Best electric screwdriver 2024: Build your flatpack furniture faster from £24

The best electric screwdrivers allow you to get more done in much less time with half the bother. You don’t have to be an Ikea addict to know that assembling flatpack furniture can be a chore – getting all the screws in place soon gets old in any DIY or PC-building project. But the best electric cordless screwdrivers can take some of the sting out of these teeth-gritting tasks, especially removing old, rusted-in screws or driving flat-ended self-tappers in without a pilot hole (yes, we know it’s bad practice, but who has the time?).

What’s more, cordless screwdrivers just keep getting better. They’re much smaller than they used to be, and their lithium-ion batteries do a much better job of holding charge. Charging is now more convenient, and they offer more control and torque for both lightweight and heavy-duty jobs. So, if you’re still struggling with manual screwdrivers or working with an older cordless driver, now’s the time to make a change. Give your wrists a break, save yourself some effort and get those house and garden jobs done.

Best electric screwdriver: At a glance

How to choose the best cordless screwdriver for you

What should I look for in a cordless screwdriver?

Firstly, consider size and comfort. Cordless screwdrivers come in three basic types: cylindrical tools with a more traditional screwdriver feel, compact pistol-grip efforts with a built-in battery and larger models with removable batteries that can often double as a low-powered cordless drill. The last option is tempting if you want a tool that can take on both jobs, but their size means they won’t fit into the spaces that the more compact screwdrivers can. Between the first two types, your choice really depends on where you’re trying to work and what feels right to you. The pistol-grip design is best for general use, but the traditional style fares a little better in more confined spaces.

The second thing to consider is power and torque. As a rule of thumb, the higher the voltage, the faster and more powerful the motor. You will find some screwdrivers that can only deliver 2N-m of torque – enough for assembling flatpack furniture but not much else – and some that will go to 10N-m or more. Speeds can run the gamut from around 180rpm to 250rpm or more. However, don’t assume that more speed or more torque are best in every case.

If you step outside the remit of the average electric screwdriver, you can look at cordless drills and impact drivers. These tools can often be equipped with screwdriver bits and supply much more power and torque. However, they are only suitable for heavy-duty DIY and large, repetitive tasks – such as putting up stud walls, attaching fencing to fence posts, and laying decking. They are overkill for lesser jobs and will thrust screws straight through soft chipboard and electrical outlets, making an unholy mess.

Controls are usually kept simple. The more powerful cordless screwdrivers and drill-drivers will often have some form of speed control, but most will have a single speed, forward and reverse gears, and a trigger to squeeze to start screwing. Many models now also have some kind of built-in torch function, so you can see what you’re doing in dark corners.

How about charging?

Most of the models with built-in batteries charge from a standard wall charger, or even in many cases via a micro-USB port. This is convenient if you’re travelling around and also means you can keep using your screwdriver even if you lose the charger supplied. A few still use some form of charging cradle, where the tool slots into place.

With the larger drill/driver models, you will usually need to remove the battery and slot it into a separate charger. That said, even some of these are now charging through micro-USB.

Not all lithium-ion batteries are alike: some will hold a charge better than others, while some will also charge faster, within two or three hours.

Accessories

Otherwise, the main selling point is the accessories – the different bits and extensions that will enable you to handle more specialist tools or more awkward jobs. More doesn’t always mean more value, as some manufacturers provide a whole bunch of cheap bits that will only wear away inside tricky screws and be good for nothing within a year. While the bigger brands will usually bundle in five to ten decent bits, you might want to budget for any extra bits you’re going to need and buy good ones from a reputable manufacturer.

How we test electric screwdrivers

We put cordless screwdrivers through a series of challenging tests, looking at their ability to drive a range of indoor, outdoor, and self-tapping screws in and out of a chunky softwood beam, both with appropriately sized pilot holes and without. We also test how easy they are to use when assembling and disassembling flatpack furniture, as well as while working inside the confines of a desktop PC case. We time how long it takes to charge the battery and look at how easy it is to change the screwhead. Finally, we examine all the accessories, checking to see whether these are well-designed and manufactured, or simply there to make the tool appear to be better value.

READ NEXT: Best cordless drills

The best electric screwdrivers you can buy in 2024

1. Black & Decker CS3652LC-GB: Best-value cordless screwdriver

Price when reviewed: £25 | Check price at Amazon This Black & Decker model is a step up from the cheaper cordless screwdrivers you’ll find on Amazon, and feels like it belongs in a class above. The maximum speed might be slightly slower, but there’s a surprising amount of torque, which really helps when you’ve got to get screws in or out of tougher timbers. And while you might miss the convenience of micro-USB charging, the bundled 9V charger will get this one juiced up in half the time.

