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After a new round of testing, we’ve added the Klein Tools 32305 15-in-1 Multi-bit Ratcheting Screwdriver as a budget pick. Automatic Fastening Screw Machine
A screwdriver is the single most essential tool for minor home repairs. It’s the ultimate kitchen-drawer tool, and it can help with loose hinges, toy batteries, and wobbly door handles, all on the fly.
To get the most out of a screwdriver, you need one with a good bit selection. Other pluses include a comfortable-to-hold handle and nice ratcheting action. In 10 years of researching and testing screwdrivers, we’ve found that the Megapro 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver is the one tool that gets everything right.
Other screwdrivers may have additional features or a finer ratchet, but only the MegaPro combines solid ratcheting action, fantastic bit storage, a useful selection of bits, and an oddly comfortable handle. This is also one of Wirecutter’s longest-standing picks: We’ve been recommending it since we started writing about screwdrivers, way back in 2013.
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
In side-by-side tests, the Channellock and Megapro performed identically. Other than the color, they’re exactly the same tools. Get whichever costs less.
Nearly identical to our main pick, this automotive version takes universal 1-inch bits. But it typically costs a little more, and the bit selection isn’t as good.
This model is a lot like our main pick, but it’s not as comfortable to hold, and the ratchet toggle is more difficult to use.
Compared with our top pick, Megapro’s precision screwdriver has a similar handle, spinning cap, and bit storage. But it’s smaller, and the 24 bits can handle everything from tightening eye glasses to taking apart a computer.
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
In side-by-side tests, the Channellock and Megapro performed identically. Other than the color, they’re exactly the same tools. Get whichever costs less.
The Megapro 13-in-1 works as well at actual screwdriving as many other high-quality tools. What sets this model apart is the excellent bit storage, which makes it easy to find, store, swap—and never drop or lose—the tool’s six unusually tough double-sided bits. Those bits store in its handle, a comfortable rubberized grip with a unique feature: a free-spinning rear cap, which lets you turn the tool with one hand while using the other to press it into a screw (without the friction burning a fiery hole into your palm). Paying around $30 for a screwdriver may make your jaw drop, but in the eight years we’ve been recommending this model, we’ve received more positive feedback on it than just about any other Wirecutter pick. If you don’t lose it, this is probably the last screwdriver you’ll ever need to purchase.
We tested the Megapro 13-in-1 alongside the Channellock 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver, and they performed identically. Other than the color, they’re the same tool; Megapro confirmed to us that it manufactures the Channellock on a private-label basis. We recommend buying whichever tool is cheaper or easier for you to get.
Nearly identical to our main pick, this automotive version takes universal 1-inch bits. But it typically costs a little more, and the bit selection isn’t as good.
If the Megapro and Channellock 13-in-1 models are not available, we recommend the Megapro 211R1C36RD Ratcheting Automotive Screwdriver. In almost all ways, it’s identical to our pick, as it has the same handle, the same nice ratchet, and the same style of storage system. The difference is that it takes smaller, single-sided 1-inch bits, rather than the double-sided bits that our pick takes. It’s nice that these bits are more easily replaceable, but the initial selection that comes with the screwdriver isn’t as useful. This model is usually about $10 more expensive, too.
This model is a lot like our main pick, but it’s not as comfortable to hold, and the ratchet toggle is more difficult to use.
If you’re on a tighter budget, we like the Klein Tools 32305 15-in-1 Multi-bit Ratcheting Screwdriver. It has the same excellent bit storage as the MegaPro, but the handle isn’t as contoured, and the ratchet toggle has no texture to it, so it’s a little more difficult to use, especially one-handed. The positives are that it’s very durable, and we like the tough, rubbery sleeve around the handle. The Klein adds two bits to the selection found in our top pick, but they’re combo bits, usually found only in electrical applications. The storage is the same, though, so Klein assumes one set of bits will be stored in the tip of the screwdriver. Typically sold for around $20, this screwdriver is a great value.
Compared with our top pick, Megapro’s precision screwdriver has a similar handle, spinning cap, and bit storage. But it’s smaller, and the 24 bits can handle everything from tightening eye glasses to taking apart a computer.
