Overview: Best Cordless Screwdrivers – All Types

Ryobi P252 Brushless Drill/Driver

Ryobi has a huge variety of tools in its One+ lineup including, power washers, LED work lights, hammer drill/drivers, chemical fogger/misters, hedge trimmers, belt sanders, skill saws, and much more. All of them are battery powered and the batteries are cross-compatible with other One+ tools. You can’t go wrong with the Ryobi One+ if you are looking to stick with a single brand to take advantage of the battery compatibility.

Specifications

• Over 400 Inch-lbs of torque
• Belt Clip
• Weighs 3.04 lbs
• 18 Volts
• Max speed: 1800 RPM
• 24-position Clutch and 2-speed gearbox
• Brushless motor
• Usable with the high-capacity 4.0 Ah Ryobi One+ Batteries

DEWALT (DCD771C2) Compact Drill/Driver Kit

The DeWALT Drill/Driver Kit includes most of the necessary bits to get you started building a collection of tools for your home maintenance needs, and it comes in at a great price. You can get this 45-piece screwdriver kit, the 21-piece drill kit, or opt for just the drill/driver itself. It has a slightly lower maximum RPM compared to the Ryobi, but is still more than adequate for medium-duty tasks. You still get great cross-compatibility with other DeWALT MAX cordless products, so this is a good option if you plan on buying more DeWALT tools or already own them. DeWALT has 180+ products that can use the same MAX 20V Lithium Ion batteries.

Great option for a new homeowner gift or wedding gift!

Specifications

• 300 UWO (Unit Watts Out) of power
• Titanium Pilot Point for longer bit life
• Brushless
• Two-speed Transmission (0-450 & 1500 RPM)
• 1/2″ Single sleeve ratcheting chuck
• Part# DCD771C2

BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill/Driver (LD120VA)

The BLACK+DECKER model is a great budget option and includes plenty of bits to get you started, including drill bits, screwdriving bits, nut drivers, and the unit has a magnetic bit holder. Additionally, you get the same battery cross-compatibility we’ve seen with other brands with a wide variety of cordless power tools available from BLACK+DECKER.

We’ve been using this exact model for a few years now along with the cordless trimmer. BLACK+DECKER also has chainsaws, blowers, hedge trimmers, and many more tools that are compatible with the same batteries.

Specifications

• LD120 Drill
• LB20 20V MAX Lithium-ion Battery
• 24-position clutch
• 30 Accessories
• Part#LD120VA
• Torque: 300 in-lbs
• 3/8″ Chuck
• 2-year Warranty

Metabo HPT Cordless Driver Drill Kit

Metabo HPT is the new branding of Hitachi Power Tools. Hitachi has been a popular, high-quality power tool brand for many years. This particular model has a higher maximum torque than the BLACK+DECKER above at 400 in-lbs.

Again, you have many cordless tools available from Metabo HPT that use the same battery. This is really becoming an industry standard now, which is great.

Specifications

• 400 in-lbs of torque
• LED light
• 1/2″ Chuck
• 22+1 Stage clutch with 22 torque settings and a drill mode
• 18V
• 2-year Warranty for battery
• Model# DS18DGL

WORX Switchdriver 2-in-1 Cordless Drill and Driver

The WORX Switchdriver is an incredibly unique product and makes it easy to swap between two bits by simply rotating the head of the drill/driver. Swapping bits after drilling a pilot hole is something we’ve accepted forever, but the Switchdriver saves a ton of time and is easy to use.

The WORX WX176L has all the features we’ve seen on other similarly priced cordless screwdrivers and drills, plus more. WORX has a more power tools that their batteries can be used with, but it is a newer product line and isn’t as robust as Ryobi, DeWALT, or other popular brands we’ve covered here.

