Most conversations about impact drivers start and finish with torque. How many Newton metres, how fast, how hard. Makita's Impact Premier range takes a different position. Yes, the torque is there -- the Impact Premier delivers 175 Nm in impact mode, roughly the force of pushing firmly down on a 20cm spanner with a full adult's body weight. But the reason the Impact Premier has become the choice of electricians, joiners, and site supervisors doing precision fastening is not the raw number. It is the control.
---
What the Impact Premier actually is
The Impact Premier is Makita's flagship brushless impact driver range, sitting above the standard M-class and DK-class impact tools in the 18V LXT lineup. The brushless motor is the starting point -- compared to a brushed motor, a brushless unit runs cooler, requires no brush replacement over its life, and delivers more consistent power from a given battery charge.
But the feature that defines the Impact Premier is the drive mode system. Where most impact drivers give you one or two speed settings, the Impact Premier provides a set of distinct modes, each tuned to a specific type of fastening task. Getting those modes right means faster work and fewer callbacks for stripped screws, snapped fixings, or overtightened joints.
---
The drive modes explained
Impact mode. This is the full-power setting for the kind of heavy fastening work that impact drivers were originally designed for: long screws into timber, structural fixings into hardwood, coach bolts into engineered wood products. The tool delivers its maximum torque and maximum impact rate. For a capable operator who knows what they are doing, this mode is fast and effective. For a less experienced user on a material that punishes overtightening, it can also cause problems -- which is where the other modes come in.
T-mode (self-tapping screw mode). Self-drilling and self-tapping screws are common across electrical and metalworking applications, but they are also the screws most likely to strip or cam out if the driver hits them too hard at the wrong moment. T-mode applies a reduced initial torque to allow the screw to start cleanly, then ramps up as the thread bites. The result is a far lower rate of cam-out and damaged screw heads. Electricians fitting cable management, first fixers working with self-tapping roofing screws, and anyone using thin-gauge metal fixings will find T-mode saves time and material compared to running everything in full impact mode.
Assist mode (A-mode). The assist mode is designed to prevent overtightening and cam-out when driving screws into materials that are easy to damage. It applies a slower, controlled start to the fastening cycle, letting the screw seat correctly before the driver builds speed. For chipboard flooring fixings, MDF cabinet work, and composite decking where the surface can be crushed if a bit spins out, assist mode is the practical choice over impact mode.
S-mode (smaller screw mode). Fine thread screws, electrical terminal screws, and smaller fixings in general call for less aggressive torque delivery. S-mode reduces the impact rate and torque ceiling to prevent overtightening or snapping the fastener entirely. For an electrician tightening MK or Legrand faceplate screws, or a plumber securing compression fitting collars, this is the appropriate mode.
---
The 18V LXT platform advantage
The Impact Premier runs on Makita's 18V LXT battery platform, the largest cordless battery system Makita makes. Over 125 tools in the UK run on 18V LXT batteries, from the most compact trim tool up to the largest circular saw and rotary hammer Makita makes.
For a UK trade who is already running Makita 18V LXT tools, the Impact Premier is a straightforward addition: no new batteries, no new charger, no new system to manage. The battery compatibility across the full 18V LXT range is total.
The Impact Premier is also available in a twin 18V (36V) configuration as part of Makita's XGT platform for even higher-demand applications, though for standard screwdriving work the 18V LXT version handles everything most UK trades will encounter.
---
Who the Impact Premier is for
Electricians. The combination of T-mode for self-tapping work and S-mode for terminal and faceplate screws makes the Impact Premier a single tool that handles both the heavy cable tray fixing and the fine finishing work without switching tools. The compact form factor of Makita's Impact Premier body also suits electricians working in consumer unit enclosures and other tight spaces.
First fix carpenters and joiners. Structural screwing in timber frames, staircase components, and floor decking involves a range of screw types and material conditions. The Impact Premier's mode selection lets the operator match the tool's behaviour to the fastener and material rather than running everything at the same setting.
Site supervisors and multi-trade operatives. For someone who covers a range of fastening tasks across a working day rather than specialising in one trade application, the Impact Premier's versatility across modes is more useful than a higher-torque single-speed driver.
Finishing tradespeople. Kitchen installers, bathroom fitters, and anyone working with materials where surface finish and joint integrity matter will appreciate that the assisted modes make overtightening a much less likely outcome.
---
A note on the 175 Nm torque figure
The maximum torque of 175 Nm in impact mode puts the Impact Premier in the mid-range of 18V impact drivers. Tools at the top of the market, including Milwaukee's M18 FUEL and Bosch's most powerful 18V offerings, exceed 300 Nm.
For the tasks the Impact Premier is designed for, this is not a limitation. Structural screwing into engineered timber and driving large coach screws into hardwood will occasionally want more, but the Impact Premier's primary trade use case is not that kind of fastening. A screwdriver that strips fewer heads, breaks fewer fixings, and leaves cleaner finishes is a more useful tool for most UK trades than a raw-power driver that requires careful throttle management to avoid causing damage.
If you regularly drive M12 structural bolts into steel beams or need to run high-speed structural screws into oak frames all day, the Impact Premier's torque ceiling is a genuine constraint. For everything else, the mode control is the more valuable feature.
---
What is the Makita Impact Premier and how does it differ from a standard impact driver?
The Impact Premier is Makita's top-tier brushless 18V impact driver range, featuring multiple drive modes for different fastening tasks. A standard impact driver typically has one or two speed/power settings. The Impact Premier adds T-mode for self-tapping screws, Assist mode to prevent cam-out and overtightening, and S-mode for fine thread and smaller screws, making it more versatile across different materials and fastener types.
What does 175 Nm of torque mean in real-world terms?
175 Nm is roughly the force you would apply by pushing firmly down on a 20cm spanner with the full weight of a typical adult. It is more than enough for the vast majority of screwdriving tasks UK electricians, joiners, and carpenters face day to day, though it is lower than the top torque figures on heavy-duty structural impact drivers.
What is T-mode on the Makita Impact Premier?
T-mode is a self-tapping screw mode that applies reduced initial torque to allow a self-drilling or self-tapping screw to start cleanly, then builds speed as the thread bites. It dramatically reduces cam-out (where the bit slips out of the screw head) and is particularly useful for thin-gauge metal fixings, roofing screws, and cable management work.
Is the Impact Premier compatible with Makita 18V LXT batteries?
Yes. The Impact Premier runs on the standard Makita 18V LXT battery platform, the same batteries used across the full range of Makita 18V LXT tools. Any 18V LXT battery you already own will work in the Impact Premier.
What is Assist mode on the Makita Impact Premier?
Assist mode applies a slow, controlled start to the fastening cycle to prevent cam-out and overtightening, particularly when driving into materials that can be damaged by high torque at the start of the drive. It is useful for chipboard, MDF, composite decking, and other materials where a fast initial impact would crush or strip the surface around the fixing.
Where can I find the full Makita Impact Premier range?
The Impact Premier range is at makitauk.com/impact-premier. ---