What's inside
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Our Top Picks
Quick verdict
The Milwaukee 2767-20 is the quicker choice when a bolt is genuinely stuck and you need maximum breakaway force. Its published fastening torque is 1,000 ft-lb, and Milwaukee lists 1,400 ft-lb of nut-busting torque. The Makita XWT08 is no lightweight: Makita rates it at 740 ft-lb fastening torque and 1,180 ft-lb nut-busting torque. On paper, Milwaukee has the edge, especially on stubborn, corroded hardware.
That does not make the Makita a bad buy. For regular tire changes, suspension work, and other jobs where bolts are not seized solid, it has ample power and may be the better choice if you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries. These are bare tools, so compare the cost of a battery and charger as well as the wrench.
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Specifications that matter
| Feature | Makita XWT08 | Milwaukee 2767-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | 1/2-inch square | 1/2-inch square |
| Power platform | 18V LXT | M18 |
| Published fastening torque | 740 ft-lb | 1,000 ft-lb |
| Published nut-busting torque | 1,180 ft-lb | 1,400 ft-lb |
| Tool length | About 9 inches | About 8.4 inches |
| Speed control | Three power settings | Four-mode drive control |
Torque figures are manufacturer ratings, not a promise that every bolt will come loose. Results depend on the battery, socket, fastener condition, and how long the tool hammers. Different test methods also make direct comparisons less exact than the table suggests. Both tools use a 1/2-inch drive, but neither should be treated as a torque wrench for final tightening.
Which one breaks bolts loose faster?
For a single stubborn fastener, the Milwaukee is the better bet. Its higher published nut-busting rating gives it more headroom when rust, thread locker, or years of over-tightening raise the breakaway force. In practical use, that can mean less hammering before the nut turns—and fewer cases where you have to stop and reach for a breaker bar.
The Makita can still handle plenty of automotive work. Wheel nuts that were tightened correctly and routine suspension fasteners are often within its range, particularly with a healthy high-capacity battery and a snug-fitting impact socket. But a seized exhaust bolt or badly corroded suspension nut may expose the difference. If the Makita hammers without moving the fastener, continuing to hold the trigger is not a substitute for more leverage. It can heat the fastener, round damaged corners, or drain the battery without making progress.
Neither tool guarantees a quick removal. A rounded nut, a spinning bolt, or a fastener near its shear limit calls for a different approach. Penetrating oil, a six-point impact socket, a breaker bar, or careful heat may be the safer next step. Keep heat away from fuel lines, rubber parts, and other flammable materials.
Control, size, and daily use
The Makita offers three power settings; the Milwaukee has four drive-control modes, including modes intended to limit over-tightening or help with bolt removal. More control is useful when working around smaller hardware, but it does not remove the need to choose the right setting. At full power, either wrench can damage a wheel stud, snap a smaller bolt, or spin a nut down harder than you intended.
The Milwaukee is shorter, which can help between suspension components or inside a wheel well. The Makita is longer, though the difference is modest; socket depth and access angle usually matter more. Both are heavy-duty tools, and adding a large battery makes overhead work tiring. For long sessions, consider tool balance and battery weight, not just the wrench’s bare-tool dimensions.
For installation, run fasteners down gently with a low setting, then finish with a calibrated torque wrench to the vehicle or equipment maker’s specification. Do not rely on impact-wrench ratings or a set number of trigger pulls. Those methods produce inconsistent clamping force and can stretch studs or damage threads.
Battery platform and total cost
If you already own compatible batteries and a charger, that may settle the choice. A bare wrench is attractive only if the battery you have can supply the current a high-torque impact demands. A small, aging pack may limit performance or run down quickly; a suitable high-capacity pack is a better match for repeated heavy work.
If you are buying into a platform, compare the complete kit price and the other tools you expect to use. Search current listings for a Makita XWT08 impact wrench and a Milwaukee 2767-20 impact wrench, checking carefully whether batteries and charger are included. If you are starting from scratch, also compare the cost of Makita battery kits with Milwaukee M18 battery kits.
Who should buy each wrench?
Choose the Milwaukee 2767-20 if you regularly remove rusted or over-tightened fasteners, want the stronger published breakaway rating, or need its shorter body for cramped access. It is the more convincing pick for shop work where one difficult bolt can hold up the job.
Choose the Makita XWT08 if you already have capable LXT batteries and most of your work involves routine automotive or equipment fasteners rather than badly seized hardware. The lower torque rating is a real trade-off, but it is not a reason to pay for Milwaukee power you rarely need. For occasional tire changes and ordinary repairs, the Makita can be the sensible, less costly option—provided you still use a torque wrench for final tightening.