$99 Impact Driver Showdown - Which Is Best???

I test 3 $99 Impact Driver to see which is most worthy of your purchase.
#makita #metabohpt #dewalt #tools
Links to Purchase:
Makita XDT13 (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3P3nR1W
Metabo HPT Triple Hammer (Affiliate LInk): amzn.to/43TjF90
Dewalt DCF840 : www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-20V-B...
Instagram: @Tinkerwithtools
TIkTok: @tinkerwithtools
Gear I Use:
Camera: Sony ZV-E10 amzn.to/3Z3IEoA (Affiliate Link)
Lens: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 amzn.to/3jIrEUU (Affiliate Link)
Microphone: Rode Wireless Go II amzn.to/3VBg9eY (Affiliate Link)
Lighting: Neweer LED Softbox Lighting amzn.to/3G5Yvui (Affiliate Link)
Tripod: Magnus VT-400 amzn.to/3IgfOeY (Affiliate Link)
Legal:
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, Amazon Associates, etc.

[@fabbro9999]

Metabo HPT works for me at 18v (and at 36v). The impact has enough power and the four-way selector is useful--I prefer the slow setting to the Dewalt 887's. Haven't tried the 840 or 850 because the Triple Hammer handles everything I give it

[@TinkerWithTools]

I like the combo of the DEWALT impacts with the Powerstack battery but overall I think the triple hammer is the nicer impact driver.

[@fabbro9999]

@@TinkerWithTools i hear you. Haven't tried the Powerstack, it looks good (and so do the new Dewalt compact drills) but I almost always buy HPT new because of the performance, price, and warranty. I bet the new Bolt impact and compact drill are even better than the old HPT drills, which work great for me.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I have reviews the Hikoki version of the bolt. Performance wise it improves a little but they make a few things nicer like moving the control back to the more normal position. I have the compact combo on order at the movement but Amazon seems to have lost it.

[@gnshp8167]

I just stumbled across your channel. Really great videos ,with clear revies and all the info you need in a short time. Only thing you could have said is how much the impacts with the better battery cost. Keep up the good work 💪

[@TinkerWithTools]

I’ll look to include that next time. Thanks for watching!

[@harlanborders943]

The Makita or at least the one I have has been great for me. Had it a little over 3 years been dropped kicked and abused still going strong.have the 14 and 16 like all of them great tools

[@TinkerWithTools]

Good input harlan. It feels great it’s just a little light on power compared to the other two.

[@kpakaify]

M12 surge all the way))

[@ryu-ken]

Big red is simply the best

[@phillipmoody710]

If you want inlbs instead of ftlbs.

[@MrNfury8]

Thanks Mr Tinker. Love your work bruh 🇦🇺👌

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks!

[@thereloadingcraft]

Also at my Lowe’s for $99 is the Bosch freak (kitted form) and the flex entry level model (not the quick eject, but the model below it) also in kitted from.

[@engineer_alv]

I owned that Freak with no speed selector and now own the entry level Flex. Both great tools. Yes I would like to see them featured

[@TinkerWithTools]

The freak at my local Lowe’s is tool only for $99. Still almost included it but they were out of stock. The flex is no longer on sale at my Lowe’s (checked a few) and hasn’t been in stock either since the start of that sale. Both are good options. The freak always disappoints on performance

[@jaspalriat6001]

We have a number of Makita DTD152 brushed impacts at my company that have been used extensively for 2-3 years without any issues. Not the most powerful but definitely the most reliable when compared to the Milwaukee Fuel impacts we also use.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks for sharing.

[@AgentPepsi1]

You know, what I would like to see, and this is beyond the testing ability here, is the long-term reliability of the impact drivers. My father-in-law uses Makita (in fact, he just bought another of the XDT13 kits) on his ranch. These impact drivers are heavily used in maintenance and similar. He has had no issues whatsoever with them. He switched from Dewalt to Makita several years ago due to the reliability and ergonomics of Makita. He will tell you that the Dewalt impact drivers simply did not hold-up as he thought they should have. There is something to be said for that... personally, I dabble a bit in woodworking, and for me, I like the Bosch 12v line. 😊

[@TinkerWithTools]

Long term is hard simple because as a tool tester i have a lot of tools i cycle through so it’s difficult to get long term heavy use on any single tool.

