Best Impact Drivers · head-to-head

Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed 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. 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) is cheaper at $159. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) or 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)?

The Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) is the cheaper at $159. Get the Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) for the stronger spec sheet, the 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) to spend less.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)
US price $195 $159
BrandMakitaBosch
Released20192021
Voltage (V) 18 18
Max torque in (lb) 1600 1860
Max (rpm) 3600 3400
Max ipm 3800 4100
Brushless Yes Yes
Speed settings 4 3
Weight (lb) 1.9 2.6

Sources — Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only): makitatools.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 Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed 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.

  • Max torque in (lb): Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1600 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 1860
  • Max (rpm): Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3600 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 3400
  • Max ipm: Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3800 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 4100
  • Speed settings: Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 4 vs 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) 3
  • Weight (lb): Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1.9 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.

Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)

One whitelisted hands-on source: Pro Tool Reviews (9.5/10) timed the XDT16 (XDT16Z bare tool) through their impact-driver test track, finishing in 1:59, and clocked ~8.5 sec on GRK 8-inch RSS screws in stacked OSB. They praise its compact, lightweight build (2.9 lbs with battery) and class-leading, sustained driving speed but flag limited torque for large lag or timber screws. This is a single-source review. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Incredibly compact and lightweight (under 3 lbs with battery); Excellent, sustained driving speed vs competitors; Advanced controls: 4 standard plus 4 smart assist modes with programmable switch.

Flagged: Limited torque (1,600 in-lbs) for large timber/lag/ledger screws; Premium price.

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.

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