The best electric screwdrivers of 2023: Expert tested and reviewed

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Electric screwdrivers are an essential part of my toolbox, not only speeding up jobs, but also allowing me to get better control over how much pressure I apply to fasteners.

I have several electric screwdrivers that I use regularly, ranging from heavy-duty screwdrivers aimed at big construction jobs to small electric precision screwdrivers to handle the smallest jobs.

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I went hands-on with several of the top electric screwdrivers on the market, putting them through difficult, real-world testing to assess their power, durability, battery life, and value for the money. My pick for the best electric screwdriver overall is the Lifegoo Mini Electric Screwdriver, thanks to its long battery life, compact form, and USB-C charging. Read on for the rest of my tested picks for the best, toughest, most reliable electric screwdrivers currently available.

Lifegoo Mini Electric Screwdriver specs: Rotation speed: 200 rev/min | Battery type: 3.7V 350mAh lithium battery | Torque: 0.25~0.35Nm electric/3Nm manual

The Lifegoo Mini Electric Screwdriver is compact and lightweight, making it perfect to use in confined spaces.

The torque (the power it outputs) is a reasonable 0.25-0.35Nm, which is enough to snug up a fastener, but not enough to mangle anything. If you want to tighten a fastener up more, the screwdriver allows you to manually take the force up to 3Nm, which is a decent amount of "hand tight" force.

Along with the screwdriver, you also get a 48-piece precision bit set, which come in regular and extra-long, with the long ones being perfect for deeply recessed screws.

Review: Lifegoo rechargeable mini electric screwdriver

HOTO electric screwdriver specs: Rotation speed: 220 rev/min | Battery type: 3.7V 150mAh lithium battery | Torque: 0.25~3.0Nm electric/3Nm manual

This HOTO electric screwdriver has a very robust, heavy-duty feel to it. On the one end of this superb screwdriver is a standard 1/4-inch socket that takes the various bits, and behind that is a rotary knob that switches the screwdriver off and on, and also switches between three torque settings.

There's also a circular LED shadowless lamp, so you can see what you're doing, which is a nice touch because it means you don't have to wrangle a flashlight while you use the screwdriver.

On the other end of the screwdriver, there's a USB-C port for charging the unit -- another neat feature because it does away with the need for any proprietary charger.

Review: HOTO electric screwdriver

Bosch GO screwdriver specs: Rotation speed: 360 rev/min | Battery type: 3.6V 1,500mAh lithium battery | Torque: 2.5~5.0Nm electric

The Bosch Go looks like a chunky screwdriver, but despite the bulk, it's actually very ergonomic and fits into the hand well. The rubberized elastomer coating does a good job of making it comfortable to hold for extended periods.

There are two controls -- a three-way slider and a button. The slider controls have a fasten, lock, and unfasten position, while the button activates the screwdriver.

In addition to pressing the button, you can also activate the screwdriver by pressing the screwdriver itself down firmly, which, while it does take a little practice to get used to, is very convenient once you've built the muscle memory.

The head of the screwdriver rotates to control the torque, offering five torque settings, ranging from soft to max.

Review: Bosch GO

DeWalt 20V MAX XR impact driver specs: Rotation speed: 3250 rev/min | Battery type: 20V, from 1.5Ah to 5Ah lithium battery | Torque: up to 190Nm

OK, we're now into the realm of heavy duty electric screwdrivers.

Rather than relying on pure turning power, the DeWalt 20V MAX XR in an impact drive, which means it can rattle stubborn fasteners apart, allowing it to apply much more power than a regular screwdriver. In fact, this one is perfect for not only screws but also nuts and bolts, and I've even used mine to undo car wheel nuts.

It has a three-speed impact driver featuring a powerful brushless motor that delivers 1,825 in-lbs. of max torque to drive large diameter screws. The built-in LEDs help to illuminate dimly lit workspaces.

Bottom line: it depends. And primarily what it depends on is, how much power do you need? I find myself using the precision electric screwdriver mostly for electronic repairs, the big impact driver for bigger construction and automotive jobs, and the others for those in-between jobs.

So ultimately, what I've done here is pick the best of the best in each category, and it's now up to you to decide how many electric screwdrivers you have space for in your life.

Me, I need them all.

Price

Charger

Torque

Replaceable battery

Bits included

Built-in LED light

Lifegoo electric screw

47

USB-C

Low

No

Yes, 48

Yes

HOTO electric screwdriver

35

USB-C

Medium

No

Yes, 12

Yes

Bosch GO electric screwdriver

89

microUSB

Medium to high

No

Yes, 2

No

DeWalt 20V MAX XR impact driver

98

Proprietary

High power

Yes

No

Yes

Choose this electric screwdriver if…

You want/need…

Lifegoo electric screwdriver

A low-power, precision screwdriver for fine work. If you spend your time fixing electronic gadgets, this is the screwdriver for you.

HOTO electric screwdriver

An electric screwdriver with a bit more power. This is best suited to general DIY use.

Bosch GO electric screwdriver

A more professional electric screwdriver, with more advanced safety features. If you are a tradesperson and use your tools daily, this is a good pick because it will withstand heavy daily use.

DeWalt 20V MAX XR impact driver

This one is all about power. Just at home doing up or undoing rust nuts and bolts as it is screws, this is perfect for those heavy, stubborn jobs.

Regular electric screwdrivers max out at about the same power that you could deliver by hand, and that's because the limiting factor is how tightly you can grip the screwdriver.

The impact driver, because of its different shape and the fact that it uses an impacting hammer action to work the fastener, is capable of more power.

No, none of these tools are rated for high voltage. Make sure the power is off before you start working, and if in doubt, enlist the help of a professional.

Not any more than if you misuse a regular screwdriver. Although if you are new to electric screwdrivers I recommend you practice with the tool before using it to do real-world jobs.

Here are a couple of alternative electric screwdrivers worth considering. Both of these are perfect for someone who does a bit of DIY every so often -- maybe assembling flat-packed furniture or putting up shelves -- but would rather use battery power as opposed to muscle power.

Not sure if you want a straight or standard grip cordless electric screwdriver? This compact electric screwdriver can adjust into either based on your project. It's also powerful and easy to grip, and has a long battery life.

At under $15, this electric screwdriver is perfect for occasional use.