I am using Ryobi 3 speed impact wrench and it works fine for most DIY auto works. But actually, for most general maintenance, even 3/8 impact wrench w/ 100 ft-lbs power was good enough. I usually start with this, and when this thing cannot do something, I bring out a bigger one. Still, if anybody is buying just one for the auto work, probably that Ridgid one in the video is the best, considering the price.

Just in case people don't know. Rigid, Milwaukee, and Ryobi are all owned by the same company

*I like the features of the LED light on both the drill and the **MyBest.Tools** . I also like the contractor bag where I carry drill bits and driver attachments. So far the batteries hold charges to my satisfaction.*

Thanks for the advice folks ! A tip, if you are trying to remove a rusty/dirty bolt (with or without impact wrench), don't be temted to remove it all the way in one go! You are gonna fill the treads with more rust this way, resulting in breaking the bolt. Try to treat the bolt as if U were putting new threads on. Little left, little right, little left, little right and so on, and spray some penetrating fluid. Have fun repairing cars folks!

I had the Milwaukee in my cart, about to spend $400 and this came across my notifications. So thanks for saving me money.

We just bought the rigid Gen. 5 1/2 inch impact. Rated at 485 ft-lbs Fastening torque & 620 breakaway torque. Awesome wrench! 👍

Makes me want to go out in the garage and tear my car apart! Great video guys!

You sold me! I ordered one today. Home Depot is running a deal for these impact wrenches online only right now for $149 including a battery and charger. Since this will be my first Ridgid power tool, that’s a match for my needs. Thanks, guys! 👍🏻👍🏻

So many haters with no experience with this tool. Sorry to say it ladies, but Ridgid has been knocking the median range brushless tool market out of the park lately. They may not always score at the very top of the list. Yet you usually see them in the top 3 for power or features. I have this tool and the 5ah battery and can testify to what Workshop Addict has to say here. Even with the proof shown right here in this video of the brushless impact doing a complete break down right before your eyes, some red, green and grey fanboys aren't willing to accept the fact that Ridgid is stepping up their game in big ways. Let it go about the previous gen Ridgids and that 1st gen brushless hammerdrill already. Even that tool has been upgraded already. Make way for the orange brand fellas. Some tools dont have to be 2x's the price to get the job done. #teamridgid

I already had a range of Ridgid tools, and lots of batteries, so it made sense to go with the Ridgid 1/2 inch impact. I haven't been disappointed with it's performance so far. Even around the garage where I have access to compressed air and my air impact, not having to work around the air hose is certainly convenient.

My Ridgid impact wrench is the brushed Gen 4. It is a great multi-purpose, middle-of-the road, tool with plenty of torque and plenty of power for most job. I use it for changing and rotating tires, removing large bolts from things like engine mounts, and I use it a lot removing small engines. Like I said, it's great. The best thing about it is that it doesn't eat up a lot of battery power. I can rotate the tires on several cars with a 4.0 Ah battery and still have plenty of power for several more. One of these days, I'll move up to the Gen 5 brushless.

I love my Ridgid Gen5x 1/2" impact. If you are on the fence about buying just do it. No regrets. broke loose my seized caliper pins when I couldnt fit a cheater bar in. Handles everything I throw at it with no issues whatsoever.

my girlfriend got me this last christmas and i absolutely love it, im going to get the high torque this holiday season.

I have this tool and I gotta say they are spot on with this video this is the 1st impact I would recommend buying it was my 1st impact it done everything I've asked it to do on my suspension tire rotations brakes work on my 1ton dodge dually and my wife mazda and it never let me down its worth the money and my number one go to tool to use if you buy this i recommend buying the 6 amp hour Octane battery They make this impact in octane version now And it is awesome with the 6 amp hour battery this tool can run thur a battery so thats why I recommend the 6 amp hour battery for this tool I have the 6 amp hour battery and the performance with it vs 4 or 2 anp hour battery dont even compared

U are right, small , compact tool; big job, big tool. Nothing is univeral

I went today and bought one of these just because of this review. I already had a ridgid drill with 2 1.5 hr batteries so it was a no brainer at $149! Down the road I may upgrade the battery but I will see how it does for a while.

just bought a harbor frieght 1/2inch "20v" brushless compact wrench with the smallest/lighest battery they sold. i tested in the parking log on my lognuts and they came right off, so i kept it. i did the same test on the ryboi compact and it couldnt get lug nuts off so it went back same day. my harbor frieght is super light and rated for 550ftlbs of removing and maybe 350 for tightening

I like all of what they have said. What I do not like is putting a particular 'brand' into my head. Not to say that there are not brands to stay away from.