[@AgentPepsi1]

@@TinkerWithTools Ohhh I know. I think, however, that reliability is the real strength of the Makita tool line. Paul (my father-in-law) used to swear by DeWalt, but now he typically just swears at them. He will be the first to tell you that at first, DeWalt goes like gang-busters, but then rapidly fails. He has used Milwaukee 18V (the Fuel line). He does like those, except that the ergonomics and battery are better with the Makita. He also has had some reliability issues with Milwaukee. The on-call mechanic that comes to look at his farm machinery uses Milwaukee tools. He does enjoy them, but I know he has had several replaced on warranty. The mechanic I take my little truck to when it is sick has gone entirely away from pneumatic tools (with the exception of large impact wrenches) in his shop to the Milwaukee M12 Fuel line. I think that when a professional with decades of experience does that, it also is noteworthy.

[@devonboyer626]

I love all three deals, but the metabo and dewalt have more potential. Like you said, the dewalt can be upgraded with powerstack batteries, and the metabo hpt can be used with 36v batteries, whereas the makita is kinda stuck at a dead end with their limitted battery options as you said! Great video.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks.

[@dirtymike509]

Hey I love your videos and input about the tools you review/test. Do you think you can do a deep dive on the Metabo(German) 12v brushless line?there's no videos on KZbin that review them specifically

[@TinkerWithTools]

I have one of the brushed 12v tools. I’ll have to see if we can get a few in the future.

[@skygreen5939]

I love the 840 - inexpensive but not made in China, fast & powerful but really lightweight & comfortable. I don't even miss the speed modes. DeWalt got a lot of things right with that one. I haven't seen any teardowns that indicate there is a parts quality difference between it & its XR siblings, but that would make some sense - it's hard to see how they manufactured in North America such a seemingly excellent tool for such a low price point.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I have tried to find a way to make sense of why it’s so good considering the specs but it’s almost like they just through some stuff together and made something magic at times.

[@skygreen5939]

@@TinkerWithTools you may have touched on the answer in the video - it may be that 840 is not built to last like the 850 & 845 - I've never seen anyone cut them all open and find out for sure. But yeah, at least as it appears after a year of use, 840 compares favorably to those in many ways.

[@codustv1465]

its made in china its shipped here and they assemble it. thats why they say made in usa with global materials.

[@OscyJack-]

It's because it's the 885s firstborn son. Best two impacts I've ever used.

[@jakechef994]

gr8 vid, I would do a test between the metabo hpt 18v tripple hammer WH 18DBDL2 , the metabo hpt sub compact impact WH18DDX, and the traditional metabo hpt impact the WH 18DBFL2. I find myself using all 3 sometimes in a day for slightly different tasks they each seem to excel at

[@TinkerWithTools]

The new compact Metabo is in route and I’ll talk about the comparison to the existing tools as well.

[@stevekeyes9402]

So I ordered 7/8/2023 off of Amazon the Matabo 18V Triple Hammer impact driver with two 2.0 AH batteries for $87.18 (WH18DBDL). I know this is the older unit but it has all the horsepower I could ever need. Thanks for your review. It gave me the info that I needed!

[@TinkerWithTools]

Glad it was helpful and nice score!

[@J.Wick.]

FYI The "premium" MHPT Battery that you used is a 4ah (36V)/8ah (18V) Battery. Just for brevity. Nice test. Go Green.ust for brevity. Nice test. Go Green. EDIT - Nevermind...I see it's the smaller one. 2.5 (36) 5 (18) You're correct. Cheers. That 840 is an excellent driver as well. As is the XDT14. Despite having less features, that XDT 14 is probably my favorite. It just feels nice. But it's MHPT for me. Just can't beat the trigger control of the Japanese brands. MHPT/Makita have the triggers figured out.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I agree on the triggers. They have it sorted out!

[@schmidtyization]

The triple hammer at my local lowes is 79 dollars. Had to grab it!

[@TinkerWithTools]

I was at my Lowe’s just now and they had the same sale. Couldn’t really justify a second one but that is a great deal!

