Ridgid Octane Impact Driver Crushes Our Breakaway Torque Test
The Ridgid Octane Impact Driver is available as a bare tool and in several combo kit configurations. We put it to the test to see how its massive power claims stack up to the rest of the competition.
Pros
- Most breakaway torque of any impact driver we’ve tested
- Power and speed improvements over the Gen5X brushless model
- On the quiet side for an impact driver (99 decibels)
- Excellent value at $129 bare and multiple $379 kit options
- 3 standard modes and 3 assist modes
Cons
- Still on the bulkier side
- Doesn’t drive as fast (priority is on power)
Ridgid Octane Impact Driver Performance
Performance Specs
Ridgid is sticking with their impact driver philosophy of high torque with a moderate speed trade-off. It maxes out at a modest 2900 RPM, which is plenty of speed for general screwdriving. Models that run near 3500 are so fast in high that I normally kick it down a mode to maintain control all but the longest screws.
Torque is the eye-popping number. Ridgid takes it up another notch from their Gen5X and hit 2400 in-lbs. That’s 200 ft-lbs! But with great power comes great responsibility and you can shear socket adapters quickly with that kind of torque.
The impact rate is more a function of the speed, so it’s a little lower as well at 3500 IPM. Like the speed, it’s plenty to get the job done well.
Keep in mind that the entire Ridgid Octane line requires an Octane battery to get the full performance from an Octane tool. Other Ridgid 18V batteries work but reduce the performance slightly.
Testing Results
Let’s let the cat out of the bag early—the Ridgid Octane Impact Driver has the highest breakaway torque of any impact driver we’ve tested! It’s able to consistently break 4800 in-lbs of torque. That’s a crazy-strong 400 ft-lbs!
On the fastening side, it tests slightly higher than the Gen5X brushless, requiring 2278 in-lbs to loosen its efforts.
Ridgid’s latest drills and drivers tend to prioritize torque over speed and that trend continues. It maintains 418 RPM with driving a 1/4″ ledger screw into glued up OSB. That’s a 12% improvement over the brushless Gen5X but still well below the top speedsters.
Despite the power boost, it’s actually on the quieter side for an impact driver, producing 99 decibels under load.
How Does the Ridgid Octane Impact Driver Get Better Performance?
One of the ways to improve power is to reduce resistance and Ridgid does that with copper spillways running from the motor to the battery connection. Copper is a more efficient conductor than other metals we sometimes see in the wiring.
Ridgid Octane Impact Driver Key Features
6 Modes
The Ridgid Octane Impact Driver has 6 modes available. 3 are standard and 3 are assist modes. The assist modes aren’t unique to Ridgid, but they are genuinely helpful to have onboard.
Auto-stop shuts the brushless motor down after it starts to impact so you don’t overtighten. Fastener assist is a slow start to ease into wood fastening and remove stripped screws with more control. Finally, a self-tapping screw mode starts fast and slows down to help you avoid shearing off fastener heads.
3-LED Light Ring
We love Ridgid’s LED light ring and they stick with it on the Octane model. It does a much better job of eliminating shadows than any other light placement.
Additional Features
- Belt hook
- One-hand bit insertion
- Bit ejection
- Phillips driving bit
- Lifetime Service Agreement
Ridgid Octane Impact Driver Price
The Ridgid Octane Impact Driver is a bare tool only right now and runs $119. There are also multiple combo kit options available for $379. Here’s where some of the other guys fit at the time we’re writing this:
- Ryobi P238: $99
- Ridgid Gen5X: $119
- Ridgid Octane Impact Driver: $119
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel Gen 3: $129
- Bosch Connected Freak: $159
- Makita XDT16: $177.99
- Metabo HPT Triple Hammer: $205
Particularly on the value side, Ridgid appeals to a wide range of users even with their Octane lineup moving up in price close to other premium brands.
The Bottom Line
We’ve been waiting for this tool mainly because it wraps up the four core tools for the Octane line – hammer drill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, and impact driver. Toss is a light and a couple of batteries and you have the classic 5-tool combo kit and some significant savings.
After putting the Ridgid Octane Impact Driver through our tests, several things are clear. Ridgid prioritizes power over speed and has plenty of power to spare. As is the case with Ridgid’s drills and impacts, it’s a bit bulkier than higher-priced models. But that’s the point—it doesn’t have a higher price tag.
Specifications
- Model: R86039
- Power Source: Ridgid 18V Octane batteries (other Ridgid 18V batteries are also compatible)
- No-Load Max Speed: 2900 RPM
- Impact Rate: 3500 IPM
- Max Torque: 2400 in-lbs
- Weight: 2.6 lbs bare, 4.0 lbs with 3.0Ah Octane battery
- Length: 5.8 inches
- Price: $119
- Warranty: 3 years plus Lifetime Service Agreement with registration
