10 best cheap and reliable screwdrivers

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

A screwdriver is one of the must-have tools for a home craftsman today. A budget model is suitable for solving everyday problems, but every owner dreams of a durable operation of an electrical appliance. The stores offer a wide range of screwdrivers. The most affordable prices are offered by Russian and Chinese manufacturers. Our experts will help potential buyers understand the main selection criteria.

Recommendations for selection

Power type. Since the screwdriver is an electric tool, it needs a power source to work.

  1. Network models are connected to a 220 V outlet, they are equipped with a wire. Its length depends on the scope of the tool. For work on a workbench in the workshop, a 2-meter cord is enough. But when finishing a spacious room, it will be more convenient to use a device with a wire 4-5 m long. Experts advise paying attention to the softness of the power cord.

  2. Cordless screwdrivers outperform corded models in mobility. But the duration of the tool is limited by the capacity of the battery. For domestic needs, a battery of 1,5-2,0 Ah is enough. It is convenient to have a second battery in stock when building or repair work is underway. When buying, pay attention to the presence of a charger.

Torque. An important characteristic of a screwdriver, on which the functionality of the model depends, is the amount of torque. It is expressed in Newton meters, the higher the number, the more operations the tool is capable of performing.

  1. For drilling small holes and tightening small fasteners, a torque of up to 25 Nm is enough.

  2. To use crowns or to drive long self-tapping screws, it is better to choose a screwdriver with a torque of up to 36 Nm.

Torque control. When you have to work with fragile and soft building materials (drywall, plastic), the fasteners can push through the surface due to the high torque of the tool. To solve this problem, adjusting the tightening torque helps. It is a rotary ring with a printed scale. The larger the number on the scale, the higher the torque.

Type of cartridge. Modern screwdrivers are equipped with keyless (keyless) chucks. They are of two types.

  1. Two-sleeve knots require simultaneous participation in fixing the snap-in of both hands. One holds the lower clutch, and the second rotates the upper one.

  2. Single-sleeve chucks allow you to change equipment with one hand. But the tool must have an option such as a spindle lock.

backlight. Not always working with a screwdriver takes place in good light. A useful option in conditions of poor visibility is the illumination of the working area. However, before buying, you should check whether the light beam is accurately directed. A lot of complaints from users relate specifically to the poorly adjusted backlight.

We have selected the top 10 cheap and reliable screwdrivers for our review. You can buy these models in the distribution network of our country. When distributing places, the editors of the magazine simplerule proceeded from the opinion of experts, while taking into account the feedback from Russian consumers.

Rating of the best cheap and reliable screwdrivers

Nomination Place Name of product Price
Rating of the best cheap and reliable screwdrivers       1 Interskol DSh-10/320E2 320 W 35 Nm      2 103 ₽
     2 Storm! ID2145P 450 W 35 Nm      1900 ₽
     3 MILITARY CD10.8Li 25 Nm      1890 ₽
     4 ZUBR ZSSH-300-2 300 W 35 N·m      2 061 ₽
     5 VORTEX DA-18L-2K 2018 33 Nm      3 560 ₽
     6 Edon CF-1202 30 Nm      2 566 ₽
     7 Away BAB-12-P 28 Н·м      1569 ₽ 
     8 Hammer DRL420 280 W 29 Nm      2 399 ₽
     9 STAVR DSHS-10/400-2C 400 W 20 N·m      1 900 ₽
     10 CALIBER DE-550SHM 550 W 14.5 N·m      1 099 ₽

Interskol DSh-10/320E2 320 W 35 Nm

Rating: 4.9

An excellent combination of affordable price and reliability is demonstrated by the Interskol DSh-10/320E2 corded screwdriver. Experts gave the model a palm for the balance of technical parameters. To perform most types of work, there will be enough power (320 W) and torque (35 Nm). The tool is easy to use, drills with a thickness of 0,8 to 10 mm can be clamped in the chuck. The gearbox is equipped with metal gears, which indicates the strength and durability of the assembly. It is easy to maintain the device, removable brushes allow you to make repairs on your own.

Domestic users in the reviews praise the screwdriver for good power, electronic speed control, reliable design and low price. Of the shortcomings, a short power cord (2 m) is most often mentioned.

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Storm! ID2145P 450 W 35 Nm

Rating: 4.8

The Russian-Chinese Sturm screwdriver is not much inferior to the leader of the review! ID2145P. The model is a little more expensive, and it weighs more (1,6 kg). But the tool is distinguished by high power (450 W) and efficiency (23 steps of torque adjustment). The manufacturer did not save on the mains cable, its length is 4,1 m. The keyless chuck is convenient, this becomes clear when changing equipment frequently. The handle of the screwdriver is equipped with soft pads, and the gearbox gears are made of steel. The experts liked the ergonomics and compactness of the device, it wins silver.

In the reviews, Russian users praise the tool for reliability, ease of use, and a long power cord. By cons, they include a weak cartridge and an unpleasant smell of plastic.

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MILITARY CD10.8Li 25 Nm

Rating: 4.7

The Chinese screwdriver MILITARY CD10.8Li looks even more attractive in terms of cost. This is a battery model with a maximum torque of 25 Nm. Experts gave the device third place for lightness (1,1 kg) and spot lighting. The rubberized handle improves grip, the 1,5 Ah battery fits harmoniously into the handle. Drills with a diameter of 10 mm (for metal) or 15 mm (for wood) can be installed in the chuck. The pluses include electronic speed control, power button lock and engine brake.

