Protmex Cordless Impact Wrench, 900Ft-lbs (1200N.m) 1/2" Brushless Impact Gun, 21V High Torque Power Impact Driver, 2x4.0Ah Batteries Electric Impact Motor Variable Speeds for Family Car/Pickup Truck/Mower

Why I reached for this wrench

Swapping seasonal tires and tackling stubborn fasteners around a mower and small trailer are my twice-a-year rituals. I wanted a cordless 1/2-inch impact that could break lug nuts quickly, fit into tight wheel wells, and not tether me to a compressor. The Protmex impact wrench promised serious breakaway torque, a brushless motor, and two 4.0Ah batteries in the box. After several weeks of use across a car, pickup, and some equipment, here’s how it actually performed.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the wrench feels solid with a no-nonsense, jobsite-style housing. The grip is rubberized and comfortable, and the balance with a 4.0Ah pack installed is better than I expected for a high-torque 1/2-inch tool—nose-heavy, but manageable. The controls are straightforward: a forward/reverse rocker above the trigger and a speed selector that cycles through three forward speeds. Reverse runs at one fixed speed. There’s a bright work light that kicks on with the trigger and does help in shadows around wheel wells and under frames.

One small note: my unit had a faint “new tool” odor from the molded plastic right out of the packaging. It dissipated after an evening in the garage.

Charging is simple. The packs were partially charged and topped off in about an hour each on the included charger. With two 4.0Ah batteries in the kit, you can keep one on deck and work without waiting.

Power and performance

Protmex markets up to 900 ft-lbs (1200 N·m), which, like most cordless impact claims, is best read as “breakaway torque under favorable conditions.” What matters to me is real-world behavior on known fasteners:

• Passenger car lug nuts torqued to 90–100 ft-lbs: The wrench snapped them free instantly, even on the lowest speed. Reinstalling lug nuts on low and stepping down at the first impact kept things controlled before final torque with a torque wrench.
• Pickup lug nuts around 120 ft-lbs: No hesitation on medium speed, and the reverse auto-stop kept the nuts from spinning off and bouncing down the driveway.
• Rusted suspension bolts in the 140–160 ft-lb range: High speed did the job with a couple of hammering bursts. On a truly seized fastener, I still needed penetrating fluid and a brief breaker bar nudge before the wrench took over—a predictable outcome for any budget cordless impact.
• Mower blades and trailer U-bolts: Overkill in terms of raw power, but the compact head and quick hammering made short work of them.

I wouldn’t reach for this model on heavy commercial truck lugs or large equipment. The manufacturer even hints at that, and that lines up with my experience. For family vehicles, light trucks, and general maintenance, it has plenty of punch.

Speed control and reverse auto-stop

The three forward speeds give useful range: low for starting fasteners and snugging without overdriving, medium for most tasks, and high when you need the hammer mechanism working hard. The trigger itself provides decent modulation, so you can feather a bit even within a speed.

Reverse runs at a single speed. It’s not slow, but it’s purposely controlled. That design choice pairs well with the brake-stop feature that senses when a nut breaks free and reduces speed, helping keep hardware from zipping off the stud. For wheel swaps and overhead work, that’s genuinely helpful. The trade-off is that backing out long bolts takes a few seconds longer than if reverse had a high-speed option. For me, the control and safety are worth it.

Brushless motor, vibration, and noise

The brushless motor is a plus: it runs cooler, there are no brushes to replace, and it’s quieter than older brushed impacts I’ve used. “Quiet” is relative—this is still an impact wrench, and the hammer mechanism is loud under load—but the tone is less shrill. Vibration through the handle is very manageable, and the tool never felt harsh or buzzy, even during extended use on multiple wheels.

Battery life and charging

On runtime, the combination of a brushless motor and 4.0Ah packs does exactly what I hoped. One fully charged battery handled a full sedan wheel swap plus some mower maintenance with bars still showing. Two batteries effectively means all-day homeowner use. The included charger brings a depleted pack back in roughly 1–2 hours, which matches the spec and keeps the second pack ready.

A practical note: this isn’t part of a big-brand battery ecosystem, so you’re not cross-powering drills, saws, and yard tools with the same pack. If you anticipate needing replacement batteries years down the road, factor in that you’re tied to Protmex packs and availability.

Ergonomics and usability

• The grip shape and rubber overmold are comfortable and secure with gloves.
• The forward/reverse rocker has a decisive click; I never accidentally changed direction mid-task.
• The speed selector is simple and readable, though it’s best to set it before you’re wedged in a wheel well.
• The LED work light is genuinely helpful in dim corners. It’s not a floodlight, but it illuminates the socket and fastener area well enough to avoid fumbling.
• The 1/2-inch anvil holds sockets securely. I’d still avoid cheap chrome sockets—use impact-rated sockets with any impact wrench.

Weight-wise, you’ll know you’re holding a high-torque 1/2-inch tool, but the balance is good enough that swapping all four wheels doesn’t feel like a forearm workout.

Accessories and what you’ll still need

The kit includes four impact sockets (17, 19, 21, 24 mm) and an extension. They’re fine for occasional use and cover a lot of common sizes. Notably, 22 mm isn’t included, which many trucks and some SUVs require for lug nuts. I added a quality 22 mm impact socket to round out the set. If you plan to use this for automotive work, budget for any missing sizes and a torque wrench for final tightening to spec.

Use cases and limits

Where this wrench shines:
- Seasonal tire changes and roadside wheel work
- Brakes, suspension bolts, and undercarriage fasteners on cars and light trucks
- Equipment maintenance (mowers, small trailers, agricultural implements with modest fasteners)
- General assembly and disassembly where corded or pneumatic tools are inconvenient

Where I’d look elsewhere:
- Semi-trailer or heavy-duty truck lugs
- Industrial applications requiring verified 300+ ft-lb fastening torque
- Users invested in a larger battery platform who want one pack to power many tools

Durability and quality notes

Fit and finish are better than I expected in this price bracket. The housing feels robust, and the anvil hasn’t developed play after several jobs. The brushless design should help longevity. As with most budget-friendly kits, long-term parts and battery availability are question marks. I also recommend checking all controls on arrival—direction switch, speed selector, and charger—before your first big job, just as good practice with any power tool.

Safety and best practices

• Start lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use lower speeds to snug; finish with a torque wrench to manufacturer spec.
• Wear hearing protection—impact mechanisms are loud under load.
• Use only impact-rated sockets and extensions.
• Let the tool do the work; if a fastener doesn’t budge, add penetrating oil, heat if appropriate, or pre-break with a bar rather than hammering endlessly.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Protmex impact wrench for DIYers, home mechanics, and anyone who wants a capable 1/2-inch cordless impact for cars, light trucks, and general maintenance without paying pro-platform prices. It delivers confident breakaway power for typical automotive tasks, offers useful and sensible control (especially the reverse auto-stop), and the two 4.0Ah batteries provide ample runtime. The included sockets get you started, though you’ll likely add a 22 mm and a torque wrench.

It’s not aimed at heavy commercial work, and the single-speed reverse may feel conservative when backing out long bolts. The battery system is proprietary, so ecosystem-minded users should take that into account. But judged on performance, usability, and value for its intended audience, it’s an easy tool to keep near the jack and in the shop.