Tinier screws and delicate projects require a smaller tool, and for that we recommend the Megapro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver. In many ways, this is the little sibling to our main pick, as it has the same smart bit storage and the spinning cap. The bit selection is also impressive, but it represents the smaller spectrum of sizes, including Apple’s pentalobe bit. It offers a teardrop handle similar to that of our main pick, as well as the comfort that goes with that shape. The rear cap spins much more freely, making delicate work easier. It doesn’t have a ratchet, but given the size of the screws it handles, we don’t think this is an issue. Among all the other precision screwdrivers we tested, none offer as much as the Megapro 24-in-1 in a single, compact, easy-to-use package. The only significant downside of this model is that it has trouble with recessed screws because of the way the replaceable bits fit into the stem. But for a general-use kitchen-drawer tool, this screwdriver makes a nice companion piece to the larger Megapro 13-in-1. We have more thoughts in our guide to precision screwdrivers.
I’m no stranger to screwdrivers. I spent more than a decade as a carpenter, foreman, and jobsite supervisor building high-end custom homes in the Boston area. I have also been writing about and reviewing tools since 2007. In addition, I take a very hands-on approach with my own 250-year-old farmhouse, and I fully gutted and rebuilt the last house I lived in. Just looking at the raw hours since I first picked up a tool in a professional manner, I’ve probably spent at least a year of my life with a screwdriver in my hand.
A screwdriver is the essential tool for minor home repairs. It's required for everything from changing the battery on a kid's toy to installing a smoke alarm to adjusting the loose handrail at the stairs. Good multi-bit drivers, like the kind we’re recommending, tend to run in the $20 to $40 range. This price may shock you, but our recommendation is for the long haul.
Bad screwdrivers can get the job done, but we think a better screwdriver justifies the added expense—not only is this one of the most commonly used tools in anyone’s collection, but it’s also immediately clear how much nicer a high-quality screwdriver is. You’ll work faster (using less effort), you’ll do less damage to the screwheads, and minor repairs and home projects will feel much more manageable. The screwdriver will also last longer.
The best all-around screwdriver for the toolbox or kitchen drawer should be a ratcheting, multi-bit screwdriver with easily accessible bit storage.
Ratcheting screwdrivers are faster and easier to use than regular screwdrivers. With a ratcheting screwdriver you can tighten or loosen a screw while your hand and the screw remain in contact with the tool they allow you to turn the screwdriver (handle and stem) one way, and then turn just the handle back to reposition and reset it, and then turn the handle and stem again. A toggle, usually up at the base of the stem, moves the ratcheting mechanism from clockwise to counterclockwise depending on whether you’re tightening or loosening a screw. Most also have a third position that locks the stem into place, making the tool behave like a traditional screwdriver.
Because there is no need to keep resetting the screwdriver in the screwhead or to release your hand from the tool, ratcheting screwdrivers work much faster than traditional screwdrivers. They’re also better in tight, awkward spaces, especially those where you can’t really see the screwhead, like at the back of a cabinet or on the underside of a table while tightening a leg.
Multi-bit: For the utmost convenience, a screwdriver should be able to accept multiple bits. Typical tasks such as minor home repairs and furniture assembly can require a wide array of bit shapes and sizes. Keeping a supply of individual screwdrivers for all of these uses gobbles up valuable space and leads to you owning tools that rarely get used.
We think there are at least 10 bit types you need in order to feel confident that you could tackle any task around the house. This includes a selection of Philips, slotted, square drive (Robertson), and Torx bits. With these in hand, nearly every screwdriving task in a home can be handled, from tightening a stair rail to installing a hook, to adjusting a lockset.
An added bonus of a multi-bit screwdriver is that the screwdriver tip without a bit in it can be used as a ¼-inch nut driver, a size found in electrical work and larger appliances, among many other places.
Convenient bit storage: For a multi-bit screwdriver to be successful, it needs to have effective onboard bit storage, especially considering the grab-and-go nature of the tool. the best storage systems allow you to quickly identify and access the bit you’re looking for.
