First flat-pack
You need a real PZ2 more than a large case. The Jorest 25-in-1 extending driver prints PZ1 and PZ2 at about £9.99, with 4.5 from 1,325 amazon.co.uk reviews. UK texts disagree about the magnet, and there is no ratchet.
Screwdriver comparison 2026
The best screwdrivers, compared.
Top pick: ApexSelect 24-in-1 ratchet Best value: Stanley six-way STA068012 – About £7.66, under £10, with 4.6 from 2,713 reviews and score 67. UK texts do not cluster on a missing tip or a cap that unscrews. Phillips and slotted only. Updated October 2026.
A screwdriver is a handle and a tip that has to match the screw recess. In the UK that recess is often Pozidriv rather than Phillips. You buy one for flat-pack furniture, cupboard hinges, electrical faceplates and small electronics. A useful household screwdriver prints a PZ size, reaches the screw, and does not contradict its own bit list. Pozidriv has extra ticks on the screw and a parallel tip. Phillips tapers and is meant to cam out. The two are not interchangeable. PZ2 and PH2 are the usual furniture sizes. Smaller numbers suit electronics. A stubby fits a hinge and gives less leverage. An extending shaft is a moving part. Check where the magnet sits. Some listings magnetise only the holder. Insulation matters only for electrical work, and only when the page names a standard such as IEC 60900. Working on a dead circuit comes first. How to match recess, size and reach is set out in the [screwdriver buying guide](/hub/hand-tools/screwdriver/sub/screwdriver-buying-guide).
A screwdriver is a handle and a tip that has to match the screw recess. In the UK that recess is often Pozidriv rather than Phillips.
42 products checked · 61 hrs invested · +17,300 readers
12 of 12: Best screwdrivers compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 12Best overall
Best value
5.9/10
5.7/10
5.7/10
6.1/10
6.4/10
6.7/10
6.5/10
6.1/10
6.3/10
5.8/10
5.7/10
3.9/10
∼ £12
∼ £3
∼ £21
∼ £10
∼ £7
∼ £8
∼ £15
∼ £57
∼ £10
∼ £10
∼ £10
∼ £28
5.0(17)
5.0(2)
4.8(21)
4.6(8,267)
4.6(7,093)
4.6(2,713)
4.6(629)
4.5(2,469)
4.5(1,325)
4.4(8,987)
4.4(2,082)
3.8(8)
Personal buying guide
Which screwdriver fits?
Question 1 of 2
What screw are you turning?
The best screwdrivers in detail
Our view
The ApexSelect 24-in-1 is a cased ratchet at about £11.56 whose bullets claim a 58-tooth action and a 6.2 degree swing, with 24 bits of 25 mm that include PZ without printing PZ1 or PZ2. The listing line is 5.0 from 17 ratings, and the saved listing holds 13 UK texts that praise the ratchet, the case and the aluminium T-handle. That sample is too small to treat as a settled record next to drivers with thousands of reviews, which is why a perfect star line scores 59 and carries no badge. The title and the special-feature line say torque, while the bullets describe forward, reverse and locked modes rather than a newton-metre scale. Material lines disagree too: S2 bits and an aluminium T-handle in the bullets, alloy steel on the material line. The case is listed at 16 × 9 × 3 cm and 380 g. Read the 5.0 as a first impression of a ratchet, and check the PZ sizes in the case before you count on them for flat-pack. A 58-tooth figure is a claim, not a measured swing.
Pros
- Cased ratchet with a claimed 58-tooth, 6.2 degree action
- 24 bits of 25 mm, and the bullet names PZ among the tips
- UK texts in the file praise the T-handle and the case
- Listed at about £11.56 and 380 g
Cons
- 5.0 rests on 17 ratings, a thin sample
- PZ is named without PZ1 or PZ2 sizes
- Torque in the title is not a newton-metre scale
- S2 and aluminium in the bullets conflict with alloy steel on the material line
Best for: You want a cheap T-handle ratchet to try, and you will open the case and read the bit stamps before a flat-pack job.
Less suitable: You need a large review sample, a printed PZ size, or a driver with click settings in newton-metres.
Specifications
- Model
- ApexSelect 24-in-1 ratchet
- Brand
- ApexSelect
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(17)
- Pozidriv
- Named, no sizes
- Drive tips
- 24 bits; PZ named
- Type
- Cased ratchet
- Ratchet
- 58-tooth claim
- Magnet
- Bits claimed
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- Case
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 380 g
Common questions
Is this a torque screwdriver?
The title and the special-feature line say torque. The bullets describe a 58-tooth ratchet with forward, reverse and locked modes, not a newton-metre scale. Treat the torque word as a conflict.
How many reviews support the 5.0?
The listing line says 5.0 from 17 ratings. The saved listing has 13 UK texts. They praise the ratchet, the case and the T-bar. They do not describe a repeated fault, and the sample is small.
Does the listing name Pozidriv?
The bullet includes PZ among PH, slotted, Torx and hex. It does not print PZ1 or PZ2.
