Milwaukee 2450-22

Bottom line

Pros and consumers alike recommend the Milwaukee 2450-22 as the best budget-priced impact driver. With a long warranty for both the tool and the battery, a built-in battery gauge and a LED task light, reviewers say the Milwaukee 2450-22 is good impact driver to consider.

Power

Top-rated 12-volt power. The Milwaukee 2450-22 is not as powerful an 18-volt impact driver as other models are, and the Milwaukee has one speed. But reviewers say the Milwaukee's trigger provides a surprising amount of control, and the tool packs plenty of power for tasks like installing doors and windows or light auto body work.

In a comparison review, Tools of the Trade puts a selection of compact power tools through a series of trials to see whether any are suitable for use by a contractor. The Milwaukee comes out ahead, along with the DeWalt DCF815S2 and Ridgid RK2512K2. The 2450-22 is the "second fastest model in timed driving trials of lag bolts."

Battery life

Lithium-ion batteries have long run time. "The Li-Ion batteries are lightweight, powerful, and long lasting," says one consumer at Amazon.com. This same user likes the compact battery, which makes the 2450-22 "well-balanced" in the hand. During comparison testing by Tools of the Trade, the 2450-22 has some of the longest battery run times, and it ranks in their top three picks of subcompact impact drivers.

One user at HomeDepot.com says tough jobs, like driving longer screws without predrilling, can drain the battery quickly, adding the 2450-22 has "plenty of power and good battery life" for smaller applications.

Recharge time

Includes rapid charger. The 2450-22 comes with two 12-volt Li-ion batteries, a carrying case and a rapid charger that charges the spare battery in 30 minutes, a favorite feature of many users. "The battery recharges in half an hour, so you always have a fresh battery," says one owner at Amazon.com.

Features

Fuel gauge and LED light on board. Tools of the Trade says the onboard battery gauge is "one feature I think no cordless tool should be without," and praises Milwaukee for its "simple LED bars that tell you the state of charge in an instant."

At just more than 2 pounds, the Milwaukee weighs about half as much as the Bosch 26618-01, and reviews praise its comfortable handle and strong LED task light. Tools of the Trade says, "The handles -- though large -- are very comfortable."