My trusty M18 non-fuel brushed impact driver finally gave out after serving me well for many years. I'm looking for a replacement and considering upgrading to a brushless model. I do a lot of carpentry and handyman work professionally, but I don't use my tools every day. However, I do have days where I push my tools quite hard, like when driving ledger locks. Since I already own M18 batteries, switching to the M12 line isn't an option for me. Right now, I see the non-fuel brushless model on sale for $99 with a small battery, while the Fuel impact is priced at $179. What would you recommend?
4 Answers
Considering you do this for work, the Fuel would be a solid investment. I’ve had my brushless non-fuel for around 10 years and it’s served me well, but if I were buying anew today, I’d definitely pick the Fuel.
I'd always recommend going for the Fuel brushless model. The price difference isn't huge, and you’ll appreciate the extra power and efficiency, especially for professional work. Just keep an eye out for those seasonal sales—they happen often!
If you're looking to save some cash, consider hunting for great deals. For instance, I bought my first M18 set recently—a Fuel drill/driver combo—for $400 but returned the free battery and snagged it for just $280. You can also pick up the Fuel impact driver for around $94 by selecting a router as your paid item and the impact driver as the free one, then return the router after pickup. Definitely worth checking out!
Absolutely go for the Fuel version. With just a slight increase in price, you'll get way better performance—especially for the kind of work you do.
Oh, I didn't know about returning part of a free purchase! Thanks for the tip!