Our view
The HeiTao listing is a single 1.2 mm P5 five-point driver at about £3.19 and 20 g, sold for stated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro bottom-case screws from 2009 to 2020. The star line is 5.0 from 2 ratings, and both texts in the file are from the United Kingdom. They call it a rare specialist tool and do not describe a defect, which is a friendly pair of comments rather than a record you can lean on. A Phillips blade or a flat blade is a different recess, and Pozidriv does not apply. The bullet says a swivel cap is for one-handed tightening, and neither review discusses that cap. Compatibility with those MacBook years is the listing's claim, not a check in this file. It belongs in the basket when the screw you can see is a 1.2 mm five-point, and nowhere else in a household drawer.
Pros
- Single 1.2 mm P5 tip for the MacBook screws the listing names
- Stated weight is 20 g at about £3.19
- Both written reviews in the file are from the United Kingdom and name no defect
- A swivel cap is claimed for one-handed use
Cons
- 5.0 is only two ratings
- It will not drive Phillips, slotted or Pozidriv screws
- MacBook year compatibility is a listing claim, not a check in this file
- The two reviews do not mention the swivel cap
Best for: The screw in front of you is a 1.2 mm five-point on a MacBook the listing claims to cover.
Less suitable: Any household cross-head, flat-pack, or a job that needs more than two owners' comments.
Specifications
- Model
- HeiTao 1.2 mm P5
- Brand
- HeiTao
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(2)
- Drive tips
- 1.2 mm five-point
- Type
- Single pentalobe
- Ratchet
- No
- Magnet
- Tip claimed
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- Fixed tip
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 20 g
Common questions
Which screws is this for?
The listing says a 1.2 mm P5 five-point tip for stated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro bottom-case screws from 2009 to 2020. A Phillips or a flat blade is a different recess.
How many people have reviewed it?
The listing line is 5.0 from 2 ratings. Both texts in the file are from the United Kingdom. They call it a rare specialist tool. They do not describe a defect.
Can you turn it with one hand?
The bullet says a swivel cap is for one-handed tightening. The two reviews do not discuss that cap.
Our view
The OQIMAX listing is a configurable ratchet at about £20.99 and a stated 600 g, with a handle the bullets say can work as a T-handle, straight or angled, and a claimed 58-tooth, 6.2 degree swing. The title says 74-in-1 and names PZ without sizes, yet several texts in the file describe a 40-in-1 or 38 bits, so the piece count is unsettled. The star line is 4.8 from 21 ratings, which is a thin sample, and the file also contains one German-language text and one Dutch text. A 4.8 from 21 ratings does not outrank a 4.6 from several hundred. A separate magnetic block is said to attach to the handle, and the UK texts that mention magnetism say the bits hold screws. The material line says iron while a bullet says an aluminium-alloy handle. You might like the handle shapes if the case you open matches the title, and 21 ratings should not outrank a driver whose contents you can count. The tooth count is a claim, not a measured result.
Pros
- Handle is described as a T-handle, straight or angled
- Bullet names PZ among PH, slotted, Torx, hex and U-type
- A separate magnetic block is listed
- 4.8 from 21 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £20.99
Cons
- Title says 74-in-1; some texts describe 40-in-1 or 38 bits
- PZ has no printed sizes
- 21 ratings is a thin sample, and not every text is from the UK
- Iron on the material line conflicts with an aluminium-alloy handle bullet
Best for: You want a ratchet that changes shape and you will count the bits against the title before you rely on it.
Less suitable: You need a settled piece count, printed PZ sizes, or a review sample in the hundreds.
Specifications
- Model
- OQIMAX 74-in-1 ratchet set
- Brand
- OQIMAX
- Price
- ∼£21
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(21)
- Pozidriv
- Named, no sizes
- Drive tips
- PH, Torx, hex, PZ
- Type
- Cased ratchet
- Ratchet
- 58-tooth claim
- Magnet
- Separate block
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- Case
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 600 g
Common questions
What can the handle do?
The listing says the ratchet handle detaches and can be used as a T-handle, a straight handle or an angled handle. It claims 58 teeth and a 6.2 degree swing. Those figures are not a test in this file.
Why do some reviews say 40-in-1?
The title says 74-in-1. Several texts in the saved listing describe a 40-in-1 or 38 bits. Treat the piece count as unsettled. The rating line is 4.8 from 21.
Is there a magnet?
The listing says a separate magnetic block attaches to the handle. UK texts that mention magnetism say the bits hold screws. That is a small sample.
Our view
The Jorest AJJOJM0602ORDDER1 is a cased precision kit at about £9.99 aimed at phones, laptops, consoles, glasses and watches, and 8,267 amazon.co.uk reviews put it at 4.6. The printed tips run from PH000 to PH2, with small Torx, tri-wing, five-point, hex, triangle and U, and Pozidriv is not in that list. UK reviews talk about those small jobs, not cabinet screws. The special-feature line says magnetic tip; some UK reviews praise magnetised bits, and one says the driver bit is not magnetic and needs an awkward ring. One UK review reports a missing bit, others call the plastic case fiddly, and one notes there is no security Torx even though the head-style line says Torx. The item line says 190 g and the bullet says 195 g. It is a heavily reviewed electronics kit, and a poor stand-in for a PZ2 wood screw.
