Screwdrivers are a necessity both at home and in the shop. They help with so many chores that it's impossible to do without them.

Cordless electric screwdrivers developed from the corded type and they're getting more popular by the day. They offer an easier and more flexible way of tackling different jobs, which is better than manual and corded screwdrivers.

If you've decided to buy a cordless screwdriver, this review will help you with a list of the best cordless screwdrivers on the market, as well as with a guide on choosing right.

Editor's Rating: (4.6 / 5)

• Power: 80 in-lbs
• Power source: NiCad
• Speed: 0-500 RPM
• Weight: 3.5 lbs

The DeWalt DW920K is a fast, efficient, and affordable cordless screwdriver that's very versatile in application. It weighs just 3.5 lbs and features a 1/4-inch chuck to drive both screwdriver and drill bits for light applications.

One nice feature of this screwdriver is its adjustable 2-position handle, which enables you to either turn it into an in-line screwdriver or a pistol-grip screwdriver depending on the job at hand.

Powered by a 7.2-Volt NiCad battery, this screwdriver will generate up to 500 RPM turning speed, allowing you to set the speed to the desired level for the right job.

The package includes 2 batteries and they get fully charged in just one hour. You also get the charger in the package, 2 screwdriver bits, and a kit box for easy storage and transportation of the kit.

This variable speed cordless screwdriver is a high-quality and reliable tool, but it doesn't come with a light for working in dark places.

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

• Power: 80 in-lbs
• Power source: NiCad battery
• Speed: 0-600 RPM
• Weight: 2.8 lbs

Featuring a 6-Volt Nickel-Cadmium battery system, this Black & Decker PD600 offers you the power and ability to work on a range of screws in as many positions as possible using its 3-position handle.

You can adjust the handle to fit any position or tight corner you're working in. You can also switch between its 2 speeds of 180 and 600 RPM, allowing you to get the best results for any job.

Another interesting feature that makes this one of the best budget cordless screwdrivers is you can easily switch between drilling and driving and this means you can easily tackle different jobs with just this one tool.

There is an included LED for working in dark areas and the package includes 2 pieces of 2-inch hex bits plus the charger. On the downside, this package comes with just one battery and it's a Nickel-Cadmium.

Editor's Rating: (4.6 / 5)

• Power: 160 UWO
• Power source: Lithium-Ion battery
• Speed: 0-1,050 RPM
• Weight: 2.2 lbs

DeWalt offers this DCF610S2 as the answer to many professionals' needs for a serious cordless screwdriver. The lithium-ion cordless screwdriver comes in a permanent pistol-grip shape and delivers a speed of 1,050 RPM.

DeWalt gives its power as 160 UWO, which is equal to 85 in-lbs of torque at its maximum speed of 1,050 RPM. This also means that it'll even produce more torque at slower speeds.

It comes with a 15-position clutch setting and includes 3 LEDs for illumination of dark workspaces. The package includes a belt hook to keep it portable while working, 2 pieces of DeWalt's 12V MAX Li-Ion batteries, a charger, a contractor bag, and a 3-year warranty.

This top-rated cordless screwdriver also features a 1/4-inch chuck that accepts up to 1-inch bits but it doesn't come with any bits at all.

Editor's Rating: (4.3 / 5)

• Power: 4 Volts
• Power source: Lithium-Ion battery
• Speed: N/A
• Weight: 3 lbs

The Worx WX254L is a small cordless screwdriver that stands out from the rest. Featuring a semi-automatic cartridge loading system, it offers you the most convenient bit management and changing system on any cordless screwdriver you've seen before.

It comes with 2 such fully-loaded cartridges and they contain 6 of the most popular bits each, making it a total of 12 bits. In fact, you'll find no better cordless screwdriver for taking care of small jobs than this.

If it comes to larger screwing jobs though, then you'll definitely need something else. The problem with the Worx WX254L is the lack of a clutch, the lack of a variable speed control, and the low torque it generates.

This makes it impractical for use with very large or very small screws since there's no way to properly adjust its power. It's also useless for driving in screws for the first time since it lacks the power.

Editor's Rating: (4.2 / 5)

• Power: 44 in-lbs
• Power source: Lithium-Ion batteries
• Speed: 0-600 RPM
• Weight: 1 lb

If you just want the best cordless screwdriver you can get your hands on, then why not check out this Hitachi screwdriver? It might only have 44 in-lbs of torque but it comes with a lifetime warranty, making an attractive low- and mid-range cordless screwdriver.

