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Our reviews will help you make the right decision if shopping for the best corded impact wrench for changing tires.
Despite the hype surrounding cordless impact wrenches, corded tools still have their place in our arsenal- you’ll not only save a significant sum of money, you will never have to worry about your batteries dying when you need them most.
Something else: while corded tools are still far off pneumatic impact wrenches, they have greatly improved over the last couple of years and have reasonable torque ratings these days compared with battery-powered models.
Below we review 3 of the higher-rated corded impact wrenches to help point you in the right direction if shopping for the best corded impact wrench for changing tires.
Best corded impact wrench for changing tires- our favorite picks
These tools have enough impact to break torque on the vast majority of wheel nuts, axle nuts, suspension nuts, and bolts you’ll encounter and are not overly big or heavy so they won’t work your arms out!
Some of the models are really good and zips even those stubborn open end lugs that easily corrode right off.
Put simply, these are the best corded models out there and the best bet if you would rather stay away from the cordless game/air tools..
Best corded impact wrench for changing tires – best 3 models in summary
Model |
Torque |
Comment |
| PORTER-CABLE corded Impact Wrench, 1/2-Inch | Torque: 450 pounds/foot
Motor: 7.5 amp Weight: 7.5 pounds |
Best-selling unit. |
| DEWALT Corded Impact Wrench 1/2-Inch
|
Torque: 345 pounds/foot
Motor: 7.5 amp · Weight: 7.0 LBS |
Second best-selling unit. |
| Craftsman 8-Amp corded Impact Wrench
|
Torque: 350 pounds/foot
Motor: 8.0 amp Weight: 10.95 pounds |
Bull nose ring secures impact sockets. |
Other options
| Milwaukee 1/2-Inch corded Impact Wrench
|
Torque: 300 pounds/foot
Motor: 7.0 amp Weight: 7.35 Pounds |
Nice variable speed unit. |
| Hitachi Corded Impact Wrench, 1/2-In
|
Torque: 270 pounds/foot
Motor: 370W Weight: 5.5 pounds |
Brushless Motor= long life and low maintenance |
Up next are our reviews of the top 3 front runners..
Best corded impact wrench for changing tires – reviews
PORTER-CABLE Impact Wrench, 1/2-Inch PCE211– best budget tool
This Porter Cable PCE211 model is a fantastic choice to anyone who doesn’t fancy shelling out hundreds of bucks on a high end unit.
And it’s not a best seller because of the price only- it’s really a beast and makes removing/tightening heavy fasteners look like child’s play thanks to the 450ft.lbs of torque.
This 120 volts, ½” corded electric impact wrench also features a handy ½” hog ring anvil that tightly grips 1/2″ drive sockets!
We really love it and you’ll too.
At a glance:
- Rocker type trigger- comes with a forward/ reverse rocker switch.
- Heavy duty brushed 7.5 amp motor– helps it work smoothly.
- Fast application speeds– 2200 RPM and 2700 BPM.
- ½” hog ring anvil -simplifies socket changes.
- Unique terms- 3 year warranty (limited),1-year free service contract, and 90-day money back guarantee.
Pros
- More torque than the competition.
- Not that loud.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- A little heavy.
Verdict
This thing is simply a monster and removes a lot of extremely heavy-duty, rust welded bolts with ease.
Its 450 lbs. of torque makes it top of the class- it’s way stronger than anyone else in our trailblazers’ list.
Wow. What a find!
DEWALT Corded Impact Wrench 1/2-Inch – most durable
Our second favorite option is rated at 345 ft-lbs (in forward/reverse), which is strong enough for most tire changing (or rotation) jobs.
It is really powerful and you can quickly get lug nuts loose (or drive them) even with the tire off the ground!
And oh, the toggle trigger works awesomely for cycling nuts when there is paint on the threads.
It’s a true workhorse, brilliantly made, and being a Dewalt, it’s built to last.
It will cost you a little more than Porter Cable PCE211 but trust us; you are buying fantastic quality here.
At a glance:
- Detent Pin Anvil (1/2-inch)- retains sockets better due to the stronger locking mechanism.
- Ball-bearing construction- improves overall durability.
- Speed- 2,100 RPM (no-load speed) and 2700 IPM (impacts/min) for efficient fastening and quicker loosening.
- AC/DC rocking switch- easily switch from forward-reverse and back again using the trigger.
- Ergonomic, soft-grip handle- superior balance and comfort.
Pros
- Superior build.
- Comfortable to use.
- Fairly lightweight.
Cons
- Pricier than Porter cable.
Verdict
This blasts those tight bolts loose like butter for tire rotation and related jobs and should serve your needs well.
Go for it if money is not an obstacle- It will make your motoring life so much easier.
Craftsman 8Amp Impact Wrench –wonderful for most difficult fasteners
Built to wrestle difficult lugs and other hardware, this 350 lbs. rated Craftsman corded impact wrench can be a versatile newcomer to your tool collection.
It features a powerful 8.0 amp motor and an operator-friendly design and should help you easily win the battle over the largest, stickiest fasteners.
This 110-120v strike a good balance of power to weight too to minimize hand fatigue.
Plus, there a useful LED light (at the base) to help you work in complete darkness or access hard-to-reach corners during auto repairs.
At a glance:
- 0 amp motor – for a power-packed performance.
- Rubber over-mold – enhances your comfort while protecting delicate surfaces from potential scratches.
- Live tool indicator – helps you know if the tool’s Bull nose ring is receiving power.
- Bull nose ring- secures impact sockets during quick starts/stops.
- Cast aluminum housing– the motor is housed in a cast aluminum compartment for protection during heavy torque tasks.
- Speed- 2100 RPM (maximum) and 2700 BPM (for repetitive pounding)
Pros
- Solid construction.
- Make difficult bolt removal a breeze.
- Convenient LED light for night repairs/maintenance.
Cons
- Heavier than the other two.
Verdict
The most bull-headed bolts meet their match in this Craftsman corded impact wrench.
As such, you’ll regret not finding it earlier once you use it the first time.
We highly recommend it.
Final thoughts
Unless your needs specifically require battery-power or some other special characteristic offered exclusively by a certain cordless impact wrench, a top quality corded impact tool will do the job.
That said, even with the best corded impact wrench for changing tires, you must use a heavy-duty extension cord (when necessary) to avoid the inevitable voltage drop.
Otherwise, you can be sure that any of the above corded impact tools will save you plenty of time (and effort) running nuts on/off.
Best of luck with your decision mate.
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