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Best Impact Drivers for Locksmiths (2026)

Emergency and residential locksmiths working alone at unsociable hours, often arriving at dimly lit properties at night where personal safety, focused lighting, and compact portable gear are essential

Impact Drivers for Locksmiths

Quick Comparison

ProductPriceRatingKey FeatureLink
DeWalt DCF887 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver£149.994.7/5Brushless motorCheck Price on Amazon
DeWalt 18V XR Cordless Impact Driver Kit£179.994.6/518V XR brushlessCheck Price on Amazon
Bosch Professional GDX 18V Impact Driver/Wrench£129.994.5/518V Professional systemCheck Price on Amazon
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Cordless Impact Driver£189.994.7/5POWERSTATE brushless motorCheck Price on Amazon
DeWalt 18V XR Impact Driver Body Only£99.994.6/518V XR body onlyCheck Price on Amazon
Bosch GDR 18V Cordless Impact Driver£119.994.5/518V ProfessionalCheck Price on Amazon
Makita DTD157 18V LXT Cordless Impact Driver£139.994.6/518V LXT brushlessCheck Price on Amazon
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Impact Driver£79.994.4/5Ryobi ONE+ 18VCheck Price on Amazon
Milwaukee M18 Cordless Impact Driver Kit£219.994.6/5M18 battery kitCheck Price on Amazon
DeWalt 18V XR Impact Driver with 2 Batteries£169.994.6/518V XR with 2 batteriesCheck Price on Amazon

In-Depth Reviews

10 products tested for locksmiths

DeWalt DCF887 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver
#1 Best for: Locksmiths

DeWalt DCF887 18V XR Brushless Impact Driver

£149.99

4.7 (4,200)

Pros

  • +DeWalt XR is the professional standard on UK construction sites
  • +Brushless motor delivers up to 57% more runtime than brushed alternatives
  • +Compact 116mm length reaches tight spaces inaccessible to bulkier models
  • +3-speed settings allow precision low-speed driving or high-speed fast driving

Cons

  • -Premium DeWalt pricing versus budget alternatives
  • -1/4-inch hex limits bit selection to hex shank only
  • -3 LED worklights add some weight over single-LED units
Brushless motor205Nm torque3 LED worklights3-speed settingsCompact 116mm length
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DeWalt 18V XR Cordless Impact Driver Kit
#2 Best for: Locksmiths

DeWalt 18V XR Cordless Impact Driver Kit

£179.99

4.6 (2,800)

Pros

  • +Two batteries ensures continuous driving without waiting for recharge
  • +XR brushless motor is the professional choice for intensive use
  • +Carry case for professional transport and storage in van
  • +Variable speed trigger for controlled driving of sensitive fasteners

Cons

  • -Premium price for kit format
  • -Two batteries add weight to the carry case
  • -XR requires DeWalt-compatible batteries only
18V XR brushlessTwo batteries includedCarry caseVariable speed trigger1/4-inch hex chuck
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Bosch Professional GDX 18V Impact Driver/Wrench
#3 Best for: Locksmiths

Bosch Professional GDX 18V Impact Driver/Wrench

£129.99

4.5 (1,900)

Pros

  • +Dual chuck accepts both 1/4-inch hex bits AND 1/2-inch square drive sockets — rare dual compatibility
  • +Bosch Professional 18V ecosystem means batteries shared with grinders, jigsaws, etc
  • +Brushless motor for maximum efficiency and runtime
  • +Professional trade-grade build quality

Cons

  • -Dual chuck design adds slight bulk versus dedicated impact drivers
  • -Premium Professional pricing
  • -Dual compatibility most valuable if you already own Bosch Professional tools
18V Professional systemDual chuck: 1/4-inch hex and 1/2-inch squareBrushless motorPart of Bosch 18V Professional ecosystemHigh torque output
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Milwaukee M18 FUEL Cordless Impact Driver
#4 Best for: Locksmiths

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Cordless Impact Driver

£189.99

4.7 (3,100)

Pros

  • +Milwaukee POWERSTATE brushless motor is industry-leading for efficiency and power
  • +REDLINK PLUS electronics prevent overheating and overload automatically
  • +4-mode DRIVE CONTROL adapts to different fastener types for professional results
  • +Compact 116mm body fits in the tightest installation positions

