Best impact driver bit set

Klein’s 33801 is my top pick because it’s the most complete match for plumbing fasteners in one small case. It has a full spread of screw tips and the two magnetic nut drivers I’d want on a plumbing truck: 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch.

The 5/16 inch driver matters more than people think. Fernco’s standard no-hub couplings use a 5/16 inch hex-head screw, per Fernco. A magnetic nut driver in an impact driver spins those screws down in seconds before you finish with the torque wrench.

The tip spread is wide, per Klein’s data sheet. Phillips #1, #2 and #3. Square #1, #2 and #3. Slotted 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16 inch. Torx T15, T20, T25, T27 and T30. That covers most strap, hanger and cabinet screws you’ll meet under a sink.

Klein says all the bits are high-impact rated S2 steel with an optimized torsion zone that absorbs impact forces to increase the life of the bit. The listing adds 3-1/2 inch long #2 Phillips and #2 square bits for reaching screws in deep spots.

The 3 inch bit holder and both nut drivers have strong magnets, per Klein. Klein also says it keeps chamfering on the nut drivers’ hex pockets to a minimum, so more of the nut touches the driver. That helps on soft hex heads that round over.

There’s a 3/8 inch square impact adapter, so you can run a 3/8 drive impact socket on your driver when a hex head is too big for the nut drivers.

The case is impact-resistant with steel hinges and a stay-shut latch, and it stacks with Klein’s other modular cases, per Klein. It weighs 1.08 pounds and measures about 7 by 3.75 by 1.75 inches, so it fits a tool bag pocket.

What’s missing: a 3/8 inch nut driver and hex bits. Klein doesn’t publish a bit-life claim either.com and in stock on the day of the update.

Wiha’s 76889 is the set I’d keep for tight spots. It pairs impact-rated bits with a 72-tooth mini ratchet, and Wiha says the ratchet swings in a 5 degree arc and gets into tight spaces other tools can’t.

Under a sink is where that pays off. A faucet mounting screw or a disposal bracket behind the trap can leave no room for an impact driver. A 3-1/2 inch ratchet with a bit in it turns the screw a few degrees at a time.

The same bits work in your impact driver. Wiha includes a 1/4 inch drive locking magnetic bit holder, so you can use the bits by hand or on the power tool. There’s also a 1/4 inch hex to 1/4 inch square adapter, so the ratchet can run 1/4 inch sockets.

The tip spread is the widest here. Per Wiha: Phillips #1 to #3, square #1 to #3, Pozidriv #1 to #3, Torx T10 to T40, metric hex 3 to 6 mm, and inch hex 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The hex bits help with set screws on fixtures and appliances.

Wiha says the bits have a tuned torsion zone, computer-controlled heat treatment held within ±1 HRC, and exact-fit tips that reduce cam-out. Wiha claims up to 120 times the service life of standard bits. That’s Wiha’s own comparison, so I don’t line it up against other brands.

The case is metal and small enough for a pocket, with a molded tray, per Wiha.

What’s missing: nut drivers and long bits. Every bit is 1 inch. Pair this with a nut driver set if you work on hex heads.

It’s also the only pick whose maker lists metric hex bits, 3 to 6 mm, which suits imported fixtures and appliance panels that use metric set screws.

com, and in stock on the day of the update.

DEWALT’s DWA2T40IR is the set for long screws. It has more long bits than any other pick: nine 2-1/4 inch bits and one 3-1/2 inch bit, plus 25 one-inch bits, per DEWALT’s product page.

Long bits matter for plumbing straps and hangers. You’re often reaching between joists or past a pipe to hit a hanger hole. A 2-1/4 inch bit gives you room for your hand and the driver.

The magnetic screw lock sleeve is the other reason. DEWALT says pairing it with any 2 inch or longer bit cuts drops and wobble. Holding a screw on the tip one-handed overhead, with your other hand on the strap, is where that helps.

DEWALT says its FlexTorq zone flexes up to 15 degrees to transfer torque in hard joints, for durability and long life. The tips are CNC-machined for a precise fit that helps reduce cam-out, per DEWALT.

The kit also has a magnetic bit tip holder, two nut drivers and a socket adaptor. DEWALT doesn’t list the nut driver sizes or the tip sizes, so check the case before you count on a 5/16 for no-hub bands.

The case has a clear lid, a clip latch and a bit-bar design that lets you move bits around, per DEWALT. It also fits inside DEWALT’s small and medium ToughCase+ cases, which are sold separately.

Ten long bits out of 40 is a high share. The 25 short bits still cover face-of-joist work, so you’re not giving up the everyday screws to get the reach. If a long bit wears out, you have spares of the same length.