Overall quality: A ratchet is a precision mechanism, and some companies do it better than others. Stuart Deutsch, editor of ToolGuyd told us that the ones to look for have “better materials and smoother, better fitting gearing.” He continued, “You can usually tell immediately how well a ratcheting screwdriver is made by holding the handle in one hand and turning the drive end with the other.” Better ratchets tend to have finer gears, which gives more control over the tool, especially in an area where space is limited and you may not be able to fully twist your hand.
We tested over 30 screwdrivers, using them to hang towel bars, tighten hinges, install toilet paper holders, make adjustments to radiator valves, tinker with pocket door hardware, and do some light electrical work. We assembled toys, adjusted cabinet doors, fixed a sagging gate, and hung some light fixtures. We put together prefab bookshelves, repaired a busted worklight, and installed three screen doors. Our list could go on, but it’s safe to say we used the tools on many things any moderately handy person would use them on, doing the little things that may need to be addressed in a home, condo, or apartment.
While doing all of this testing, we kept a close eye on each screwdriver’s handle comfort, the ease of its ratchet toggle, the convenience of the bit storage, and all of the other subtle features and details that separate the good from the bad.
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
In side-by-side tests, the Channellock and Megapro performed identically. Other than the color, they’re exactly the same tools. Get whichever costs less.
The Megapro 13-in-1 (and the identical Channellock 13-in-1) is the one screwdriver we found that does everything right. There are other tools that have additional features or a finer ratchet, but for the best combination of a solid ratcheting action, fantastic bit storage, a useful selection of bits, and an oddly comfortable handle, the Megapro 13-in-1 is the one to beat. It has been our pick since 2013, and has maintained this top spot after multiple rounds of new testing against over 20 screwdrivers.
The bit storage is exceptional and is one of the many areas where the tool stands apart from the pack. The butt end of the handle pops out and slides straight back revealing a stem surrounded by six bit holders, each of which houses a double-sided bit, sort of like a six-shooter. The carousel spins, and there is plenty of room around the bits to easily find the right one and remove it. Even though it extends out of the rear of the handle, the carousel itself has hardly any wobble to it and the bits stayed secure even when we dropped the tool, something we can’t say about many similar competitors.. When closed, the carousel mechanism holds tight, yet can be easily opened with one hand using the thumb and forefinger.
The rear cap spins independently from the rest of the body. With this feature, you can press the tool into the screw with your palm and still easily rotate the screwdriver with your other hand. This is particularly useful when dealing with partially stripped screws. Because the cap spins, the pressure from your palm won’t be fighting against the twist of the handle. Also, because your palm is pressing against a stationary piece instead of a twisting one, you won’t “rug-burn” a fiery hole into your palm.
The handle of the Megapro 13-in-1 is another high point. Even with the roomy storage capacity for the six bits (which really are 12 different driver tips), the comfort of the grip far exceeded that of any of the other screwdrivers, even those that cost more than twice as much. The teardrop shape tapers at the neck, providing a nice groove for the thumb and forefinger. The gripping area of the handle is mostly rubberized and has a series of nubs in it for better purchase. It’s a very comfortable design, and it felt natural no matter how we held it.
The ratcheting mechanism of the Megapro 13-in-1 has 28 teeth, which is about in the middle range of the screwdrivers we tested. Some had as low as 10 teeth, while most of the better ones had around 40, yet some had as many as 72. So the Megapro 13-in-1 may not have the subtlest most responsive ratchet, but it’s very quiet and we think the high-quality feel to it is undeniable. In all of our years using it, we’ve never had it slip once.
The Megapro 13-in-1 has a comprehensive bit selection. It comes with six double-headed driver bits, totaling 12 bits and should be able to handle just about every standard screwdriving task in a home. The 13th function is the ¼-inch hex end of the stem. This can be used for hex-headed screws like the kind you might find holding the rear panel of your washing machine or on a pipe band clamp.
The bits included with the Megapro 13-in-1:
It’s available in two versions. We found through our research that MegaPro also manufactures Channellock's 13-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver on a private-label basis. The two tools are identical except for the color pattern, with Channellock’s being more of a blue and red superhero combination. We recommend whichever is least expensive.
I’ve been using the same Megapro 13-in-1 for the past 13 years, four of which I spent in a construction site setting. It served as my main screwdriver through a full house gut and renovation, as well as a house move and the screwdriver-heavy tasks that are involved with getting settled into a new home.