Thank you so much for this review and recommendation! It really helped out a newbie like me to the world of impact wrenches. My first impact wrench will be the Ridgid 18-Volt GEN5X Cordless Brushless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench. Thanks again!

I just bought this I was really surprised how well it works for the price. The main reason I went with it I already had other rigid tools. I’m happy with it.

you guys made great points, there is no need for the biggest and baddest high torque monsters, if 99% of the job doesn't require them!

This is hands down the best video for an impact wrench.

3:06 I love how perfectly the Gatorade bottle is in view through the hole under the car loll

Great video guys. I couldn't agree more. I won this very impact from you months ago. I don't use it very often but when I do it's been fantastic. Using it in the yard where I don't have power available makes the battery extremely useful. And there is plenty of power. Thanks again.

Man, working under a car with rust and dirt, I'd be wearing protective eye wear. Can't replace those puppies.

I have been a tool dealer for 34 years. Makita bar none is the best. I know its pretty much the most expensive, except for snap on wanto be dewalt/black n decker. My makita is 15 years old, I use it everyday, especially right now. It loves the new batteries. Never, never has let me down. I even had to rip it apart agian, to clean it up. Clean out the electric trigger and whola back to killing it. I have the female 1/4 model, I use 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 adpaters. I recently rebuilt my 12 valve with it. It pulls injectors out no problem and wheels off a tahoe. Makita is the best period. I have owned and I sell all of them. Except snap on now. I left snappy 18 years ago to make double the money on my own. Have a nice day.

It's interesting to see brands such as Rigid and Ryobi stepping up their game and producing some very nice high quality tools.

you guys just saved me about 60 bucks and got me more power! thank you!

I bought this impact based on the last time you posted this video and I love it. I already had the ridgid drill so the battery interchange made it even more economical!

Thanks, this vid was really helpful. I've been thinking about buy an impact wrench to do some minor work on my car, but didn't know how to choose an impact wrench. So, I've been putting it off. Now I can buy with confidence. Thanks for the info.

For the Aussies watching this check out Katana 1/2 impact wrench made by kinchrome. $200 for the full kit. 400nm which I'd say if more like 380nm. I've had mine for 2yrs working in a brake and suspension specialist and I've had no problems. Also comes with 3yr warranty or add another 3yr by registering it on there website. For a diy'er it's absolutely brilliant! And you'll notice no one sells them used bcoz they're a great gun. Check them out. They don't have the power of Milwaukee high torque but 380nm will get most jobs done. It loosens the 325nm axle nuts on my car within 2 seconds.

I would buy dewalt dcf899 witch is cheaper and I already have the battry for it and I know it works 100% on every bolts big or small as it has 3 power setting price wise and power wise recommended

Video is 5yrs+ old and it answer my questions. New to the impact world cause I thought I was a real man hahahaha straining my muscles and cramping up on them super tight bolts and nuts. Hahahaha no I was just acting broke not buying them cause I’d rarely use them but I’m seeing the light now and enjoying tearing about my vehicles learning more and more. I was looking for answers on if you bought a monster impact for minor bolts what would happen and now I understand. Thanks.

You said "the everyday guy". There are everyday gals of which I am one. I am looking for an impact wrench to take off lug nuts if ever I get a flat tire again I had to take off a tire once and it was a nightmare. Thank God a man and his son came along and helped me. So based on your review I will go out and get this one. Will take advantage of the Black Friday sale.

I have a Bosch Core 18v freak hybrid impact driver/wrench and it's a fantastic tool for anything up to 19mm but when getting to axle bolts or other 20mm+ bolts, it pretty much taps out. Battery life is amazing though and it has honestly been my favorite tool despite its limitations.

I love my ridgid brushless 3 speed impact wrench it is powerful I use the octane batteries and it’s a monster

I will go with the Milwaukee but it's purely based on having other tools that share the same batteries and chargers.

Hey, this video was really helpful and well done. Thanks.

I just ordered this from Home Depot to remove 21mm brake caliper bracket bolts. I was not able to remove the bolts using a hammer or wedging a big screw driver between the wrench and the strut. And I only had a 12 point deep wall non-impact socket. I also ordered a 6 point shallow 21mm socket - hope that helps as well. Will report back, but I think this is an actual/good use case for the Ridgid.

Another great video thanks for putting out quality and informative reviews have a blessed day

Try using kano kroil penetrant liquid on the rusted and stubborn bolts, it penetrate rusted and loosen bolts100% of the the time. All ways spray bolts 1 hour before.. I work on a large industrial plant and this is what gets the job done. I have 31 year of experience and I know what works and what doesn't.

