Should you buy $15 cordless screwdrivers from Amazon? I tested one, and here’s my advice

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Sometimes I’m wrong. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I try to learn from it. Take the other day, for example. I received a new screwdriver for testing, and I was initially quite dismissive of it. After all, the price was under $20, it was from a brand that didn’t ring any bells, and it looked a lot like something my grandpa would have used back in the 1980s.

But I was wrong. It turned out not only to be powerful, but surprisingly ergonomic. 

Also: The best electric screwdrivers: Expert tested

The product in question is the XLX 4.2V cordless screwdriver. It came packaged in a generic plastic box with a few screwdriver bits and a charge cable, and didn’t catch my eye at first. 

The screwdriver really does resemble an old-timey gadget, or perhaps a microphone. I do get the urge to break into song when holding it. Regardless, the shape is a departure from what we’re used to these days. Most cordless screwdrivers look like a cylinder of various thicknesses, depending on battery capacity and power output.

The unit is made of a hard polymer that seems to resist scuffs and impacts, but there’s no soft overmoulding present. There’s also a wire loop built into the end of the screwdriver that I initially thought would make using it uncomfortable, but I was wrong. 

In fact, the size makes the whole unit rather pocketable, but since there’s no switch on it to lock it in the off position, I’m not sure if I’d want to keep this in my pocket for long.  

Inside the tool is a 900 mAh battery that’s rechargeable using USB-C, and the motor is capable an impressive 3.0 Nm of electric torque (which is a little bit more than what is considered hand tight), and the unit can withstand up to 10 Nm of manual force, which is about the maximum that you can achieve with a screwdriver.

Also: My favorite cordless screwdriver of all time can handle any task for me (and it’s on sale)

The interface is simplicity itself. There’s a button to do up the screw, and one to undo. There’s a light that comes on when either button is pressed, and the unit is magnetized for convenience.

I’ve used this to drive in and out a few hundred screws over the past few weeks, both in real-world usage and endurance tests, and I’m very happy to recommend this. The shape, despite being quite an old style, is time-tested and is surprisingly ergonomic. It fits nicely into the palm of the hand, and the buttons are easy to access.

The light on the front is also highly functional, illuminating the work area well. The only drawback of the light is that it’s only on when the button is pressed, so if you’re working in the dark, you’ll need another light. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

All the gripes aside, the XLX 4.2V cordless screwdriver is a great tool for $15. The handle could benefit from some soft overmoulding, and the LED light only comes on when the tool is running, but for the price, I can’t complain. 

If this were my primary tool, I’d replace the screwdriver bits with better ones, but they do the trick. For someone starting out, with a bit of flat-packed furniture to put together, or a seasoned DIYer looking for a cheap tool to use and abuse, it’s an ideal choice.

I’ll be keeping mine in the small toolkit I keep in the car.