After years of constant use, the tool still works great, and aside from a couple of paint splatters and a scratch here and there, the Megapro is exactly as it was when it came out of the packaging. I’m still using the original bits, which show zero deterioration. Even the Phillips #2, the most-used tip, has maintained its shape with no rounding over of the edges.
I’ve found that the success of the storage system makes it very difficult to lose a bit. With the convenient storage carousel of the 13-in-1, there is a spot for each one of the bits. A lot of screwdrivers use the screwdriver tip as one of the storage spaces, meaning that one of the bits is going to live in the tip of the screwdriver. This isn’t ideal because they’re more easily lost this way, for example, if you have to set a bit down somewhere to use the empty end of the tool as a nut driver.
Many of the screwdrivers we tested are compatible with standard 1-inch driver bits that magnetically sit in the end of the stem. These bits are widely available at hardware stores and home centers, and if one gets damaged, it can be replaced with minimal difficulty. The Megapro 13-in-1 uses double-sided bits with a spring-loaded ball bearing at the middle of the shaft to lock them into the stem, which are proprietary and distinct to the tool. We mentioned that the storage system makes it easy to avoid losing bits—but if that happens, there’s no question they’re more difficult to replace and more expensive. For what it’s worth, a commenter, Patrick, in ToolGuyd’s review claims that when he needed a replacement bit, he called Megapro “and they sent me a bit for free.”
Nearly identical to our main pick, this automotive version takes universal 1-inch bits. But it typically costs a little more, and the bit selection isn’t as good.
If the 13-In-1 and the Channellock are not available or if you feel strongly that you will eventually need a wider selection of bits, Megapro also offers the 211R1C36RD 13-in-1 Ratcheting Automotive Screwdriver. This is the same screwdriver as our main pick, but it’s compatible with 1-inch driver bits and not the double-sided ones like the 13-in-1. These smaller bits are not only easier to replace if lost, but also allow you to customize your bit selection. The tip of the screwdriver is also magnetic, so they won’t fall out during use, and the stem is just a little bit longer, but in all other ways it’s identical to our main pick.
This automotive version is designed for the mechanic, so the initial bit selection isn’t as well-rounded as our pick. It’s missing the smaller square drive and the #0 Phillips, replacing them with a wider selection of Torx sizes, which are less likely to be used in a home setting. We feel that most will be happier simply buying the 13-in-1 (our pick) knowing that it already comes with the best selection of bits. This automotive version also tends to be more expensive, typically costing over $40.
This model is a lot like our main pick, but it’s not as comfortable to hold, and the ratchet toggle is more difficult to use.
If you’re on a tighter budget, we also like the Klein Tools 32305 15-in-1 Multi-bit Ratcheting Screwdriver. This model shares a lot of characteristics with the MegaPro (enough that we suspect MegaPro manufactures it alongside the Channellock). It has the same excellent spinning bit carousel, double-sided bits, and nice ratcheting action. The Klein also has a very rugged, durable feel, which is not surprising, considering that Klein makes tools for professional electricians. The differences are that the Klein has a chunkier handle, and the ratchet toggle has no texture at all, so it’s more difficult to use. It’s especially tricky to use with damp fingers.
The Klein has two more bits than the MegaPro, adding a double-sided combination bit, a pattern useful for electrical work. The downside of the added bit is that the carousel still holds only six double-sided bits. So the Klein has one living in the screwdriver tip, something we don’t care for because that makes it easier to lose a bit.
These are not huge drawbacks. Although we prefer the MegaPro, the Klein is an excellent tool. And at around $20, it’s also a great value.
Compared with our top pick, Megapro’s precision screwdriver has a similar handle, spinning cap, and bit storage. But it’s smaller, and the 24 bits can handle everything from tightening eye glasses to taking apart a computer.
