Impact drivers are powerful, versatile tools that should be in every homeowner’s kit, along with a quality set or two of impact driver bits. This way, you’ll always have the perfect impact bit within reach for the task at hand. But what are the best impact driver bit sets, and why can’t you use a standard screwdriver bit set in an impact driver?
We answer those questions and more in our comprehensive, in-house tested guide of the best impact driver bits. You’ll find our battle-tested top picks, along with our test results and essential buying tips to help you buy the right impact driver bit set the first time.
Pro tip
Impact driver bits are purpose-built for use with an impact driver with greater torsional flexibility and cushioning to withstand the force an impact driver exerts without breaking. While you can use impact-rated bits with a standard ratcheting screwdriver, we don’t recommend using non-impact-rated bits with an impact driver.
Table of Contents
Best impact driver bit set
- Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive Set
- Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. Impact Driver Bit Set
- Makita XPS 60-Pc. Impact Bit Set
- Makita XPS 45-Pc. Impact Bit Set
- Dewalt Flextorq Impact Bit Set
- ProTorq Impact Drive Bit Set
- Highly durable and precise-fitting bits
- Includes drill bits
- Includes several hex bits
- No interlocking case
- Bits are sometimes hard to remove the holders
At a glance
- # of bits: 40
- Bit types: Phillips, flat, torx, square, nut driver, socket adapter, hex, magnetic driver, drill bits
The Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive Set has the best impact driver bits we’ve tested. There are several reasons why.
This impact bit set is versatile, including more bit types than most. Of course, you’ll get the standard Phillips, flat, torx, and square head bits. But you’ll also get several standard hex sizes, some nut drivers, and socket adapters.
What’s more, there are three impact-rated drill bits, the same design used in the Milwaukee kit that made our shortlist for the best drill bit set.
We put the impact bits through the paces in our durability tests. These Milwaukee impact bits performed best, along with the Makita XPS models (more on those shortly). The impact bits held up well and didn’t wear down or take on many dings.
Lastly, the tips are precision machined and fit tightly in the screw heads with no wobble, reducing the risk of stripping screws. This design explains why these Milwaukee impact bits efficiently drive screws with good gripping power.
But we wish Milwaukee would put more thought into the storage case design. The holders don’t rotate upward easily and the smaller bits can be difficult to remove with the tight fit.
- Highly durable and precise-fitting bits
- Tons of bits to choose from
- Includes several hex bits
- No interlocking case
- Bits are sometimes hard to remove the holders
At a glance
- # of bits: 74
- Bit types: Phillips, flat, torx, square, nut driver, socket adapter, hex, magnetic driver
Expect the same performance as our top pick with the Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. Impact Driver Bit Set. This set is the same as our Milwaukee 40-pc. pick, but there aren’t any drill bits or a 1/2-inch socket adapter.
Otherwise, these impact bits are the same design and are made of the same Alloy76 steel.
Consider buying this model if you put your impact bits through the wringer and want more of each type than you’d get with a 40-pc. set, along with two storage cases.
- Highly durable and precise-fitting bits
- Great case with easy-to-remove bits
- Includes several hex bits
- Includes only one 1/4-inch socket adapter
At a glance
- # of bits: 60
- Bit types: Phillips, flat, torx, square, nut driver, socket adapter, hex, magnetic driver
There’s little that differentiates the impact bits offered and the quality of the Makita XPS 60-Pc. Impact Bit Set and our Milwaukee Shockwave picks. These Makita impact driver bits had a slight edge in select tests.
Both brands have precision-machined heads that tightly fit a screw. Still, the Makita XPS models fit a smidge tighter and are grippier. The fit also gave us some extra confidence driving screws, leaving us with little worry about stripping screw heads after repetitive driving tests.
Another standout feature for this 60-pc. set is the design and quality of the storage case. Each impact driver bit is labeled with a high-vis name, the bits are easy to remove from their holders, and the holders smoothly rotate upward for quick access.
One minor gripe is that the set includes only a 1/4-inch socket adapter, which only fits a few standard socket sizes. We’d gladly have traded some redundant Phillips and torx impact bits for a larger socket adapter.
