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A little more torque, a little more action with the best electric screwdriver for light DIY

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For flatpack construction, cupboard work and, in fact, anything other than screwing into masonry or in very tight spaces, nothing beats the best electric screwdriver. Real burly builder fellas would tell you they'd never be seen dead holding an electric screwdriver, but we beg to differ. With the best electric screwdrivers you can do away with RSI and make mincemeat out of simple screwing jobs. They get into tighter spaces than drill drivers, and are easier on the wrist than manual ones.

Do you need an electric screwdriver? Even if you own one of the best cordless drills, our verdict is a resounding 'yes!' That's because there are plenty of jobs where a drill won't fit, and plenty more where getting the drill out is more effort than it's worth.

The truth is, manually screwing into timber, plaster and flatpack furniture can be a killer on the arms. Manual screwdrivers get dropped into infinite chasms behind furniture, drills are too unwieldy, and expletives tumble like rabbits down a slide, out of tired mouths. An electric screwdriver offers relief to regular handy folk and the best ones feature gun-like barrels to hold myriad screwdriver bits, meaning no more fumbling over the correct 'driver for the job.

So, sure, an electric screwdriver might get you laughed off the building site. But give any of those wolf-whistling types an Ikea Billy Bookcase to assemble and they’ll soon be begging for the mechanical assistance an electric screwdriver can offer…

You'll find some great deals on the best electric screwdrivers on July 12-13 with something to suit all budgets, find out more at our Best Amazon Prime Day deals hub.

The IXO line of electric screwdrivers must be among the best-selling tools in Britain, and rightly so. With the IXO 6, Bosch has made some very useful improvements, while keeping the compact size and convenience that has always made IXOs such fun to use. 

So, the direction switch is now out of the way, and involves pushing a switch backwards and forwards  – it used to be a side-to-side switch, mounted right by the trigger, which was crazy design. You also now have speed control via said trigger – pull lightly for a slow start, then accelerate by pressing the trigger fully down.

With small size yet enough power for most DIY and maintenance tasks, IXO 6 is a great buy. Add the optional attachments that let you screw at an angle in confined spaces and it's even more useful. We're not so sold on the attachments that turn it into a corkscrew and barbecue blower, though.

Older IXO models: you’ll find that our price widget may take you to older IXOs, or is it IXII? If they‘re notably cheaper, these are well worth considering. Yes, the direction switch is stupidly positioned and there’s no variable speed, but other than that IXO 5 and IXO 4 are essentially the same, splendidly reliable tool. You can clearly tell from the retailers’ photos if it’s a 6 or not; the look is very different from previous models.  

• Read our full IXO 6 review

First up, for the avoidance of confusion, Hitachi power tools are now known as Hikoki. No, I don't know why. Straight out of the box, this Hikoki model feels like a more professional offering than its rivals here. Its dual Lithium-ion batteries scream of a tool that has been built to withstand the demands of regular use, while the design doesn't make any attempt whatsoever to look stylish or cool.

Key features include the adjustable handle for straight or pistol-like grip, the quick lock hex bit holder (that fits most standard screw bits) for rapid bit changes and a lock-off switch that prevents unintentional starting.

With a 5Nm torque output, it's powerful enough to take on stubborn timber and masonry job, while it can handle some very basic drilling tasks, should you have the correct bit. All in all, it's a much tougher, more solid proposition than most on the list and one that should last a lifetime.  The only issue we have with it is that it keeps going off sale. 

Where other bulky electric screwdrivers tend to come unstuck when tackling particularly fiddly tasks, this forward thinking model from Worx incorporates a neat extending shaft for trickier spots.

An an LED lamp for illuminating those tight spaces and an auto spindle lock for manually applying torque and you have a textbook cheap screwdriver. The latter feature is admittedly largely welcome because the 3Nm motor isn't exactly scarily powerful.

As with much of the Ryobi range, this small cordless screwdriver is both robust and mightily powerful without breaking the bank.

The pack comes with 10 different 25mm screwdriving bits and a durable storage case, while the driver itself features a grip that's specially moulded for comfort and a long-life Lithium-ion battery pack.

Said pack does take a while to charge but then, Ryobi's batteries are excellent and seem to hold their charge much better than rivals.

Not everyone is looking for maximum torque and the ability to drive screws into notoriously difficult surfaces. For those with more sedate screwing in mind, there's this more traditional, highly affordable offering from Black & Decker.

It appears like a standard manual screwdriver but a small motor and rotating head unit sees it take the strain out of more irksome driving jobs.

It's no way near as powerful as some of the others mentioned here of course, and will come unstuck when tackling bigger DIY jobs. But for taking on flat-pack tasks and simple screwing jobs, it's a bargain

The need to keep rooting around in your toolbox to find the right screwdriver is largely negated with this James Bond-esque DIY wonder gizmo.

Inside the barrel of this electric driver sit no fewer than 12 different, commonly used bits, which can easily be selected with a twist of the barrel. The unit also features a front-facing light, for illuminating the job in hand, a battery status indicator and an automatic spindle lock for manually apply torque to stubborn screws.

There's a screw bit for pretty much every occasion, including an Ikea-friendly Allen key, while the Lithium-ion batteries are guaranteed to be good for at least 90 standard screw jobs before it requires recharging.

For something that seemingly tackles a relatively simple job, prices of the humble electric screwdriver vary wildly according to brand cache, build quality and performance. It's possible to pick something up for as little as £10 from some online outlets, but we'd suggest avoiding the really budget stuff, as the screw bits tend to break or round screws, the torque output generally isn't enough to tackle most jobs and the batteries don't last.

Seeing as the electric screwdriver is a handy cordless addition to any toolbox, battery life is pretty important. Instead, spend a bit more and get something with Lithium-ion batteries and a motor that puts out at least 3Nm of torque, which should be enough to tackle even the most demanding flat-pack jobs.

Leon has been writing about automotive and consumer tech for longer than he cares to divulge. When he’s not testing the latest fitness wearable and action camera, he’s out in a shed fawning over his motorcycles or trying not to kill himself on a mountain bike/surfboard/other extreme thing. He's also a man who knows his tools, and he's provided much of T3's drills coverage, all without injuring himself. He's now the editor of The Gear Loop, where he gets to try even more rugged and adventurous kit.

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