The Black & Decker also scores points for its compact size, low weight and overall comfort, and for bundling in a right-angle attachment, which will help you get screws into some really awkward spots. You will need to budget extra for more bits – only the basics are provided – but when a top screwdriver costs this little, it seems miserly to grumble about that.

Key specs – Power: 3.6V; Speeds: 1; Max speeds: 180rpm; Max torque: 5.5N-m; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: Proprietary 9V; Accessories: 2 bits, right-angle attachment; Weight: 360g

2. Bosch IXO (7th gen): Best for flatpack furniture and household jobs

Price when reviewed: £35 | Check price at B&Q

The seventh generation of Bosch’s cordless classic loses the cool colours and rounded styling of the sixth, but makes up for it with a higher maximum speed of 235rpm, plus an extra 1N-m of torque. It makes a difference, too. We experienced no issues screwing even fairly massive screws straight into unplaned softwood timber; but there’s still enough control when you squeeze the trigger to keep it running low and slow when you need more finesse. It’s the perfect, no-fuss screwdriver for tackling flatpack furniture or everyday home and garden jobs.

It’s versatile, too, particularly if you invest in some accessories or splash out an extra £20 on the pack with the angle and off-set extensions. These lock on to the body of the IXO once you remove the section surrounding the magnetic bit holder, providing more scope to get a screw into awkward spaces next to a wooden panel or beneath a horizontal strut. What’s more, you can go a lot further with attachments for drilling, cutting spice-grinding, blowing and even removing corks.

It’s a cracking tool just for driving in screws, but the start of a mini-DIY system if you’re looking to do more.

Key specs – Power: 3.6V; Speeds: Variable; Max speeds: 235rpm; Max torque: 5.5N-m; Battery: 2.0Ah lithium-ion; Charger: Micro-USB; Accessories: 10 bits, case; Weight: 320g

3. Makita DF001DW: Best cordless screwdriver for big projects

Price when reviewed: £58 | Check price at Amazon
If you’re looking to get some serious work done, the Makita DF001DW has you covered. It can switch between pistol-grip and standard barrel screwdriver modes for different situations, and it feels extremely robust in the hand. Even the micro-USB port in the handle has a cover. A two-way switch at the top of the handle drives screws in or out at a single speed.

This one’s great for bigger projects: it’s versatile, it’s got plenty of welly and it comes with an 81-piece set of bits that should cover just about everything you would need. With a respected brand like Makita, you know you’re not getting poor-quality accessories. It’s a little large for some smaller jobs, though, and a little too fierce for jobs that need finesse, such as PC builds or appliance repairs. When you’re up to something major, though, this is a top tool for the job.

Key specs – Power: 3.6V; Speeds: 1; Max speeds: 220rpm; Max torque: 4N-m; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: micro-USB; Accessories: 81 piece bit set, case; Weight: 360g

4. Worx Slide Driver: The most practical cordless screwdriver

Price when reviewed: £63 | Check price at Toolstation Where most cordless screwdrivers follow the same basic model, the Worx Slide Driver has its own smart ideas. How about a rotary cartridge that slots inside the body and allows you to switch between bits in an instant? Or how about a screw-holder attachment that slides onto the end of the tool and allows you to work single-handed?

On paper, it’s lower on torque than rivals, but in practice it can tackle most tasks, and it’s one of the most practical designs out there. We also have to admit there’s something cool about the revolver-style bit cartridge and slide-action switching mechanism. Throw in respectable charging times – around three-and-a-half hours – and you have a tool that seems to make every job that little bit easier.

Key specs – Power: 4V; Speeds: 1; Max speeds: 230rpm; Max torque: 3N-m; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: Proprietary 4.2V; Accessories: 6 bits, removable screw holder; Weight: 500g

Check price at Toolstation

5. Bosch Pushdrive: Best cordless screwdriver for heavy jobs

Price when reviewed: £66 | Check price at Amazon There’s something reassuringly traditional about the Bosch Pushdrive. It looks like a screwdriver and works like one too: there’s no pistol grip or trigger, and the motor starts running as you push the tip against the screwhead. The action takes some getting used to when removing screws, but makes perfect sense when you’re putting them in.

With a maximum 5N-m of torque, this is a pretty powerful screwdriver, and with its 32-piece accessory set and kit, you will feel equipped to tackle heavy DIY jobs. Yet it’s also lightweight, small and easy to use in awkward or cramped spaces, and it charges up over micro-USB in less than 90 minutes – and often less. With six torque settings to handle different tasks, it’s more versatile than your average screwdriver as well.

