The Craftsman impact driver proved to be a lightweight, dependable workhorse in our hands-on testing and is currently on sale for $59 (regularly $99), making it an easy recommendation for homeowners and weekend DIYers who want solid value. The Craftsman impact driver balances weight, battery life and price in a way that makes routine projects faster and less tiring.
After several weeks of projects — from deck repairs to building a picnic table and setting concrete planters — I would buy this Craftsman impact driver again thanks to its ergonomics, run time and overall reliability in typical home use.
Quick verdict: Craftsman impact driver
Solid buy at $59 for homeowners and DIYers who want a capable, compact impact driver without a big price tag.
At the sale price of $59, the CRAFTSMAN CMCF801D1 delivers the essentials: lightweight handling, dependable screw-driving and a battery that goes farther than you might expect. It isn’t the fastest driver in a side-by-side with a DeWalt, but the performance gap closes with a little extra forward pressure. With a 4.7 Amazon rating and more than 1,000 purchased last month, it’s clearly resonating with value-minded shoppers. Note that prices and stock can fluctuate quickly during sales events, so expect the $59 deal to change.
What you get in the box
Compact kit: tool, one battery and a charger — enough to start most weekend projects right away.
The kit ships as model CMCF801D1 and includes the impact driver itself, a single rechargeable battery and a compact charger. Out of the box the driver is comfortable in hand, feels well-balanced and is ready for immediate use. If you regularly tackle larger projects or multiple-day jobs, adding a spare battery (CMCB204) reduces downtime between charges and keeps momentum on longer builds.
Performance in real projects
Real-world use: handled deck repairs, woodworking and even occasional concrete work with consistent results.
I used the Craftsman impact driver on a variety of tasks: decking repairs, building a picnic table, assembling garden beds and drilling pilot holes into concrete planters. It felt noticeably lighter in hand than comparable DeWalt, Bosch and Ryobi drivers, which reduced wrist fatigue during longer sessions. When driving long deck screws into pressure-treated lumber it rarely stalled.
It isn’t quite as fast as my comparable DeWalt in raw output, but the gap was usually small — a bit of extra forward pressure closed it in most cases. Bit changes are quick thanks to the quick-release chuck, and the ergonomics make repetitive work less tiring for weekend crews and homeowners.
Battery, charger and LED
Long runtimes on a single charge, a compact but slower charger, and a helpful LED that stays on briefly after release.
On a single charge I recorded up to about 120 drives across mixed tasks — assembling furniture, fastening deck screws and light drilling — which aligns with the reported “up to 120 drives per charge” figure; actual results will vary by screw size, torque settings and materials. The included charger is compact and easy to stash in a toolbox, but expect a full recharge to take a few hours. For larger or continuous jobs, a spare CMCB204 battery is a worthwhile addition to maintain steady progress.
Who should buy it and how it stacks up
Best for weekend DIYers and homeowners who want value over pro-grade speed and need a lightweight, reliable driver.
With a 4.7 Amazon rating and strong recent sales (more than 1,000 units moved last month), this Craftsman impact driver is popular with shoppers prioritizing affordability and ergonomics. It’s lighter than many competitors and offers solid battery life, making it an excellent choice for occasional to frequent home projects. If you’re a tradesperson who needs maximum speed and continuous heavy use every day, higher-end DeWalt or Bosch models may still be preferable — but for most homeowners and hobbyists, this Craftsman unit is a smart, budget-friendly pick.
Key takeaways
Quick points to remember before you buy.
- Price: On sale for $59 (regularly $99); price and availability may change during sales events.
- Includes: tool, single battery and compact charger (model CMCF801D1); consider a spare CMCB204 for long jobs.
- Run time: Reviewer saw up to 120 drives per charge in mixed use; actual runtime varies by task.
- Performance: Lighter than DeWalt/Bosch/Ryobi; slightly slower than DeWalt in raw speed but close with steady pressure.
- Shopper feedback: 4.7 Amazon rating and strong recent sales; Amazon Prime shipping available for many buyers.
FAQ
How long does the Craftsman impact driver battery last per charge?
The reviewer recorded up to about 120 drives per charge across mixed woodworking and repair tasks, which reflects typical hobbyist use; heavier jobs or larger screws will reduce that number, and individual results will vary.
Is this Craftsman driver as fast as DeWalt or Bosch?
It’s a touch slower than comparable DeWalt models in raw speed, but the difference is modest and often mitigated by extra forward pressure. For most DIY tasks the performance is more than adequate.
Is the $59 sale price a good buy for DIYers?
Yes. At $59 the Craftsman impact driver offers excellent value for homeowners and weekend DIYers who want reliable performance, light weight and solid battery life without paying for pro-grade speed. Keep an eye on sale volatility and stock levels if you want to snag this deal quickly.
Source: Fox News — one of the original reviews is available at https://www.foxnews.com/deals/craftsman-impact-driver-review. Price and availability may change.
