HTG Wrapped 2025: 24 days of tech
24 days of our favorite hardware, gadgets, and tech
Choosing the right tool for multiple jobs can be tough. There are countless brands to choose from, and each one offers hundreds of tools with various models that often look identical. Earlier this year, I finally bought a Ryobi High-Torque Impact Wrench, and not only is it the tool upgrade I needed, but it’s something everyone should own.
Walk through any hardware store’s power tool aisle, and you’ll quickly be overwhelmed by all the choices. And that’s because most tools serve a specific purpose. While you probably already own some hand wrenches and sockets in various sizes, those tools can only get you so far before you need more power and torque. That’s where an impact wrench comes in, and now that I have one, I wish I had bought it sooner.
You’ll find an Impact wrench in every mechanics tool chest, and that’s because not only are they incredibly powerful, but it’s a multipurpose tool that’s relatively affordable. Here are a few more details you’ll want to know.
If you’re a beginner or new to power tools, an impact wrench may look similar to a power drill or driver, but it’s very different. Rather than accepting screwdriver bits and such, an impact wrench takes sockets and is designed to deliver high amounts of torque for nuts, bolts, and other difficult jobs. Instead of just spinning like a drill, an impact has a notched ring on the inside, and as it spins it “impacts” those notches and slams through nuts and bolts with far more torque than you can deliver manually.
Basically, when that hand wrench isn’t enough, reach for the impact. When you’re taking the tires off a vehicle for a quick rotation or installing lag bolts into wood for a new patio cover, an impact wrench will save the day and make the job 10 times easier and faster.
I went with Ryobi’s more expensive 4-mode High-Torque 1/2-inch impact, which allows you to set it at various speeds, and that’s incredibly useful depending on the job at hand. Being able to dial the power and torque between four different settings is a game-changer. I already have a smaller 3/8-inch model, but I haven’t found as many uses for it, and it’s not nearly as versatile.
For example, the larger and stronger 4-mode 1/2-inch impact is ideal for a wide range of jobs. It’s what I use to remove lug nuts on my truck. I’ve replaced some suspension components on my rusty old Toyota Tacoma, and over the summer, it was instrumental in helping me finish a patio cover on my new home. I laid some cement, built a patio cover with reinforced metal corners, and used my Ryobi impact to quickly drive large lag bolts through the 6×6 wooden posts. I even added a louvered top with angled wood slats to let in light yet keep it somewhat shaded. Without an impact, that job would have taken a lot longer; I would have had to pre-drill far bigger holes, and doing anything like that manually with a wrench in the 105-degree heat sounds terrible.
See where I’m going? An impact wrench like Ryobi’s 4-mode model makes difficult jobs easier than ever, which is precisely why you need one. It’s an absolutely fantastic tool, something every mechanic owns, and a great addition to have around the house for DIY repairs, renovations, at-home auto maintenance, and much more.
You can buy the Ryobi ONE+ 4-mode 1/2-inch Impact Wrench with a battery and charger at Home Depot for $269, but it’s often on sale. For those who already own various Ryobi tools and battery packs, you can save some cash and buy the tool only, without a battery. And that same tool-only model can even be found on Amazon.
HTG Wrapped 2025: 24 days of tech
24 days of our favorite hardware, gadgets, and tech