Specifications

• 1500 Watts
• Weighs 2.9 lbs
• Battery + Charger included
• 20V
• 3-year Manufacturer Warranty
• Electronic Torque Control
• Two-speed gears
• Model #WX176L

Some users have reported unit failure after a year. It’s not clear if this is simply battery failure or if the drill/driver itself failed. We’re going to keep an eye on new user’s reviews to see if WORX updates the product or if more negative reviews come in. You do get a 3-year warranty with this product, but you need to make sure you register for it.

DeWALT Cordless Gyroscopic Screwdriver Kit

The DeWALT checks all the boxes in terms of essential features. If you already have DeWALT cordless tools that use the same battery or charger, then even better. The size, power, and battery life make it ideal for driving screws into wood, plastic, and light-gauge metal. Easy tasks such as assembling furniture, disassembling appliances, or putting screws into wall studs are where this screwdriver shines and helps you get the job done in seconds.

Specifications

• Model #DCF682N1
• Gyroscopic Motion Activation for Driving or Reversing
• Variable Speed of 0 to 430 RPM
• LED Light
• 1/4″ Hex, Holds 1-inch bit tips
• 8V MAX Battery Pack – Charges in 1 hour

You can purchase the DeWALT DCF682N1 Cordless Screwdriver alone or with a 45-piece Bit Set or DS150 Tough System Case. The case is a typical structural foam box that’s durable and stacks easily. It has an IP65 water seal and anti-rust metal latches to protect the case and contents from moisture.

BLACK+DECKER BDCSFL20C Cordless Screwdriver

The Black+Decker In-line Cordless Screwdriver is one of the budget models on our list, and it’s handy for very small tasks, such as removing receptacle covers, removing screws or bolts from appliances, small electronics repairs, or hanging pictures. It does not have the motion activation feature we’ve seen with other models, and instead you have a trigger with a forward/reverse switch that you manually operate. Also, there is no variable speed and it’s simply on or off. If you really like the motion activation feature, then this certainly isn’t the model for you, but some people prefer the trigger system and find the motion activation to feel awkward.

The pivoting handle can be locked into 3 positions that give you a lot of accessibility when working in tight spaces. The flashlight is much larger than the LED lights you typically see on recent models, but it is not activated by pulling the trigger, but rather by a separate button. The nice thing about this is that you can use the flashlight normally without having the screwdriver activated.

Specifications

• Model #BDCSFL20C
• 3-position Pivoting Handle
• 4V Max Lithium-Ion Battery
• Flashlight function

Dremel GO-01 Powered Cordless Electric Screwdriver Set

This Dremel in-line electric screwdriver uses a push-to-activate mechanism as opposed to the other type of motion activation we saw with the DeWALT model that you have to twist. When starting a screw you generally hold it steady with one hand and push your screwdriver in while twisting with the other hand. The push-to-activate style is a bit more intuitive to use for some people and some applications. However, others find the torque to be inconsistent and the lack of a simple trigger to be frustrating.

Specifications

• Model #GO-01
• Measurement System: Imperial
• 1/4″ Magnetic Hex Shank
• 360 RPM
• Includes 7 common 1/4″ Hex Bits: PH1, PH2, H5, R2, S6, T20, T25
• 3.6V Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
• Variable Torque Setting
• Push Activation

Milwaukee M4 2101-21 Screwdriver Kit

The Milkwaukee In-line Screwdriver is one of the pricier models, especially if you opt for the 2 batteries. While having an extra battery for this screwdriver means you can get more battery life, the size of the battery means it isn’t necessarily cross-compatible with other Milwaukee cordless products.

The torque and speed settings are perfect for making sure you don’t apply too much force to screws in delicate materials.

Specifications

• Model #2101-21
• Measurement System: Metric
• 4 Speed Settings
• Lithium-ion Battery Included
• Pivoting handle for in-line usage
• 1/4″ Hex

Jakemy Precision Power Screwdriver Repair Toolkit

The Jakemy Precision Screwdriver has a higher maximum torque than the Powergiant above, and has 8 different torque settings to help you get exactly as much as you need. This can be handy when dealing with larger electronics that often have tighter screws and bolts, such as laptops or desktop computers.