- Highly durable and precise-fitting bits
- Great case with easy-to-remove bits
- No hex bits included
- Includes only one 1/4-inch socket adapter
At a glance
- # of bits: 45
- Bit types: Phillips, flat, torx, square, nut driver, socket adapter, magnetic driver
The Makita XPS impact driver bits are so nice we had to include them on this list twice. The Makita XPS 45-Pc Impact Bit Set has the same design as our Makita XPS 60-Pc. pick, but drops several of each common bit type and foregoes the hex bits altogether.
Importantly, you’ll get the same convenient storage case design as well.
These are the best impact bits to buy if you don’t need as many Makita bits or want to save a few bucks.
- Black oxide coating reduces corrosion
- ToughCase interlocks with other Dewalt sets
- No hex bits included
At a glance
- # of bits: 40
- Bit types: Phillips, flat, torx, square, nut driver, socket adapter, magnetic driver
The Dewalt Flextorq Impact Bit Set sells like hotcakes with nearly 100,000 user reviews on Amazon. Some of the popularity may be related to brand preference and recognition, but it also has to do with quality and performance.
Aside from including a standard lineup of the most-used impact bits, this set stands out for several reasons.
Each impact bit is covered with a black oxide coating that helps to reduce corrosion. No doubt you’ll get some long-term durability with this impact bit set.
Dewalt’s ToughCase+ is also well-designed. The case interlocks with any other Dewalt ToughCase+, helping with organization in a toolbox and with portability.
The bits are also easy to remove and replace in their holders. The holders are designed in a manner where you rotate the bit upward to remove it versus sliding it out of the holder. The result is noticeably easier removal than any model we tested.
- Magnetizer/demagnetizer included
- Good value and durability for the price
- No hex bits included
- Includes only one 3/8-inch socket adapter
At a glance
- # of bits: 47
- Bit types: Phillips, flat, torx, square, nut driver, socket adapter, magnetic driver, magnetizer/demagnetizer
The ProTorq Impact Drive Bit Set is a good option if you want to save a few bucks but still want good quality and an assortment of the most common impact bits. You’ll get all the essentials, but ProTorq also adds a 2-in-1 magnetizer that can demagnetize.
Just slide the magnetizer over the length of any impact bit to magnetize it for light screw-holding power. The magnetizer demagnetizes when held beside the bit.
Otherwise, these impact driver bits are durable and well-machined. The impact bit holders are similarly designed as the Dewalt FlexTorq Impact Bit Set. They are easy to remove, albeit slightly looser, but not in a confidence-inspiring way. Time will tell if the holders loosen and end up not holding the bits tight enough.
Test results
We include below more details on our test results for each model and comparisons for key features to help you find the best impact driver bit set for your needs.
Screw head fit and gripping power
| Model | Phillips Screw Fit | Gripping Power |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive | Best | Best |
| Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. | Best | Best |
| Makita XPS 60-Pc. | Best | Best |
| Makita XPS 45-Pc. | Best | Best |
| Dewalt Flextorq | Good | Good |
| Protorq Set | Good | Good |
We tested how well a Phillips impact driver bit from each set fit a Phillips screw, paying close attention to the tightness. We then drove screws into a 2×4 to understand the gripping power between the impact bit and screw head.
The Milwaukee Shockwave and Makita XPS models all shined in this test with no wobbling or looseness when placed in the screw head. Both manufacturers’ Phillips impact driver bits have sharper edges than the Dewalt Flextorq Impact Bit Set and the ProTorq Impact Bit Set.
The sharper edges tightly fit the tested screw heads with noticeably better gripping performance when driving screws, helpful if you happen to be using these impact bits with a screwdriver as well.
We include in the links below close-up pictures of how each impact driver bit fits a Phillips screw head.
- Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive Set bit screw head fit
- Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. Impact Driver Bit Set screw head fit
- Makita XPS 60-Pc. Impact Bit Set screw head fit
- Makita XPS 45-Pc. Impact Bit Set screw head fit
- Dewalt Flextorq Impact Bit Set screw head fit
- ProTorq Impact Drive Bit Set screw head fit
Bit durability
| Model | Durability |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive | Best |
| Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. | Best |
| Makita XPS 60-Pc. | Best |
| Makita XPS 45-Pc. | Best |
| Dewalt Flextorq | Good |
| Protorq Set | Good |
We tested the durability of each bit set by intentionally stripping screws and impacting the bits on metal and brick. These tests helped us understand how the bits fare at home and on the job site.
