Rating of the best cordless screwdrivers

The previous generation of «green» hobby screwdrivers IXO 5 managed to get almost a cult status: it was a reliable, convenient and multifunctional tool. But time does not stand still, and the old screwdriver was replaced by a new model, which radically (though controversially) changed in appearance — IXO 6. The performance of IXO 6 Color Edition looks especially controversial — with this pink color and such shapes, the screwdriver looks more like … so to speak, product «for adults», albeit received an iF Design Award.

What are the differences? In addition to design, there are few of them, in fact. The battery retained the same capacity of 1.5 Ah, but its charging speed was increased by one and a half times. In addition, if for IXO 5 charging via microUSB was uncontested, which caused some criticism (because this connector does not differ in longevity), now it can only be used as a “road” option to quickly recharge the instrument – ​​and this is enough for it buy a special docking station (catalog number for ordering — 1.600.A01.PW2). Well, here Bosch retains its role — for IXO 5, for IXO 6 there is simply a huge number of accessories, up to a blower for igniting barbecues, a wine corkscrew and so on. And the «six» is fully compatible with accessories for the «five».

There are two ready-made configurations: Classic, where there is only a hard case, charging and a set of bits, and Set, where the case is replaced by a soft case, and an eccentric and angled nozzle are added. Bits are traditionally weak: even the manufacturer himself calls them an “entry-level” product. So they need to be changed immediately. In general, from the personal point of view of the author, the old IXO 5 was much more successful.

A transformer screwdriver with a folding handle is light, easy to use and at the same time develops a decent 4 Newton meters of torque. The built-in battery for one and a half ampere-hours is a classic solution for this type of cordless screwdrivers, a USB connector is used for charging.

The controls are a bit atypical — there is no “trigger” or a button for the index finger, instead of them there are two buttons that appear behind the handle in the “pistol” mode. One includes right turns, the second — left. It does not look very good, but in practice you get used to the controls quickly.

An electric screwdriver is supplied in a good case, and richly equipped — 81 nozzles are included. The quality of the bits is not bad, you can work with them (well, at least, taking into account the limited torque of the screwdriver — a powerful screwdriver can “lick” them). In general, for such a price, the purchase option is good.

That’s what the already well-known Chinese brand can do, so it’s «get into the right place.» In fact, if an inexpensive cordless screwdriver is bought for episodic work (and at the same time, as is always the case with Xiaomi, it is understood that the owner has both his head and hands in place), then we immediately get an inexpensive and convenient screwdriver with a pistol grip, having rubber pads, and the classic intuitive «screwdriver» control, and the possibility of a simple upgrade. In what? The screwdriver uses a built-in lithium-ion cell of a standard size 18650 for the declared 1500 mAh for power, and with minimal skills (which people who buy Xiaomi equipment are the cheapest on you know which Chinese site is not critical at all due to the lack of a guarantee in fact) it can be replaced at least with the same famous «chocolate» from LG with twice the capacity — and even according to the author’s personal experience, such an inexpensive upgrade justifies itself by several hundred percent.

The screwdriver develops quite honest 5 N * m on its spindle on a freshly charged battery, but with charging it came out with understandable seams: on the one hand, the use of the microUSB port allows you to recharge it literally even at bus stops already through a telephone cable, but this connector itself is not reliable. In fact, the optimum between the concepts of “reliability” and “versatility” is now the type-C port (for which budget smartphones are already being made), more durable and symmetrical. And, moreover, type-C is also used by much more “amateur” Xiaomi screwdrivers (of course, it is clear that many Chinese factories work under this brand, but …).

This cordless screwdriver, although weighty (0.7 kg), is inferior to the Bosch ones in terms of characteristics — both the battery capacity is only 1300 mAh and the torque is only 4 N*m. On the other hand, it is already at a level where it is easy to let it be bought simply on the principle of “whatever it is”.

The torque regulator here is of a screwdriver type — a ring in the spindle area, which allows you to set the moment the ratchet is triggered or block it in drilling mode. A useful feature is the ability to rotate the handle relative to the body, and the axis of rotation is shifted relative to the spindle by 45 degrees, that is, after turning the handle from a pistol turns into a straight one.

Unfortunately, the screwdriver is charged not via USB, but from an adapter with a coaxial plug, so it will not work to “feed pasture” from a power bank or charging a mobile phone. Yes, and it comes in an extremely Spartan form — not just a case, but also a cardboard package, the manufacturer regretted it by sealing it in a plastic blister.

“The plastic world has won,” Yegor Letov involuntarily starts up in his head when this screwdriver falls into his hands. Extremely cheap, packed in a simple blister, it nevertheless promises us up to 5 Newton meters of torque on the spindle. You can also find a case version with a set of attachments, including both bits and heads, and even a “festive” blister of army-camouflage design “for February 23”.