Home craftsmen praise the Chinese screwdriver for an affordable price, ease of use, and mobility. The model also has weaknesses. For some users, the cartridge has fallen apart, it is difficult to find a spare battery for the tool, the backlight is not finely tuned.

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ZUBR ZSSH-300-2 300 W 35 N·m

Rating: 4.6

The Russian ZUBR ZSSh-300-2 screwdriver was not enough to climb the pedestal of our review. The experts liked the good weight distribution, long power cord (5 m), neat assembly. The model is equipped with a 300 W electric motor with a maximum torque of 35 Nm. Drills with a diameter of 0,8 to 10 mm are securely fixed in the keyless chuck. The back side of the case and part of the handle have a rubber pad that softens the shock load and improves ergonomics. The manufacturer is confident in the quality of his product, the warranty on the tool is 5 years.

Users have found several bugs. It takes a lot of effort to fix the snap in the chuck, there are cases of factory defects.

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VORTEX DA-18L-2K 2018 33 Nm

Rating: 4.5

The VORTEX DA-18L-2K cordless screwdriver stands out from the competitors in our review at a high price. The fact is that the tool is equipped with two lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 2 Ah each. The device fits comfortably in the hand, it is quite light and compact. In a plastic case there are free niches for bits and drills. Experts drew attention to the effective backlight, which helps to work in dimly lit places. The screwdriver is assembled neatly, the gears of the gearbox are made of metal.

Users are satisfied with the build quality, power and good weight distribution. The device also has a number of disadvantages. The standard bit extension is uneven, the rig is weakly clamped by the chuck, and the batteries run out sharply.

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Edon CF-1202 30 Nm

Rating: 4.4

Solid assembly helped the Chinese Edon CF-1202 screwdriver to get into the TOP-6 of our review. Experts appreciated the lightness of the model (0,9 kg) and compactness. The cordless tool has a torque of 30 Nm and a small 1,5 Ah (12 V) battery is inserted into the handle. The tool comes with a charger, a spare battery and a case. The asset of the model should include electronic speed control and illumination of the working area. Thanks to the pulse charger, the battery is restored within 1 hour.

The budget model has several weaknesses. This is a crooked cartridge with a strong runout, low power, a bulky charger. It is possible to drill a hole in the metal with a diameter of not more than 5 mm.

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Away BAB-12-P 28 Н·м

Rating: 4.3

A good margin of safety is available in the Bort BAB-12-P budget screwdriver. The German-Chinese product is powered by a nickel-cadmium battery with a capacity of 1,3 Ah and a voltage of 12 V. The maximum torque is limited to 28 Nm, the speed is controlled by pressing the power button. However, the manufacturer did not provide for fixing in the “on” position. The reviewers liked the neat build, the aluminum gearcase and the rubberized housing. The accuracy of drilling is ensured by a quick-clamping chuck, work in conditions of poor visibility allows illumination of the working area.

According to users, the device is great for domestic needs. Of the minuses, they note a heavy battery that takes a long time to charge (3-5 hours). There is no speed switch in the tool.

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Hammer DRL420 280 W 29 Nm

Rating: 4.2

Hammer DRL420 corded screwdriver will become a reliable assistant in everyday life. The model is well made, it does not have the smell of plastic, often found in budget electrical appliances. Experts note the strength of the tool, it adequately withstands even a fall from a meter height. A small motor (280 W) produces a decent torque (29 Nm), the speed reaches 1100 rpm. The asset of the screwdriver should include a thoughtful design, light weight (1,34 kg) and ease of use. The maximum tooling diameter is limited to 10 mm.

As for the minuses, users are unhappy with the heating of the engine, low power and an inconvenient reverse switch. The chuck clamps the tooling weakly, which requires additional effort when changing bits and drills.

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STAVR DSHS-10/400-2C 400 W 20 N·m

Rating: 4.1

A good combination of affordable price and power (400 W) is available in the STAVR DShS-10/400-2C corded screwdriver. The model attracted the attention of experts with its lightness (1,3 kg), long wire (3 m), and good centering of the chuck. In a tree, it is possible to make large, but neat holes with a diameter of up to 25 mm, the tool works well with metal (10 mm). The ninth place in the review is explained by a simple bundle (a screwdriver and a box), as well as unstable build quality.

On thematic forums you can find polar views on power tools. Users are satisfied with the low price, ease of use, good torque at low revs. Of the minuses, the rigidity of the power cord, the unpleasant smell of plastic, and the lack of backlighting are noted.

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CALIBER DE-550SHM 550 W 14.5 N·m

Rating: 4.0

At the lowest price, a network screwdriver CALIBER DE-550SHM is sold in the Russian distribution network. At the same time, the tool does not look like a “wimp”, it is equipped with a powerful electric motor (550 W). The torque value (14,5 Nm) is enough to screw 6×120 mm self-tapping screws into a tree without pre-drilling holes. The maximum diameter of holes in wood is limited to 20 mm, in metal – 10 mm. Due to its light weight (1,3 kg), compact size and rubberized handle, the device is easy to use. The tool closes the list of the most reliable screwdrivers in the budget segment.

Some shortcomings did not allow the Russian product to bypass competitors. Users complain about the power button sticking, unreliable bearings, and a hard power cord.

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Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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