The Ryobi 90-Piece Drill and Drive Kit is the best drill bit set we’ve found in years of testing. The Best Multi-Bit Screwdriver. The Megapro 15 in 1 multi bit screwdriver is the best. Getting the bits out was difficult, and on more than one occasion I had to hit the tool repeatedly against my palm in order to get one free. Finally, there are quite a few very nice screwdrivers that we dismissed because they don’t have a ratcheting feature, which we feel is essential. The driver top comes off to store six bits, but what hurts this set is its high price. But it still gets the job done. If you’re on a tighter budget, we also like the Husky Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver. But if you’re already certain you need this tool, the first one to consider is the Milwaukee 8-in-1 Compact Ratchet Multi Bit Driver. It never gained purchase but caught it enough so that the working edges of the bit got a severe thrashing. Megapro 151TP 15 in 1 security/tamperproof $25 - same as above. The shape of the handle is bizarre with three concentric concave areas for the hand to grab, but it’s very comfortable to use and all of the ridges seem to be in just the right places. Bahco 808050 Ratchet Screwdriver and 6 Bits Review. It’s a good trick to know, but a ratcheting screwdriver gives you the same functionality no matter how you’re holding it. With it, you can press the tool into the screw with your palm and still easily rotate the screwdriver with your other hand. It makes a whole lot more sense to purchase a single driver with a range of interchangeable bits, especially because most of them also work with a cordless drill – although you may need an adaptor. Bit storage is an issue though. What really sets it apart is the excellent bit storage, which makes it easy to find, store, swap—and never drop—its six unusually tough double-sided bits. The handle of the MegaPro 13-in-1 is another high point. Pozidrivs are also handy but not often used in cars, and our list of total bits includes any duplicates. Also, the ratchet toggle is a little fussier than we prefer. *At the time of publishing, the price was $13. Bottom line: Klein Tools Magnetic Screwdriver 70035 is a good option if you enjoy the convenience of having a built-in bits storage and compact design. It’s the more expensive of the two, typically selling for around $15, and it has a very solid pro-level build quality and the ratchet has a nice feel to it. A multi-screwdriver that has interchangeable adaptors with magnetic features makes the best choice! But which is the best? Finally, we took into account how much it cost, using makers’ prices and online sources. If you are searching for the best screwdriver set, then you are in luck. These smaller bits are not only easier to replace if lost, but also allow you to customize your bit selection. Everything we recommend for mounting heavy stuff on a wall or ceiling. Paying around $30 for a screwdriver may make your jaw drop, but in the five years we’ve been recommending it, we’ve received more positive feedback on this than just about any other Wirecutter pick. Convenient bit storage: For a multi-bit screwdriver to be successful, it needs to have effective onboard bit storage, especially considering the grab-and-go nature of the tool. New 2018 tests against 15 new screwdrivers confirm the MegaPro 13-in-1 (or the nearly identical Channellock tool) is our pick for the best multi-bit screwdriver… Last, the little holding clips don’t do their job, so when we did manage to get the handle open, loose bits came tumbling out of the back of the tool. The handle is also on the bulky side. This can also be advantageous if you tend to use a power drill, since individual bits can also be compatible with these. Ultra compact and light Wiha Ultra Driver. It's a fiddly system and nowhere near as simple as the MegaPro’s storage. The bits included with the MegaPro 13-in-1: MegaPro offers a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects. For some, removing these bits and buying alternatives will be no problem, but we feel that most will be happier simply buying the 13-in-1 (our pick) knowing that it already comes with the best selection of bits. Most also have a third position that locks the stem into place, making the tool behave like a traditional screwdriver. We recommend buying whichever tool is cheaper or easier for you to get. A decent set, very similar to the Sealey, but in an impressive box with three compartments, all locked by one catch. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. I have also been writing about and reviewing tools since 2007, with articles appearing in This Old House, Fine Homebuilding, Popular Mechanics, The Journal of Light Construction, Popular Science, and Tools of the Trade. While there is no question that the bits in the 13-in-1 are more difficult to replace, we’ve found that they’re extremely durable and, due to the excellent storage system, very difficult to lose. The Stanley’s storage is difficult to use, with loose bits stored in an open chamber with a screw cap, which isn’t our preference. Best Multi-Bit: Klein 11-in-1 Screwdriver and Nut Driver Buy on Amazon Buy on Home Depot As opposed to larger bit sets, with dozens of little pieces apt to go missing or take up space, the Klein 11-in-1 is a single, compact screwdriver that is easy to store and even easier to use. The top six packages were very closely matched, but the new Sealey set just edged out our previous winner, the Halfords 58-piece collection, and the budget-priced Silverline. The Stanley 66-358 Stubby Ratcheting Screwdriver usually costs less than half of the Milwaukee and feels plasticky in comparison. The additional bits are quite rare and aren’t likely to be found in your house. It’s not the best choice for a homeowner. 