Cordless Screwdrivers

Lightweight screwdrivers and impact drivers for small jobs

Cordless drills are called drill/drivers because they can also be used as screwdrivers, but if your main purpose is to drive screws, you can spend less and get a more lightweight tool. These small cordless screwdrivers take bits with a quarter-inch hex head. In many cases, pocket drivers or subcompact cordless drivers can drive screws without drilling any pilot holes at all.

The well-reviewed 12-volt Bosch PS20-2A Pocket Driver (*Est. $100) has a magnet on the chuck to make loading bits easier. The Bosch cordless drill is comfortable to use, thanks to its compact size and 1.8-pound weight. It can sink more than 100 3-inch screws per charge, but its 80 inch-pound torque rating is better suited to smaller household and cabinet-making screws. Other key features include a variable-speed trigger with 10 clutch settings, plus a mode for drilling small pilot holes. Reviewers at the Journal of Light Construction pit the Bosch screwdriver against several other compact models in objective comparison tests as well as jobsite use, but it doesn't come out on top. In cold-weather tests, the Bosch doesn't compete well after being stored overnight at 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 10.8-volt Hitachi DB10DL (*Est. $130) is another favorite in the Journal of Light Construction review, partly because its grip makes it so comfortable -- especially for users with small hands. That makes the Hitachi DB10DL an especially good pick for women. A 10-year warranty (three years on the batteries) is another plus. Owners reviewing this Hitachi driver at Amazon.com give it mostly positive reviews, but note that it doesn't replace a regular drill. Also, Tools of the Trade review reports that at high settings, the clutch slips.

Tools of the Trade gives top ranking to the 12-volt Milwaukee 2401-22 (*Est. $100). It's only got a single speed, but testers praise its balance, saying this driver "has the best feel of any subcompact." The bit holder also ranks at the top; as with other subcompact drivers, it takes hex-bits, but the Milwaukee 2401-22 locks in a bit so that you can change bits one-handed. It's even spring-loaded, allowing the user to eject the bit when it's time to switch. More importantly, though: the Milwaukee's just plain fast and powerful. Nearly 90 owners heap praise upon the 2401-22 in user reviews at Amazon.com. The main drawback, according to the Journal of Light Construction, is that the Milwaukee's grip is large. A five-year warranty covers the Milwaukee 2401-22.

Pocket drivers for very light duty

For driving small screws, you can get a less powerful Li-ion screwdriver with a built-in LED light for a lot less. The 3.6-volt Skil iXO3 (*Est. $45) comes with a handy right-angle attachment for getting into tight spaces. At 3.6 volts, the Skil iXO3 doesn't have much power, but reviewers at Workbench and Taunton Press (publishers of Fine Woodworking) say it's fine for 2-inch or smaller screws. The Skil iXO3 is also the budget choice in an older comparison review at Tools of the Trade. The palm-sized Skil driver only weighs about 10 ounces, and testers note that it's comfortable to use and can reach into small spaces. While the Skil iXO3's built-in battery takes three hours or more to charge, it then holds that charge for up to 18 months between uses. The main drawback, aside from limited power and runtime, is that Skil's super-compact cordless screwdriver lacks a clutch. This makes it easy to strip screws, despite the Skil driver's low power rating.

For $20 more, the 3.6-volt Hitachi DB3DL (*Est. $65) trumps its rivals with a 21-stage clutch, a 10-year warranty and removable batteries. This means you can recharge one battery while you use the other. Weighing about 14 ounces, it's the top choice in a Popular Mechanics review comparing nine cordless screwdrivers. A smaller comparison review at Wired finds it "comfortable, even after driving 169 screws on one charge," and praises its strong LED light.