Thanks for the test I own both M18 and M12 surge After years of use the M12 with a smaller profile 3ah battery it. drives 3 1/8" GRK screws all day, is lightweight and never fail
I appreciate the closing statement (you'll be happy with any of the 3 brands), because it's what I believe also. I'm team yellow, but only because it's what I started with and I prefer to stick with a single battery platform. If I had to start over, I'd be fine with red or blue. All choices involve trade-offs, and it's up to the individual to decide which set of trade-offs best matches their needs.
I’ve been using the Makita for about two years and it’s FANTASTIC. Agreed, it’s not my first choice for big stuff, but it’s just so smooth, light and precise. Love it! I have the M12 too, and it’s pretty good but my favorite is definitely the Makita. I like how you’re emphasizing the use of hydraulic drivers on smaller fasteners. I hope companies don’t make the mistake of compromising what they’re so good at in the pursuit of higher torque. Great discussion!
I agree with you. If they can add more torque and make it still nice to use then I am good with that. In a vacuum that Dewalt is still nice and smooth compared to a traditional impact driver. Only when I put it up against the others do you see that it's the roughest of the bunch.
@ that’s good to hear. Honestly, the only thing I could wish to improve on the Makita is its length, but I wouldn’t sacrifice any other metric to make it smaller. If it was 10% shorter and had 10% more torque but didn’t sacrifice any of its smoothness, it would be just about perfect. I’m so glad you included it in your comparison!
I guess given how a hydraulic impact is typically used (driving fasteners more than removing nuts and bolts) what do you think the reason is that it’s so potent in reverse?
The funny thing is I bought the Japanese version and as soon I went grab links for the North American version it was on sale for virtually the same price. I still think they should drop the price lower but it is a competitive tool.
@@TinkerWithTools on ebay or other website? I know they sell the teal color from Japan as well. I think they might release a 40v version before they make a second gen.
@TinkerWithTools believe it or not, but I tested the teal, usa version one against the Japanese one and the US version was a little faster and a little quieter
Another great review as always TWT thanks! I guess the real question for a lot of us Dewalt folks is, is it that much quieter to where its worth replacing the DCF850 for the noise reduction. Its so hard to tell on these vids. Im plenty happy with the professional performance of my 850s and love the stubby package for tight spots. But I do do some comercial work where the atmosphere often requires putting aside the prefered impacts and using drill drivers instead to limit noise and the disturbance to businesses and their customers. There is still clutch noise from the drill driver but its much less jarring then impact echo. Guess I might just have to try one and see. In your opinion does the 870 have any other advantages over an 850 besides the noise reduction?
My 850 has still been packed away but I'll get it out and give them a good comparison in the coming weeks. Compared to the 860 (which I have out right now) the 870 is more smooth than that. Especially down in speed 1 with the Dewalt, it can be more precise while still being functional and not too slow.
It's very interesting to see the m12 gets louder than everything else when it's trying to keep up. I wonder if there is a reason for the weakest impact having to loudest volume.
I considered doing the db test on a smaller fastener as well but ultimately didn’t have time to get it into the video. My rationale on the bigger fastener was simply that it would push the tool enough to a peak volume.
I got a roybi quiet strike as well its really quiet. The split case rattles and feel like its gonna separate huge and not very powerful. Its easly in the mid 80s db range acording to my phone though so at least it does that!
If they ever release it as a Metabo HPT or the price comes down on the Hikoki - I'll be sure to check it out. I have always liked their impact drivers so I would hope that it would be as good as those.
The ONLY thing holding me back from buying the 870 is that I am afraid I won't like the trigger. I love my XDT19 and TD173 triggers, and I am not really a fan of my DCF850 trigger. I think it is likely that DeWalt put the same trigger in the 870 from the 850, or I would at least imagine that it feels the same. Are you able to confirm for us if the 870 trigger feels virtually the same as the 850 trigger?
I was just using impact drivers for a certain project and I came to realization that to me control is more important than performance. No way in hell I would use Flex to do some of my work. Thing is just too fast on speed 3 before any impacting.
I tested the regular drill versus the DEWALT in a previous short and it was about 4db lower than DCF870 in a similar. So yes it’s quieter but the 870 was closer to the drill than it was to a traditional impact.
@@saiiiiiii1if it helps, the 870 impacting sound level is similar to when u clutch out on a drill. At least that’s the way I sounds to me. And if u ever out on any kind of hearing protection while impacting the 870 it’s silent.
Great initial comment and responses all! This is exactly what I was wondering about and had asked in my own comment, thanks so much for the great info all!
The difference in illumination deserves a mention. It would be a major factor in the ergonomics for me. I like to see what I’m working on. Except for that roly poly bat faced girl I dated once.
