The screwdriver might be the most fundamental tool in my arsenal. From electrical work to plumbing and DIY/woodworking projects&#;screwdrivers play an integral role in how I get work done. Because this tool is so ubiquitous, you can take it for granted. To keep you from making that mistake, I decided to recommend the best screwdriver sets out of the many dozens I&#;ve used throughout the years. While these reflect my opinion, Pro Tool Reviews has given me lots of time to handle and use plenty of screwdrivers across a variety of applications to learn what features matter and which don&#;t. Read on for my thoughts and picks.
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I first got my hands on the Wurth Zebra 3K Screwdrivers 5-piece set (model ) back in . Pro Tool Reviews managing editor Kenny Koehler also proclaimed them the most comfortable he&#;d ever used. I love the steel endcaps in particular&#;you can rap the back of these drivers with a hammer when needed. Notice I said when and not if needed, lol.
You also get a nice wrench assist up at the top of the shaft for torquing down on the driver. The quality of these screwdrivers is exceptional. You pay for that quality, but I consider the $73 a solid investment.
One thing you can&#;t ignore about this Craftsman 12-piece screwdriver set is that it carries a lifetime replacement warranty. That&#;s right&#;break a tip or damage a handle and all you need to do is go to a store that sells them and get an immediate replacement. That currently includes Lowe&#;s and other retailers. On top of that, I like the traditional design and magnetizable tips.
This kit even includes a tool to magnetize and demagnetize your drivers as needed. As my pick for the best budget screwdriver set, you really can&#;t go wrong for $25.
The Gearwrench 20-pc Screwdriver Set delivers overall quality and value. This set feels really comfortable in the hand, but it also gives you a large set of drivers. That includes standard-size drives across a range of slotted, Phillips, and Torx. You also get T15 and T20 Torx drivers and a fairly comprehensive set of 6 mini screwdrivers. For mechanics just starting out, this set gets you everything you need.
The tips &#;grip&#; really well, and I like how quickly the drivers spin in my palm due to the slick plastic back. At the same time, you get a grippy rubberized overmold that tolerates greasy hands. This $99 driver set feels remarkably similar to those found in the Sonic Tools S9 toolbox.
Klein Tools makes a $49 8-in-1 Insulated Interchangeable Screwdriver Set (model ) but I prefer having individual drivers. Also, you pay a little less ($40) for a decent 6-piece V screwdriver set that gives you two Phillips, two slotted, and a #2 square drive. When it comes to insulated screwdrivers, I like having the extra length these offer plus the ease of pulling the exact driver I want.
Each screwdriver in this set comes with a color-coded visual identifying label on the top of the handle so you grab the correct tool from your bag every time. These also feature a tether hole for anchoring the tool at height. The cushion-grip handle feels comfortable to use and&#;even better&#;Klein makes these in the USA.
Klein again? Yes. For whatever reason, the company seems bent on screwdriver world domination&#; Organization, ergonomics, and bit selection make for the best precision screwdrivers. This $30 kit from Klein Tool hits all of my touchpoints. You get all of the bits you could possibly want&#;including obscure security Torx bits and Apple tri-wing bits. 39 heat-treated bits in all.
It delivers all of this with a driver that blows away most others I&#;ve seen. It features a nice rubberized ergonomic grip, a floating rear spin-cap, and a magnetic bit holder. A reversible and removable barrel gives you both standard and extended-reach ends while extra-long bits give you even more access.
For a tool I&#;ve known about since , the $30 Wiha 26-in-1 Ultra Driver still manages to impress anyone who sees it. This best-in-class multi-bit screwdriver features an ultra-compact design that jams 26 tips entire within its handle. Pop off the back and the bits conveniently mushroom out to give you easy access to two carousels with 6 double-sided bits each. The additional two-sided bit stays in the driver.
