The best electric screwdrivers
Flat-pack without the wrist ache. The little cordless screwdrivers that end up being used every week.
A small electric screwdriver is one of those tools people didn't know they needed until they have one. Flat-pack furniture, curtain rails, battery covers and wobbly cupboard hinges all become a two-minute job.
They're not drills: most have 3–5Nm of torque, which is plenty for screws but not for boring holes in walls. Look at torque settings (so screws aren't over-tightened), the charging and the bits in the box.
What matters
- Torque settings, so screws aren't over-tightened.
- USB charging, ideally USB-C.
- A decent set of bits in a case.
- A light for dark cupboards.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Bosch IXO 7 Cordless Screwdriver (with angle attachment)
£30–£50 Price range
Bosch's little screwdriver, now in its seventh version: pocket-sized, 5.5Nm of torque and up to 190 screws a charge. The angle attachment gets into the back of kitchen cupboards and behind radiators.
What owners say: Owners call it a great little tool that holds its charge for ages, with surprising power for its size, and it fits in a pocket.
A closer look: Let it do the work on flat-pack furniture, then give the last quarter turn by hand so you don't strip the soft chipboard. Extra IXO attachments, like the corkscrew, clip onto the same tool.
- 5.5Nm torque
- 2.0Ah battery, up to 190 screws a charge
- 360° LED light ring
- Angle-screw attachment and 10 bits
- Takes IXO attachments (corkscrew, cutter and more)
Best for: Flat-pack and odd jobs
- Torque
- 5.5Nm
- Battery and charging
- 2.0Ah, micro-USB charging
- Bits
- 10 + angle attachment
- LED light
- 360° light ring
#2 of 5
Most stylish
HOTO Electric Screwdriver Set (12 bits, aluminium case)
£30–£50 Price range
A beautifully made screwdriver in a frosted aluminium box, with three torque settings and a ring light round the tip. It looks as good on a desk as in a drawer, and makes a smart present.
What owners say: Owners love the quality and design, find the three torque settings stop over-tightening, and say it's plenty for IKEA furniture.
A closer look: Start on the lowest torque setting for electronics and small screws, and step up for furniture. It stops turning the moment you let go of the button, so it won't chew up screw heads.
- 3 torque settings (4Nm powered, 8Nm by hand)
- Ring LED light
- 12 S2 steel bits
- USB-C, 1500mAh battery
- Aluminium storage box
Best for: A smart present
- Torque
- Up to 4Nm (8Nm by hand)
- Battery and charging
- 1500mAh, USB-C
- Bits
- 12
- LED light
- Yes
#3 of 5
Best for small jobs
WORX WX240 4V Mini Screwdriver (24 bits)
£54.99 RRP
Pen-slim and three-speed, with a dual LED light: perfect for electronics, toys with battery covers and anywhere a chunky driver won't fit.
What owners say: Owners find it excellent and reliable, especially for small, fiddly jobs, and well worth the money.
A closer look: Keep it in the kitchen drawer for battery covers on toys and remotes: that's where a slim driver earns its place. Register it with WORX to get the three-year warranty.
- Up to 5Nm, 3 torque settings
- Dual LED light
- 24 bits plus magnetic holder
- USB charging
- 3-year warranty when registered
Best for: Electronics and toys
- Torque
- 5Nm
- Battery and charging
- USB charging
- Bits
- 24
- LED light
- Yes
#4 of 5
Best budget
BLACK+DECKER 3.6V Rapid Screwdriver with Case (BCF611CK)
£20–£30 Price range
Fifteen minutes on the charger gives enough power for about a hundred screws, so it's ready even if it's been forgotten in a drawer for months.
What owners say: Owners find it does the job well for smaller tasks round the house, especially flat-pack, with a battery that charges quickly.
A closer look: Its small size gets into tight corners inside cupboards. For hard screws into wood, drill a small pilot hole first: small screwdrivers like this aren't made for driving long screws into bare timber.
- 5.5Nm torque
- Rapid charge: about 100 screws after 15 minutes
- LED work light
- Bits and storage case
- 2-year warranty
Best for: Everyday household jobs
- Torque
- 5.5Nm
- Battery and charging
- USB rapid charger
- Bits
- Bit set in case
- LED light
- Yes
#5 of 5
MQFORU 3.6V Cordless Screwdriver Kit (47 accessories)
£10–£20 Price range
The handle folds from straight to pistol-grip, and there are 47 bits and accessories in the case, so it covers most household jobs for very little money.
What owners say: Owners find it useful for basic household jobs, like its compact size and case, and appreciate the range of bits.
Heads up: At 3Nm it's the gentlest here, so it's best for light jobs like flat-pack, plug sockets and battery covers.
A closer look: Use the pistol-grip position when you need to push hard into a screw, and the straight position for reaching into narrow gaps.
- Handle folds straight or pistol-grip
- 47 bits and accessories
- LED light
- USB charging
- Forward and reverse
Best for: Light jobs on a budget
- Torque
- 3Nm
- Battery and charging
- USB charging
- Bits
- 47 accessories
- LED light
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Bosch IXO 7 | #2HOTO | #3WORX WX240 | #4BLACK+DECKER BCF611 | #5MQFORU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Most stylish | Best for small jobs | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Price | £30–£50 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £54.99 RRP | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Torque | 5.5Nm | Up to 4Nm (8Nm by hand) | 5Nm | 5.5Nm | 3Nm |
| Battery and charging | 2.0Ah, micro-USB charging | 1500mAh, USB-C | USB charging | USB rapid charger | USB charging |
| Bits | 10 + angle attachment | 12 | 24 | Bit set in case | 47 accessories |
| LED light | 360° light ring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Flat-pack and odd jobs | A smart present | Electronics and toys | Everyday household jobs | Light jobs on a budget |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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