Craftsman Cordless Screwdriver review | CNN Underscored

You don’t need a home workshop — or even your own toolbox — to be the kind of person who would benefit from the Craftsman 4-Volt Cordless Screwdriver. It’s the only dedicated power tool I own. Seriously, the rest of my “tool drawer” (if it even qualifies as one) is littered with those little hex wrenches included with build-it-yourself furniture and an elementary Ikea tool set. It’s all junk compared to this mighty electric screwdriver, which has saved me time, frustration and a lot of forearm soreness.

Whether you’re a homeowner with backyard projects stacking up or an apartment dweller shopping the latest Wayfair deal, the power of this screwdriver will make you question why manual screwdrivers still exist. Let’s get into why.

Tedious twisting is replaced by a simple trigger in this electric screwdriver that houses eight interchangeable bits. It’s a must for anyone building furniture or tackling DIY projects.

It was a moment of desperation. The day I moved into an apartment with my soon-to-be-wife, we excitedly unboxed new furniture. I’ve built my fair share of Ikea goods over the years, so I figured I was prepared for whatever this wooden nightstand had in store. Wrong — I was stumped almost immediately. No amount of force or torque behind a regular screwdriver was going to get those screws in. I stood over the pieces and leaned with all my weight, then tried a hammer and probably violated every safety warning in the instructions. Nothing worked.

Exhausted and angry, I got in the car and drove to Lowe’s for reinforcements. I found just that in the Craftsman 4-Volt Cordless Screwdriver. Constructing the nightstand troubled me no more and it’s still bedside to this day.

Related article The best multitools in 2024, tried and tested

After its successful debut, the Craftsman electric screwdriver has delivered for me time and time again. I’m writing this product review in my apartment and can see its contributions everywhere. A standing desk, a four-tiered shelf, a kitchen table — all constructed with the help of the Craftsman. Removing crusty old screws caked into a shower head or installing a new door closer? This cordless screwdriver makes it easy.

The tool itself looks more like a drill and though it can’t match that kind of power, it can mimic many of the same capabilities. Its gun-shaped rubber grip is more comfortable to hold than a traditional screwdriver and lets you put a little more muscle into each insertion with just one hand. If the bulky frame doesn’t work for your space, Craftsman makes another chargeable screwdriver with a more traditional design.

Though this device isn’t intended for carving out new screw holes, I’ve pulled it off with softer woods. This takes the fear out of receiving parts in which the pre-drilled holes are annoyingly too small. Plus, if you’ve made a mistake and need to go back a few steps, or if you’re taking something apart for a move, flip a switch above the trigger to go counterclockwise and unscrew.

It’s the finer details with this Craftsman screwdriver that make each job a little easier. You’ll never have to worry about losing any of the eight included screwdriver bits because they fit in a rotating holster inside the machine — similar to the bullets in a revolver’s cylinder. A small magnet on top can hold bits for quick swaps or keep extra screws at the ready. And if you’re working in low light or trying to get a screw into the underside of your latest build, a small forward-facing LED lights up whenever you pull the trigger.

Relying on a battery means there’s the possibility your screwdriver can die in the middle of a task. I haven’t encountered that issue and have been impressed by the tool’s battery life during testing. I taped down the trigger and the screwdriver spun away for an hour without stopping. Reaching a full charge using the included charger takes roughly three hours but you’ll be fine as long as you plan ahead. Most furniture builds won’t require extensive use in one session anyway.

It might sound like overkill to say a certain screwdriver is a true home essential but I’ll go that far considering how often this one has saved me. I’m not a tool guy or particularly handy around the house. The Craftsman, though, has made me feel like I should be.