10 Best Screwdriver Sets of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Few tools are as diverse and commonly used as screwdrivers. But the problem with screwdrivers is just how many different types of heads fasteners have. This requires you to keep a wide range of different screwdrivers on hand so that you’re prepared for any situation.
Rather than individually purchasing all of the screwdrivers you think you’ll need, you can simplify the process and simply get a screwdriver set. Our favorites include many different screwdrivers of varying sizes and many even offer carrying cases.
Not content to use any old set of screwdrivers, we decided to test as many as we could find to determine which set is the best purchase. You can read about our 10 favorites in the following reviews, and we’ve included a buyer’s guide to help you narrow in on your top pick.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Craftsman 9-31794 Slotted Phillips Screwdriver Set |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value
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HORUSDY 13 Magnetic Screwdriver Set |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice
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Klein Tools 85074 Screwdriver Set |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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TACKLIFE HSS1A Magnetic Screwdriver Set |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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CREMAX CM-TH007 Magnetic Screwdriver Set |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Screwdriver Sets
1. Craftsman 9-31794 Slotted Phillips Screwdriver Set – Best Overall
Craftsman is known for making high-quality tools that are protected by a lifetime warranty, and this set of screwdrivers is no exception. You get a total of 17 pieces in this set, 9 slotted and 7 Philips screwdrivers, plus a pocket keychain with 4 flatheads on it for convenience.
The handles of these screwdrivers are made of high-strength butyrate. This material is strong enough to withstand many beatings, so you don’t have to be afraid to take the hammer to the butt end of these screwdrivers. And with the lifetime warranty protecting them, there’s really nothing to worry about.
There is one thing we think is missing here; magnetic tips. These screwdrivers aren’t magnetized, which is a shame at this price. Luckily, it’s not hard to magnetize screwdrivers yourself.
- Includes 9 slotted and 7 Philips screwdrivers
- High-strength butyrate handles can take a beating
- Warrantied for life
- Includes a pocket keychain with 4 flatheads
- They’re not magnetic
2. HORUSDY 13 Magnetic Screwdriver Set – Best Value
With an impressive 100 pieces for a lower cost than many smaller sets on this list, the HORUSDY 13 Magnetic Screwdriver Set is one of the best screwdriver sets for the money. With so many pieces, it’s not surprising that it covers practically every type of screwdriver bit that you’re likely to need. And it even keeps everything nice and organized in a convenient plastic rack.
Despite the low price, these screwdrivers are magnetized, offering improved functionality over other sets that aren’t. But the magnetization isn’t as good as other brands since it started to wear off after a few weeks. Still, with so many screwdrivers and bits at such an affordable price, this set is an obvious choice for the best value.
- Includes 100 pieces
- Covers every size you’re likely to need
- A plastic rack keeps everything organized
- Still cheaper than competing products
- They’re magnetic
- They started losing their magnetizing
3. Klein Tools 85074 Screwdriver Set – Premium Choice
Klein is known for making quality tools, and this set of screwdrivers sets a new bar for how well-made screwdrivers can be. They all feature precision-matched tips for a superior fit. This is super important to avoid broken tips or stripped out fastener heads. Moreover, they’re well-balanced and comfortable to hold and use.
When it comes to durability, the Klein Tools screwdrivers are second to none. The shafts are heat-treated to make them stronger for improved durability. The internal flanges are twist-resistant, ensuring that even at maximum torque, you’re unlikely to ever malform these screwdrivers.
Of course, this high quality comes with a tradeoff. You only get 6 screwdrivers in this set, though it’s more expensive than other sets that had three times as many screwdrivers. But if you’re looking for premium-quality tools that will last a lifetime, we think these are what you’re looking for.
- Precision-matched tips offer a superior fit
- Well-balanced and comfortable to hold
- Heat-treated shafts for improved durability
- Twist-resistant internal flanges
- Contains just 6 screwdrivers
- More expensive than other sets
4. TACKLIFE HSS1A Magnetic Screwdriver Set
TACKLIFE is a brand that makes affordable tools with decent quality. Their HSS1A Magnetic Screwdriver Set includes a total of 26 pieces with a durable plastic case to keep them all organized, though they don’t stay in their slots as well as we’d like. You’ll get slotted, Philips, and even Torx head screwdrivers in this kit to cover the majority of standard-sized fasteners that you’re likely to encounter.
