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DEWALT impact driver buying guide
DEWALT impact drivers by torque, size and noise
Choose by torque, by how tight your spaces are, and by noise. DEWALT lists the XR DCF860 as its highest-torque impact driver at 2,500 in-lbs, the hydraulic DCF870 as its quietest, and the ATOMIC DCF850 at under 4 in. front to back. All seven here are sold as bare tools, without battery or charger.
Linked option, 3 speeds on 20V MAX: DEWALT lists the DCF845 XR at 1,825 in-lbs and 3,400 rpm with three speeds; battery and charger are sold separately. Check the DEWALT DCF845B (tool only) on Amazon
Prepared from DEWALT's product pages for seven tool-only impact drivers, read October 10, 2026. We have not tested these drivers. Torque, speed and comparison figures are DEWALT's own. The DCF845B link goes to an Amazon listing checked on October 10, 2026 as new, sold by Amazon.com and in stock; offers change, so check that the listing says DCF845B. The other six drivers are not linked because we have not confirmed an Amazon offer for them.
Choose by torque, size and noise
| Your need | Driver | What DEWALT lists | Check or skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| The most torque | DCF860 XR High Torque | 2,500 in-lbs max torque, DEWALT's highest; 3,800 rpm; 3 speeds, with speeds 1 and 2 matched to self-drilling and tapping screws; 9 LEDs and a 20-minute work light | The most power here, not the shortest. |
| Short, with 3 speeds | DCF850 ATOMIC | Brushless; 1,825 in-lbs; 3,250 rpm; under 4 in. front to back; 3-speed trigger | Same torque figure as the DCF845 in a shorter body. |
| 3 speeds, XR line | DCF845 XR | Brushless; 1,825 in-lbs; 3,400 rpm; 3 speeds; 3-LED light; ready for a TOOL CONNECT chip, sold separately | The page gives no front-to-back length. DCF845B on Amazon |
| The quietest | DCF870 XR Quiet Hydraulic | Hydraulic mechanism; up to 57% quieter than the DCF787 in DEWALT's deck-screw test; 3,000 rpm; 9 LEDs and a 20-minute work light | The page gives no torque figure. |
| Compact, everyday | DCF809 ATOMIC | Brushless; 1,700 in-lbs; 2,800 rpm; 5.1 in. front to back; variable-speed trigger; 3 LEDs | No 3-speed mode listed. |
| The basic brushed model | DCF885 | Brushed motor; 2,800 rpm; 5.55 in. front to back; 3 LEDs that stay on 20 seconds after the trigger; 1,400 in-lbs per DEWALT's DCF845 comparison note | Brushed, with no speed modes listed. |
| On DEWALT 12V tools | DCF801 XTREME 12V MAX | Brushless; up to 1,450 in-lbs; 2,850 rpm; 5.05 in. long; 1.75 lb tool only; 3 modes including Precision Drive | Takes 12V MAX batteries, not 20V MAX. |
Reading DEWALT's figures
- Comparisons use different baselines: the DCF860's "66% more torque" is against the older DCF787 (1,500 in-lbs). The DCF845 page claims 30% more torque, and its footnote compares rated torque with the DCF885 at 1,400 in-lbs. The DCF870's "57% quieter" is against the DCF787 driving a 3 in. deck screw into a pressure-treated 4x4.
- Two sets of dimensions: each page's specification list gives "assembled product" length, height and width that do not match the front-to-back lengths in its own description (for example, 9.0 in. listed for the DCF801, which its description calls 5.05 in. long). We use the description lengths. The DCF801's listed weight, 2.15 lb, also differs from its description's 1.75 lb tool-only figure.
- No common noise or torque test: only the DCF870 page gives a noise claim, and it gives no torque figure, so it cannot be ranked against the others on torque.
Batteries and warranty
Every page here says battery and charger are sold separately. The six 20V MAX drivers take DEWALT 20V MAX batteries; the DCF801 takes 12V MAX batteries. All seven list a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
For the difference between an impact driver and an impact wrench, see our impact driver vs impact wrench guide; for drill kits that include batteries, see our cordless drill guides.
When to skip one
- Skip any of these if you have no DEWALT batteries and charger; all seven are bare tools.
- Skip the DCF801 if your batteries are 20V MAX.
- Skip the DCF885 if you want a brushless motor or speed modes.
- Skip the DCF870 if you need a torque figure to compare; its page gives none.