Bosch Vs Makita Cordless Impact Wrench Review

Impact drivers are great for driving fasteners but certain situations call for more power and torque. That’s where impact wrenches come in. But having multiple tools do similar jobs can be cumbersome. It would be great if we could have a tool that would be able to do it all, wouldn’t it?

Well, Bosch came up with a socket-ready chuck, all-in-one impact driver and impact wrench embodied in the Bosch IDH182B. Would it perform just as well as dedicated impact wrenches like the Makita XWT08Z LXT?

We’ll examine its specs and identify if it could replace the impact drivers and wrenches in our tool chests.

Quick Summary

The Makita XWT08Z, being a full-blooded impact wrench, is the better impact wrench than the Bosch IDH182B. It was designed to be a workhorse of a wrench that’s able to take on an extensive array of applications.

The Bosch IDH182 is a superb impact driver but falls short in proving that you can have a cake and eat it too. It is not endowed with the same power as the Makita XWT08Z to have a long list of fastening and nut-busting credits to add to its resume.

Let’s Compare The Bosch And Makita Impact Wrenches

Bosch IDH182B Bare-Tool Brushless Socket- Ready Impact Driver

The Bosch IDH182 is equipped with Bosch’s EC Brushless motor which provides 2x the motor life and enhanced performance. It sports a hybrid ¼” hex and ½” square drive.

Battery Power

It operates on 18V Lithium-Ion 2.0 Ah SlimPack batteries. The Coolpack Design technology delivers more runtime and 2 times longer life. Its advanced heat conductive housing keeps the battery cooler.

The battery pack also has a fuel gauge which lets you check the charge status. Cold conditions don’t pose a problem for this battery as it can work in temperatures as low as -4°F.

Drill Weight and Size

It weighs around 3 lbs and measures 7.75” x 6.25” x 2.93” making it lightweight and compact.

Variable Speeds and Torque Ratings

The Bosch IDH182B delivers a maximum torque of 1,650 in-lbs, max speed of 2,800 RPM with up to 3,200 IPM. The Performance Control System lets you adjust the torque and speed settings:  0-1,650 in-lbs / 0-900 lbs / 0-400 lbs.

 What We Like

• It delivers great torque and speed as an impact driver.
• The ergonomics on the handle is great.
• It is well-balanced.
• The lights are situated around the chuck which provides better visibility. You can also turn the lights on and off without relying on the trigger pull.
• There’s no need to get an adapter to put on a ½” socket when driving screws or hex head bolts.

What We Don’t Like

• It does not have an assist mode. It’s just a nice-to-have feature though, and not necessary.

Verdict on the Bosch IDH182B

The Bosch IDH182B is an excellent impact driver. As an impact wrench, it acts as a light-duty wrench whose primary use is for construction but could still perform light automotive tasks on the side.

Makita XWT08Z LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless High Torque Square Drive Impact Wrench

The Makita XWT08Z features a brushless motor for better runtime, enhanced power and speed, and longer tool life. It is designed to handle a wide variety of fastening tasks.

Battery Power

It uses Makita’s 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion line of batteries which tout fast charge times. A Star Protection Computer Controls™ technology protects the battery against overloading, over-discharging, and overheating.

The battery also has an impact-resistant case and shock-absorbing inner liner to protect the battery and prevent power loss or fluctuation.

Drill Weight and Size

With the battery, it can weigh up to 7.9 lbs. It measures 10” x 10.3” x 3.9”. It definitely does not fall on the lightweight spectrum but that is because it is loaded with a lot of power.

Variable Speeds and Torque Ratings

It features a max torque of 740 ft-lbs and 1,180 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. The brushless motor delivers a speed of up to 1,800 RPM with a max impact rate of 2,200 IPM. A three-speed power selection switch is available for better fastening control for a variety of applications: 0-900/ 0-1,000/ 0-1,800 RPM and 0-1,800/ 0-2,000/ 0-2,200 IPM.

What We Like

• The three-speed mode allows you to manage the speed for a wide range of applications.
• It is powerful and can perform heavy-duty jobs.
• It has an ergonomic design and a soft rubberized grip for comfort.
• The dual-LED lights are great for low-light spaces.

What We Don’t Like

• It is a bit on the heavier side so muscle is needed to handle this impact wrench.

Verdict on the Makita XDT16T

You are almost limitless with what you can do with the Makita XDT16T as an impact wrench. It is quite a workhorse and can be used for a wide range of jobs including ironwork and steelwork, pipe fitting, automotive and railroad work, and carpentry.

Bosch Vs Makita: Which Is Better?

While there’s no doubt that the Bosch IDH182B is a wonderful impact driver, it isn’t close to being a heavy-duty impact wrench like the Makita XDT16T.  The numbers will show us that the Makita XDT16T trumps the Bosch IDH182B in all qualities ideal in an impact wrench.

Makita has a wider set skill set too compared to Bosch. It can perform a lot of tasks, some of which, we’ve mentioned above, while Bosch can only perform light-duty construction and a bit of automotive stuff.

The Bosch IDH182B gets credit though for being versatile in that it can act as both an impact wrench and an impact driver and it can fit better in tight spots.

Final Thoughts

An impact driver and impact wrench hybrid that will give us the best of both worlds is hopefully something that awaits us in the future. For now, if you’re on the hunt for a powerful impact wrench for heavy-duty use, it is best to stick to the tools that were designed to do just that. Hybrids are still good options though if you don’t require that much power.