Again, the Milwaukee Shockwave and Makita XPS models shined in our tests, this time for their improved durability over the other models. While all models performed well, the Milwaukee and Makita picks had minimally less rounding on the edges and at the tip after taking a beating stripping screws and hard impacts on brick and metal.
You can review any of the links below to see pictures of each impact bit after our durability testing.
- Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive Set durability results
- Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. Impact Driver Bit Set durability results
- Makita XPS 60-Pc. Impact Bit Set durability results
- Makita XPS 45-Pc. Impact Bit Set durability results
- Dewalt Flextorq Impact Bit Set durability results
- ProTorq Impact Drive Bit Set durability results
Storage case
| Model | Removing Bits | Customizable Layout | Interlocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive | Room for improvement | Yes | No |
| Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. | Room for improvement | Yes | No |
| Makita XPS 60-Pc. | Good | Yes | No |
| Makita XPS 45-Pc. | Good | Yes | No |
| Dewalt Flextorq | Best | Yes | Yes |
| Protorq Set | Good | Yes | No |
Some impact bit sets have cases that could be better designed and are hard to remove and replace bits. We weeded out the worst offenders before buying picks to test in-house. But once in-house, we tried removing bits from their holders and reviewed each to see if the holders were customizable and if the case interlocked with other cases within the manufacturer’s lineup.
The Dewalt FlexTorq Impact Bit Sets case is thoughtfully designed around portability and easily removing the impact bits. Instead of sliding out the bits, as with most other models, you rotate the bit upward first, then pull it out. The result is a light-and-day difference that is better than our other top picks.
Dewalt’s ToughCase+ lineup of tools and cases seamlessly interlock with each other, great for portability and organization.
This way, you can carry any Dewalt ToughCase latched to another. None of our other picks have interlocking cases. However, the Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive’s case has small cutouts that stack nicely with other Milwaukee cases.
That said, the Makita XPS 60-Pc. Impact Bit Set bit and Makita XPS 45-Pc. Impact Bit Set are also easy to remove. The holders are made of softer-plastic material, making it easier to slide bits in and out than the other models, which all use unforgiving plastic holders that grab the impact driver bits tighter.
We also appreciated how clearly-labeled each impact bit is for the Makita models.
Bits included
Bits included
| Model | Phillips | Flat Head | Torx | Square | Nut Driver | Drill Bits | Hex | Socket Adapter | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive | 11 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 (3/8”, 1/2”) | Magnetic driver |
| Milwaukee Shockwave 74-Pc. | 24 | 4 | 24 | 13 | 2 | None | 9 | 1 (3/8”) | Magnetic driver |
| Makita XPS 60-Pc. | 20 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 2 | None | 6 | 1 (1/4”) | Magnetic driver bit |
| Makita XPS 45-Pc. | 19 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 2 | None | None | 1 (1/4”) | Magnetic driver |
| Dewalt Flextorq | 16 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 2 | None | None | 2 (3/8”, 1/2”) | Magnetic driver |
| Protorq Set | 15 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 2 | None | None | 1 (3/8”) | Magnetic driver |
All models we selected for in-house testing include a Phillips head, flat head, torx head, square head, nut driver, socket adapter bits, and magnetic driver. All picks include a different lineup of these essential impact bits. But the Milwaukee Shockwave Drill and Drive Set is the only one with drill bits included.
The ProTorq Impact Driver Bit Set is unique because it includes a 2-in-1 magnetic booster that magnetizes and demagnetizes the impact bits.
Honorable mentions
The Bosch SMS48 Impact Bit Set is popular and well-priced, though it doesn’t have a socket adapter, reducing its versatility.
The Amazon Basics Impact Bit Set is a good cheap option, but it’s best to pay $5 to $10 more for a better-quality set and storage case.
Nearly all well-known brands have a solid impact bit set for a reasonable price. But each brand offers many configurations, complicating what should be a simple process for DIYers. If you have specific brand preferences, the following sets have many of the most common impact driver bits for a reasonable price.