I had a section on lighting and another on other features but the video was a bit long and I sort of rambled in that section so it was cut. The DEWALT light is the best by far of the impacts tested here. The others are all similar. Not bad by any means but not exceptional either.
Super excited and had to watch this video as soon as it dropped! Running the M12 surge currently and love it, use to have the M18 surge but sold it and got the M12 since it rides around nicely in a screw pouch and doesn’t have the extra battery size hanging off the bottom. Oil impulse drivers are the best!
I love each and every one of these but I was supposed at how much smoother the Makita was. Granted you are sacrificing some performance at this point but I didn’t think it would be that noticeable
@@TinkerWithTools That's so weird to think that Ryobi had one when they still don't have things that other brands have such as hole hawgs and a rear handle circ saw.
That isn’t the sub compact. That is their oil impulse driver that compares to these tools. It’s just black because I bought the made in Japan model since it was cheaper.
@@peterc9166well people who buy the 870 is for the hydraulic noise reduction. Plain and simple. But it is better than the 850 if u care about stats haha
Thanks for the test
I own both M18 and M12 surge
After years of use the M12 with a smaller profile 3ah battery it. drives 3 1/8" GRK screws all day, is lightweight and never fail
Regardless of how it finished in this testing I still prefer the M12 surge to the M18.
@@TinkerWithTools It makes more sense size wise for the kind of job it’s made for.
Would you recommend buying M12
surge now instead of 870?
I appreciate the closing statement (you'll be happy with any of the 3 brands), because it's what I believe also. I'm team yellow, but only because it's what I started with and I prefer to stick with a single battery platform. If I had to start over, I'd be fine with red or blue. All choices involve trade-offs, and it's up to the individual to decide which set of trade-offs best matches their needs.
I’ve been using the Makita for about two years and it’s FANTASTIC. Agreed, it’s not my first choice for big stuff, but it’s just so smooth, light and precise. Love it!
I have the M12 too, and it’s pretty good but my favorite is definitely the Makita.
I like how you’re emphasizing the use of hydraulic drivers on smaller fasteners. I hope companies don’t make the mistake of compromising what they’re so good at in the pursuit of higher torque.
Great discussion!
I agree with you. If they can add more torque and make it still nice to use then I am good with that. In a vacuum that Dewalt is still nice and smooth compared to a traditional impact driver. Only when I put it up against the others do you see that it's the roughest of the bunch.
@ that’s good to hear. Honestly, the only thing I could wish to improve on the Makita is its length, but I wouldn’t sacrifice any other metric to make it smaller. If it was 10% shorter and had 10% more torque but didn’t sacrifice any of its smoothness, it would be just about perfect. I’m so glad you included it in your comparison!
Been testing the 870 for about 3 weeks and it's a BEAST in REVERSE
I guess given how a hydraulic impact is typically used (driving fasteners more than removing nuts and bolts) what do you think the reason is that it’s so potent in reverse?
@@TinkerWithToolsThey probably started watching Torque Test Channel
@@TinkerWithTools DEWALT HAS SOME 860 in it
Same with the 860, extra strong in reverse
The Makita is also one of the few tools they sell here made in Japan.
finally ! I have been suggesting the makita impact few times and every time you couldn't justify it :) glad you came around. It is that nice to use.
The funny thing is I bought the Japanese version and as soon I went grab links for the North American version it was on sale for virtually the same price. I still think they should drop the price lower but it is a competitive tool.
@@TinkerWithTools on ebay or other website? I know they sell the teal color from Japan as well. I think they might release a 40v version before they make a second gen.
@@TinkerWithTools which website is the sale on. I know they also sell Japanese teal version.
Amazon has it on for 204 as of last night.
@TinkerWithTools believe it or not, but I tested the teal, usa version one against the Japanese one and the US version was a little faster and a little quieter
Another great review as always TWT thanks! I guess the real question for a lot of us Dewalt folks is, is it that much quieter to where its worth replacing the DCF850 for the noise reduction. Its so hard to tell on these vids. Im plenty happy with the professional performance of my 850s and love the stubby package for tight spots. But I do do some comercial work where the atmosphere often requires putting aside the prefered impacts and using drill drivers instead to limit noise and the disturbance to businesses and their customers. There is still clutch noise from the drill driver but its much less jarring then impact echo. Guess I might just have to try one and see. In your opinion does the 870 have any other advantages over an 850 besides the noise reduction?
My 850 has still been packed away but I'll get it out and give them a good comparison in the coming weeks. Compared to the 860 (which I have out right now) the 870 is more smooth than that. Especially down in speed 1 with the Dewalt, it can be more precise while still being functional and not too slow.
It's very interesting to see the m12 gets louder than everything else when it's trying to keep up. I wonder if there is a reason for the weakest impact having to loudest volume.