For dealing with smaller screws like those you’d find while tightening eyeglasses, replacing the battery on a laptop, or repairing a drone, we recommend the Megapro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver. Like the larger Megapro screwdrivers we recommend, this model offers an excellent combination of bits, ergonomics, and convenience features not found on the competition. The in-handle storage system is the same design and holds 12 double-sided bits that cover all the basics and then some, including Apple’s pentalobe bit. In use, the teardrop handle is comfortable and stylish (for a screwdriver), and the spinning cap moves with almost no resistance. The Megapro 24-in-1 is not a ratcheting screwdriver, but we didn’t miss that feature much considering the delicate nature of a precision screwdriver and the smooth action of this model’s spinning cap.
The downside of the Megapro 24-in-1 is that, like any multi-bit screwdriver, it has a thick stem to accept the bits. This means you can’t use it with deeply recessed screws—it can’t reach anything deeper than about a half inch. Although such conditions can arise, in our experience they’ve been few and far between in regular, day-to-day situations. The real solution for recessed screws is a set of individual precision screwdrivers, which have long, thin stems—but to get the overall functionality of the Megapro 24-in-1, you’d need 24 different screwdrivers.
For small screws on toys, thermostats, and sunglasses, get a precision screwdriver.
We dismissed the majority of the other screwdrivers we tested based on either their overall quality or how they managed bit storage. Note, too, that we’ve been testing screwdrivers for eight years, and many of those we’ve looked at are no longer available; this group includes models from Craftsman, DeWalt, Irwin, Kobalt, Milwaukee, and Stanley.
The Ideal 35-688 21-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver is another good-quality screwdriver that suffers from weak bit storage. The bits are in a carousel, like the Megapro 13-in-1’s, but the cap has to be unscrewed to access them. Compared with our pick, it just takes too much time.
For roughly $70 we were expecting great things from the Snap-On 8¾ Standard Ratcheting Screwdriver. It has a fantastic ratchet mechanism that just oozes quality, but the bits are stored loose in the handle. To get a new one, you need to unscrew the cap, dump the bits on your hand, sift them around with a finger until you find the one you want, funnel the rest back into the handle with your hand, and finally screw the cap back on. Even the top-tier ratchet doesn’t offset this level of tediousness.
The same can be said about the Electriduct Ratcheting Screwdriver. It has a telescoping stem, which sounds neat, but not something we’ve ever felt we needed. Worse, though, is that the storage is underneath a screw cap. Also, the handle isn’t that comfortable.
The Husky 12-in-1 Quick Loading Ratchet Screwdriver stores the bits on the exterior of the handle. It's a fiddly system and nowhere near as simple as the Megapro’s storage.
The DeWalt Max Fit Telescoping Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver has no onboard storage and doesn’t feel very high quality.
The Wera 27 RA Ratcheting Screwdriver has a very odd, yet comfortable handle with three concentric concave areas for the hand to grab. It’s a very nice screwdriver, but it only holds six bits.
Another class of ratcheting screwdrivers that exists is the two-speed style, like the Klenk SAB710. These tools have a ring on the handle that can be held stationary in order to gear the ratcheting mechanism to a higher setting, which delivers four times the turning speed to the handle (but only for low-torque applications). These tools are well-received and do offer speed, but when compared with the Megapro, they come up short in other areas like bit storage and general ergonomics.
Finally, there are quite a few very nice screwdrivers that we dismissed because they don’t have a ratcheting feature, which we believe is essential. These include the Picquic X-7 SixPac Plus, and the original Megapro 151NAS 15-in-1.
Aside from our picks above, Megapro manufactures about 20 other screwdrivers. Of these models, the majority of them come with specialty bits designed with a specific trade or task in mind such as elevator maintenance, HVAC, and RV repair, just to name a few. Only the 13-in-1 combines a useful selection of bits with the ergonomic handle and a ratcheting function.
Stuart Deutsch, ToolGuyd.com, email interview
Ethan Hagan, Top Tools 2012: ChannelLock 13 'N 1 Ratcheting Screwdriver, BobVila.com
Where, where, Amazon.com, January 10, 2012
Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning.
For small screws on toys, thermostats, and sunglasses, get a precision screwdriver.
Here’s our advice on all-in-one problem solvers.
The Megapro 13-in-1 is the ultimate kitchen-drawer tool.
Everything we recommend for mounting heavy stuff on a wall or ceiling.
Robotic Screw Locking Machine Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).