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Pneumatic at home is really a trap, and not just because of the compressor - the thing is you'll end up tethered by an air hose and wasting energy on leaks. Battery solves that, the difference being it's not as powerful as pneumatic for all-day heavy work, but for screwing things in, loosening lug nuts, hanging shelves, it works fine and you can move freely around the whole house. The noise is way lower too, which helps a lot if you've got close neighbors.
Don't fall for buying a pneumatic impact wrench for home use, because you'll need a powerful, noisy compressor that's just not worth it for your space. A cordless battery-powered one is the way to go: less noise, no cords, and it handles everyday tasks just fine like taking off car wheels or loosening stuck bolts. A decent brand like Makita or DeWalt works really well, but if you're only using it occasionally you can go with a cheaper one that still does the job. Investing in an 18V or 20V battery is way less than setting up a whole compressor system.
Battery is really better for home use, but nobody talks about how tool batteries wear out when you suddenly want to use it and find it's dead. Invest in a reliable brand with good quality batteries and, if you can, buy an extra battery so you always have one charged. Pneumatic on top of being loud and requiring an expensive compressor, also ties you down with that endless air hose running around the house.
When I need an impact wrench at home, a battery-powered one really is the most practical solution - I agree with whoever already said that. But what nobody's actually saying is: how big of a job are you going to be doing? If it's just the occasional screw, an 18V battery is more than enough. Now, if you're going to be tightening heavy stuff regularly, maybe you need a 20V or even higher.
Another important thing is thinking about compatibility. If you've already got tools from the same brand at home, buy the impact wrench from that brand - you reuse the battery and charger, save money and space. And yeah, batteries wear out, but a decent battery lasts years if you don't just leave it sitting around dead all the time. As for the brand, look for something with a good warranty track record, because it's not a tool you need to replace every year.
One practical tip: before you buy, try the weight and size in your hands if you can. Some brands make really compact models, which makes a huge difference for using it around the house without whacking yourself in the face with it every time you move.
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