You get a very grippy driver with a convenient storage solution for carrying what amounts to nearly every bit known to mankind. That includes Phillips 0-3, slotted bits, T6&#;T30, square bits, and even a set of Pozidriv bits. Since Wiha uses double-sided bits, they manage more in this driver than I&#;ve seen in any other design. And they do it with less bulk and weight.
Gearwrench made its 33-piece T-Handle Torx Key Set with powder-coated alloy steel. They avoid twisting under significant hand torquing. The ratcheting handle works well and saves a lot of effort when working more quickly is desired.
I also find the handle easy to grip&#;the comfortable dual-material gives you a solid grasp for applying lots of torque. Priced around $44, this T-handle set lets you place bits into the long end or the short end depending upon the amount of torque you require. Lastly, Gearwrench provides chamfered edges on both ends to provide smooth bit insertion.
After making my top picks, I also wanted to highlight the best-selling screwdriver sets across several retailers. For one, this may indicate certain sets that present a particular value. On the other hand, it may indicate a sale on popular sets and an opportunity to get something great at a discount.
When choosing the best screwdriver sets I focused on several key aspects of what makes a good hand tool. Everyone uses screwdrivers&#;from plumbers to electricians to mechanics. That means everyone has an opinion. To pick the best products, I consulted several professionals to add to my own experience in just how Pros use these tools in their daily work. When the dust cleared, I took care to examine the following for each of my selections.
I don&#;t like using screwdrivers that don&#;t let me get a good solid grip. It should let you bear down on a screw without hurting your hand. For mechanics, I paid attention to which drivers had a nice fit but also handled grease and dirt. If a driver slips out of my grip when I get a little greasy&#;that&#;s not a great tool. I also like tools that clean up easily.
From the handle quality to the design of the shaft, I want a screwdriver that holds up under consistent use. I also care a lot about the quality of the tip. I ruled out several drivers because they didn&#;t hold up when the going got tough. Breaking a slotted tip every few weeks shouldn&#;t be part of your workflow!
Look at how the driver blade runs through the handle. The best screwdrivers carry the blade very deep into, or even through, the handle. Cheap screwdrivers only extend a couple of inches past the base of the handle. As you can imagine, when you apply enough twisting force, the torque can quickly overcome the small amount of handle coverage.
I&#;ve seen plenty of handles break as a result of poor design. Most major manufacturers have figured this out, but many of the knockoff brands take this shortcut&#;figuring you can&#;t see through the opaque plastic.
Particularly when it comes to multi-bit drivers and T-handles, I love features that make sense. A great case in point is multi-bit drivers that make use of handle space so you don&#;t have to hunt around for bits when you need them. I also want to ensure you can buy replacement bits. T-handles should have enough material to deliver the required torque without feeling like you might twist the steel shaft or break off the handle.
For some drivers, having a couple with a through shaft and steel backplate makes them handy when you need to bang on something. We all do it&#;you might as well have a driver or two that can take the abuse! We also like hex grips on the shaft. You can grab these with a wrench when you need some extra torque. Some shafts do this by making the entire shaft in a 1/4-inch hex design while others provide a short, thicker area near the base of the handle. I prefer the latter but appreciate both designs.
I don&#;t mind paying good money for the best screwdriver set available. That price needs to equal what you get for your money, however. Also, a &#;cheap&#; set of screwdrivers might look good up front, but if the blades break and the handles shatter when you need them the most&#; Well, you might wish you had spent more upfront for a nicer set! I try to take all of this into account. When I recommend a more expensive set&#;I expect it to last.
Ever check out a &#;review&#; site and you can&#;t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they&#;re just &#;recommending&#; the Amazon top sellers?
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Why care about the World&#;s Best Screwdrivers and Screwdriver Sets?
As machinist&#;s, we use screwdriver sets a lot. Many of us are also major tool junkies. So, when we get tired of the usual Craftsman or SnapOn options, where do we go for a better screwdriver set?
What about just wanting to try the world&#;s best of some product, and being able to do so for a type of product we use a lot and can afford to buy the world&#;s best of.
