Best for Swedish Furniture: BLACK+DECKER 4V MAX Cordless Screwdriver with LED Light

If you’ve been tasked with assembling a purchase from a certain famous furniture store that sells Swedish meatballs, this would be the cordless screwdriver set we would recommend: Black and Decker’s model BDCSFL20C. 

We tried out several sets before deciding this lightweight model is the best bet for small jobs. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Built-in flashlight is helpful.

• Handle angle is adjustable, allowing you to reach tough spots.

• Lightweight.

• Good for small jobs.

• Grip is comfy.

What Needs Work

• No indicator to show it is fully charged.

• No storage compartment for bits.

• Not powerful enough for some jobs. In that case, we would recommend this next pick for more power.

Best Tried & True Brand: DEWALT 8V MAX Cordless Screwdriver

If you prefer to go with a name brand and need a bit more power for the job, our pick would be Dewalt. Yes, it weighs a bit more (2 lbs.), but the extra power from the 8 volt motor makes it very handy.

What We Liked

• Motion-activated gyroscopic screwdriver. To turn it in the direction you need, just turn your wrist in that motion—the screwdriver will then turn that way! Very cool in the real world.

• Takes just an hour to charge.

• Bit changes are easy.

What Needs Work

• Heavy. 

• Learning curve. To get used to the gyroscope feature, you have to practice a bit.

• Pricey.

• No bits are included. You can use bits from another Dewalt tool you may already own, but those bits will need to have a grooved shank to lock into this screwdriver.

Best For First Apartment: SKIL Rechargeable 4V Cordless Screwdriver 

If you are moving into your first apartment or house, a compact cordless screwdriver is a good place to start. This model, a 4 volt model by SKIL, would make an excellent housewarming gift. And it is easy on the wallet. 

What We Liked

• Love the locking bit holder!

• Dual LED light.

• Lightweight.

• Compact.

What Needs Work

• Micro USB cord to charge doesn’t include a charging cube.

• Weak four volt motor won’t do much besides light-duty jobs. Still, we think this is good for a first apartment or dorm room.

• We wish the unit was magnetic to better keep bits in place.

Best Variety of Bits: Enertwist Cordless Screwdriver

Most cordless screwdriver sets come with a limited number of bits (some have no bits at all). However, this set (by Enertwist) tops them all with an impressive 82 bits.

Why would you need 82 different bits? Well, if you are a computer or electronic hobbyist, you know that some projects will have need a star or hex-shaped bit. The more obscure the project, the more likely a funky bit will be needed. This set will probably have what you need.

What We Liked

• 82 bits, including star and square shapes.

• Nice storage case.

• LED light.

• Good weight (1.13 lbs.)—not the lightest, but not the heaviest weight screwdriver we tested!

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• No variable speed. When you get to more specialized projects, having a variable speed screwdriver is helpful—this model does not have that feature.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!