One thing that the TACKLIFE screwdrivers offer over other sets is that they’re magnetized to hold onto fasteners. But they’re not as strong as other screwdrivers we tested. You don’t want to use these for heavy-duty applications where you might take a hammer to the backside. Still, for medium-duty and light use, these are a great choice, even if the HORUSDY kit in second place offers better value.
- Includes a durable plastic case
- 26 pieces in total
- Includes slotted, Philips, and Torx screwdrivers
- Magnetic tips
- They’re not as strong as other screwdrivers we tested
- Not the best choice for heavy-duty applications
- They tend to fall out of their slots in the case
5. CREMAX CM-TH007 Magnetic Screwdriver Set
We like affordably priced tools like the CREMAX CM-TH007 Magnetic Screwdriver Set. These are even magnetic and include a convenient carrying case at this affordable price. You only get 10 total pieces, but that includes 5 Philips and 5 slotted screwdrivers. What’s missing is any type of Torx bit or hex head drivers.
Still, there have to be sacrifices made when a product is this affordable. You’ll get stubby screwdrivers and long ones that will find use in a variety of situations. They’re comfortable to hold thanks to the soft handles. However, we probably wouldn’t abuse them too much as they don’t seem like they’d survive for too long under a heavy-duty workload.
- Priced affordably
- They’re magnetic
- Includes a convenient storage case
- You only get 10 total
6. Amartisan AM042 Magnetic Screwdriver Set
With 42 total pieces for a lower cost than most of the other sets on this list, the Amartisan AM042 Magnetic Screwdriver Set seems like a great deal. You’ll get screwdrivers with slotted, Philips, Hex, and Torx tips. They’re even magnetic, making it easy to hold onto fasteners without fear of dropping them. But the magnetizing isn’t as strong as we’d like, so it only works well with small screws.
One unique inclusion in this set that we didn’t see in others is the flexible extension that lets you reach fasteners in compromising positions. There’s also a hard-plastic case included to keep everything organized. But the latches are a weak point and they broke off with normal use in the first month.
- Includes 42 pieces
- Magnetic tips
- Flexible extension included for hard-to-reach fasteners
- The magnetic tips aren’t very strong
- The latches broke off the case
7. POPOMAN MTH300 Magnetic Screwdriver Tool Set
In the POPOMAN MTH300 Magnetic Screwdriver Tool Set you’ll get 20 screwdrivers, including full-sized, stubby, and micro-screwdrivers for dealing with a wide range of fasteners. The micro-drivers even include 360° swivel caps, making them easy to twist and quicker to use. Everything is stored in a hard-plastic carrying case that securely latches closed to keep everything in.
The problem with these screwdrivers is durability. They have weak tips that don’t have the same precision fit as other sets we tested. Because of this, we ended up snapping off a lot of tips. But that’s not the only weakness here. Even the shafts on the smaller screwdrivers aren’t durable and we twisted several of them through light use. These may be affordable, but there are plenty of affordable screwdriver sets that offer better quality.
- Affordably priced
- Includes a latching carrying case
- 360° swivel caps for easy twisting
- The smaller screwdrivers twist easily
- Weak tips are likely to break
8. Stanley 62-511 9-Way Screwdriver
We’ve gotten a lot of great Stanley products over the years, so we expected good things from this 9-way screwdriver. It does carry Stanley’s limited lifetime warranty, so we were sure it would be durable. But the way this set works is you get 9 mini screwdrivers that fit inside a single handle. The shafts on these screwdrivers are very thin though, and they can’t withstand high-torque or heavy-duty work.
There’s another problem. If you lose the handle, this set becomes almost useless. Sure, you can use the mini screwdrivers as they are, but they’re tiny and don’t offer any good way to grip them. They’re also not magnetic, which is another mark off. At least they include a convenient storage case to keep everything organized.
