Cordless Screwdrivers: Reviews

Testing cordless screwdrivers

Cordless screwdrivers can take most of the effort out of driving screws. Newer models use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which hold their charge for months between uses, so they're always ready for a quick job. Cordless screwdrivers have some advantages over regular cordless drill/drivers: The hex-shank bit-holder chucks used on cordless screwdrivers make switching bits faster, and the chucks are more compact, so it's easier to work in tight spaces. Cordless screwdrivers are also much lighter than cordless drills, so your hands and arms won't get tired as easily.

Most cordless screwdrivers can drill pilot holes, too, but they're slower at drilling than a regular drill, and most can't drill through tougher materials like masonry. If you need to drill lots of holes and drive big bolts, we have a separate report on cordless drills, which are more powerful -- but also bulkier, heavier and more expensive -- than cordless screwdrivers.

When expert woodworkers and builders pit cordless screwdrivers against each other head-to-head, the 12-volt Milwaukee 2401-22 (*Est. $100) rises to the top. It drives screws quickly, with more power than other cordless screwdrivers -- even after freezing overnight at 20 degrees Fahrenheit in the Journal of Light Construction's torture test. "A good drill for tougher jobs," tester Dave Northup concludes.

In Wood magazine's 12-volt cordless-screwdriver shootout, the Milwaukee 2401-22 drives more drywall screws on a single battery charge than any other driver: 259 screws. "That's likely more than you'll drive in one day, anyway," testers conclude. If you need to, though, the Milwaukee comes with two Li-ion batteries, so you can pop the drained battery onto the 30-minute charger and keep working with the spare. 

The Milwaukee's fat handle bothers Northup, but other testers love the way it feels: Tools of the Trade's David Getts says the Milwaukee 2401-22 "has the best feel of any subcompact" and praises its chuck as "the best of the bunch" because it's self-locking and you can add or remove bits one-handed. Real-life users lavish it with praise, too: It's one of the top-ranked cordless screwdrivers at Amazon.com and HomeDepot.com. The Milwaukee carries a five-year warranty -- longer than most other cordless tool brands.

The closest runner-up is the Bosch PS20-2A (*Est. $115), but this cordless screwdriver costs a little more than the Milwaukee, doesn't perform as consistently in tests and carries a shorter one-year warranty. Like the Milwaukee cordless screwdriver, the Bosch packs 12 volts of power and two Li-ion batteries, but the batteries don't run as long on a single charge as the Milwaukee's do in tests at Wood magazine and Tools of the Trade. Northup at the Journal of Light Construction says the Bosch PS20-2A "felt noticeably less powerful than the other drill/drivers we tested."

The DeWalt DW920K-2 (*Est. $90) scores highly in one top test, but this cordless screwdriver has some drawbacks. Even though it's only 7.2 volts, it keeps up with the Milwaukee's driving power and speed in the test -- but its older-style Ni-Cd batteries die faster. The DeWalt screwdriver does come with two batteries, but they take an hour to recharge -- twice as long as the Milwaukee's. Unlike the Milwaukee and Bosch cordless drivers, the DeWalt lacks a built-in task light. At 3.5 pounds, the DeWalt weighs over a pound more than the Milwaukee cordless driver, which can fatigue your hand and arm faster. Finally, the DeWalt carries a three-year warranty -- shorter than the Milwaukee screwdriver's five years.

Budget cordless screwdrivers for small jobs

For light household screwdriving jobs -- assembling furniture, installing window blinds, etc. -- reviews say you don't need to spend $100 on a cordless screwdriver. The Black & Decker PD600 (*Est. $30) satisfies owners at Amazon.com, HomeDepot.com and Target.com: It's cheap and lightweight, and this 6-volt driver packs more power than most budget drivers. Its pivoting handle lets you hold it straight or pistol-grip style, and its built-in LED work light lets you see what you're doing. Most owners say its built-in nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery holds its charge well -- some say for months -- but it does take up to six hours to recharge, and you can't use the tool while it's charging. We did find some complaints that the Black & Decker PD600 died suddenly after a year or two, but several owners were satisfied enough that they bought the same tool again. This cordless screwdriver carries a two-year warranty.

A couple of inexpensive Craftsman screwdrivers get mostly good owner feedback at Sears.com. The 4-volt, pistol-grip Craftsman 11398 (*Est. $40) uses a removable Li-ion battery pack. The 3.6-volt Craftsman 11139 (*Est. $25) has a pivoting handle and built-in battery, and it comes with a 20-piece bit set. However, these Craftsman tools don't have as much power as the Black & Decker cordless screwdriver, and they carry a shorter one-year warranty.