What Is a 12 V Brushless ½-inch Impact Ratchet?

Here’s a detailed primer on 12 V / “compact” brushless ½-inch impact ratchets — what to expect, what to look for, use cases, limitations — plus some good product options to explore.

What Is a 12 V Brushless ½-inch Impact Ratchet?

An impact ratchet (sometimes called an “impact wrench ratchet”) combines the torque/hammer action of an impact tool with the ratcheting function (i.e. it outputs rotational motion via a square drive like a standard ratchet). The “½-inch” refers to the square drive size — this is the size of socket you can attach.

When it’s “12 V brushless,” that means:

  • It runs on a 12-volt lithium battery (or “12 V class” tool ecosystem)
  • It uses a brushless motor (no carbon brushes) for higher efficiency, better durability, and more torque for its size

These tools are typically designed for tighter or compact spaces where a full impact wrench is too bulky, but still require decent torque for automotive, machinery, or maintenance work.


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