[@supshirt]

New sub here. You saved me $$$ by sharing that the Metabo doesn't have a quick change collet. Many thanks and great content.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Glad I could help

[@nicko5945]

Amazing video as always my friend!! Would be curious as to how the 99$ Flex would have preformed in comparison. One suggestion if you have any interest. I would really love to see a table at the end with the times, even if just an excel. I am terrible with numbers and struggle to remember them and so by the end of the video, I can’t for the life of me remember how they preformed. Thanks for the work you put into your vids!

[@TinkerWithTools]

The flex would have performed well and the value at the $99 point was excellent. I don’t love the ergonomics of the tool as much as some but it’s not bad.

[@TinkerWithTools]

And I’ll see what I can do about a summary table. I’ve done them at times in the past. Todays video was a bit rushed. Didn’t start filming until 8:00 last night.

[@nicko5945]

@@TinkerWithTools no worries at all, and don’t feel the need to if it’s too much work. I’ll still enjoy the videos regardless!!

[@TinkerWithTools]

It’s good feedback. I appreciate it.

[@engineer_alv]

Part 2: Flex entry level, Bosch Freak variable speed with the 2Ah, Kobalt 2nd gen, Hercules kitted with the 2Ah battery. All available at $99. HD also runs $99 specials, I believe from Ryobi and Ridgid. Even Milwaukee M18 Brushless variable speed can be found at $99 with a 2ah battery but not right now

[@TinkerWithTools]

At my local Lowe’s none of the those are currently $99 but there will be a part 2 in the future.

[@engineer_alv]

@@TinkerWithTools looking forward to it. And part 1 was great btw

[@stauker.1960]

​@@TinkerWithTools I'm more interested in the baur than the Hercules. I rent, I don't need a five year warranty or class leading performance. For something I might use twice a year, price is king

[@georgedavall9449]

@ 03:56. Agreed 100% ! I have this triple hammer, and it is a joy to use. The slim 3.0 Ah batteries are solid and reliable, but the lack of a gauge is just silly. Having to press the button on the base to see the two red dot indicators is kinda lame as well, but it is there. I love the option of being able to turn the LED on or off. The collet could be better. 👍

[@TinkerWithTools]

Their new compact batteries are a lot nicer. Do I want them in larger capacities, yes but the fit and finish is really nice.

[@Alkatraz415]

This could be said for a lot of things but, it is crazy to think that you can actually get something like that for $100. They aren't the top end tools but they would get a lot of work done. I have been a plumber since 98' and have used Milwaukee for the first 22 years and then switched to Makita. I have the top end Makita impact but any of those on the table would do 100% of the work I use my Makita impact for.

[@TinkerWithTools]

The triple hammer especially can rival a lot of the top tools in my opinion. Maybe not have all the refinement of the newer stuff, but it's a really nice smooth impact driver!

[@baconsporks]

I got the DCF840 and I love it. I think less and less about speed modes everytime I pick it up.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Great trigger control makes up for a lot in my opinion!

[@meramosjr]

8:35 The Hitachi and Nakita were slower using the premium battery?

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yes. The power stack and the 840 pair really well together. Though the run time of the 1.7 power stack isn’t going to be that much, the power you get out of is like using a 5ah.

[@phillipmoody710]

Did you consider the Hercules impact?

[@TinkerWithTools]

When we do a round 2, I will have to include it.

[@harryharry2289]

thank you for good review .....from thailand.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks!

[@stevekeyes9402]

Right now at Lowes you can order the 1/4 impact FLEX FX1351 with 2 X 2.5 Amp Hour batteries for 99.00.

[@TinkerWithTools]

When I search it I can't see it as available. But if you can manage to find it, it's a good pickup!

[@QuockhanhPham20]

For the best experiment and the lineup , XDT13 is the beast Dewalt still a beast but beside that , the quality from this brand made me feel nervous , some of my friends used Dewalt only 1 year before it broken up by itself Metabo HPT (Hikoki) hmmm i don't know how can talk about this

[@TinkerWithTools]

I’m sure the Makita is well built and will hold up well, it’s performance just won’t stand out in this group. The Metabo HPT at $99 (or less on Amazon) it’s a hard deal to overlook for me.

[@shawnbowser9187]

I personally would choose the makita. Not always the most powerful tools, even with their high end stuff, but the ergonomics, and durability is something great.

[@TinkerWithTools]

It’s not a bad impact driver to use. For some ergonomics matters more, some it’s more about power.