I continue to be impressed with Rigid brand tools ! I currently don't have one of these larger battery powered impact wrenchs, but this one looks like a winner.!Send it on over Brian! I'm still waiting to win something !

I'm using the M18 fuel and M12 fuel impacts. I really like the M12 Fuel 3/8 stubby because it has that autoshutoff mode.

Bought this because of this video! Next question. What type of impact sockets should I go with? Will Harbor Freight impact sockets be ok?

Seeing you guys tear apart a Jeep gives some hope, I'm up in the rust belt and my jeep is hell to work on sometimes. I have other Ridgid products and they haven't failed me yet even starting out as an apprentice, been debating between this and the Milwaukee fuel just wasn't sure the Ridgid would have the power

The impact extension is probably not made for use on coolant, and fluids so on so forth. The chrome was meant for that but not meant to be impacted on. The impact version is better overall but could cause it to corrode.

Thanks guys....good video! I want to buy one for my guy, and this looks like a good torque wrench 😊.

Thank you buddy I appreciate it very educational

Yea i understand i wasnt trying to come to you in a bad way . But would suggest milwaukee to any diy and love your channel by the way

Nice video. As you know Ridgid is AEG(German of course) here in Europe,nice machine,not cheap. But have an Kielder(British brand) and i'm very happy with it. Strong enough(700nm) for my diy automotive-work (Ford Mondeo), but..no led light,so i use an external lamp. No big problem. For working on bigger cars like in the US/Canada, Ridgid,Milwaukee,Dewalt,Ingersollrand is a better choice i guess.

Thanks! I’m actually looking to get one. This helps make my decision

This is hugely helpful...thanks so much!

And now it's still great, even better... If you do need more power, you can get a new OCTANE battery for this exact same wrench and boost the torque by nearly 50%.

I need a battery platform that I can use the batteries for everything. Impact wrench, drill, weed wacker, lawnmower and blower.

Ridgid needs compact 3/8 be great! Love my gen5x 1/2

You should put the product link in the description for stuff like this, it would make it easier for the viewer to find and you guys get to make some cash with each purchase made.

Unfortunately for Canadians ridgid isn't as competitively priced up here. That impact wrench is $170 bare tool plus tax. For just over $200 you can get a Dewalt. Ridgid makes nice stuff but it always boils down too what batteries you already have. Good review as always!

Great review guys! Already in route to pick this up. Excellent review.

Rigid is also life warranty which makes it worth the price.. Thank you (*L*)

Thanks for this review, Im in the market for an impact gun and this is a strong audition haha.

Qtr in impact driver for smaller things, gen 2 high torque for the rest.

If I were starting over I think rigid represents the best value on the market. That said, I disagree a bit on this one (I haven't used/tested nearly as many as you & respect that this is your opinion based on your use of a lot of the popular brands out there). I think the best impact is the one you already have a battery system for. I've got the ryobi 1/2" & it does most of what I need, has lights (not a separate switch ... that does look really handy) & I already had a metric crap-ton of batteries for it. Is anyone making a stubby cordless that you guys know about? Thanks for another great video.

In 1961, it introduced the first cordless electric drill, powered by a nickel-cadmium battery. Meanwhile, Black + Decker contracted with Martin Marietta to design tools for NASA, including a zero-impact wrench that turned bolts without spinning the astronaut.

Good review. Please turn Jeffs' microphone up to the same volume as yours, he's a little soft spoken. Thx

Nice Dirty Harry quote... "You've got to know your limitations" :-)

the funny thing is... about any reasonable tool and technique will remove bolts from a nice, clean vehicle like this. How about a nice rusty Wisconsin car with 180,000 miles on it?

My 1/2in Rigid can’t take the bolts off my skid plate let alone a lug nut

just bought a set today !!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd say this or the milwaukee midtorque are the best for automotive diy

I use the Milwaukee mid torque on the daily, once in a while I need to bring out big nasty Milwaukee high torque one key.

First I’m going to the brothel down the street then to the garage it’s a tear down day bois

One more question... I have a Ridgid 1/4 Impact (Driver) I have used a socket adapter to accept socket bits. I tested smaller bolts like 10mm etc and it cracks them off no problem. Do you recommend I continue to use this method, or use the 1/2 inch impact (WRENCH) to remove these smaller bolts?

