If you’ve ever tried driving a long screw into wood and ended up with a smoking drill and a stripped screw head, you’re not alone. As you start building out your home tool kit, you’ll come across both regular drills and impact drivers. 

Yes, they look similar, and sometimes they even come in a cordless power tool set. But they do very different things—and knowing which one to grab for each job can save you a lot of time and hassle.

What’s the Difference?

A drill is a great power tool for general-purpose tasks. It spins at a variable speed and is most useful for drilling holes and driving small screws. You’ve probably used cordless drills to assemble furniture, hang shelves, or drill into drywall. It’s a versatile tool and a solid place to start.

An impact driver, on the other hand, is all about rotational torque. It doesn’t just spin; it also punches the bit forward in tiny bursts while turning. This makes it perfect for driving long screws, lag bolts, or fasteners into materials like hardwood or pressure-treated lumber. It does the work your regular drill struggles with.

If you’re mostly drilling pilot holes or driving basic screws, a regular type of drill will do fine. But if your projects are starting to involve framing, deck building, or heavier-duty work, an impact driver makes things easier and faster.

Person uses a cordless drill to assemble and secure the walls of outdoor storage box.
Know the strength of both tools in order to learn what works best for each project on your to-do list. Credit: Emily Fazio

When to Use Each One

Think of the basic drill in terms of being your everyday driver. It’s good for lighter jobs, precision work, and when you don’t need a ton of force. It also gives you precise control, which is helpful when you’re working with soft materials or delicate hardware.

The impact driver steps in when things get stubborn. Screwing into thick wood, removing rusted bolts, or working overhead for long periods... this is where it shines. It’s more compact and often lighter, so it fits in tighter spaces and is easier to use for extended periods.

Another key difference is the chuck. Drills have a three-jaw chuck that can hold all kinds of bits. Impact drivers use a quick-change hex collet that only accepts 1/4-inch hex shaft bits. It’s faster, but a bit more limiting unless you’ve got the right impact driver bits.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to keep it simple:

  • Use a normal drill for: pilot holes, drywall screws, soft woods, drilling into masonry with the right bit
  • Use an impact drill for: deck screws, lag bolts, driving into hardwood, heavy-duty fastening
  • Use both if you're building furniture, working with different materials, or doing bigger home construction projects

Person drills into a wood frame.
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Do You Need Both?

If you’re just getting into DIY, a drill is still the place to start. It can handle a wide range of drilling applications and usually comes with adjustable settings for drilling speed and torque. As a matter of fact, in CRAFTSMAN's newest scouting report, the powered cordless screwdriver is the MVP of tools among DIYers. Invest in a good one, and you’ll be able to hang cabinets, install curtain rods, and put up shelves without a problem.

Only your projects get more serious will you notice how standard drill doesn't always cut it. That’s when it makes sense to add an impact driver to the mix. It’ll save your wrists, prevent stripped screws, and make those tougher jobs go faster.

Many tool brands sell combo drill/impact driver kits, so shop around. If you see yourself building a deck, working on outdoor home improvement projects, or assembling large furniture pieces regularly, it’s worth considering. Having both lets you keep a drill bit in one tool and a driver bit in the other, which also saves time.

Hammer Drill by Craftsman against brick
CRAFTSMAN's hammer drill is heavy-duty on brick. Credit: CRAFTSMAN

FAQ

Can I use an impact driver for drilling holes?

Technically, yes, but it’s not the best tool for it. Impact drivers can drill holes in a pinch if you’re using hex shank drill bits. Still, the lack of precision and control makes it harder to get clean, precise holes, especially in metal or tile. So stay smart and use a power drill for drilling.

Why does my impact driver sound like it's rattling?

That loud, ratcheting noise is normal. It’s the internal impact mechanism delivering quick bursts of force to help drive screws more easily. It’s doing what it was designed to do—pushing hard when the going gets tough.