Cordless Impact Wrench Showdown: Milwaukee vs DeWalt vs Makita
The cordless impact wrench has revolutionized automotive repair and construction work. No more dragging air hoses around the garage or jobsite — modern battery-powered impact wrenches deliver torque that rivals their pneumatic counterparts. In this head-to-head comparison, we pit the three biggest names against each other: Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL, DeWalt’s 20V MAX XR, and Makita’s 18V LXT.
Specification Comparison
| Feature | Milwaukee 2967-20 | DeWalt DCF900B | Makita XWT19Z |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Torque (ft-lbs) | 1,400 | 1,200 | 1,150 |
| Nut-Busting Torque | 2,100 ft-lbs | 1,750 ft-lbs | 1,550 ft-lbs |
| Drive Size | 1/2″ | 1/2″ | 1/2″ |
| Speed Settings | 4 modes | 3 modes | 4 modes |
| Weight (bare tool) | 7.2 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 7.9 lbs |
| Price (tool only) | $299 | $279 | $259 |
| Our Rating | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
Power and Performance
Milwaukee takes the crown for raw power with an impressive 1,400 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 2,100 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. In our lug nut removal test, the Milwaukee consistently broke free rusted and over-torqued lug nuts that the other two struggled with. DeWalt’s DCF900B offers a strong middle ground with 1,200 ft-lbs that handles 95% of automotive work without issue. Makita’s XWT19Z, while the least powerful on paper, features an incredibly smooth impact mechanism that makes it surprisingly effective in practice.
Battery Life and Ecosystem
All three tools benefit from their respective battery ecosystems. Milwaukee’s M18 platform boasts over 250 tools, DeWalt’s 20V MAX system offers 300+ tools, and Makita’s 18V LXT lineup includes 325+ products. For battery life specifically, Milwaukee and DeWalt performed similarly — roughly 30-40 lug nut removals per 5.0Ah charge. Makita’s efficient brushless motor squeezed out approximately 10% more runtime in our testing, making it the endurance champion.
The Verdict
If raw power is your priority and you’re already invested in the Milwaukee ecosystem, the 2967-20 is the clear winner. For the best value proposition, DeWalt’s DCF900B delivers excellent performance at a lower price point with the lightest weight in the group. And if you prioritize refinement, runtime, and are a Makita user, the XWT19Z won’t disappoint. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these three — they’re all outstanding tools that represent the best of modern cordless engineering.
The Milwaukee 2767-20 is an absolute beast. Took off lug nuts that my pneumatic wrench struggled with. The future is cordless!