However, we are more interested in the “stuffing”. So, let’s go point by point: a built-in 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery in the handle, next to it is a lens LED flashlight at the end and a simple electronics board. The screwdriver is charged from a power supply unit with a coaxial DC connector, no USB. The handle is swivel, but its locking mechanism is frankly weak. And the gearbox with a torque limiter ratchet, even according to the spare parts catalog, comes as a separate unit, so you can’t buy the “ended” gears separately, and the repair will cost comparable to the screwdriver itself in the blister package. The battery here is also not the best, but since it is a standard 18650 size, it is not difficult to replace it with a better and more capacious one.

In general, this tool is from the series “gift for a holiday” or “occasionally use”. As an option, sometimes turning the screws-screws «Interskol» is quite suitable, but for frequent use, especially under relatively large loads, it is worth choosing a more serious screwdriver.

One of the traditional reasons for rating downgrades in Price Expert is attempts at mimicry. This is where Denzel failed: from afar, it seems that the CSL-3.6-02 cordless screwdriver has an aluminum gearbox, but when you look closely, you can see that it is just silver-colored plastic, and not very precise casting. Although it is strange to expect otherwise from a cheap Chinese screwdriver, sold in a blister almost “without anything”.

The grip here is traditionally a pistol grip, the screwdriver itself weighs 500 grams. The single cell lithium-ion battery has a nominal capacity of 1300 mAh, providing the motor with up to 4 Nm of torque on a full charge. Landing bits — standard, a quarter of an inch.

The package bundle is not rich: a charger with a DC jack, six bits (two flat, 3 and 4 mm, Philips PH1 and PH2, Pozidriv PZ1 and PZ2). The LED backlight is of little use — one diode at the bottom of the «false gear», which is interfered with by the spindle itself with bits. But the ability to turn the handle 180 degrees can be useful: for this you need to press just one button at the top of the case, next to the LED battery level indicator. Spindle lock — automatic, when the power button is released.

In their desire to embrace the immensity, the Chinese decided to get into the segment of «quite a screwdriver» — that is, with a straight handle and a compact motor, almost under the «hour» bits. Although in the kit “Philips” cross bits go up to PH3, “torxes” — up to T25, hexagons — up to 6 mm, and here, in general, more serious screwdrivers are needed, and, as it were, no longer a screwdriver. The declared maximum torque is up to 4 N * m, the capacity of the built-in battery is 1500 mAh (we will definitely leave this behind the scenes, “Chinese” milliamp-hours are like “Chinese” watts on speakers from the radio market).

In fact, this compact and well-fitting mini-screwdriver will be convenient, oddly enough, not when working with the very “clock” bits when disassembling and assembling laptops and smartphones, but rather when repairing personal computers: its torque for small self-tapping screws that are screwed into plastic, it is already too big, while with a standard PH2 for unscrewing and screwing in case screws, it is just right. Just computer wizards will also appreciate the fact that the screwdriver is charged through the “must-have” type-C connector, which has already become the standard for more or less modern motherboards and cases on the remote panel.

A screwdriver is supplied in a metal case-tube, which also serves as a socket for complete bits surrounding the screwdriver inserted into it — quite a convenient «exit» option. The design provides ring LED lighting around the spindle.

So, the author’s verdict: he would be happy to sort out a computer for her, especially in a midi-Tower case and higher, with an ATX standard «mother» and an abundance of drives and interface cards. But other applications are not particularly seen by her, to be honest.

The AEG cordless screwdriver outperforms the Makita in terms of price, but loses in ergonomics: the rotary round handle, to be honest, is not particularly impressive in terms of comfort in both positions. In addition, the battery here, with the same declared capacity, sits down faster, although the maximum torque of the AEG is less than one and a half newton meters. True, it’s not a big problem with batteries — an ordinary high-current 18650 is hidden inside the plastic case, so it’s not difficult to repair a failed battery and “tuning” an original battery to an increased capacity if you have elementary skills.

The most unpleasant thing about this screwdriver, which immediately caused concern, is its handle, it creaks under load and has a noticeable backlash. This spoils the overall impression very much, and it’s scary to make a big effort on it. The result is a paradox: it seems that we have a two-speed screwdriver with a heavy gear and not the smallest torque, but it is better to use it for easier work — why not take the same Bosch IXO 5 then?

Our review of the best cordless screwdrivers ZUBR OSH-7.2 N continues. Here, as always, the Chinese have done their best: the screwdriver looks literally like a small screwdriver, having a torque adjustment ratchet with a locked position “for drilling” (15 + 1), and very grippy ergonomic handle. However, a two-cell 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery is built in here, so when it is discharged, you will have to set the screwdriver aside — and for a sufficiently powerful model that provides up to 10 N * m in «hard» mode and up to 5 N * m in “soft” (because the primary gearbox is two-speed), this is not good. Ideally, there should have already been a quick-change cartridge with batteries and a corresponding charger.

Chuck — for standard bits «quarter of an inch», with a mechanical lock. It is surrounded by a diffuser of LED backlighting at the back: it is not a full-fledged “ring”, but for this money, in principle, it is better than a regular dot. There are ten bits in the set: flat, Philips and Pozidriv “crosses”, 4 and 5 mm hexagons. Considering that a screwdriver is supplied in a good plastic case, it is not difficult to supplement the kit “for yourself”.