- Limited lifetime warranty
- One handle with 9 screwdrivers to fit inside it
- Includes a convenient storage case
- Small screwdrivers aren’t very durable
- If you lose the handle, they’re practically useless
- They’re not magnetic
9. Wiha 30297 Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver Set
We had to do a double-take when we saw the crazy high price that the Wiha Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver Set sells for. You get just 12 screwdrivers total, but this set costs several times what other sets with many more pieces go for.
To be fair, these are quality tools. The handle caps are labeled for easy identification. The tips are precision-machined to reduce cam-outs and broken tips. To top it off, everything is covered by the Wiha no-hassle guarantee.
But that doesn’t seem to warrant this high price to us. You don’t even get a carrying case with these screwdrivers. For this much money, you could purchase several hundred screwdrivers in kits from other brands, so it’s hard to justify spending so much on just 12 screwdrivers.
- Handle caps are labeled for easy identification
- Precision-machined tips for reduced cam-out
- Wiha no-hassle guarantee
- Way overpriced
- Doesn’t include a carrying case
- You only get 12 screwdrivers for this high price
10. GEARWRENCH 80066 Screwdriver Set
The GEARWRENCH 80066 Screwdriver Set is a drastically overpriced set of tools that are missing some important features. To start, the case is just a tray with no lid and doesn’t hold the screwdrivers well. You’re better off chucking it and keeping these in a drawer, which seems ridiculous at this high price.
Worst, these screwdrivers just aren’t durable. The shafts on several twisted with light-duty use and we experienced quite a few broken tips. Since these are much more expensive than other sets we tested, we expected far better durability. What we got was a “speed zone” that helps turn the screwdriver faster. That’s nice, but not worth this price. We recommend skipping these for a better set at a lower price, as there are many available.
- “Speed zone” helps turn the screwdriver faster
- No lid for the tray
- The case isn’t any good
- They lack durability
- More expensive than other options
Buyer’s Guide – How to Purchase the Best Screwdriver Set
Picking a set of screwdrivers seems like a simple enough task until you start comparing them and seeing all of the differences between sets. There’s a lot more separating these than price, though some of them cost several times what other sets go for.
If you’re still having a hard time figuring out which screwdriver set is the best choice for you, then this buyer’s guide is here to help.
Choosing A Screwdriver Set
When comparing screwdriver sets, you need to know what traits to compare. All of them feature standard slotted and Phillips head screwdrivers, but many kits include a lot more. Let’s take a look at the most important features for you to decide on when picking a screwdriver set. Determine which of these matters most to you and look for a set that meets your specific needs.
Total Number of Pieces
One of the biggest and easiest to notice differences between these sets is how many pieces they contain. Some of these kits have as few as 6 screwdrivers total, while others pack in 100 pieces!
In truth, you probably don’t need 100 different screwdrivers. On the bright side, you’ll probably never find a fastener you don’t have the right screwdriver for! On the other hand, you’ll have to store all of those somewhere and look through them all for just the right bit when you need it.
Still, you do want to get quite a few screwdrivers if you’re depending on this kit for all of your fastener removing and installing needs. If your kit has just 6 screwdrivers, it won’t be able to offer you as many types of heads.
Types of Screwdrivers
Let’s talk about the different types of heads your screwdrivers can have. There are four main types of screwdrivers that you’ll want to look for:
- Slotted
- Philips
- Torx
- Hex
This isn’t an exhaustive list of screwdriver types, but if you have those four, you’ll be able to handle most of the screws you encounter.
Slotted screwdrivers are more commonly known as flatheads. They’re ideal for pulling out screws with a single slit across the head. Small flatheads can also be used to remove Phillips screws.
Philip’s heads have an X shape to them. This allows the screwdriver head and the fastener head to have a great grip that’s less likely to slip. These can handle a lot more torque than flatheads.
Torx bits are star-shaped. These are less common than slotted or Phillips screwdrivers, but you’ll still encounter them on lots of electronics and other devices.
