Corded vs Cordless Impact Wrench | Cordless Better Than Corded?

Impact wrenches are powerful drivers that tighten or loosen industrial-strength nuts, bolts, and screws. Installing wall mounts, changing tires, or any other heavy-duty screw task – this power tool will help you to achieve your desired outcome. Impact wrenches have extreme mechanical power to exceed human capabilities. That’s why all professionals and DIYers should get one to keep in their arsenal. 

The usefulness of an impact wrench is enormous. There are two versions of impact wrenches. They are – corded and cordless. Corded impact wrenches use an AC supply to perform tasks, and cordless impact wrenches run on battery power. Of course, some impact-wrench users choose the one that suits their needs the best. But, there are other factors to consider while choosing between these two versions. So, let’s discuss these factors to understand better which one to pick for your house and professional work.

Power Supply

Cordless impact wrenches use a lithium-ion battery pack to power up the tool. These batteries have an extended lifetime, so they won’t fail you in the long run. These batteries are interchangeable, so you can easily replace them. In case, you don’t use the tool for a long time, the batteries will not get dull. In addition, the batteries are lightweight, so you won’t get fatigued when using them. 

On the other hand, you need to plug a corded impact wrench into a power socket to power it up. As these use AC power, there is no chance of running out of batteries. As long as you have electricity, you will be able to work with corded impact wrenches without any disruption. Thus, in terms of power source, corded wrenches are better than cordless wrenches. 

Cordless impact wrenches offer a vast array of portability and flexibility. It doesn’t require any cables as it’s cordless. So, you have the freedom of taking it outside and using it without any power source. These power tools only rely on batteries, which are inexpensive and easily available.

Portability

Cordless impact wrenches offer a vast array of portability and flexibility. It doesn’t require any cables as it’s cordless. So, you have the freedom of taking it outside and using it without any power source. These power tools only rely on batteries, which are inexpensive and easily available. You can use a cordless impact wrench even in the nighttime.

Most cordless impact wrenches contain a built-in LED to help you operate in the dark. This LED eliminates the need for a second flashlight while working on a project. Corded impact wrenches have their limits regarding where you can go with them. It always needs to be connected with an AC port. Though, various extensions increase the mobility of your corded wrench. But still, they become useless when you don’t have any power source.

Storage

Cordless impact wrenches are handy to store because they don’t take up much space. Even the batteries that come with the wrench, are also easily manageable in shelves, drawers, and inside toolboxes. In addition, most cordless wrenches come with a hard case or storage bag. So, the possibilities of storing the wrench and its accessories on your own terms are endless. 

On the other hand, storing a corded impact wrench is much more difficult. However, you can detach the cable from some corded impact wrenches and tie it up to store it in an organized manner. But if you can’t separate the cord from the wrench, then it can be somewhat problematic. For such cases, you can place it strategically inside a large bin toolbox.

Performance

The power and effectiveness of a cordless impact wrench are limited. However, both versions of impact wrenches can perform well at tightening or loosening nuts and bolts. But, compared to a corded impact wrench, a cordless impact wrench can’t reach its full power limit very often. Also, it may require more time to complete a task than a corded wrench. However, how much more time it needs, depends on the quality of the wrench you have. 

On the flip side, corded impact wrenches have uninterrupted power. Due to this reason, they perform better with more power and torque. If you run a test between a fully charged cordless impact wrench and a corded impact wrench – the cordless wrench won’t perform quite the same as the corded wrench.

Final Verdict

So, cordless or corded – which should you pick? Both corded and cordless impact wrenches have their pros and cons. Hence, the final decision depends on your purpose for using it. A corded impact wrench will offer you excellent performance whereas cordless impact wrenches aren’t bound by any cable and are more flexible to carry. Many people prefer one type over another. So, neither of these tools will render itself useless at any time in the near future.