DEWALT lists a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s the clearest warranty statement among these picks.

com and in stock on the day of the update.

Makita’s T-05941 is the only pick with deep sockets in the box. Makita lists two 3/8 inch drive deep well sockets and a 3/8 inch socket adapter, along with 36 one-inch bits, eight 2 inch power bits, two magnetic nutsetters and a bit holder.

Deep sockets matter for pipe hangers. When a nut runs up threaded rod, the rod sticks out past the nut. A shallow socket bottoms out on the rod. A deep well socket slides over it.

Makita says the sockets are impact rated, black oxide finished, 6-point, and made from heat-treated alloy steel. It doesn’t list their sizes, so check the nut on your rod and confirm the sockets match before you rely on this kit for hanger work.

The nutsetters have a lobular design that drives along the flats to reduce rounding of hex fasteners, per Makita. That helps on the soft hex-head screws that come with some hangers and straps.

Makita designed these bits for high-torque impact drivers. It credits precision machined tips, torque-absorbing shoulder rings, an optimized torsion zone and a matte nickel surface for corrosion resistance.

On life, Makita’s own site isn’t consistent. The product page says the bits last up to 100 times longer than standard impact bits. Makita’s description of the Impact XPS line says up to 90 times. I’d treat both as Makita’s claims, not a measured result.

The 3/8 inch socket adapter also lets you run other 3/8 inch drive impact sockets on your driver. If the two included deep sockets don’t match your rod nuts, you can add the size you need without buying a new kit.

The clear-lid case has laser-marked bit bars, and the bits are laser-etched for size, per Makita.

com and in stock on the day of the update.

Klein’s 32799 is the pick if hex heads are most of your fastening. It’s the only set here with three listed nut driver sizes: 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 inch, per Klein’s data sheet.

The 3/8 inch driver is the plumbing reason. Fernco says its heavy-duty HD no-hub couplings take a 3/8 inch hex-head screw. The 5/16 handles Fernco’s standard couplings. One kit covers both.

Klein built this set for electricians, and says the bit holder and nut drivers are longer so they reach into junction boxes. That extra reach also helps between joists and behind fixtures.

The driver bits are 1-1/4 inches long, which Klein says are easier to grip than a standard 1 inch bit. They’re color coded for quick identification and made of high-impact rated S2 steel, per Klein.

The spread: Phillips #1, #2 and #3. Square #1, #2 and #3. Slotted 3/16 and 1/4 inch. A #2 combo bit. Plus 4 inch long #2 Phillips and #2 square bits and a 4 inch bit extension.

Klein keeps chamfering on the nut drivers’ hex pockets to a minimum for more contact with the nut, and the holder and drivers have strong magnets. The case has steel hinges, a stay-shut latch and a hidden compartment for loose bits.

The case is small, about 5.5 by 4.7 by 1.9 inches, and the full kit weighs 9.6 ounces, per Klein. It fits in a pouch next to a torque wrench, which is how I’d carry it on a no-hub job.

One conflict: Klein’s data sheet lists three nut drivers, while the Amazon listing mentions four 2-5/8 inch nut setters. I go by the data sheet, so expect three.

What’s missing is Torx and hex.com and in stock on the day of the update.

Makita’s E-01644 is the biggest set here at 60 pieces. Makita lists 46 one-inch insert bits, ten 2 inch power bits, two 1-3/4 inch magnetic nutsetters, a 2-3/8 inch insert bit holder and a 1/4 inch socket adapter.

The point of a set this size is spares. On plumbing work, the #2 Phillips and #2 square tips wear first. A big kit means a fresh tip is in the case when the one in the driver starts camming out.

Makita says the bits are made for high-torque impact drivers and driver-drills, with precision machined tips, pulse torsion rings and an optimized torsion zone. It claims up to 100 times longer life than standard impact bits, by Makita’s own yardstick.

Makita also says the steel is engineered for extended life compared with S2 and S6 alloys, and the heat-treating process is calibrated for durability. The matte nickel surface is there for corrosion resistance, which helps on a wet job.

The bits have a 12-sided collar that works with Makita’s Impact XPS Mag Boost sleeve. Makita’s kit list doesn’t include the sleeve, so plan on buying it separately if you want it.

The nutsetters use the same lobular design as the T-05941, which Makita says drives along the flats to reduce rounding. Makita doesn’t list their sizes or the tip sizes.

The 1/4 inch socket adapter lets the driver run 1/4 inch drive sockets. That’s handy for small hex nuts on appliance panels and vent connectors, though Makita doesn’t include any sockets in this kit.

The trade-off is size. There are no deep sockets, and the case is larger than a bag kit. I’d keep this on the truck and carry a smaller kit in the bag.

com and in stock on the day of the update.