You get a 3.6-Volt system with a 2-speed choice between 300 and 600 RPM. With the available 21 clutch stages, you can control the power to either carry out high-precision jobs like working on electronics or something else that needs more power.

Hitachi adds an LED light for optimal working conditions and a dual-position handle, which lets you switch between an in-line and a pistol-grip shape, enabling you to work with full flexibility.

You can also lock the spindle so you can tighten or loosen screws manually and a reverse switch allows you to choose between reverse and forward bit directions.

Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)

• Power: 35 in-lbs of torque
• Power source: Lithium-Ion battery
• Speed: 300 RPM
•  Weight: 1.3 lbs

For the best rechargeable screwdriver with bits set, here's an offer from Tacklife, a China-based company, that you should look at. It comes with a lightweight cordless screwdriver and a 31-piece set of bits.

This bit set includes 30 driver bits and one extension bit, which enables you to reach difficult spots. This screwdriver and bit set will serve you well for furniture installation, window blinds, and for mounting or installing stuff around the home.

It also comes with 2 LED lights in front, so you can see well in all lighting conditions. A battery level meter is on top for easy viewing and a forward/reverse button as well.

The few let downs of this screwdriver include its low torque delivery of 35 in-lbs, which is not enough for driving large screws and the lack of a standard AC charger because it comes with only a USB cable.

Editor's Rating: (4.3 / 5)

• Power: N/A
• Power source: Lithium-Ion battery
• Speed: 200 RPM
•  Weight: 1 lb

Skil's palm-sized iXO cordless screwdriver provides those who need a compact cordless screwdriver with an interesting solution which fits easily in the palm of the hands and weighs less than a pound.

It's not for heavy-duty jobs though, because it features just one clutch level and a 200 RPM speed. When it comes to small screw-driving jobs though, it shines because that's what it's made for.

You get an LED light for working in dark areas plus a set of 5 driver bits to help you get started. The On/Off trigger is right at the fingertips, with the forward/reverse button located above.

On the con side, it's a very weak screwdriver with a low speed and no clutch. This makes it unsuitable for also smaller precision jobs where care is needed like on electronic circuits.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

• Power: 20 in-lbs
• Power source: 4x AA batteries
• Speed: 130 RPM
•  Weight: 0.5 oz

Black & Decker built this one for the easiest jobs like hanging curtain rods, installing blinds and lights switches, as well as other small jobs around the home.

It offers just 130 RPM with a 20 in-lbs of force, which is rather soft compared to the other cordless screwdrivers on this list but this makes it perfect for other jobs though.

You will need 4 AA batteries to power it or you can as well switch to the manual mode which fits it perfectly as well. An included peg-hole allows you to store it on a peg board, plus it's so lightweight and small, it fits everywhere.

Using this screwdriver means you'll have to buy AA batteries from time to time but it can also have its advantages, especially in off-grid situations where there's no access to electricity.

Editor's Rating: (4.2 / 5)

• Power: N/A
• Power source: Lithium-Ion battery
• Speed: 180 RPM
•  Weight: 1.1 lbs

This Black & Decker cordless screwdriver stands out from the rest because of its unique design, which is both trendy and practical. It's powered by a 4-Volt battery and rotates at 180 RPM.

It pivots in 3 positions so you can work in the best possible position and it features an integrated LED light, which gets switched on and off independent of the screwdriver's motor.

This screwdriver is great for many things, including small jobs around the home like fixing furniture, fixing toys, and carrying out general installations and fixtures. If you're looking for a cordless screwdriver with clutch though, then forget this one.

Its light is 45 Lumens bright and the entire screwdriver measures 7 x 2 x 9 inches. Black & Decker additionally backs it with a 2-year warranty.

Editor's Rating: (4.3 / 5)

• Power: 150 in-lbs
• Power source: Lithium-Ion batteries
• Speed: 0-500 RPM
•  Weight: 4.7 lbs

Here comes the most powerful cordless screwdriver on this list, the Milwaukee 2401-22. It delivers an impressive 150 in-lbs of torque, twice much more than the second and third most powerful cordless screwdrivers on this list.

Milwaukee makes it in a pistol-grip style and it includes both a variable speed trigger and a forward/reverse switch. You get a keyless chuck, an integrated LED light, and a battery fuel gauge that shows you how much is left in the batteries.

