When using power tools, many people get confused between impact drills (also called impact drivers) and regular drills (also known as drill drivers). While they may look similar, they work differently and are used for different tasks.
This simple guide will explain what each tool does and help you know when to use them.
What Is a Regular Drill?
A regular drill is a handheld tool mainly used to make holes in different materials like wood, metal, plastic, and sometimes even brick or concrete. You can find them in both corded (plug-in) and cordless (battery) versions.
Here’s what makes a regular drill special:
Chuck: This is the part at the front of the drill that holds the drill bit. It usually has three jaws that can hold round or hex-shaped bits.
Variable Speed & Clutch: These features let you control how fast the drill spins and how much force it uses. This helps avoid stripping screws or damaging materials.
Multi-Purpose Use: A regular drill is great for drilling holes and also for driving screws. It gives you more control, making it ideal for simple home projects.
Common Uses
- Drilling holes in wood, metal, plastic, and drywall
- Driving screws into soft to moderately hard materials
- Light to medium-duty home improvement and DIY tasks
What Is an Impact Drill (Impact Driver)?
An impact drill—also called an impact driver—is a power tool made especially for driving screws and bolts into tough materials. Unlike regular drills, it doesn’t just spin. It also gives small, quick “hits” or bursts of force as it turns. This makes it much easier to drive screws into hard surfaces.
Key Features:
Chuck: It uses a quick-release chuck that holds ¼-inch hex-shaped bits. This makes changing bits fast and easy.
Hammering Action: It doesn’t just spin the bit—it also delivers strong, quick bursts of force. This helps drive screws in with less effort, even into hard materials.
Small and Light: It’s usually smaller and lighter than a regular drill, so it’s easier to use in tight or hard-to-reach places.
Common Uses of an Impact Driver
- Driving long screws into hard wood
- Fastening large bolts or lag screws
- Building decks, frames, or heavy wood structures
- Any job that needs extra power or torque
How Do They Work?
Regular Drill:
A regular drill spins the drill bit or screw at a set speed. You can control how fast or how strong it spins using the settings. This tool is best for drilling holes or driving screws when you need more control and accuracy.
Impact Driver:
An impact driver works differently. Inside, it has a spring and hammer system. When the tool feels resistance (like a tough screw), the hammer kicks in and hits the spinning part very quickly. This gives the tool a lot more power, making it easier to drive screws into hard or thick materials.
Main Differences Between Impact Drill and Drill
Let’s break down the differences in a simple, clear format:
| Feature | Drill Driver | Impact Drill (Driver) |
| Primary Function | Drilling holes, driving screws | Driving screws, bolts, fasteners |
| Chuck Type | Keyless 3-jaw; round or hex bits | ¼-inch hex collet; hex bits only |
| Torque Power | Moderate | High, delivered in pulses |
| Speed Control | Adjustable speed and clutch | Fixed torque, less speed control |
| Precision | High (for delicate tasks) | Lower (best for driving, not drilling) |
| Application | Wood, metal, plastics, light masonry | Dense wood, engineered lumber, metals |
| Size & Weight | Slightly larger, heavier | More compact and lighter |
| Versatility | High (can drill and drive) | Primarily for driving, occasional drilling |
| Suitable for Drilling? | Yes | Only in emergencies; not precise |
Pros and Cons
Drill
Advantages:
- Very versatile: drills holes and drives screws
- Precise speed and torque control for delicate tasks
- Accepts most bit types due to the classic chuck
- Great for light to medium tasks
Limitations:
- Struggles with very tough materials (engineered lumber, masonry)
- Can strip or damage screws in hard driving conditions
Also read:
Marking Knife: How to Choose the Best One
Hand Planing Wood: Simple Tips for Everyone
Impact Drill
Advantages:
- Powerful torque for tough tasks
- Drives long screws/bolts with ease, even in dense materials
- Less user effort required; reduces fatigue when driving many screws
- Compact and ergonomic for reaching tight spaces
Limitations:
- Not suitable for drilling precise holes
- Unable to accept most round-shanked drill bits
- Lacks the finesse needed for delicate tasks
Use Case Scenarios
When to Use a Drill
- Drilling clean, accurate holes in wood, plastic, or metal
- Driving screws into drywall, softwoods, and general carpentry
- Projects requiring precision and control, such as furniture assembly or installing hinges
When to Use an Impact Drill
- Driving long or large-diameter screws/bolts into hardwoods, metal, or composites
- Tasks that require power over precision, like deck building, subflooring, or heavy-duty frames
- Projects with repeated, high-torque driving needs—less strain for the user
Choosing the Right Tool
If you’re a homeowner or DIY user:
Use a regular drill for everyday tasks like drilling holes or driving screws into softer materials like wood, plastic, or drywall. It’s easy to control, has adjustable settings, and works with many types of drill bits.
Use an impact drill if you often need more power—like when driving long screws into hard wood, working on decks, or building strong furniture. It delivers extra force with less effort.
If you do a mix of projects or work professionally:
It’s best to have both tools. Many tool kits come with both a drill and an impact driver so you can use the right one for the job.
Myths and Misunderstandings
“An impact drill can do everything a regular drill can.”
❌ Not true. Impact drills are great for heavy-duty screw-driving, but they aren’t made for accurate hole drilling.
“Drills are only for making holes.”
❌ Also false. Regular drills can drive screws too—just not as powerfully as impact drills for tougher tasks.
Also read:
How to Choose the Best Mallet: The Ultimate Guide
Final Thoughts: Which Tool Should You Get?
Both tools are helpful, but they shine in different ways:
Use a regular drill for controlled drilling and simple screw-driving in soft to medium materials.
Use an impact drill for powerful screw-driving in tough jobs, like hardwoods and thick fasteners.
If you own both, you’re prepared for almost any task around the house or job site. It saves time, effort, and frustration in the long run.
FAQs: Impact Drill vs Regular Drill
1. What’s the main difference?
A regular drill spins at a steady speed for drilling holes and light screw-driving. An impact drill adds bursts of power while spinning—great for driving screws into tough materials.
2. Can I drill holes with an impact driver?
Yes, but only with special hex-shank drill bits. It’s not as good as a regular drill for clean or precise holes.
3. Which is better for building furniture or small tasks?
A regular drill is better—it’s easier to control and works with many bit types.
4. Are impact drivers just for professionals?
No. Many DIYers and homeowners use them now, especially for bigger or tougher jobs.
5. Do I really need both tools?
Having both is ideal, but a regular drill alone is enough for most home projects unless you often work with dense wood or long screws.
6. Can a regular drill work with hardwood or brick?
It can, but it may struggle. For really tough jobs, use an impact drill (for screws) or a hammer drill (for drilling into brick or concrete).
7. Why does my impact drill make loud clicking sounds?
That’s normal! It’s the internal hammering mechanism kicking in to give more torque.
8. What kind of bits do I need?
Regular drill: Uses both round and hex bits.
Impact drill: Uses ¼-inch hex-shank bits, and they should be impact-rated for strength.
9. Is an impact drill the same as a hammer drill?
No. An impact drill hits sideways (for screws), while a hammer drill hits forward and backward (for drilling into brick or concrete).
10. Which tool is better for delicate or detailed work?
A regular drill is better—it lets you control speed and pressure, which helps when working with small screws or thin materials.