed. A small fastener or soft material may need a gentler touch, and a drill's clutch can help prevent overdriving.

Don't use an impact driver as your only drill if your projects call for regular holes. For occasional holes with a compatible bit, it can help, but see where an impact driver works as a drill before relying on it.

How should you care for a drill or impact driver?

Keep the tools and bits clean, store them dry and check accessories before each job. Basic care helps you avoid poor bit grip and unnecessary wear.

Brush dust away from the chuck and vents after work. Remove the battery before changing bits or cleaning around the chuck.

Check bits for worn tips, bends or damage, and replace ones that no longer seat securely. Store the tools in a case or bag so the chuck and accessories are less exposed to dirt and knocks.

Follow the tool maker's instructions for battery charging and storage. Don't leave a tool running under heavy strain when a suitable bit or a different tool would fit the job better.

Which tool gives you the better value?

A drill driver gives broader use from one tool, while an impact driver can save effort on repeated fastening. Value depends on whether that focused strength matches your regular work.

The Milwaukee drill driver kit is a one-tool option with a 1/2 in. chuck, 2 speed ranges, a hard case and 1 battery. The Milwaukee impact driver offers 4 drive modes, variable speed and Tri-LED lighting, but you'll still need a drill if you regularly make holes.

The DeWalt combo kit bundles a drill driver and impact driver with 2 batteries and a charger. It fits buyers who expect to use both tools, while a single-tool buyer can start with a drill.

The scores weigh each option's features against the jobs in this guide. The combo kit fits mixed projects, the impact driver suits frequent fastening and the drill driver covers a broader range of everyday work.

Which should you buy: an impact driver or drill?

Pick a drill driver if you need one tool for drilling and everyday home repairs; pick an impact driver if repeated screw driving is your main job. Choose a combo kit if both tasks are regular parts of your projects.

For most first-time buyers, a drill driver is the more useful starting point because it can make holes and drive screws. If you want both roles covered from day one, compare the DeWalt drill and impact driver combo kit.

The impact driver becomes the better first choice when fastening dominates your work. To see where it can and cannot substitute for a drill, read Impact Driver as a Drill: Where It Works and Where It Fails.

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy a drill or impact driver first?

Buy a drill first if you need to make holes and handle a mix of home tasks. It accepts drill bits and can also drive screws.

Choose an impact driver first if most of your work is driving screws, especially repeated fastening where its impact action can help.

Can an impact driver drill holes?

An impact driver can drill some holes when you use a compatible hex-shank bit, but it isn't as versatile as a drill driver. The impact mechanism can make delicate drilling harder to control.

For regular holes in wood, metal or other materials, a drill is the more flexible first tool.

Can I use a drill to drive screws?

Yes. A drill driver can drive screws with a driver bit, and its clutch can help limit how far a screw goes.

Start slowly and use a suitable clutch setting.

For repeated long screws, an impact driver can make the work easier, but it is less suited to general drilling.

Do I need both a drill and an impact driver?

You may want both if your projects involve regular drilling and frequent screw driving. The drill handles holes and general jobs, while the impact driver is built for fastening.

If you only do occasional home repairs, start with the tool that matches most of your tasks.

Is a hammer drill the same as an impact driver?

No. A hammer drill adds a forward hammering action for drilling into masonry, while an impact driver uses rotational impacts to drive fasteners.

For concrete or brick, use a suitable hammer drill and masonry bit.

See our guide to hammer drills versus regular drills for that choice.