Are you wondering which electric screwdriver is worth buying? What is it that you need to pay attention to, and what features should it have? Let’s take a detailed look at the different options and what each one offers, so you can end up with the best one for your needs.

Type

Initially, an electric screwdriver can perform tasks that are difficult to carry out with a simple screwdriver and require a lot of strength and effort from the user. More specifically, with such a tool you can screw and unscrew screws in all kinds of materials, from the softest to the hardest, or drill holes in a wall, wood, or anywhere else, depending on the power of the screwdriver.

What types of electric screwdrivers are there, though?

Electric screwdrivers, depending on whether they are intended for simple amateur use or more demanding and specific professional tasks, are divided into 3 main categories:

Screwdriver

This is the simplest type of electric screwdriver, suitable for screwing and unscrewing in simple everyday tasks, such as furniture assembly.

Ideal for amateur DIYers who experiment with various tasks around the home.

Impact Driver

An impact driver is suitable for fast screwing - unscrewing in more demanding jobs, even in the hardest construction materials (cement, metals, etc.).

Ideal for professionals who work, for example, with window frame construction, assembly and repair of cabinets, and other demanding construction tasks.

Drywall Screwdriver

This type is suitable for work on drywall. The screw stops at the right point so it does not penetrate the surface being worked on.

Ideal for professionals involved in installing drywall and suspended ceilings.

Wireless or Wired?

Connectivity is also an important parameter to consider when making your choice. 

• An electric battery screwdriver can operate with rechargeable batteries, offering convenience and comfort due to its portability. It is a great alternative for quick and short to medium duration tasks, which usually take place in locations with limited or no access to a power source (e.g. socket). 

Prefer it for daily use at home or more professionally if your job involves continuous movement, e.g.: electrician, builder, etc.

• On the other hand, an electric mains screwdriver operates directly with electric power, providing continuous and stable power. This is a tool suitable for more demanding tasks with a high need for precision and efficiency. However, the fact that it has a cable makes it restrictive in terms of space usage.  

Prefer it professionally in a workshop or on projects, where stability and precision in results are required.

Battery

The battery in a cordless electric screwdriver is one of the most important criteria for choosing the one that suits your needs. What should you pay attention to? The tool’s runtime, meaning how long it can operate continuously on a full charge, as well as the charging time. These characteristics depend directly on parameters such as the battery’s voltage and capacity, and can be affected by use.

Voltage

Battery voltage is measured in Volt and indicates the power that the electric screwdriver can exert on a material. The higher the voltage, the more energy the device can deliver. This makes it ideal for use in heavier and more demanding jobs.

• There are electric screwdrivers with 18V voltage, and they make up the majority. This is a value that can provide enough power for both amateur and professional use, and they are intended for medium-sized as well as more demanding tasks. For example, drilling into hard materials and screwing/unscrewing larger screws.
• Electric screwdrivers with voltage up to 18V are ideal for everyday use and small tasks, such as furniture assembly or other similar jobs around the home.
• While electric screwdrivers with 18V and above are more limited and are useful for more demanding professionals who screw and unscrew even in the hardest construction materials.

Capacity

Battery capacity, expressed in ampere-hours (Ah), shows how much runtime the cordless electric screwdriver can have and affects the battery’s charging time. The higher the value of a battery, the longer it can keep operating between two charges.

• A battery with a capacity of 1.5 - 2Ah is suitable for basic tasks and less frequent use, while a battery with a capacity of 2 - 3Ah is more useful for everyday use and for those who use the electric screwdriver more often.
• Electric screwdrivers with long-lasting batteries (3Ah and above) are rarer and are intended for semi-professional and professional use, in very demanding projects that require long runtime.

Runtime & charging time

Indicatively, for amateur use at home, an electric screwdriver with a runtime of 1-2 hours (1.5 - 2Ah battery) and a corresponding charging time (1-2 hours) is ideal and can handle the majority of tasks. In such cases, because use is most often limited to just a few minutes and a lot of time may pass between uses, an electric screwdriver that can keep the battery at the same level for a long time and does not need recharging is recommended.

