GEN5X 18V Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Cordless Brushless Impact Driver Overview 

Ridgid GEN5X 18V Lithium-Ion 14 in. Cordless Brushless Impact Driver Product Image

Editor Rating: 4.1/5

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GEN5X 18V Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Cordless Brushless Impact Driver Review

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Published on: January 16, 2019 

Last modified:

 

January 16, 2019 @ 2:45 pm

 

 

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Review Summary:

Ridgid is one of the most popular and well-known American tool manufacturers. The company has a long tradition, and their tools are often way more powerful and robust than what other companies are offering. That brings us to their latest collection of cordless tools called GEN5X, and the first power tool we will go over is the cordless brushless impact driver.

It’s a lightweight but compelling impact driver. The brushless motor provides up to 2250 in-lbs. of torque, which is quite impressive for a cordless tool.It’s the big brother of many similar tools you can find on the market. With three speed settings and a powerful 18V battery, this impact driver can take care of any job you might have, including heavy-duty applications. This is a tool that won’t leave you stranded, that is for sure.

The GEN5X tools are known for their power and versatility. Most people are surprised by the power they provide, and the full range of applications they are good for. So, if this sounds good to you, keep reading our review, and you’ll find out why this tool is a part of most Ridgid combo kits.

Specifications:

  • Weight: 2.85lbs
  • Power: Battery powered 18V
  • Max RPM: 2750
  • Max IPM: 3500
  • Max Torque: 2250in-lbs.
  • Warranty: 3-year limited

GEN5X 18V Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Cordless Brushless Impact Driver – The Basics


The GEN5X impact driver is one of the best such tools you can buy on the market. Unlike many other similar cordless tools, this one has the power to cope with heavy-duty applications, so it works well for professional carpenters and construction workers all over the US. You can use it to drive screws or loosen rusty bolts and frozen nuts. But that’s just the start.

It has all of the features you need, and plenty of power to back them up. You can control the speed with a press of a button, there’s a tri-beam LED light that illuminates the area you’re working on, and the ergonomic design minimizes vibration, so you don’t feel fatigue, but it also prevents white finger syndrome.

The 18V battery works great and provides hours of work time. The full charging time takes only 25 minutes, which is a record in our book so far. The brushless motor uses 50% less power than a standard 4-pole motor, so you won’t have to worry about running out of power. Now it’s time to take a more in-depth look in what this excellent tool offers.

The Features


The GEN5X impact driver has all of the best features you could ask from a cordless tool. It’s got a powerful motor that delivers up to 2750 RPM, and 3500 IPM. That gives it a wide area of application and the device can finish many otherwise tricky projects in a matter of minutes.

The multiple speed settings are what makes this device stand out from many others. It’s a handy feature that allows you to switch torque according to the task at hand. You can use the lowest settings on soft materials like wood and plastic, and the highest setting for working on metal, concrete, and other sturdy materials.

White finger syndrome is a real problem for many construction workers, which is why this tool has an ergonomic design that eliminates vibrations. That means that you can use the impact driver for hours without having to worry about fatigue or finger pain.

Design


The GEN5X impact driver is more compact yet more powerful than many other similar tools you can buy today. It’s got a standard design with the battery attached at the bottom of the machine. The LED light is located on the battery, so the light points precisely to where you are working at.

The brushless motor can produce more power, more runtime, and more motor life than ever before. All of the gears in the drill are made of metal, making sure they run correctly for a long time. When you work the drill, it doesn’t make that annoying tapping sound, which can drive you nuts.

The Battery


The 18V battery powering this tool is durable, practical, but most of all, it recharges very quickly. The fast charging option can fully replenish the batteries in 25 minutes, which is much faster than what other manufacturers offer. You get hours of runtime on a single charge, so you won’t have to worry about the batteries

Pros:

N

Multiple speed setting

N

Tri-beam LED lights

N

Super-fast charging time

N

Ergonomic design

N

ServiceMinder feature

Cons:

N

Replacement batteries are very expensive

R

Things we liked about it

We liked the overall built of this tool. It’s durable, compelling and useful, and it also has an ergonomic design that prevents tool vibration, which is a nice feature. The multi-speed setting makes it easy to finish up all kinds of jobs. We are more than happy with the battery that provides plenty of power and has a super-fast charging time of only 25 minutes. These tools feel and work great.

Q

Things we didn’t like

Well, we really loved the tool and its features. The only thing that could be a problem for some users is getting new batteries because they are pretty expensive.

General Impressions


Almost all people who purchased this tool are thrilled with its performance. They praise the batteries saying that they work as advertise, which is not a common thing at all. The tool has the durability and the sturdiness needed to cope with the most heavy applications, and that gives it excellent value for the money.

Conclusion


Ridgid tools are known for their power and durability, and this brushless impact driver is no different. It’s easy to use, it has plenty of power, and you can take it to a remote area and work there. It’s a reliable tool that will make it easy to drill holes and drive screws for years to come. You will love it.

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