Impact driver or hammer drill: what is the difference and which should you choose?

"Impact" on one side, "hammer" on the other: you might think they are the same tool. Yet the impact driver and the hammer drill do not strike in the same direction and are not used for the same jobs. If you are torn between the two, or simply want to understand the difference between a driver and a drill, this guide explains how they work, their strengths and which one to choose. You will also find the models available at Brico MIM to buy your impact driver in Morocco or your hammer drill.

Drill driver, impact driver, hammer drill: who does what?

• The drill driver simply rotates, with a torque collar to control driving. It drills wood and metal and drives most common screws. To choose one, read our guide cordless drill driver: voltage, torque and battery.
• The hammer drill adds a forward hammering motion to the rotation, along the axis of the bit. This motion is used to drill brick, breeze block or stone.
• The impact driver delivers blows in the direction of rotation when the screw resists. The result: very high torque for driving long, tough screws.
• The impact wrench works on the same principle as the impact driver, but with a square drive (1/2" or 3/4") for sockets, nuts and bolts. See our article impact wrench: choosing torque and drive size.

The impact driver: how it works and what it is for

How does it work?

As long as the screw goes in easily, the impact driver turns like an ordinary driver. As soon as resistance increases, an internal mechanism starts striking in short bursts in the direction of rotation. These repeated impacts drive the screw in without the tool twisting the user's wrist. The bit fits straight into a 1/4" hex shank, with no chuck.

Its strengths

• Driving long screws into solid wood: decking, pergolas, roof frames, timber framing.
• Fitting self-drilling screws into sheet metal or metal profiles.
• Tightening or loosening small nuts and bolts with 1/4" shank sockets.
• High torque in a compact tool, handy in tight spaces.

Its limits

• No chuck: it is not designed for drilling masonry, and drilling is limited to hex-shank bits.
• Less suited to small, delicate screws (chipboard furniture, hinges): its power can damage the screw head or the material.
• It is louder than a drill driver when it is impacting.

The hammer drill: how it works and what it is for

How does it work?

A selector lets you switch between rotation-only mode and hammer mode. In hammer mode, the chuck receives small, rapid forward blows while it turns: the masonry bit (with a carbide tip) crushes and clears the material as it goes. The chuck, often 13 mm, accepts wood, metal or masonry bits of different diameters.

Its strengths

• Fixing shelves, a TV, curtain rails or light fittings into brick and breeze block.
• Drilling wood and metal in rotation-only mode.
• Driving screws with a bit, especially on cordless models with a torque collar.

Its limits

In hard or reinforced concrete (pillars, slabs), a hammer drill progresses slowly and wears quickly. For these materials, an SDS-Plus rotary hammer is far more effective: see our guide SDS-Plus rotary hammer.

Comparison table

Which one for your projects?

You mainly fix things to walls

Shelves, frames, curtains, TV brackets, air conditioners or cameras: the hammer drill is the priority tool, because most walls in Morocco are brick or concrete. It also drives the screws into the wall plugs once the hole is drilled.

You build with wood or metal

Decking, garden sheds, pergolas, metal framing, cladding or aluminium joinery: the impact driver will save you a lot of time and effort on long screws and self-drilling screws.

You want to be equipped for everything

The ideal pair is still a (hammer) drill for drilling and an impact driver for driving, on the same battery platform. You drill with one and drive with the other, without swapping accessories. To compare the available packs, see our guide cordless combo tool kit: which pack to choose?

Our TOTAL models and prices

Impact driver

The TOTAL TIRLI2002 is a compact 20 V cordless impact driver with a 1/4" hex shank: 170 N.m maximum torque, two speed ranges (0–1300 and 0–2100 rpm), supplied with two 2.0 Ah batteries, a charger, two bits and nut accessories. It is priced at 1,344 DH. For heavier bolting (wheels, mechanics), see our impact wrenches collection instead.

Corded hammer drills

• 680 W hammer drill, 13 mm chuck — TOTAL TG1061356: from 335 DH.
• 710 W hammer drill, 13 mm chuck — TOTAL TG10713662: from 375 DH.
• 850 W hammer drill, 13 mm capacity — TOTAL TG109136: from 575 DH.
• 1010 W hammer drill, 13 mm capacity — TOTAL TG111136: from 620 DH.

Cordless hammer drill

The TOTAL TDLI205582 20 V Brushless hammer drill driver, with a 13 mm chuck and two variable speeds, starts from 640 DH. It can be paired with an impact wrench in the 55 N.m drill driver and 400 N.m impact wrench 20V pack (1,444 DH).

All these tools can be found in our drills and drivers and cordless tools collections.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drill with an impact driver?

For small holes in wood or sheet metal, yes, with 1/4" hex-shank drill bits. However, it is not suited to drilling brick or concrete, nor to precision holes.

Does a hammer drill go through concrete?

It drills brick, breeze block and soft concrete with a masonry bit. For hard or reinforced concrete, and for many or large-diameter holes, an SDS-Plus rotary hammer is recommended.

Impact driver or impact wrench: what is the difference?

The principle is the same, but the impact driver takes bits through a 1/4" hex shank for driving screws, while the impact wrench uses a 1/2" or 3/4" square drive and sockets for bolts, usually with higher torque.

Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?

Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.