Lightest Cordless Tools by Weight (2026)
After a full day of overhead drilling, every ounce matters more than every inch-pound. We ranked every tool we track from lightest to heaviest bare weight, so the tools your shoulder will thank you for come first. Our #1 pick is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 Impact Driver.
The 4th-generation M18 Fuel impact driver and Milwaukee's mainstream flagship. Shorter and slightly stronger than the Gen 3 2853 it replaced, with four drive modes including a dedicated self-tapping screw mode. A 2957 One-Key variant adds tracking and customizable profiles.
The mainstream impact driver in Makita's 40V XGT lineup, slotting between the entry GDT05 and the high-torque GDT04. Four speed ranges plus a digitally controlled T-mode for self-drilling screws, wrapped in a reinforced metal gear housing.
The PBLID02 is the flagship 4-mode impact driver in Ryobi's ONE+ HP brushless line, released in early 2021. Its brushless motor delivers up to 2,200 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,900 RPM across three speed ranges, and 4,000 IPM, plus an Assist Mode that slows the driver as the fastener seats. It runs on the same 18V ONE+ batteries as 260+ other Ryobi tools and is sold exclusively at Home Depot.
DeWalt's high-torque XR flagship, out-muscling Milwaukee's 2953 and Makita's XGT drivers at 2,500 in-lbs. The compact Atomic DCF850 remains in the lineup for tight-space work; the DCF860 is the max-power pick.
The FX1371A is Flex's flagship 24V hex impact driver, released in early 2022 as part of the brand's Stacked Lithium generation. Its brushless motor produces 2,500 in-lbs of torque with three speed modes topping out at 4,000 RPM and 4,450 IPM, plus two self-tapping screw modes that detect torque changes and stop before stripping. The signature Quick Eject collet has an eject button above the trigger so bits can be inserted and released with one hand.
The PBLHM101 pairs Ryobi's HP brushless motor with its High Performance batteries to deliver 750 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,100 RPM, and 31,000 BPM from a compact 7.5-inch, 2.8-lb body. It uses a 24-position clutch with dedicated hammer mode and a 1/2-inch ratcheting metal chuck, and runs on the 300-plus tool ONE+ 18V ecosystem. Pro Tool Reviews found it outdrilled Ryobi's older P251 flagship by a wide margin while shrinking in size and weight.
The GDR18V-1950CN is Bosch's flagship 18V connected-ready impact driver, launched in fall 2024 to replace the GDR18V-1860CN. Its brushless motor produces 1,950 in-lbs of torque at up to 3,400 RPM and 4,000 IPM through three speed/torque settings, with Auto Stop and Auto Slow Down electronics to prevent overdriving screws. A 4.5-inch head, one-handed quick-insert 1/4-inch hex collet, and dual LED worklights round out the compact design.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill
The 2904 is Milwaukee's Gen 4 M18 Fuel flagship hammer drill, bumping torque 17% over the Gen 3 2804 to 1,400 in-lbs while staying just 6.9 in long and 3.3 lbs bare. It was the first non-One-Key Milwaukee drill with AutoStop kickback control, and it returned to a mechanical clutch with improved motor cooling. Pro Tool Reviews named it best cordless drill overall in its head-to-head against Flex, DeWalt, Makita, and Hilti.
Makita's flagship 18V LXT impact driver with Quick-Shift Mode: an Assist mode that starts slow to prevent cam-out plus two tightening modes tuned for thick and thin gauge metal. Shares its guts with the XDT20; the difference is control placement.
DeWalt's Power Detect flagship grinder: it senses larger batteries and raises output to 1,350 watts, spinning to a class-leading 9,000 RPM. The Kickback Brake and E-Clutch electronics shut the wheel down on pinch events before the tool wrenches your wrist.
The XPH14 is Makita's flagship 18V LXT hammer driver-drill, released in 2021 as the XPH07's successor with 1,250 in-lbs of max torque in a body 14% shorter (7.0 in). It runs a 2-speed all-metal transmission (0-550/0-2,100 RPM, up to 31,500 BPM) with an all-metal self-ratcheting 1/2 in chuck. It remains the torque king of the LXT drill lineup, though it predates the newer 40V XGT models.
Released in March 2026, the GPH03 is Makita's most powerful hammer driver-drill, putting out 1,590 in-lbs of max torque - more than most corded drills and every cordless flagship rival. It pairs a 3-speed transmission (0-650/1,800/2,400 RPM, up to 36,000 IPM) with a 92-setting electronic digital clutch and Active Feedback-sensing Technology (AFT) anti-kickback. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.5/10, confirming it out-torqued the GPH01 in lag-bolt driving.
The DCD1007 is DeWalt's flagship 20V Max XR hammer drill, replacing the DCD999 with a shorter 7.5 in head, a 3-speed all-metal transmission, and 1,530 MWO of output (up to 2,100 in-lbs rated max brake torque). It pairs a torque-sensing anti-rotation system with a pivoting 3-position LED and a 1/2 in nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide jaws. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.7/10, finding it outperformed the DCD999 in nearly every metric.
Bosch's flagship 18V hammer drill pairs its BITURBO brushless motor with CORE18V high-power batteries to deliver a class-leading 1,330 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,200 RPM, and 30,000 BPM. It features a 25-position clutch, all-metal 1/2-inch chuck, KickBack Control, and optional Bluetooth connectivity via a separately sold module. Announced in January 2022 as part of the PROFACTOR high-power lineup.
Ryobi's brushless ONE+ HP recip saw — the highest stroke rate in this comparison at 3,200 SPM and the lightest tool in it at 5 lbs, for roughly half the price of the pro flagships. Runs on the same ONE+ batteries as 300+ other Ryobi tools.