EmailBest Reviewed
Cordless Drills
- Best cordless drill for homeowners Makita DF030DW *Est. $150
- Cordless drill for construction projects Makita BDF452HW *Est. $200
- Budget cordless drill Hitachi DS12DVF3 *Est. $75
- Best cordless screwdriver Hitachi DB3DL *Est. $65
- Best cordless impact driver Panasonic EY7540LN2L *Est. $315
Get info about new reports and updates
- Easy to use
- Light and compact for small jobs
- Includes right-angle attachment
- Batteries hold their charge for up to 18 months
- Just a screwdriver, not a drill
- Only powerful enough for 2-inch screws or smaller
- No clutch to prevent stripping
- One complaint that chuck holds bits loosely
The 3.6-volt Skil iXO3 cordless screwdriver fits in the palm of the hand and weighs just 11 ounces. Owners say the Skil iXO3 is a great choice for those who mainly need to assemble small furniture, hang pictures and screw on hinges; it's really not powerful enough for more than 2-inch screws in wood or drywall. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery keeps its charge for long periods between uses, but it's built in so the whole tool does have to be plugged into an outlet to be recharged. For longer jobs with small screws, reviews recommend the Hitachi DB3DL (*Est. $65), which comes with two batteries (so you can be recharging one while using the other) plus a 10-year warranty.
The two comparison reviews that test the Skil palm-size cordless driver cover the earlier Skil iXO2 model, but the overall power and capability of the 3.6-volt battery is the same for the iXO2 and iXO3. Wood Magazine provides more details about the testing and models than ConsumerReports.org, but both reviews compare the Skil iXO with two other cordless screwdrivers. The third-generation Skil iXO3 gets a good comparison with the iXO2 at ToolSnob.com, while a detailed review at ToolMonger.com compares the iXO2 with the first-generation Skil iXO. We also found useful owner-written reviews and ratings at Amazon.com and ToolBarn.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  705 store reviews | In Stock. | $41.48 | See It |
 |  1652 store reviews | In Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25! | $47.96 | See It |
 |  169 store reviews | In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com! | $47.23 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Three different editors at Wood Magazine test lithium-powered palm-size cordless drivers -- including an earlier version of the Skil iXO2 -- by driving 2-inch drywall screws into a pine two-by-four without pilot holes. The Skil is judged most comfortable to use.
Review: Wise Buys: Our Editors Test Palm Drivers, Editors of Wood Magazine, Nov. 2006
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests three cordless screwdrivers, including an earlier version of the Skil iXO with the same 3.6-voltage power. The review includes a video of the screwdrivers at work.
Review: Thumbs-down for Palm-sized Cordless Screwdrivers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, March 2006
3. Toolsnob.com
This ToolSnob.com review covers the Skil iXO3, the newest version of the 3.6-volt Skil pocket screwdriver. It performs exactly like the Skil iXO2, but comes with a convenient right-angle attachment.
Review: Skil iX03 Palm-Sized Screwdriver, Editors of ToolSnob.com, Feb. 10, 2009
This detailed, well-illustrated review of the Skil iXO2 at ToolMonger.com compares it with the earlier Skil iXO. The review notes some improvements: an LED light, an improved trigger design and a more comfortable grip.
Review: Hands-On: Skil iXO2 Lithium-Ion Driver, Sean O'Hara, Jan. 12, 2007
5. Amazon.com
At the time of our report, over two dozen owners reviewing cordless screwdrivers at Amazon.com give the Skil iXO a high average rating. One owner ran into a quality-control problem; another notes that despite the tiny driver's lack of power, it can strip a screw because there's no clutch.
Review: Skil 2336-02 iXO 3-3/5-Volt Cordless Screwdriver, Contributors to Amazon.com
6. Toolbarn.com
Owner-written reviews at ToolBarn.com give the Skil iXO screwdriver high ratings for features and reliability, but the lowest possible rating for performance -- complaining that the hex chuck holds bits so loosely that they wander.
Review: Skil 2336-01 iXO Cordless Palm Size Screwdriver, Contributors to ToolBarn.com
Cordless Drills Runners Up:
10 picks including: Amazon.com, American Woodworker…
7 picks including: Amazon.com, Popular Woodworking…
7 picks by top review sites.
5 picks by top review sites.
5 picks including: Amazon.com, Wood Magazine…
4 picks by top review sites.
3 picks including: Amazon.com, J.D. Power & Associates…
3 picks by top review sites.
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: ToolMonger.com, Sears.com…
2 picks including: HomeDepot.com, The Power Tool Geek…
2 picks by top review sites.
Bosch PS20-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Pocket Driver with 2 Batteries
 from Amazon.com New: $89.99 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  |
||
|
|
Panasonic EY6432GQKW 15.6-Volt NiMH 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit
from Amazon.com New: $193.49 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  |
||
|
|
Bosch PS40-2A 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Impact Driver
from Amazon.com New: $127.99 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Bare-Tool Ridgid 18-Volt Compact Lithium-ion Drill R86006 (Tool Only, No Battery)
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Skil iXO3 2346-05 3.6-Volt Li-Ion Cordless Driver
from Amazon.com New: $47.23 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Makita BDF451 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Driver-Drill Kit
from Amazon.com New: $288.88 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Milwaukee 2401-22 12V 12-Volt Li-ion Sub-Compact Driver Kit
from Amazon.com New: $99.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
New Ryobi One+ P230 1/4" Impact Driver (Bare Tool, No Battery)
from Amazon.com New: $55.80 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
