DeWalt
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)
$149Cheaper
Released 2015
Best Impact Drivers · head-to-head
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.
Bosch
18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)
$159
Released 2021
Which is better: the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) or 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)?
The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is the cheaper at $149. The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
See 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) on Amazon See 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) | 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $149 | $159 |
| Brand | DeWalt | Bosch |
| Released | 2015 | 2021 |
| Voltage (V) | 20 | 18 |
| Max torque in (lb) | 1825 | 1860 |
| Max (rpm) | 3250 | 3400 |
| Max ipm | 3800 | 4100 |
| Brushless | Yes | Yes |
| Speed settings | 3 | 3 |
| Weight (lb) | 2 | 2.6 |
Sources — 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only): burnstools.com (verified 2026-06-19). 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool): boschtools.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) and 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Voltage (V): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 20 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 18
- Max torque in (lb): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1825 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 1860
- Max (rpm): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3250 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 3400
- Max ipm: 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3800 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 4100
- Weight (lb): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 2 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 2.6
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)
Based on one whitelisted hands-on tester (Pro Tool Reviews). PTR calls the DCF887 a 'tried and true' brushless driver that outperformed DeWalt's own lighter DCF850 Atomic, but its measured 12.6s RSS-screw, 3.8in lag and 6.6s nut-busting times all trailed the Milwaukee 2953 (8.6s / 1.7in / 2.5s) in the same head-to-head. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Consistently higher real-world drive/nut-busting performance than DeWalt's own lighter DCF850 Atomic in PTR testing; Proven 'tried and true' brushless platform with years on the market.
Flagged: Trailed the Milwaukee 2953 on all three PTR tests (RSS screw, lag screw, nut-busting); Bulkier and longer (5.3in head) than the same-spec DCF850 Atomic.
18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)
Only one whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, hands-on tested this exact model, scoring it 9.0/10. They measured 3240 in-lbs breakaway torque and a 14.05-second average screw-driving time, praising the hybrid hex/square drive and unchanged price. Downsides: the hybrid drive lengthens the tool and it uses a single LED instead of the preferred 3-LED chuck ring. No other whitelisted outlet reviewed it. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Combination 1/4-in hex and 1/2-in square drive eliminates socket adapters; More torque than predecessor; drives tough screws ~2 seconds faster; No price increase over the prior model.
Flagged: Hybrid drive makes the tool longer; Single LED below the handle instead of the preferred 3-LED chuck ring.