[@UncleIvan1]

all my dewalt friends that I convinced to try makita tell me how much better built and quality they are. Dewalt feels like a cheap toy after using makita. This dewalt driver is a sleeper though when it comes to power. I believe its their most powerful driver, but like you said - might not be the best quality. Friend says it gets very hot with long use.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah. It’s not a large body so I could see it heating up. I had an issue with it leaking a good amount of oil at one point but since then I haven’t had issues.

[@kbtools9641]

new hilti “compact” nuron sid 4-22 is $99. just got it yesterday

[@TinkerWithTools]

Tool only I presume? I’ll have to check it out.

[@kbtools9641]

@@TinkerWithTools yes tool only

[@iangregoryhome]

Looking like that DeWalt needs a firm hand behind it with the standard battery.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah that 1.5 ah isn’t doing it any favors. It just feels sluggish.

[@Ryan.zelenski]

I've been using the 840 for a year installing garage doors. It's definitely faster than the 887 but the 840 also gets way hotter than the 887. It'll be so hot that it causes discomfort if it touches your leg even through jeans

[@TinkerWithTools]

The smaller more compact body is bound to have trade offs. Thanks for sharing.

[@HeroOfTime303]

The makita must have been $99 when you filmed this but now it cost $150 haha. Inflation sucks, man.

[@TinkerWithTools]

This video was for the holilday promos that had been running at the time. It was two years ago almost that I picked it up. Makita didn't run the same promotion this last holiday season unfortunately.

[@georgedavall9449]

@ 02:34. One of the more insightful and wise comments made by any Content Creator! When working in the trades, and using a tool for many hours, smooth and easy and comfortable all come into play. Yes, I have a big place in my heart for the ‘Teal’ Tools,’ but I’m not Brand loyal. I have owned tools from just about every Company. And there are a lot of great tools out there today. I set thousands of cabinets over the years, ( in another season of Life ) and my right elbow reminds me of it every now and then. Pushing on old underpowered and rough NiCd cordless drills, took a toll. Tools today perform on such a higher level, and many cant appreciate just what is available. Great content as always. Stay safe!

[@TinkerWithTools]

There is a time for a power and a time for comfort and precision. It’s nice to find tools that do sufficiently well at each.

[@ericnichols9275]

I have been testing tools from Menards the MASTER FORCE line and they are made by same company has FLEX surprised they can tie or beat RYOBI

[@TinkerWithTools]

If I had a Menards even remotely close I would have tried them by now but there just aren’t any.

[@zanechristenson3436]

I’ve bought I believe 3 $99 impacts at this point (Milwaukee, flex, Metabo) and an M18 surge… the Metabo even with a 1.5ah battery seems to pack the most power subjectively. Unfortunately of all the brands it seems to be the most difficult to grab an upgrade for at its big box location.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I assume by upgrade you mean on the battery?

[@zanechristenson3436]

@@TinkerWithTools yes exactly! At my “local” Lowes that’s 45 minutes away lol, they didn’t have a non kitted Metabo battery for several months

[@TinkerWithTools]

@@zanechristenson3436 metabo HpT doesn’t feel like a priority at all for Lowe’s and it’s a shame. They have some truly great tools.

[@OscyJack-]

One comment in regards to the 840. It sings with a better battery.

[@TinkerWithTools]

That impact with a 1.7ah Powerstack is my preferred way to run it.

[@OscyJack-]

@@TinkerWithTools a good choice for sure

[@peterc9166]

840 from dewalt

[@TinkerWithTools]

Great value for sure.

[@peterc9166]

Triple hammer surprised me

[@TinkerWithTools]

It’s got nice performance still especially given it’s age.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

*its

[@suplexcities]

Looked like a typical Makita, a surgeons tool, the lack of vibration in their tools just adds to their smoothness, same thing as their lawn mower. Almost zero feedback in the handle when compared to a Kobalt or even EGO. Just wish they would they would make their mind up in terms of which voltage to get behind. 12, 18, or 40 and then put some tech in their batteries!

[@pflaffik]

Wouldnt buy any powertool that cost 99.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Just not convinced it would last?

[@Leeroy2586]

Heck yeah tripple hammer!

[@TinkerWithTools]

It’s a good one!