I considered doing the db test on a smaller fastener as well but ultimately didn’t have time to get it into the video. My rationale on the bigger fastener was simply that it would push the tool enough to a peak volume.
I got a roybi quiet strike as well its really quiet. The split case rattles and feel like its gonna separate huge and not very powerful. Its easly in the mid 80s db range acording to my phone though so at least it does that!
Yeah both Ridgid and Ryobi made one but don’t currently sell them.
I offered mine to ttc and they passed 😆 on me sending it to them for kicks. I know there discontinued I got it for 1 penny on the hd clearance rack.
Nice work!
Like my M12 Surge fine but the Dewalt looks good. Wonder how the Hikoki 18v hydraulic impact compares.
If they ever release it as a Metabo HPT or the price comes down on the Hikoki - I'll be sure to check it out. I have always liked their impact drivers so I would hope that it would be as good as those.
I have the dewalt it's a game changer. Very powerful and quiet. If an impact takes almost twice as long and is louder it's hard to justify buying it.
Fair point!
The ONLY thing holding me back from buying the 870 is that I am afraid I won't like the trigger. I love my XDT19 and TD173 triggers, and I am not really a fan of my DCF850 trigger. I think it is likely that DeWalt put the same trigger in the 870 from the 850, or I would at least imagine that it feels the same. Are you able to confirm for us if the 870 trigger feels virtually the same as the 850 trigger?
The 870 is very much a standard DEWALT trigger. If you don’t like the 850 I don’t think you will like the 870.
@@TinkerWithToolsThank you for confirming! I watch all your vids, sometimes twice.
I appreciate it and glad you find them helpful!
Worx also just released a hydraulic impact WU298
Interesting. I don’t have any works power tools but I’ll have to look into it.
If Home Depot sold that Makita Impact in a Holiday bundle for $129 I'd buy it.
I wish they would do that but even 10 years in Makita barely puts it on sale.
I was just using impact drivers for a certain project and I came to realization that to me control is more important than performance. No way in hell I would use Flex to do some of my work. Thing is just too fast on speed 3 before any impacting.
Different tools have their place for sure. There are impact drivers I don’t pick up for delicate work.
Do you happen to have a decibel number from a regular drill on comparison?
I tested the regular drill versus the DEWALT in a previous short and it was about 4db lower than DCF870 in a similar. So yes it’s quieter but the 870 was closer to the drill than it was to a traditional impact.
@TinkerWithTools ok thanks nice to know
@@saiiiiiii1if it helps, the 870 impacting sound level is similar to when u clutch out on a drill. At least that’s the way I sounds to me. And if u ever out on any kind of hearing protection while impacting the 870 it’s silent.
Great initial comment and responses all! This is exactly what I was wondering about and had asked in my own comment, thanks so much for the great info all!
At 13:00 for comparison should have been 860 not 870
Appreciate you pointing it out.
The difference in illumination deserves a mention. It would be a major factor in the ergonomics for me. I like to see what I’m working on. Except for that roly poly bat faced girl I dated once.
I had a section on lighting and another on other features but the video was a bit long and I sort of rambled in that section so it was cut. The DEWALT light is the best by far of the impacts tested here. The others are all similar. Not bad by any means but not exceptional either.
@@TinkerWithTools Dewalt brought 9 LEDs to the party! That's kind of a big deal.
It’s probably second only to the full Halo light that a few brands bring to the table.
Super excited and had to watch this video as soon as it dropped!
Running the M12 surge currently and love it, use to have the M18 surge but sold it and got the M12 since it rides around nicely in a screw pouch and doesn’t have the extra battery size hanging off the bottom. Oil impulse drivers are the best!
I love each and every one of these but I was supposed at how much smoother the Makita was. Granted you are sacrificing some performance at this point but I didn’t think it would be that noticeable
@ definitely worth the trade off, I’d agree!
AEG(or Ridgid) also had Oil impact pulse
Yes and I believe Ryobi did as well but both are discontinued and no longer being sold.
it is also the size of an impact wrench
@@TinkerWithTools That's so weird to think that Ryobi had one when they still don't have things that other brands have such as hole hawgs and a rear handle circ saw.
Why don't you use the other makita the sub compact is garbage
That isn’t the sub compact. That is their oil impulse driver that compares to these tools. It’s just black because I bought the made in Japan model since it was cheaper.
870 looks like my 850 same shell
It’s close but it is just a little bit longer.
Ergonomics is the key to any tool buy what feels good in your hands if you do not like using it why make a purchase sometimes stats do not matter
@@peterc9166well people who buy the 870 is for the hydraulic noise reduction. Plain and simple. But it is better than the 850 if u care about stats haha