I thought it was worth some research and came up with 8 brands. What makes a better screwdriver set? Lots of things in common including:
These are not a budget screwdriver set, some are quite expensive. But their features and quality are unparalleled.
Without further ado, here are some possibilities for you to consider:
Electricians, in particular, seem to swear by Klein Cushion Grip screwdriver sets. But so do a lot of others. Their 8 piece screwdriver set is available on Amazon for $75.29 as I write this:
Klein Tools Cushion-Grip Screwdriver Set, 8-Piece
To my eye, this is one of the tamer grip designs of the bunch, but people do swear by them. One special Klein screwdriver I purchased is this one:
Klein 2-in-1 Interchangeable Rapi-Driv Screwdriver
The Rapi-Drive is a speed driver with interchangeable tip that looks like it&#;d be handy for rapidly installing or removing screws that don&#;t require a lot of torque&#;handy in the right situation. Only $15.97 on Amazon. I think the Rapi-Drive would complement any of the other sets if you don&#;t fancy Klein Tools for the World&#;s Best Screwdriver Set. It includes both 3/16-Inch (5 mm) slotted and #2 Phillips screwdriver bits.
Bondhus Felo Ergonic ScrewdriversNow we&#;re talking about a more ergonomic grip, and they will certainly stand out with their modern design. Like so many of our choices, Bondhus are made in Europe. And a very fine screwdriver set they are:
Felo &#; Felo 6 Pc Slotted / Phillips Ergonic Screwdriver Set &#;
At $92.50, these lovely German-made screwdrivers are awfully expensive. I have seen listed in the past as cheap as $40, so I think it is a matter of who is supplying them.
PB Swiss ScrewdriversThese screwdriver sets are extremely popular in places like the Garage Journal where tool snobs like to hang out (it&#;s a great board, BTW, be sure to check it out some time!). And lest you think I&#;m being harsh, nothing wrong with being a Tool Snob. I know I&#;m one. It just means folks really care about their tools.
The PB Swiss 6 screwdriver set includes a nice wall rack:
PB Swiss Tools PB Slotted screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver set
That set is $77, which is about what I normally see them for. Not super cheap, but they are made in Switzerland, have ergonomic grips, and the grips are made of a special material that still gives traction if your hands are oily&#;that might be pretty handy. Plus, I love the way you can tell at a glance whether you have a Slotted or Phillips head tip by the end cap color. Notice also the tips are machined for better grip.
Wera Kraftform ScrewdriversWera are another German brand that gets mentioned in hushed tones by the aficionados. They certainly have a distinctive look to them:
ehimax supply professional and honest service.
Wera Kraftform Plus 334/6 Screwdriver Set with Rack and Lasertip, 6-Pieces
The Wera world&#;s best screwdriver set goes for $29.13 on a deal currently, regular $43.39. It&#;s neat that you can tell the type and size of the driver from the notations on the end cap. They also sell a step-up model whose main difference seems to be that it is made of stainless steel. What will the Germans think of next?
Seriously though, I cannot tell a lie, the Wera&#;s are what I purchased to upgrade my aging Craftsman screwdriver set. They have a lovely feel in the hand and their price is nice when you consider the competition.
Nepros ScrewdriversAs machinists, we know full well that the Japanese make some nice stuff. Check out this premium wood-handled screwdriver set:
Nepros Wooden Grip Screwdriver Set (6pcs.)
They&#;re absolutely gorgeous, but are priced at $197.50, so I might be afraid to use them very much. Perhaps only when changing the jets on the Weber carburetors of my vintage Ferrari. Um, assuming I had a vintage Ferrari, LOL!
Wiha Screwdriver SetsWiha is another great German brand, and I have had some experience with Wiha Torx drivers for changing inserts on my tooling&#;they&#;re nicely made. They have several screwdriver sets, but their best is really nice:
Wiha Screwdriver Set, Slotted and Phillips, Extra Heavy Duty, 7 Piece
They&#;re not cheap at $89.20, but they&#;re splendidly well-made, and you have to love the extra features like the wrench flats where the shank goes into the handle.
