Hey everyone! I accidentally left my M12 impact driver outside at a job yesterday and I'm looking to buy a new one. I noticed that the Gen 4 seems hard to come by, while there are tons of Gen 3s available online. Did the Gen 4 just come out or something? Is it worth spending twice as much on the Gen 4 compared to the Gen 3? I can get a Gen 3 brand new for $75, while the Gen 4 at Home Depot is $140. Also, I've heard about the Surge—does it really perform that much better? I'm looking for something lighter, but I read the weight difference isn't drastic. If the performance difference is substantial, I might just go for the Surge. Thanks for any insight!
2 Answers
The performance difference between the Surge and the Fuel impact driver is really significant, but not in the way you might expect. The Fuel is actually more powerful (like three times more), lighter, and faster, plus it has better lights. The Surge, on the other hand, is due for an upgrade. Right now, the M12 Fuel impact driver is still Gen 3—there’s no Gen 4 for it. Just a heads up, the M12 is on sale at Home Depot for about $72 if you buy in bulk, but don't forget to return the extras if you just need one!
Can you break down the differences in the Surge? I thought there was a Fuel Surge model, but I'm confused.
You’re on the right track! Just to clarify, there isn’t a Gen 4 M12 impact driver yet; however, the current M18 model is the Gen 4. I’d recommend sticking with the Fuel driver if you're looking for performance. Plus, I've seen some good deals lately at Home Depot for the Fuel line that you might want to check out.
Great info, thanks! That explains why I couldn't find the 4th Gen. I’ll definitely get the Fuel.