A wrench is an essential tool because of how versatile it can be. Need pressure and torque to get something to turn? You need a wrench.

Professionals and automotive enthusiasts alike need a high quality air impact wrench. They work well for a variety of jobs. You can use it to rotate your car's tires, repair brakes, or for lawn/garden maintenance like changing the blade in your lawnmower.

When picking the right tool for you, it is important to pay attention to the specific regulations required. Size of the air hose, the capacity of the compressor, and whether you can use a direct hookup or not, makes a difference if the product works like it is supposed to.

Impact wrenches come in different sizes. I've only reviewed the ½-inch options, but most products offer different sizes of the same product. Take a look at what I found so you can select the best choice for your situation.

This impact wrench uses 550 ft-lbs. of torque, so I had no problems on any garage projects. I liked having three different power speeds on this impact wrench because I could get the exact tension I needed every time.

The twin-hammer mechanism used helps reduce vibration so you can continue working without your hands feeling tired. And the soft rubber grip was comfortable as well.

View ​Campbell Hausfeld Impact Wrench here

I could change tire after tire with this product. The only warning I'll offer is the recommended tank minimum is 8 gallons. Anything less and the product won't work as designed.

Even with enough CFM at 90 psi, the 8-gallon volume is required for full speed and power. If you haven't bought a tank yet, keep this in mind. Of course, with the smaller amount you can still use it; just expect a decrease in speed and power.

Pros

• 3 different power speeds
• Reduced vibration and noise
• Comfortable to hold

Cons

• Requires 8 gallon or higher compression tank

This product offers two adjustable powers and full power even in reverse. A built-in switch to alternate between forward and reverse made using the feature extremely simple. I was also impressed by how quiet this impact wrench was. There's a built-in silencing aspect that reduces noise level, and let me tell you, it works.

This wrench has 7000 RMP and tops the previous one with 600 ft-lbs of torque. I was removing lug nuts with minimal effort. I even tried it on some rusty nuts, and they came off no problem.

View PowRyte Air Impact Wrench here

I did find this product to be a little on the heavy side, and when I first used it, the balance felt off. But once I got going, it seemed to adjust. Also, the instruction manual mentioned to oil it regularly but failed to mention how to oil it and what oil to use. If you're new to using impact wrenches, you'll need to do a little research in that area.

Pros

• Full power even in reverse
• Quiet during use
• Plenty of torque
• Handled extensive use well

Cons

• Heavy to hold
• Unclear user manual

This air impact wrench is definitely for the professionals. Not that a beginner couldn't use it, but the features were far more advanced than the others. Over 1,000 ft-lbs of torque is almost more than I need. The one-handed forward/reverse button made it easy to switch.

The power regulator had four different positions, really allowing you to fine tune the exact torque and direction needed. And with all that, it was still lightweight. It also got durability points when I dropped it about three feet onto the garage floor without an issue.

View Ingersoll-Rand Air Impact Wrench here

With all that power going on, the one thing this product lacks is a brake. Once you release the trigger, it continues to spin. You have to wait for it to settle down before using again. The lag time isn't long, but enough to break your stride. Also a little higher in cost, but if you want quality, you have to pay for it.

Pros

• Plenty of features
• Extra torque for harder projects
• User friendly
• Four power settings

Cons

• No brake
• Expensive

The aluminum alloy housing on this wrench is excellent if you are like me and tend to bump your tools around. Again, I love the three-speed power regulation to get the exact tension needed for the process.  The twin hammer mechanism gives those power options as well as another speed – reverse.

This wrench was on the lower end of torque with just 500 ft-lbs. But that didn't stop me from rotating tires. However, this product may be more useful in a hobby garage than a professional atmosphere that works on multiple cars a day. The handle was ergonomically shaped but made with the same smooth aluminum around the rest of the device.

View ACDelco Air Impact Wrench here

I would have preferred a soft rubber or padded material for gripping. Otherwise, I feel more discomfort and have the unfortunate situation where my sweaty hand starts to lose grip.

Pros

• Durable with aluminum casing
• 3 power speeds
• Lightweight

Cons

• Lower torque
• Difficult to hold

5. Chicago Pneumatic Impact Wrench

The design of this wrench makes it fit perfectly in your hand. I found it to have excellent balance, was lightweight, and I like the trigger was curved to flow better for pressure.  The higher torque maxes at 922ft-lbs, placing it in the middle on power, enough to get the job done without being excessive.

I was able to remove some lug nuts that my eclectic impact wrench couldn't handle. And for all that power, I found it to be surprisingly quiet. It's a great option for daily use.

​View Chicago Pneumatic Impact Wrench here

While this impact wrench did have all the bells and whistles, when comparing it to the others I couldn't justify it due to expense. At nearly three times the cost of similar products, I did not feel it was worth the price when there are other fantastic options available. Perhaps over time, it would prove it's worth in longevity.

Pros

• Comfortable to hold
• Lightweight
• Higher torque
• Quiet

Cons

• Not worth the expense

After reviewing all the air impact wrenches, my preferred recommendation would be the PowRyte option. I feel this product would work well in a professional environment or a home garage. I especially appreciated the multiple settings that offered full power in reverse, so I don't have to compromise on speed and torque for any job.