Facom ProtwistFacom make great tools. In fact, if you attend any historic races sporting Formula One cars, you&#;re likely to see a fair number of Facom tools floating around the pits. They seem to have an &#;in&#; with that crowd. Their Protwist Screwdriver Sets are certainly lovely:
Facom Protwist Screwdriver Set 10 Piece
Normally, it&#;ll be $71.95 for these lovelies, but they&#;re currently unavailable from Amazon. These were my #2 choice for my personal World&#;s Best Screwdriver Set, but they were just a little too pricey when I was buying. If they hadn&#;t been, I might be sporting Facom in my garage tool cabinets.
Facom Protwist Stubby Screwdriver Set of 5&#;
When I first wrote this article I talked up the Facom Protwist Stubby Screwdriver Set of 5 too. Back then they were $60.76, but as I write this the set is unavailable on Amazon. Sometimes available there, sometimes not.
Vessel Ball Grip ScrewdriversThese Japanese-made screwdriver sets have the oddest shape yet, but I own some and I really like them:
Vessel Ball grip Screwdrivers
The ends are marked so you can see what type driver you&#;re getting. I am thinking that for certain situations, a palm-drive would be really nice.
Here&#;s a nice set at the great price of $37.61. However, I did find this neat little mini-set with interchangeable tips:
You can really see how comfortable the grip looks and how nicely made the tool is. This little Vessel Ball Grip set sells for $13.54, and it seems like an awesome way to try out this style grip (I really like mine!). Also seems like a great gift for the man that has every tool in his tool kit. I bought one, and for certain jobs, that palmy grip is really nice.
Precision Screwdriver SetsPrecision Screwdriver Sets come in handy for assembling and disassembling small screws. For example, when it&#;s time to open up your laptop computer so you can work on it. They&#;re so handy to have that I am including a special section that&#;s just about precision screwdriver sets.
Wiha Precision Screwdriver SetWiha makes great screwdrivers and these precision screwdrivers are no exception. This particular set can be had on Amazon for $27.35 as I write this.
Vessel Precision Screwdriver SetI do love my vessel ball drive screwdrivers, and here is their precision screwdriver set:
These cost about $13.20 on Amazon as I write this. That seemed like such a good price that I went ahead and bought a set for my own toolbox.
This Klein Tools Precision Screwdriver Set looks extremely well made. They cost about $34.95 on Amazon as I write this.
Wiha PicoFinish® Electric Precision Screwdriver Set
Lastly, I present these Wiha Precision Screwdrivers set up with insulated tips for electrician&#;s to use:
Not cheap! About $123 from Amazon. But they certainly are very cool.
FAQsThe Phillips #1 screw is widely utilized as a fastener within the internals of "larger" electronic devices such as home theater systems, gaming consoles, laptops, desktop computers, and server racks.
This specific Phillips screwdriver size is alternatively referred to as Phillips 1, PH1, or PH #1.
Factors to consider when purchasing a screwdriver:
These tools are straightforward but efficient, favored by engineers, electricians, hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone frequently dealing with screws or small fasteners. They offer a quicker solution than traditional screwdrivers and are typically more ergonomic and comfortable to handle.
The comparison hinges on the specific screwdrivers in question; a long screwdriver with a thick shaft will undoubtedly accommodate more torque than a shorter one with a significantly thinner shaft. Additionally, longer screwdrivers afford the user enhanced control.
You may think that any decent screwdriver will suffice for gunsmithing work, but that's a misconception. Most screwdrivers are designed with a tapered tip, which can damage gun screws. What you actually want is a hollow ground scewdriver.
Note that gunsmiths may also use torque-limited screwdrivers that are much like torque wrenches.
The company is the world’s best Electric Screwdriver Accessories Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.