The package includes 2 of Milwaukee's 12-Volt batteries and a 30-minute charger to make sure you always have ready power. Its 14-step clutch additionally allows you to select the perfect amount of force for the screw at hand.

A metal gear housing and a quick-loading 1/4-inch hex chuck round of the features on this screwdriver. What this package misses though, are a few driving bits to make it complete.

In order to buy the best possible cordless screwdriver for your needs, you'll need to understand the different aspects and features that make a cordless screwdriver worthwhile.

Following is a close look at these features. By understanding and looking out for these features, you'll be able to easily know which of the cordless screwdriver offers above will best suit your needs.

#1. Size & Purpose

Yes, there are different screw sizes and types of materials that they're best suited for. Your first step, therefore, is to understand your purpose for buying a cordless screwdriver and then choose one that fits your purpose.

You can either get the small pocket-sized types or a larger and more powerful type, but this depends on your purpose. Some folks will even have more than one size, making it easy to both have a small and highly portable screwdriver, as well as a more powerful solution.

#2. Torque & Speed

Torque and speed are two important variables you should understand and look out for. Speed is the rate of rotation of the screwdriver's chuck and is given in RPM which stands for Rotations Per Minute. Some cordless screwdrivers can reach 500 RPM.

Torque, however, refers to how much force the screwdriver rotates with. Most power tools will offer a higher torque at a lower speed and a lower torque at a higher speed. Torque is what determines the true power of an electric screwdriver.

#3. Weight

Different cordless screwdrivers weigh differently. Some can get as lightweight as 1.5 lbs, while others are much heavier at 3 or more pounds, depending on their size and intended purpose.

Most of a cordless screwdriver's weight comes from its motor and battery. So, the larger they are, the heavier the screwdriver weighs. Weight is a consideration if you're working for long periods though, else it doesn't matter that much.

#4. Battery

Most cordless screwdrivers will come with a Lithium-Ion battery, although there are few that still come with Nickel-Cadmium batteries. Since we are talking about cordless screwdrivers, an understanding of batteries is necessary.

Both Li-Ion and Ni-Cad batteries have their advantages and disadvantages, but Li-Ion has become the favorite over the years, for many advantages including smaller size, lighter weight, and better charge retention.

Capacity and duration are the next two factors to consider in a battery. The capacity determines how much charge it can hold in total and the size of the screwdriver's motor determines how long you can use it before it needs a recharge.

#5. Design & Shape

The different screwdriver manufacturing companies design their screwdrivers differently. This enables you to choose a tool that both does what you like and additionally appeals visually to you, but that's not all.

You will find three major types of cordless screwdrivers based on their shape. They are as follows:

• Straight. Straight or in-line cordless screwdrivers are straight and simple and this makes them easy to use. However, they are often not ideal for certain jobs.
  
• Pistol. This type of screwdrivers have a pistol grip and this makes them easy to maneuver and ideal for working in hard-to-reach or awkward angles.
  
• Combination Handle. Many cordless screwdrivers combine the two. This enables you to switch from an in-line to a pistol grip screwdriver when you feel like, getting the best of both worlds, thereby.

#6. Grip & comfort

A good grip reduces hand fatigue, making it easier for you to work for longer periods. Different manufacturers use different types of materials for their screwdriver grips and they make them in different shapes as well.

The best grip will always have an ergonomic design and feature a rubberized handle for the most comfort. If you only plan to use the tool occasionally, then grip and comfort won't matter much.

#7. Extras

Some manufacturers can include extra screwdriver or drill bits in the package, and others can integrate a light source like an LED to make it easier to work in the dark. You'll have to choose according to your needs here.

#8. Warranty

Most companies will offer you a 1 to a 3-year warranty on their cordless screwdrivers, with few companies offering a lifetime warranty. With warranties, longer is always better, so the screwdriver with a longer warranties gets more points.

Conclusion

We have reached the end of this cordless screwdriver review and you've seen the different models and their features that are available.

From high-precision cordless screwdrivers to powerful ones with variable clutches and those with pivoting handles, you'll definitely find a screwdriver on this list that serves your needs well.

In the end, though, the last choice is yours to make because you're the only one that knows your needs and requirements in a cordless screwdriver, or in other words, what you intend to do with it.