It’s important to narrow down the essential features when buying the best ratchet screwdriver for your needs. Below, we include an overview of several features that may be important for buying the right type of screwdriver. Bits The benefit of ratcheting screwdrivers is that you can get a firm grip on their handle and apply plenty of torque repetitively without adjusting your grip. Not all screwdrivers handle torque as well as others, so try to find a robust, durable model. First, the ratcheting mechanism was among the most satisfying of the models we tested. The steps are noticeably smaller and less tactile than other models. The feel is excellent, though we wonder if long-term durability may suffer with the smaller teeth wearing down. We haven’t had the tool long enough to know if this is a genuine concern.

Ratcheting 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Screwdriver - MegaproTools

We appreciate how the six dual-sided bits slide into the storage slots. Some similar models hold the bits too tightly, making it hard to slide bits out. But the WorkPro 12-In-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver’s storage slots are sized well, and swapping bits on the fly is easy

THE MEGAPRO ADVANTAGE

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty ratcheting screwdriver capable of frequent use, consider the Wera Kraftform Kompakt RA Screwdriver. This ratcheting screwdriver has secure in-handle storage for your bits. It also has an ergonomically designed grip for comfortable use and plenty of torque. The Wera comes with six bits, including two Phillips-head bits, two square drivers, and two slotted drivers. The shaft also doubles as a ¼-inch nut driver. The benefit of storing the bits in the handle is that it’s harder to lose them. As long as the cap stays shut, the bits are secure, even if they pop out of their clips. The downside is that switching between bits stored in the handle does create some downtime. Also, these bits are often smaller and harder to grip. Bits on the Handle

Automotive Ratcheting 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Screwdriver

Lastly, most ratcheting screwdriver kits have a carrying case with bits stored in dedicated slots. This is great for keeping your bits organized, but it isn’t a one-tool solution as you get with onboard bit storage. Set vs. all-in-one An all-in-one like the Megapro model is convenient but you don’t get as many bit options as you do with a set, like the Tekton model. Credit: Nathan Hamilton The directional collar on the Bahco switches directions smoothly, and the screwdriver’s ratcheting action is smooth. We inserted screws into pine, ash, and walnut boards, and the Bahco didn’t miss a beat, even when we exerted force. There’s a tiny bit of play in the shaft, which we would have preferred not to be there, but it wasn’t enough to affect the tool’s performance.The WorkPro 12-In-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver and the Tekton Everybit Ratchet Screwdriver and Bit Set have room for improvement. The WorkPro model has some edges that can rub your fingers too sharply when using the tool for a long time. The Tekton model has few curves on the handle, just a straight and extended barrel. Neither is terrible, particularly when compared to other competing budget ratcheting screwdrivers. The ergonomics just aren’t anything to write home about. The Workpro and Tekton models have room for improvement with their handles. Credit: Nathan Hamilton Ratchet mechanism Model Most ratcheting screwdrivers come with swappable bits in common head types, including Philips, slotted, square, and torx. It’s best to have as many bits as possible so you have the right tool for the job and avoid stripping screw heads. Bit storage The Wera, Megapro, and Workpro models all have convenient onboard bit storage. Credit: Nathan Hamilton The benefit of these screwdrivers is that, many times, the bits are long. You can get a good grip on them when storing or swapping bits. The downside is that these screwdrivers are often heavier, and bits often fall or slide out of lower-end models when you aren’t looking. Kits This is another point of improvement Linus will no doubt cover when it comes to future revisions of the LTT Screwdriver. Other tests Bit tip failure load

Ratcheting Screwdrivers 2023 - Tested by Bob Vila The Best Ratcheting Screwdrivers 2023 - Tested by Bob Vila

Non-standard grip types, such as knubby short grips and T-handles, are suitable for some uses but not all. Most people are best to buy a single ratcheting screwdriver with a standard barrel-grip design. Comparing the best ratcheting screwdrivers The top spot for side-to-side shaft wobble goes to the Megapro, Irwin, and LTT all with just 0.041 inches (1.0414 millimetres) of wobble. An impressive number for sure! Right-left passes The most common style of ratcheting screwdriver stores its bits inside the grip. Often, there is a cap that threads on and off or pops out of the handle, providing access to the driver bits. Multiple bits clip to a removable ring, allowing you to choose the appropriate bit or store it away securely. Other models have bit-clips built into the cap. The screwdriver has a collar direction adjustment, as well as a lanyard hole for a wrist strap or hanging cord. However, it doesn’t have any onboard storage, so you should keep the case on hand for easy access to bits. We tested the Workpro by inserting screws in a variety of wood types, and it came through with flying colors—even when we used maximum force and dense walnut wood. We then tested the tool on a range of fasteners and found the bits are well made and appear to be hardened steel.We appreciate that the Megapro Ratcheting Screwdriver’s handle is plastic and rubberized. Still, it doesn’t have many curvatures on the grip to form into your hand. Each of the ratcheting screwdrivers we tested was pushed to its limits so we could get a good idea of how it would perform over time and in various situations. With each tool, we inserted screws into three types of wood—pine, ash, and walnut—to see whether the ratcheting action would stand up to the different densities. The WorkPro 12-In-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver feels and performs like a tool that should cost nearly twice as much.