On the other hand, professional tasks require a tool with a battery runtime of 4-6 hours (at least a 3 - 5Ah battery), as well as a fast charging time. Many electric screwdrivers for professional use can charge in as little as half an hour or one hour. This significantly increases productivity.

An alternative solution for continuous operation, with no interruptions at all, are electric screwdrivers with extra batteries.

Avoid solo electric screwdrivers, because you will need to purchase the batteries separately.

Speed & Torque

Two very important technical features that it is good to know what they contribute to an electric screwdriver and which values are recommended for different uses are the following:

Speed

The speed of an electric screwdriver has to do with how fast it rotates and performs different tasks. It is measured in rpm and the higher it is, the tool can be used on softer materials and small tasks. High values (> 1500 rpm) are usually found in drywall screwdrivers, which are used for screwing into soft materials, such as wood or drywall. While, lower speed can be useful on hard surfaces, such as cement, where more control is required. Such values (800 - 1500 rpm) are more common in impact screwdrivers. As for household use, even lower values are required (small tasks: 200 - 400 rpm, medium-sized tasks: 400-800 rpm).

Torque

The torque of an electric screwdriver refers to the rotational force that the device can exert and is measured in Nm. In contrast to speed, higher torque values (68 Nm and above) are recommended for heavier tasks, performed by an impact screwdriver. While, moderate (34 - 68 Nm) to low (22 - 34 Nm) make the electric screwdriver an ideal choice for everyday and general use. 

The speed adjustment, as well as the torque adjustment allow the selection of the corresponding values, which makes a screwdriver suitable for carrying out more and different tasks, depending on the needs.

Ergonomics & comfort

An ergonomically designed electric screwdriver can feel more user-friendly and make even demanding tasks very easy and accessible to carry out. What are the features that make a tool easy to use?

Weight

The weight of an electric screwdriver plays an important role during use. Lighter tools are easier to use for longer periods without tiring the user. Such tools can weigh up to 1.5 kilos. However, usually the more powerful electric screwdrivers used for professional use weigh a little more.

Handle

The ease of use and flexibility offered by an electric screwdriver also depends on the design of the handle. An ergonomic handle with anti-slip material and adjustability offers better control and more precise movements.

Carrying case

An electric screwdriver with carrying case can be stored easily and taken anywhere. This gives you the ability to keep your space tidy and carry it with you wherever you go. The case can be very useful for professionals who travel often because of the nature of their work, such as an electrician, as well as for hobbyists for easy transport from home to the holiday house.

Extra Efficiency

For highly demanding tasks, you need an electric screwdriver with maximum performance and longer durability.

You can choose a brushless electric screwdriver with a motor without brushes, which produces less heat and friction. This way, the motor is not subject to such high wear, while the battery lasts much longer. It is a good choice for professionals who need increased performance and accuracy in their results.

Furthermore, there is the option of a impact electric screwdriver, which provides high power to easily and quickly complete even the most demanding projects. Such a screwdriver is an essential tool for anyone frequently working with hard materials such as concrete, bricks, and stone.

Hobby or professional use?

In order to decide what features the electric screwdriver you will buy should have, you need to answer the question above.

So, if you are an enthusiastic DIYer and you like using tools to make everything inside and outside the house, then a lightweight cordless electric screwdriver with 1-2 hours of battery life, high speed, and medium torque is just right for you. And if you need it for more than one job and repair, such as drilling into wood and screwing into a wall, the interchangeable heads are what you are looking for.

If, on the other hand, you are a professional with demanding requirements for more difficult tasks, then you need a more stable and compact device, such as a corded electric screwdriver or a cordless one with long battery life and fast recharging. Alternatively, an impact electric screwdriver is an even better choice if you want precise and fast results.

You can also take a look at the guide to the best electric screwdrivers on the market, where you will find the best options based on user feedback, for both hobbyists and professionals.