The battery is also larger with 800mA output at 3.7V. You can expect to get about 3 hours of continuous use.

One downside we’ve noticed is the placement of the activation button. Perhaps the reason the activation button on the Jakemy is higher up on the unit is to make room for the torque adjustment mechanism. These are pen-like size screwdrivers so there isn’t a ton of room for the internal components and battery. So while it isn’t in a great spot, the screwdriver still works great and is our top pick in this category.

Many users feel that the torque adjustments available on the Jakemy are essential and make this a great buy.

Specifications

• Speed: 395 RPM, Adjustable 8-speed torque
• 3.7V, 800mA Lithium Battery
• 14 types of bits included
• Charging indicator light
• Fits 3.96mm hex bits

POWERGIANT Mini Electric Precision Screwdriver

The rotation speed of this precision screwdriver is 150 RPM. That’s about 10 times fewer rotations per minute than we see with full-size cordless screwdrivers, which is exactly what you want for delicate electronics work.

You can expect the battery to last for 2 hours of continuous use. Also, the shadow-less lighting design means there are 3 LED lights that completely brighten the area you’re working in so you’re going to more easily stay aware of what you’re doing.

The battery inside the screwdriver is a 260mAh lithium-ion battery, which charges in about 40 minutes.

Specifications

• 57-in-1 Set includes storage case, 4-corner magnetic case cover, 55-piece screwdriver bit set, and extension rod.
• 360-degree Shadow-less lighting with 3 LED lights
• Magnetic Bits
• Simple press-and-hold activation for clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation
• Aluminum body
• 3.7V, 260mAh Lithium Battery
• Charging Port: Micro USB

Wowstick 1F+ Electric Precision Screwdriver

The Wowstick is closer to the Powergiant in terms of torque and RPMs than the Jakemy, so it’s a lower powered precision screwdriver. It also doesn’t have different speed settings you can swap to. Sometimes with larger electronics or really tight screws you need to vary the torque to “break loose” the screw and get it started. Not being able to increase or decrease the torque means you might have to use a manual screwdriver to get started then swap to the electric to quickly finish.

It’s a good idea to check the current prices to see if the Jakemy is still the better buy, but at the time this article was published we felt the Jakemy’s features and price outweighs the other options here.

Specifications

• Includes 56 popular bits
• 200RPM load-free
• LED lighting and USB charge port
• Slim aluminum housing
• 3.7V, 280mAh Lithium Battery
• Charging Time: 40 minutes

Can A Cordless Screwdriver Be Used As A Drill?

In short, yes. The larger, more powerful models such as the Milwaukee or DeWALT we reviewed here are capable of drilling with small bits into plastic, sheet metal, or drywall. With the particular models we’re looking at in this article you generally won’t have the same amount of power as cordless drills intended for drilling. These screwdrivers are meant for more light-duty tasks for simple home improvement projects.

What is Motion Activation?

We’ve found that motion activation, either by twisting or pushing the body of the screwdriver, is a somewhat heated topic when it comes to customer reviews and experiences. Some people prefer one over the other, while others would rather just have a traditional button or trigger to push.

Twist-activated cordless screwdrivers are activated by the natural motion of twisting the body of the screwdriver as you normally would with a manual screwdriver. It’s not always easy to wrap your hand around the screwdriver body when you’re trying to work in tight spaces, which makes twisting somewhat difficult and unpredictable so that you my knock the screw out of place.

When we want to insert or remove a screw, you normally have to apply some pressure to keep the bit in the head of the screw, so push-activation also seems like a natural choice for powering on an electric screwdriver. For this type, it’s especially helpful to make a pilot hole so that when you apply pressure you don’t mess up the positioning of the screw or drop it. Pilot hole are recommended in any case, however, and help avoid unnecessary damage to surfaces.

If you’ve never had any experience with either type, then a standard button or trigger is a safe bet.