Cons

  • -Most expensive impact driver in this category
  • -FUEL technology requires M18 batteries — no budget battery alternatives
  • -Advanced electronics require understanding of modes for optimal use
POWERSTATE brushless motorREDLINK PLUS intelligence220Nm torque4-mode DRIVE CONTROLCompact 116mm length
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DeWalt 18V XR Impact Driver Body Only
#5 Best for: Locksmiths

DeWalt 18V XR Impact Driver Body Only

£99.99

4.6 (5,800)

Pros

  • +Body-only pricing ideal for existing DeWalt system users with spare batteries
  • +Nearly 6,000 reviews confirming this is the most proven DeWalt impact driver
  • +Compatible with all DeWalt 18V/20V batteries including FLEXVOLT
  • +Variable speed trigger gives control across all fastener sizes

Cons

  • -No batteries included — existing DeWalt 18V batteries required
  • -Body-only is poor value for first-time impact driver buyers
  • -Older specification compared to latest brushless models
18V XR body onlyCompatible with all DeWalt 18V batteriesVariable speed triggerLED worklightCompact design
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Bosch GDR 18V Cordless Impact Driver
#6 Best for: Locksmiths

Bosch GDR 18V Cordless Impact Driver

£119.99

4.5 (2,100)

Pros

  • +Bosch Professional quality at a competitive price point
  • +Brushless motor gives excellent runtime per charge
  • +Compact body suits confined installation environments
  • +Part of the Bosch 18V Professional ecosystem

Cons

  • -Fewer features than Milwaukee FUEL or DeWalt XR equivalents
  • -Limited review count compared to established models
  • -Performance data limited versus long-running models
18V ProfessionalBrushless motorCompact body1/4-inch hex chuckLED worklight
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Makita DTD157 18V LXT Cordless Impact Driver
#7 Best for: Locksmiths

Makita DTD157 18V LXT Cordless Impact Driver

£139.99

4.6 (3,700)

Pros

  • +Makita LXT is the world's largest 18V cordless platform — batteries everywhere
  • +105mm is one of the most compact impact drivers available
  • +4-speed settings offer unmatched control across all fastener types
  • +175Nm is more than adequate for all standard trade applications

Cons

  • -LXT batteries not compatible with Makita XGT range
  • -Brushless motor adds cost versus brushed models
  • -4-speed mode requires learning for optimal use
18V LXT brushless175Nm torque4-speed settingsCompact 105mm bodyPart of Makita 18V LXT system
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Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Impact Driver
#8 Best for: Locksmiths

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Impact Driver

£79.99

4.4 (4,500)

Pros

  • +ONE+ system access to over 100 tools on one battery platform is exceptional value
  • +Most affordable professional-format impact driver available
  • +Variable speed trigger for controlled driving
  • +ONE+ batteries widely available in stores and online

Cons

  • -Ryobi is consumer rather than professional grade
  • -Battery life shorter than DeWalt or Makita at comparable power levels
  • -Torque below that of professional alternatives
Ryobi ONE+ 18VCompatible with 100+ ONE+ toolsVariable speed triggerLED worklight1/4-inch hex chuck
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Milwaukee M18 Cordless Impact Driver Kit
#9 Best for: Locksmiths

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Impact Driver Kit

£219.99

4.6 (2,600)

Pros

  • +Complete kit includes batteries and charger for immediate out-of-box use
  • +Milwaukee M18 is the professional's choice on demanding UK trade sites
  • +Brushless motor gives maximum battery efficiency
  • +Complete Milwaukee M18 ecosystem entry point

Cons

  • -Premium pricing for Milwaukee kit format
  • -M18 batteries are expensive compared to budget alternatives
  • -Heavy kit carry case
M18 battery kitBatteries and charger includedBrushless motorVariable speedProfessional trade rated
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DeWalt 18V XR Impact Driver with 2 Batteries
#10 Best for: Locksmiths

DeWalt 18V XR Impact Driver with 2 Batteries

£169.99

4.6 (3,300)

Pros

  • +Two batteries plus fast charger means no downtime on long jobs
  • +3-LED worklight provides 360-degree illumination
  • +Carry case included for professional storage and transport
  • +DeWalt XR quality at a kit-friendly price

Cons

  • -Heavier carry case with two batteries
  • -Kit pricing higher than body-only for DeWalt system users
  • -Battery capacity varies by kit — check specifications before purchase
18V XR with 2 batteriesFast charger includedBrushless motor option3-LED worklightVariable speed
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