I have a bolt on my mx5 that attaches the thermostat housing to the engine. it`s in a very awkward position due to the housing itself and I already snapped a 1/4 inch swivel joint trying to undo it. I wonder if a 1/2 inch impact could undo it or it would just strip and still be on the engine. Any advice from the youtube mechanics?

Just picked one up at Home Depot but I have no idea what I am walking into. I couldn’t remove a 36mm nut from the front sprocket on my Tiger 800 motorcycle with a 2 ft breaker bar so I headed over to Home Depot. I got a 2A battery with a charger and this wrench because I know brushless is better for reliability. That being said, it’s rare that I need to remove large bolts. Anyhow, I am afraid of over tightening the nut with this wrench. If I set it to auto will it tighten it to the proper torque or should I just use my torque wrench. I think it’s definitely over 100 ft lbs as I did my sisters Ninja 300 a week ago and that was 96ft lbs and I did it with a 2 ft breaker bar and had my sister put all her weight on the bike so I wouldn’t keep lifting the bike off the stand.

I just happen to have every 1/2 impact from milwaukee but also have a lot of there tools thats why I stay with them. I do have a few makita they seem to do well also.

What about the ingersol rand 3/8 w5132? 500+ breakaway.... nice power adjusting knob.... and best light ever put onto a cordless?!?!?

The Ridgid lineup is lacking a 3/8 drive impact and cordless ratchets. If you want a limited number of battery platforms, and you want more than one 1/2 impact, then Ridgid is not for you.

Can you guys please take a look at some brushless combo sets? Maybe the RIDGID 18-Volt GEN5X Lithium-Ion Brushless 5-Piece Combo Kit that runs $399.99. Would love to see a comparison between a couple of different combo sets.

After breaking two wrenches and a ratchet just doing my brakes I've given up on hand tools lol

I have been looking into a 1/2 impact and was looking at Milwaukee! I already have the ridgid gen4 drill/driver and 1/4 impact. After this I know what I'm going to get. Yeah the Milwaukee is better but there is no point since I already have the ridgid platform and I'm just a DIY guy. I would like to see ridgid come out with cordless rachets.

Great video, but think im gona opt for the milwaukee 3/8 stubby👍

Thanks a lot for your great video. Greetings from Pakistan 🇵🇰👍

The only rigid impacts I see a 250 ft/lbs of torque where are you getting 450?

Is it strong enough to take out harmonic balancer bolt?

Man u guys are sponsored by rigid heavy lmfaoo. Best three impacts are milwaukee, dewalt, and makita. No specific order but dewalt’s new atomic driver is currently number 1 followed by milwaukee, then makita.

You never simply mentioned the torque that the wrench produced. That is one of the more important things and you skipped right over it!

How did you make the molded tool trays for the toolbox?

Thanks for bringing this wrench to my attention 👍 Just returned the dewalt tool only wrench ($149) because it was underpowered (300ft lb) for my f150s lug nuts. Maybe the ridgid will be enough. Plus I get the battery and entry into ridgid tools 😊 Sadly my local Home Depot’s don’t stock this combo, but at $149 for the wrench and battery worth ordering it.

No one wants to know how to get those cool Oakley looking safety glasses in the intro?!

Would this be a good Impact for a Beginner for Tires rotation struts An oil change and Breaks and other things under the car or trucks

Any mid torque is good you dont need multi speed to work on cars

Is there a link to this impact?!

I can’t find that model anywhere. Is there a new version you would recommend?

Will it take off a Honda axle nut?

I have ryobi, they only have 1 wrench So i want a much more compact one, still 1/2 Which brand should i bet on?

When i work on my car i mostly use hand tools and i'm ok with that but i would love an impact wrench for axle nuts, crank bolt, suspension and some of those nasty exhaust bolts. I have a charger and batteries for DeWALT so i can save money by buying the tool only. I would prefer a mid size impact but i'm afraid DCF894 won't be enough . At the same time i'm reluctant to buy the big DCF899 - it may be an overkill. Do you know if DeWALT is coming out with a new impact soon?

What's the Milwaukee equivalent of this?

I am impressed with how this works. I did put the Ridgid to the maximum "KZfaq test" aka the Honda crankshaft bolt. The Ridgid didn't cut it, but Milwaukee instantly broke it. Is there a good impact for a Honda crank pulley bolt for a affordable price?

Whick socket set do you recommend along with the ridgid 1/2. For basic automotive tasks. Inch, Metric, standard, deep common size range? Thank you

If you had to choose between the 1/4 or 3/8 stubby milwaukee for under hood work, from intakes to engine mounts, which would you choose? BTW, I checked and the 3/8 is only 3 oz heavier.