18V Brushless Cordless 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)

I have not used any Ridgid cordless tools in a while but I am impressed so far with the quality of the 18V line. This impact driver looks great, is powerful with 2,300 inch pounds of torque, has three speeds for variable types of work (i.e. driving in lag bolts versus installing cabinet hinges) has a nice belt hook for ease of use on the job and an LED light for low light areas. Seems nice overall.

It was time to upgrade from my old Gen5x to brushless. Because I already have batteries and chargers, l like the fact there is a tool only option. This is definitely much smaller, lighter and more powerful than my old Ridgid driver. It retains the 3 speed settings so it's perfect for whatever I am driving. This is a bit better on battery life than the older brushed version I had as well. The ergonomics are great. Being left handed I'm happy I can put the belt hook on the "correct" side now.

This versatile little driver works with any of my 18 volt Ridgid batteries and the three speeds provide plenty of power for a wide variety of jobs - see video. The low speed setting is perfect for driving fasteners into wood and stopping before burying the heads into the material. The medium setting delivers a lot more power and is good for many tough jobs. The high setting has more torque and driving/breaking power than I expected for such a compact little tool. The bit release mechanism is quite energetic and provided a few minutes of entertainment. This one is a winner for me.

The tool has plenty of power for all the tasks I need it to perform: driving screws and lags and tightening or removing nuts and bolts. It has 3 torque ranges for driving different size screws into different materials. Unlike other impact drivers that have slide switches, RIDGID uses a pushbutton to easily switch between ranges. Like most drivers RIDGID has a bright LED work-light that lights the work area nicely. I used the driver to drive some 3¼ - inch construction screws into a 2x4. On the lowest range (1) the driver struggled and quit with more than an inch of the screw to go. The second screw, on the middle range, went all the way in but took quite a few seconds to sink the screw. Finally, I drove a screw on the highest range that took a couple of seconds. The results were what I would expect from any impact driver. Like all RIDGID 18V tools and batteries this impact driver is covered by the Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement.

The perfect size impact driver for home owners. It's also an excellent size for many tool boxes due to the compact size. This is a flat out excellent tool as far as impact drivers. Works just like the bigger ones as far as mechanics. Simple instructions but I would add there are bits sold for impact drivers with an 'impact' designation. From my experiences, multiple speed choices sure helps when needed. Comfortable grip and it balances well with the battery installed. Highly recommend.

This is a review of Ridgid's 18V 3-speed 1/4" [Hex drive] Impact Driver Model # R862311B [Bare Tool]. First, if you haven't abandoned your corded tools and given these 18+V tools a chance, you're making a BIG mistake. Second, Ridgid is no second in this arena. I know, there are "Big Red" aficionados / die-hards out there, but, as the owner of many 18V tools by both since 2014, I can tell you first-hand that Ridgid 18V tools are fantastic. Third, this tool in particular is a winner. The ergonomics are second-to-none; the features are top-notch. And in eight years I've not had a single problem with any of the Ridgid tools [can't say that about "Big Reds"]. I particulary like that inserting a bit is a one-hand operation [no need to pull back on the collar]. I doubt that I'll ever need the speed range of #3. For newbies, consider getting a set of impact bits [which soften the blow at the action end and cause less damage to the fastener]. For me, I'm well-equipped with hundreds of those bits and would highly recommend torx or square drive. [I've been a woodworker for 55 years; when assembling my projects, I always have a couple of these sitting around the worktable, equipped with a variety of bits.] [I also do mechanical work from time-to-time and having the tool around for working with sockets, especially in tight places, is a game changer.] I love this tool.

The Rigid 18 Volt 3 speed impact driver is lightweight and compact while providing plenty of torque in tight spaces. I am really impressed with this little driver. The three selectable speed settings on the rear of the driver combined with a variable speed trigger allow for very precise screw driving. The light on the bottom is quite bright and angled very well for good visibility. I do have some of the MAX output batteries and they definitely increase the power of the driver. This impact driver has earned it's place in my tool bag for sure. Great job Rigid!

The Rigid 18 volt Impact driver with 1/4" hex chuck. This is a fantastic light weight drill with a perfect grip that handles everything from boring and drilling to sinking 3” screws. It’s torque makes this drill a little beast and has the power to drill through everything I’ve put it to so far. The 3 speeds give me lots of room to go from delicate work to 3” screws and it even has a trigger variable speed that allows me to get screws started and then finish driving them in without damaging or striping the screw head. The LED spot light is one of those features you don’t realize is so fantastic until you have it. Amazing what a little light can do!  I really love the convenience and power of this tool. (Added note: The battery life has been brilliant so far and since they are lithium batteries I don’t have to worry about charge memory. Also, the 18v battery works with all the other 18v Rigid tools, so no chasing “the right battery for the right tool” anymore.)

Impact drivers are a must for any homeowner. I find myself using it more than a drill for even common tasks. The quick engagement allows for hex bits of any kind. I have a set drill bits in my bag as well. When my old impact driver bit the dust I picked up the Rigid 18v from Home Depot. Waiting on my battery delivery to get to use the tool in it’s entirety. Have a few jobs in the hopper for it to get the true test when put into use.

I’m a fan of Ridgids impact drivers and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s rated at 192 ft lbs which is pretty beastly for an impact, but not the highest I’ve seen. It measures 5.5 inches from front to back (including quick change adapter) which is compact but not the most compact I’ve seen. Weight wise I’m not sure the exact weight but it feels not too heavy and pretty comfortable in my hand, but a bit heavier than a competitor that begins with M (even with the smaller battery). The grip feels a little rough compared to what I’m used to but it’s nice and grippy esp if you’re wearing gloves. Bottom line is: if brand doesn’t matter to you or you’re already a fan of Ridgid, you will not be disappointed with this impact driver. If you are a fan of another major professional brand or invested in their platform, I’m not sure this tool will be the one to cause you to change platforms, though Ridgid does have a wonderful platform and a great warranty.