Brushless vs Brushed Impact Wrench: Which One Should You Buy?

GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Below: what the motor type changes on the points the listings actually state, the four 1/2-inch cordless impact wrenches in this guide’s gear section ranked strongest first, and what the torque figures do and do not tell you.

Brushless vs brushed impact wrench: what the motor changes

Every listing here is a 1/2-inch cordless impact wrench, so the drive size is not the decision. The motor type is. Here is what the four listings state side by side:

The brushless case, as the makers state it, rests on three points. First, service life: the KIMO listing claims its brushless motor extends service life by 80 percent over traditional motors, and the GEVEELIFE listing promises a longer lifespan with easy maintenance. Second, runtime: the KIMO listing claims 80 percent longer runtime than traditional motors, and the GEVEELIFE listing claims up to 160 minutes of continuous operation on a single full charge. Third, running behavior: the GEVEELIFE listing promises faster speeds, quieter operation and no sparks, which follows from having no brushes arcing inside the motor.

The brushed side of the comparison has no listing speaking for it here, so treat the general trade honestly: brushed motors are a simpler, older design, and the reason they still exist is that they cost less to build. Nothing in these four listings states a brushed motor, so this guide compares the brushless listings against each other and flags where a listing leaves the motor question open, as the Milwaukee one does.

The gear: four 1/2-inch cordless impact wrenches, ranked strongest first

All four are 1/2-inch cordless impact wrenches. They are ordered here by stated torque and kit completeness, strongest first.

1. GEVEELIFE 1200 N.m Brushless Impact Wrench

The strongest stated torque in the group by a wide margin: 1200 N.m (900 ft-lbs) with a maximum speed of 3500 RPM, aimed at heavy machinery, large tire removal and major industrial projects per the listing. The brushless motor is described as high-efficiency pure copper, with longer lifespan, faster speeds, quieter operation, no sparks, easy heat dissipation and easy maintenance. It ships with two 21V 4.0Ah batteries, a fast charger, five sockets (17, 19, 21, 22 and 24mm), a 5-inch connecting rod, four O-rings and retaining pins, a portable toolbox and a user manual, with three speed modes, forward and reverse, locking protection modes and upgraded LED lights. The listing claims up to 160 minutes of continuous operation on a single full charge and offers customer service around the clock.

One contradiction to note: the spec table says “2 AA batteries required. (included)”, while the title and bullets clearly describe two 21V 4.0Ah batteries. Trust the title and bullets here; the spec table line reads like a catalog error. No warranty term is stated.

2. Milwaukee M12 FUEL Stubby 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench

The compact pick: 550 ft-lb of torque in a 4.9-inch body weighing 1.9 lb, the most compact of the four at 4.9 in and the lowest stated weight at 1.9 lb. It is sold as a bare tool, so the battery and charger are not included, which suits anyone already on the M12 battery platform and no one else. The listing’s bullets carry no usable product facts beyond the brand and model number 2563-20211, so everything stated comes from the title and the spec table: alloy steel construction, red finish, socket end. The listing names no motor type, so it cannot be counted as a brushless example on the evidence given. No warranty term is stated.

3. KIMO 20V Brushless Impact Wrench, 18-Piece Set

The kit pick: a brushless 1/2-inch wrench stating 550 N.m (410 ft-lbs), 4000 RPM and 3500 IPM, with dual-speed control switching between a high mode up to 4000 RPM and a low mode up to 3000 RPM. The listing claims the brushless motor extends service life by 80 percent and delivers 150 percent more efficiency, 90 percent more power and 80 percent longer runtime than traditional motors. The 18-piece set includes four sockets (15, 17, 19 and 21mm), six high-speed steel drill bits, three chromium vanadium steel screwdriver bits, a storage case and a built-in LED light with a 20-second delay after trigger release. The two 20V 4.0Ah batteries are described as delivering 40 minutes of extra runtime, recharging in 1 hour, and carrying five protection chips with four-level power indicators. A safety lock, forward and reverse switch and an intelligent brake round out the safety story, and the 7.5-inch design is the compact claim.

One contradiction: the spec table’s included-components line lists one 4.0Ah battery while the title and bullets describe two. Trust the title and bullets. Also note the spec table’s “Finish Types: Brushed” refers to the tool’s finish, not the motor type. No warranty term is stated.

4. Muylux 20V Brushless Impact Wrench

The basic brushless pick: 320 ft-lbs (430 N.m) on a 20V platform with a 4.0Ah battery, 12 inches long and 5 lb, the longest and heaviest here. The listing positions it for tire removal, automotive repair and construction, with a built-in lithium battery for cordless mobility. It states the least of the four: no speed figures, no socket count, no LED, no stated protections beyond the general durability language. For light garage fasteners it is a complete cordless tool; for anything near its stated 320 ft-lbs ceiling, the listings above state more headroom. No warranty term is stated.

Torque numbers: working torque vs breakaway

Impact wrench listings usually distinguish working torque, what the tool sustains on a fastener, from breakaway torque, the peak it can hit to crack a rusted nut loose. None of the four listings here labels its figure either way. The GEVEELIFE states 1200 N.m (900 ft-lbs), the KIMO states 550 N.m (410 ft-lbs), the Milwaukee states 550 ft-lb and the Muylux states 320 ft-lbs (430 N.m). Treat each as the maker’s headline number, not as a measured working figure, and check the manual for which one it is before you size a job around it. As a rough read, the GEVEELIFE’s figure sits in heavy-equipment territory while the Muylux’s suits light automotive fasteners, with the KIMO and Milwaukee in the middle for general garage work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do brushless impact wrenches really last longer?

That is the makers’ claim here. The KIMO listing claims 80 percent longer service life than traditional motors, and the GEVEELIFE listing promises longer lifespan with easy maintenance and no sparks. Neither listing publishes a service-life figure in hours, so read both as maker claims, not measured results.

Which listing states the highest torque?

The GEVEELIFE at 1200 N.m (900 ft-lbs). Next come the KIMO at 550 N.m (410 ft-lbs) and the Milwaukee at 550 ft-lb, with the Muylux at 320 ft-lbs (430 N.m). None of the listings says whether its figure is working or breakaway torque.

Are any of these sold without a battery?

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL Stubby is sold as a bare tool, with no battery or charger included. The other three all include at least one battery: the GEVEELIFE and KIMO list two 4.0Ah batteries each, and the Muylux lists one 4.0Ah battery.

What sockets come with the kits?

The KIMO set includes four sockets (15, 17, 19 and 21mm) plus six drill bits and three screwdriver bits. The GEVEELIFE set includes five sockets (17, 19, 21, 22 and 24mm) plus a 5-inch connecting rod, four O-rings and retaining pins. The Milwaukee and Muylux listings state no included sockets.

Do any of the listings state a warranty?

No. None of the four listings states a warranty term, so there is nothing to compare on that point. The GEVEELIFE listing does promise customer service around the clock, which is a support statement, not a warranty.

Related: our corded vs cordless impact wrench comparison, compact vs mid torque impact wrench, high torque vs compact impact wrench, impact wrench vs impact driver and what size cordless impact wrench for lug nuts.