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

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Below: how the two motor types differ, what the four drivers in this guide list, and which type fits which garage job.

Brushless vs brushed impact driver: how the motors differ

A brushed motor passes current to its spinning part through carbon brushes, and those brushes wear down with use. That wear is the main story of brushed maintenance: the motor itself is simple, and the brushes are the part that ages. A brushless motor replaces the brushes with electronic control that switches the current, so there are no brushes rubbing away inside the motor. The DEWALT listings here tie that design to increased runtime and durability, which is the practical payoff most buyers feel.

Neither type changes what an impact driver does: it still drives screws with rotational blows. What changes is upkeep, runtime and how the maker tunes the tool. Brushless drivers in this guide also carry the newer features: the hydraulic DEWALT adds quiet operation and an LED halo ring, while the brushed side of the market is represented here only by absence, since no listing in this guide names a brushed motor. Judge the motor by what the listing states, not by the brand name on the housing.

The gear: four drivers, ranked

Ranked by listed torque, speed, kit and warranty, with contradictions noted where the listings disagree.

DEWALT DCF870B hydraulic, brushless

The DCF870B is the quiet pick in this guide: the listing claims up to 57% quieter operation and up to 40% faster driving, with a 3-year limited warranty. It is a brushless hydraulic driver with an LED halo ring: 9 LEDs in the bullets against 3 in the spec table, and a 20 minute work light mode. The spec table disagrees with itself on torque, listing both 1825 in-lbs and 500 in-lb, and on modes, listing 3-speed against 2 speeds, so treat those figures as unsettled. The 4200 IPM entry is an impact rate, a different measure from the 3000 rpm rotational speed, so the two do not contradict each other. Battery is not included; only a belt hook ships with the driver.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953-20

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel lists 2000 in-lb of torque, 3900 rpm, 4-mode drive control and Tri-LED lighting, with smooth acceleration for small fasteners and 800 watts of maximum power on an 18 volt battery platform. The spec table lists 18 speeds against the 4-mode bullets; the bullets describe 4 modes, so the 18-speed spec table entry looks like a listing error. No battery or charger is listed as included, and no motor type is stated.

DEWALT DCF787D1 brushless kit

The DCF787D1 is the complete kit: a brushless driver plus a DCB203 20V MAX 2Ah battery, a DCB107 charger and a belt hook. It lists 2800 rpm, variable speed and an LED light with a 20 second delay after trigger release. The spec table lists maximum torque at 1500 ft-lb, a unit that does not match the in-lb figures on the other drivers here, so read that figure with care.

Milwaukee 2953-20, tool only

This listing covers the same 2953-20 model as the M18 Fuel above, sold as tool only, and it disagrees with its sibling listing: bullets claim 2.2 lbs while the spec table says 2.5 pounds, and drilling capacity is 0.5 inches here against 0.25 inches there. Both listings agree on 2000 in-lb, 3900 rpm and 4-mode drive control, which is the solid ground. Ranked last here because a duplicate listing with conflicting figures is harder to buy with confidence.

Which type fits which garage job

Buy brushless when the listing names it and you drive screws often: the DEWALT listings tie brushless motors to increased runtime and durability. Buy on the kit when the driver is a first impact driver: the DCF787D1 includes battery and charger, while the DCF870B and the Milwaukee listings leave the battery out. If noise matters in a shared garage, the hydraulic DCF870B is the only listing here that claims quieter operation. If torque and speed top the list, the Milwaukee 2953-20 lists 2000 in-lb and 3900 rpm. Check the motor type in the listing itself: the Milwaukee listings here state none, so do not assume brushless from the Fuel name. See also cordless drill vs impact driver and impact drivers for mechanics.

FAQ: garage tools

Do brushless impact drivers last longer?

The DEWALT listings state brushless motors give increased runtime and durability, and a brushless motor has no carbon brushes to wear out. A brushed motor wears its brushes with use. The Milwaukee listings here state no motor type, so judge each listing on what it actually states.

Can I share batteries between the DEWALT drivers here?

The DCF870B listing says it works with DEWALT 20V MAX tools, and the DCF787D1 kit includes a DCB203 20V MAX 2Ah battery with a DCB107 charger. The Milwaukee drivers run on an 18 volt platform, so they do not share with the DEWALT pair.

What torque and speed does the Milwaukee 2953-20 list?

2000 in-lb of torque, 3900 rpm and 4-mode drive control, with Tri-LED lighting. The spec table on one listing says 18 speeds, but the bullets on both listings describe 4 modes.

Why do the two Milwaukee 2953-20 listings disagree?

They are separate listings for the same model. Bullets on the tool-only listing claim 2.2 lbs while its spec table says 2.5 pounds, and drilling capacity reads 0.5 inches on one listing and 0.25 inches on the other. Both agree on 2000 in-lb, 3900 rpm and 4 modes, so those are the figures to rely on.

Does the DEWALT hydraulic driver include a battery?

No. The DCF870B listing states battery not included and includes only a belt hook besides the driver. It does list a 3-year limited warranty.

Related: impact drivers for mechanics, cordless drill vs impact driver, corded vs air impact wrench and cordless drills for home garages.