Hex heads are also known as Allen heads. These can replace a set of Allen keys, and provide you with far more leverage since these will have a screwdriver handle instead of a tiny metal key that you can’t get a great grip on.
Carrying Case
The more pieces in your screwdriver set, the more important a carrying case becomes. All of those screwdrivers can become really hard to sort through if they’re all loose in a drawer. Likewise, they become difficult to transport.
But a proper carrying case will keep them organized so you can find the screwdriver you’re looking for. It also makes it easy to transport them for jobs that don’t take place in your workshop. Finally, they protect them from getting dirty while they live in a messy workshop or garage.
Durability
Not everyone is going to push their screwdrivers to the limits. But if you’re hard on tools, you already know it. If you’re not, then you don’t need the most durable tools on the planet. But if you plan to beat on the backside of your screwdrivers with a hammer, you’re going to need some very durable tools so choosing the best screwdrivers would be the better idea.
Screwdrivers need to be durable in several key areas. First, the handle must be hard enough to withstand the force of a hammer. We prefer butyrate handles for withstanding this type of abuse.
Next, the shaft must be strong. Generally, this means it’s heat-treated and able to withstand twisting under force.
You also need to think about how the screwdriver is mounted in the handle. With the wrong mounting system, the shaft might be able to spin and break free of the handle.
Magnetic Tips
If you’ve used screwdrivers long enough, then you’ve almost certainly dropped a screw into a hard-to-reach place before. This is incredibly frustrating and easy to cure. The solution? Magnetic screwdriver tips.
Magnetized screwdrivers can hold onto a screw without the need for your finger. Just put the screw on the tip of the driver and the magnet will keep it in place. This allows you to easily get the screw started with one hand, which might otherwise be prohibitively difficult.
But not all magnetic screwdrivers offer equal power. Some aren’t magnetized strongly and can only hold up very small fasteners. We even had the magnetization wear off of some screwdrivers. Luckily, it’s not that hard to magnetize them yourself if needed.
Price
The final consideration when picking out a screwdriver set is the price. We saw some drastically different prices from set to set. But that doesn’t mean that a higher price gets you more screwdrivers. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. Higher prices tend to mean fewer screwdrivers but better quality, while cheaper sets often offer more total pieces.
Is it worth it to spend several times as much on quality screwdrivers even though you aren’t getting as many? It depends on your needs. Do you abuse your screwdrivers? Are they going to live hard lives of daily use? Or do you just do occasional tinkering and repairs that don’t truly tax your tools?
If you abuse the heck out of your tools, then spend the extra money for the higher-quality screwdrivers. But if your tools only see weekend use and they’re never beaten into oblivion, you’d probably be better served by a more affordable set with more total pieces included.
Here are some more of our screwdriver articles:
- An overview of the top precision screwdrivers on the market
- Looking for a multi-bit screwdriver? Read our article here
- What are torque screwdrivers, and what are they made for?
- What are ratcheting screwdrivers, and what can they be used for?
Conclusion
Screwdrivers are just screwdrivers, right? Well, if you read our reviews, then you know it’s a bit more complicated than that. All these tools can install and remove screws, but they’re not all made equally, which is why we’ve picked our three favorites to offer up as recommendations.
With the best combination of quality and affordability, the Craftsman Slotted Phillips Screwdriver Set is our top pick. You get 9 slotted screwdrivers, 7 Philips, and even a pocket keychain with 4 flatheads for a total of 17 pieces in the set. They feature high-strength butyrate handles and lifetime warranties.
If you want the best bang for your buck, try the HORUSDY Screwdriver Set. You get 100 pieces total at a very affordable price and they’re all stored neatly in a plastic rack. This kit covers all the sizes you’re likely to need and the tips are even magnetic.
For a premium set of screwdrivers meant to last a lifetime, we suggest the Klein Tools Screwdriver Set. These screwdrivers feature precision-matched tips, heat-treated shafts, and twist-resistant internal flanges for the ultimate in durability.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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