Drill or impact drill: Which is better?

The two screwdrivers differ in function and application. If you primarily work with soft materials, the drill/driver is the ideal choice. For projects that require drilling into stone or masonry, the impact drill/driver is more suitable. Learn more about the other features and possible uses of both tools below.

What are the differences?

  • A drill/driver is ideal for driving screws and drilling into soft materials like wood and plastic . It offers precise control and is particularly well-suited for delicate work, such as driving screws or drilling holes in thin panels. Its ease of use makes it the perfect tool for DIY enthusiasts and light construction projects.
  • A hammer drill is ideal for working with harder materials like stone or masonry . The additional impact function makes drilling more efficient and allows for penetration of resistant surfaces. The hammer drill can also be useful for lighter work in concrete or for smaller holes.

What is a (cordless) drill/driver?

A cordless drill/driver is ideal for drilling holes and driving screws into wood or plastic . It is usually equipped with a two-speed gearbox:

The slow gear is used for screwdriving, and the fast gear for drilling. A torque regulator allows for precise adjustment of the screwdriving force, preventing overtightening and making it particularly suitable for delicate work. Thanks to its handy design, it's ideal for DIY projects, furniture assembly, and general household repairs .

Differentiation from cordless screwdriver

A cordless screwdriver is primarily suitable for screwing into soft materials such as wood and plastic. It offers high torque for fast screwdriving.
A cordless drill/driver, on the other hand, can also drill and has a drill chuck. It is usually equipped with a two-speed gearbox and torque control, making it more versatile and suitable for more precise work.

Ideal for screwing and drilling into light materials

  • Screw work (e.g. in wood and plastic)
  • Furniture assembly (e.g. assembling shelves, tables, chairs)
  • Household repairs (e.g. hanging pictures, adjusting cupboard doors)
  • Drilling holes (e.g. in wood, plastic)
  • DIY projects (e.g. building wooden shelves or garden furniture)

What is an impact drill?

A hammer drill is suitable for driving screws and drilling into harder materials such as masonry, stone, and occasionally concrete. It combines a rotating and percussive motion, making drilling into resistant surfaces more efficient. The impact function can usually be activated, allowing the device to also be used as a regular drill driver in softer materials.

Differentiation from impact wrench

The cordless impact wrench is specifically designed for loosening and tightening bolts and nuts , e.g., when changing a tire. It uses rotational impulses to generate very high torque. A hammer drill, on the other hand, is suitable for drilling into hard materials such as masonry or stone. It combines rotary and percussive movements to penetrate resistant surfaces. However, a hammer drill is often required for work in concrete.

Integrated impact function

The impact function of an impact drill combines a fast, jerky movement with the rotary motion to drill into hard materials such as masonry and soft concrete .

This feature makes it easier to penetrate resistant surfaces , reduces the effort required, and enables more efficient processing. However, a hammer drill is recommended for particularly hard concrete.

Ideal for drilling in brick, masonry and soft concrete

  • Holes for dowels (e.g. for attaching shelves or wall shelves in brick or concrete walls)
  • Installation of sockets or light switches (e.g. renovations or new installations in masonry)
  • Drilling holes for pipes or cables (e.g. for electrical installations or water supply)
  • Mounting outdoor lights or satellite dishes (e.g. on solid walls or facades)

What to look for when buying a drill

When purchasing a drill, power , torque , and battery life are crucial criteria. Also, look for practical features like an LED work light, a battery charge indicator, and electronic speed control for greater precision and convenience.

Torque is crucial

Torque describes the force that creates a rotational movement. The higher the torque, the easier it is to screw into hard materials like wood or metal.

When drilling, high torque ensures that the tool can penetrate harder materials such as masonry or soft concrete efficiently and without jamming. Adequate torque is important to ensure fast and smooth drilling.

Torque limitation

The torque limiter protects against overtightening by stopping the power transmission as soon as a preset torque value is reached. A clutch in the tool automatically disengages, preventing more force from being applied to the screw. This is especially helpful with delicate materials or small screws, as it prevents damage and ensures smooth, controlled tightening.

Performance

The power of cordless tools such as drills and impact drivers is often specified in volts (V) and ampere hours (Ah) and determines how efficiently the tool works:

  • For light tasks such as screwing into wood, 12 to 18 volts and a low battery capacity (1.5 to 2 Ah) are sufficient.
  • For more demanding applications such as drilling in concrete 20 to 36 volts a higher capacity is required.

Higher-performance impact drills also offer an impact function that makes drilling into hard materials easier.

Wired or battery-operated

Choosing the right device depends on the duration of use, the work environment and the required performance.

  • A corded hammer drill offers consistent power and is particularly suitable for longer, demanding jobs, such as drilling into concrete, as it does not rely on a battery charge.
  • Cordless impact drills offer greater mobility and flexibility, especially in hard-to-reach places or in environments without power sources, but they rely on battery life.

Brushed vs. brushless

Brushless models are particularly suitable for professional applications, while brushed models are generally perfectly adequate for occasional use:

  • Brushed motors (with carbon brushes ) are more cost-effective and easier to maintain. However, they generate more friction, which leads to higher heat generation and can shorten the motor's lifespan.
  • Brushless motors (without carbon brushes ) are more efficient , run cooler, and require less maintenance because there are no carbon brushes to wear out.

Conclusion: Drill driver for light DIY work, impact drill driver for harder materials

The choice between a drill/driver and an impact drill/driver depends on your specific project requirements.

  • The drill/driver is ideal for light DIY work such as screwdriving and drilling into soft materials like wood or plastic. It's handy, precise, and perfect for tasks like furniture assembly, household repairs, and smaller DIY projects.
  • The impact drill, on the other hand, is the better choice for more demanding work in harder materials such as stone, brick, or lightweight concrete. Thanks to the switchable impact function, it efficiently penetrates resistant surfaces and is suitable for installations, fastening, or renovations.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

When is an impact wrench worthwhile?

An impact wrench is particularly useful for jobs that require high torque, such as loosening and tightening bolts and nuts. Typical applications include changing tires, building metal structures, or tasks where large screws need to be driven quickly and powerfully.

Can you also drill with cordless screwdrivers?

A cordless screwdriver is generally only suitable for screwing, as it lacks a drilling function. A cordless drill, on the other hand, has a drilling function and can drill holes in materials such as wood or plastic.

What is the difference between a drill and a cordless screwdriver?

A drill is primarily designed for drilling and offers high performance for precise holes, often with a cord. A cordless screwdriver, on the other hand, is more portable, is primarily suitable for screwdriving, and offers more flexibility for smaller jobs thanks to its battery-powered operation.

When should you use a drill and when should you use an impact wrench?

A drill/driver is suitable for precise screwdriving and drilling in soft materials such as wood and plastic. An impact wrench is used when large screws or nuts need to be loosened or tightened—ideal for demanding tasks such as changing tires or heavy construction projects.

What is the difference between an impact drill and a drill driver?

A drill/driver is primarily suitable for screwdriving and drilling in soft materials such as wood and plastic. The impact drill/driver also features an impact function that makes drilling into harder materials such as concrete and masonry easier. It combines the rotary motion with short, powerful impacts to effectively penetrate resistant surfaces.

When do I need an impact drill?

You need an impact drill if you want to drill into harder materials like brick, stone, or light concrete. The switchable impact function makes it easier to penetrate resistant surfaces. At the same time, the tool can also be used for normal screwdriving and drilling work in soft materials.

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