10 Best Ratcheting Screwdrivers December 2020 Results are Based on. This isn’t ideal because they’re more easily lost this way, for example, if you have to set a bit down somewhere to use the empty end of the tool as a nut driver. Best Sellers in. *At the time of publishing, the price was $36. The Stanley FatMax Hi-Speed Ratcheting Screwdriver has some sort of differential gearing (thanks to Deutsch for the explanation). Even the top-tier ratchet doesn’t offset this level of tediousness. The stem wobbles all over the place and the bits are stored behind a screw cap that kept mis-threading when we tried to put it on. The two extensions of 75mm and 130mm make it versatile and, to top things off, it has a smooth 38-tooth ratchet. I spent more than a decade as a carpenter, foreman, and jobsite supervisor building high-end custom homes in the Boston area. It’s a great feature and one we found particularly useful when dealing with partially stripped screws or big hinge screws that we were worried about damaging. The Leatherman Skeletool CX multi-tool delivers the essentials with no filler, lasts a long time, and is easy to carry daily. If you turn the handle while holding the front-most collar, the stem spins at a very quick rate (four times the normal, according to Stanley). Also, for a set with no case or ratchet, we thought the price was a bit high. The downside of the tool is that the bit storage is on outside of handle, and we found that the bits worked themselves around a little and would poke our hand while using the screwdriver. Ratcheting: Ratcheting screwdrivers are faster and easier to use than regular screwdrivers. This is the same screwdriver as our main pick, but it’s compatible with 1-inch driver bits and not the double-sided ones like the 13-in-1. The 7-inch handle is comfortable, but the toggle is difficult to use and the bit storage is up at the nose of the tool. Before looking at the Top 10 best cordless screwdriver reviews, let’s begin with listing some of the tips to help you in picking the right screwdriver. Magnetic Screwdriver Set, 26pc Set with Case . Nothing stands out about the tool. The Makita DF001DW 3.6V Lithium-Ion 1/4″ Hex Screwdriver Kit, Teal, 3.6V is sturdily-made making it one of the best cordless screwdriver. The ratcheting action is loud on this tool, and the whole thing feels heavy and clumsy. In side-by-side tests, the Channellock and MegaPro performed identically. The 10 best screwdrivers to buy in the UK. These tools are well-received and do offer speed, but when compared with the MegaPro, they come up short in other areas like bit storage and general ergonomics. Because there is no need to keep resetting the screwdriver in the screwhead or to release your hand from the tool, ratcheting screwdrivers work much faster than traditional screwdrivers. You will know What is the best Multi Bit Screwdriver Set on the market? Precision Screwdriver Kit, 22 in 1 Magnetic . 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,211. It has a toothless ratchet, so it can be reset with almost no movement of the handle. In 10 years of construction, I don’t think I’ve ever run across a 0-size square drive screw. This set is physically smaller than most and comes with two drivers: the 110mm version takes the 1/4-inch bits, and the smaller ones fit the 100mm driver. If you’re considering a close-quarters screwdriver, you’re better off with a stubby. 26 tips all in one screwdriver handle. The Klein Ratcheting Screwdriver doesn’t have a particularly comfortable handle and is designed for an electrician who will use the various nut driving features. The driver is a handy 170mm long before adding the bits, five of which are 50mm, and the set includes nine sockets covering 5-13mm. You can pick and choose what to put in the handle, but that still leaves you with six that have to live elsewhere. And here are our Rankings of The Best Affordable Multi Screwdriver to buy at this time. For a less expensive option, the Husky is a better choice. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. (Assume any statements in this section about the MegaPro 13-in-1 also apply to the Channellock 13-in-1.) The type of bit storage, which can be in a revolver style or housed in the handle can affect how easy it is to retrieve your bits quickly, which can be a blow to productivity and efficiency and this is … And then you have to pick up the few bits you inevitably drop on the floor. The MegaPro 13-in-1 uses double-sided bits with a spring-loaded ball bearing at the middle of the shaft to lock them into the stem, which are proprietary and distinct to the tool. A screwdriver is the essential tool for minor home repairs. Most ratcheting screwdrivers contain a gear and pawl mechanism that allows you to turn the screwdriver (handle and stem) one way, and then turn just the handle back to reposition and reset it, and then turn the handle and stem again. We didn’t look at kits like the GearWrench 40-Piece Ratcheting Screwdriver Set and the Stanley Pistol-Grip Ratcheting Screwdriver Set that come in a case and have different handle attachments and a large number of driver bits, but those are overkill for someone who can make do with a regular screwdriver. A good-quality package from Sealey, in a strong case with everything clearly marked. Such screwdrivers are ideal for professionals as well as for personal DIY stuff. 9. The first thing you should look at is the battery. The bits are stored on a removable carousel located at the rear of the handle. It’s very similar to the 13-in-1, but the quality is just not as good. Of these models, the majority of them come with specialty bits designed with a specific trade or task in mind such as elevator maintenance, HVAC, and RV repair, just to name a few. To do this we sunk a 3-inch drywall screw into wood and then, using the screwdriver tips in a cordless drill, we tried to remove the screw while holding the drill at an angle. It feels cheap and often made a little grinding noise. It stood out among the lower-priced screwdrivers for its bit storage, lifetime warranty, and easy availability at Home Depot. The Husky 13-in-1 splits the difference, and while there isn’t much about the screwdriver that is exceptional, there also isn’t anything that’s an outright failure either. Ratcheting screwdrivers have a toggle, usually up at the base of the stem, that moves the ratcheting mechanism from clockwise to counterclockwise depending on whether you’re tightening or loosening a screw. It has a smooth 26-tooth ratchet and a nice forward/reverse toggle. We all know even bad screwdrivers can get the job done, but if you're reading a review of a screwdriver, you're probably looking for something better and wondering if it's worth it. The top 10 list of the best screwdrivers lists various brands and prices. We much prefer the organized handle storage of the MegaPro models. It also offers a lifetime warranty and easy availability at Home Depot. Having to spend time searching for bits, either digging through the kitchen drawer or rummaging around the tool bag, is unnecessary. It combines all of the right features like no other screwdriver, helping you work faster and more comfortably than with any other tool. 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