How Does DeWalt's Hydraulic Impact Driver Work & Is It Worth It? Here's What Users Say

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Many professionals and DIYers turn to DeWalt for construction and carpentry products, as several of the brand's products are great tools for woodworking. The company makes multiple impact drivers, offering a versatile range of models in various sizes and power systems that can serve a variety of needs. This includes a hydraulic option, which is different from the traditional battery-powered tools most people think of when picturing an impact driver.

Rather than the traditional mechanical hammer-and-anvil system used by most impact drivers, a hydraulic driver transfers energy by pulsating liquid oil through a chamber. This allows the tool to be longer lasting, more compact, and operate with less vibration and less noise. This makes it easier and more comfortable to control while also less intrusive on one's ears — especially if you're working with an impact driver all day. DeWalt says its 20V Max XR ¼-inch Quiet Hydraulic Impact Driver is 57% quieter than previous models. This reduced vibration does come at a cost, however, because hydraulic impact drivers are generally less powerful than traditional ones.

Since hydraulic impact drivers deliver less max torque, they're not very good at removing or tightening lug nuts, though they can provide more controlled fastening for small-to-medium jobs. While it may not generate as much force as DeWalt's most powerful impact driver, the brand's hydraulic tool can still be used for many applications, such as fine carpentry or any general screwdriving into wood, plastic, or light metal, as well as electrical work when driving fasteners into outlet boxes, conduit brackets, and the like. Even with its limited torque, DeWalt says its hydraulic impact driver offers more torque than any others in its class and up to 40% faster driving. So what do people who've actually used the tool think?

Over 160 users have given DeWalt's 20V Max XR ¼-inch Quiet Hydraulic Impact Driver an excellent 4.7 out of 5 overall customer score on Amazon. It has similar or better scores on DeWalt's and Home Depot's websites, though from a smaller (thus less reliable) pool of users. Two qualities that users seem to appreciate most about the tool are those that separate hydraulic impact drivers from traditional ones in the first place — a smaller profile and lower noise level. Based on user reviews, the tool also lives up to DeWalt's promise of superior torque for a hydraulic driver. One review left by a veteran construction worker confirms that "it has 3x the torque of the 18V Milwaukee hydraulic drill. Very powerful, yet quiet. Super happy with my purchase."

This sentiment can be found across various subreddits, especially when it comes to woodworking. A Redditor on r/DeWalt who built a deck reports the tool "handled 2-inch up to 3-½-inch deck screws absolutely no problem. The speed is so blistering you won't even notice the claimed 'weaker' power." The user also notes that its slower speed is suitable for more fragile work, like taking apart small appliances. In another r/DeWalt thread, someone comments that the driver's power is "phenomenal for woodworking. You can drive moderate-sized lags easy too."

Additionally, a Fine Homebuilding review praises the compact size of the driver, since it allowed the user "to get between tightly-spaced joists and [even attach] window flower boxes" with the tool. Summing up their analysis, the reviewer adds, "With the combination of reduced noise, vibration, and those other benefits, this tool has earned its place on my job sites."

Some users note that the noise of DeWalt's hydraulic impact driver takes some getting used to. It's not that it's too loud, but that it sounds different, with one r/DeWalt commenter calling it "weird," adding, "when it does it's ugga dugga I want to look at the screw to make sure it was driving still." A Redditor in another r/DeWalt thread likewise explains that it "takes a little while to get used to the lack of audio feedback to let you know you're about to overdrive something."

While its noise might take a little adjusting to for some, there isn't much customers can do about the tool's price — Home Depot sells it for $219, not counting a charger or batteries. Perhaps the biggest complaint overall among users is the driver's high cost. In a direct comparison between DeWalt's and Milwaukee's hydraulic impact drivers by Torque Test Channel, DeWalt came out on top in most categories — but not price. Similarly, a user in one r/DeWalt thread proclaims with a virtual chuckle that they "have zero complaints other than paying full price lol."

Other users find the cost to be a possible dealbreaker, with one Amazon reviewer saying, "I don't know if it is worth $80 more than the non-hydraulic version," and another declaring, "220 dollars for this thing wasn't worth it." Even with its steep price tag, though, some users don't regret adding the tool to their kit. As one Redditor puts it: "50 bucks more than the Milwaukee and still a better deal." Based on overall user feedback, DeWalt's hydraulic model is a plus, not a minus,  strengthening its case as one of the best major impact driver brands you can buy.