Key specs – Power: 3.6V; Speeds: 6; Max speeds: 360rpm; Max torque: 5N-m; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: micro-USB; Accessories: 32 piece bit set; Weight: 300g

 6. Black & Decker 18V Combi Drill: A powerful cordless drill and driver

Price when reviewed: £50 | Check price at B&Q This compact drill-driver won’t fit into smaller spaces, but it’s great for getting screws in and out during DIY projects and will handle a range of lightweight drilling jobs as well. It has a choice of ten speeds and more than enough torque to get screws in and out of denser timbers. In fact, your bigger worry is that it can strip cheaper screw heads at the start or finish.

As with most drill-drivers, the battery is a separate unit that slides onto the bottom of the handle. It’s charged by its own charger and can take up to six hours to charge. This and the sheer size means it’s not as convenient a tool for basic household DIY, but it’s a brilliant and affordable option when you have something more ambitious in mind.

Key specs – Power: 18V; Speeds: 10; Max speeds: 650rpm; Max torque: 30N-m; Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion; Charger: 18Vproprietary; Accessories: 1 bit; Weight: 750g

Check price at B&Q

7. Worx WX240: Best electric screwdriver for small spaces and fiddly jobs

Price when reviewed: £54 | Check price at AmazonThe Worx WX240 is a rock-solid all-rounder, handling flat-pack assembly and home and garden woodwork tasks with ease. The membrane rocket switch on the top is a little over-sensitive, but it makes it easy to screw in with one press and unscrew with the next without any change direction locks or sliders. There are three speed settings to give you different speeds and levels of torque, and it comes with a strong selection of 24 well-made bits, plus an extender and an extra-long Philips bit.

However, the WX240 really comes into its own if you’re working in cramped spaces, or doing fiddly jobs where a larger cordless driver with more of a pistol grip might get in the way. I used both the WX240 and the Bosch IXO to assemble a PC inside a new case, and while the Bosch was fine for removing external case screws, the Worx was a lot more usable inside the case and for getting screws into the motherboard. It charges in under 90 minutes over a USB-C cable, and will happily last for around 35 to 45 minutes of work. For bigger screws on DIY jobs, you might want something with a little more power and torque; but if you need something that feels and works more like a manual screwdriver, this is the one to buy.

Key specs – Power: 4V; Speeds: 3; Max speeds: 300rpm; Max torque: 5N-m; Battery: 1.5Ah lithium-ion; Charger: USB Type-C; Accessories: 25 bits, extender, case; Weight: 261g

8. Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Impact Driver: Best for heavy-duty screwdriver and fastening tasks

Price when reviewed: £155 | Check price at Ryobi

This certainly isn’t a lightweight, electric screwdriver for everyday DIY tasks. It is an impact driver that can tackle the heavy-duty insertion and removal of screws, nuts and bolts. It has around four times the torque of a standard cordless drill/driver, making it much more powerful than the average electric screwdriver.

This Ryobi impact driver is part of a starter kit, which includes a carry case, two impact bits, a 3/8 inch socket adaptor, and a 2.0Ah battery with a Ryobi charger. So everything you need to power in screws and bolts and remove them when necessary.

The driver is built well and has a variable trigger to help control the power. In our tests, it easily drove in screws that an everyday cordless drill struggled with. But if you just want something to replace a manual screwdriver for simple DIY tasks, like replacing a plug socket, it has much more power than you’ll ever need.

Key specs – Power: 18V; Speeds: Variable; Max speeds: 3,200rpm; Max torque: 200N-m; Battery: 2.0Ah Lithium-ion; Charger: External; Accessories: 2 x impact bits, 1 x 3/8 inch socket adaptor; Weight: 1.7kg (with battery)

9. Brifit Electric Screwdriver Set: A powered-up manual screwdriver for everyday tasks

Price when reviewed: £24 | Check price at Amazon

If you’re looking for a powered-up manual screwdriver to make everyday DIY tasks quicker and easier, this smart cordless electric screwdriver should have more than enough for your needs.

A multi-talented tool, the Brifit still has just two speeds – forward and reverse – with a maximum of 3N-m of torque for electrical work and a maximum of 10N-m for manual screwdriver tasks. This makes it ideal for building flat-pack furniture, replacing both light switches and plug sockets and working with PCs.

A collection of 13 bits – including two small drill bits, an adaptor and various slotted Phillips, Pozi and Torx bits – fit into the Brifit’s 6.35mm quick-release chuck. A solid, comfortable grip houses the USB-C charging port and a small LED light to light up your working area. The battery will give you over three hours of power, but there’s no indicator, so you don’t know when it will run out. However, you can always revert to manual driving until you can recharge.

Key specs – Power: 3.6V; Speeds: 2; Max speeds: 280 rpm; Max torque: 10N-m; Battery: 1 Lithium-ion; Charger: USB Type-C; Accessories: 2 x Twist drill bits, 11 x screwdriver bits; Weight: 380g