Pros
- Small Phillips, Torx, tri-wing and five-point tips for electronics
- 4.6 from 8,267 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £9.99
- Case includes a magnet in the lid, as listed
- UK reviews describe laptop, console and glasses jobs
Cons
- Pozidriv is not in the printed bit list
- One UK review says the driver bit is not magnetic and needs a ring
- A missing bit, a fiddly case, and no security Torx appear in UK texts
- The head-style line says Torx only
Best for: You are opening a laptop, a console, glasses or a watch and the screw is a small Phillips, Torx or five-point.
Less suitable: Flat-pack, cupboard hinges, or any screw with Pozidriv tick marks.
Specifications
- Model
- Jorest 25-in-1 precision kit
- Brand
- Jorest
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(8,267)
- Pozidriv
- Not printed
- Drive tips
- PH000–PH2, small Torx
- Type
- Precision set
- Magnet
- Claim disputed
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- Case
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 190 g
Common questions
Will this drive flat-pack Pozidriv screws?
Pozidriv is not in the printed bit list. The set is aimed at phones, laptops, consoles, glasses and watches. UK reviews mention those jobs, not cabinet screws.
Are the bits magnetic?
The special-feature line says magnetic tip. Some UK reviews praise magnetised bits. One says the driver bit is not magnetic and needs an awkward ring.
What arrived missing or awkward?
One UK review reports a missing bit. Others call the plastic case fiddly. One notes there is no security Torx. The head-style line still says Torx.
Our view
The Stanley 0-66-358 is a stubby ratchet at about £6.92 and 140 g, and 7,093 amazon.co.uk reviews put it at 4.6, the largest sample in the folder. The highlight names Phillips, Pozidriv and flared bits, but it does not print PZ1 or PZ2, while the head-size line prints PH1 and PH2. Several UK texts say the storage cap loosens when you turn anticlockwise, so the bits fall out on the undo, which is the job a short driver is often bought for. Others say the bits are tight to pull out the first time. The special-feature line says magnetic tip, and at least one UK review says there is no magnet for small screws, so that claim stays open. Bit counts in the file say 6, 10 and 11 in different fields. You get a short swing inside a cupboard, with a cap you have to watch every time you back a screw out.
Pros
- Short ratchet at about £6.92 and a stated 140 g
- 4.6 from 7,093 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest sample here
- Highlight names Phillips, Pozidriv and flared bits
- Bits are stored in the handle
Cons
- UK reviews say the cap unscrews anticlockwise and drops the bits
- Pozidriv sizes are not printed; the head-size line shows PH1 and PH2
- Magnet claim conflicts with at least one UK review
- Bit counts of 6, 10 and 11 disagree inside the same file
Best for: You need a short ratchet for a tight cupboard and you will hold the cap while you undo a screw.
Less suitable: You undo a lot of screws and cannot afford bits falling out, or you need a printed PZ2 you can check on the page.
Specifications
- Model
- Stanley stubby ratchet 0-66-358
- Brand
- Stanley
- Price
- ∼£7
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(7,093)
- Pozidriv
- Named, no sizes
- Drive tips
- PH1–PH2; PZ named
- Type
- Stubby ratchet
- Ratchet
- Yes
- Magnet
- Claim disputed
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- In the handle
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 140 g
Common questions
Why do UK reviews mention the cap?
Several texts say the storage cap loosens when you turn anticlockwise, so the bits fall out. Others say the bits are tight to pull out the first time.
Is Pozidriv included?
The highlight names Phillips, Pozidriv and flared bits. It does not print PZ1 or PZ2. The head-size line prints PH1 and PH2.
Is the tip magnetic?
The special-feature line says magnetic tip. At least one UK review says there is no magnet for small screws. The file does not settle that.
Our view
The Stanley STA068012 is a non-ratcheting six-way at about £7.66 that carries Phillips 1 and 2, two slotted tips, and 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch nut drivers in the shaft. Across 2,713 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.6, the combination that makes it the best value row under £10 in this file. The card weight is 160 g and the length line is 27.2 cm, and the listing says the bolster can take a spanner when you want more leverage. That same leverage is also how a small screw head gets twisted off. Pozidriv is not in the contents line, so a typical UK cupboard screw is the wrong job even though the star line is strong. UK texts praise it for Phillips and slotted work and say the bits stay in. One new example was faulty on opening, an older one rusted after damp storage, and another was replaced after the large flat tip chipped.
Pros
- Phillips 1 and 2, two slotted tips, and two nut drivers in one shaft
- 4.6 from 2,713 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £7.66
- Bolster is stated to take a spanner
- UK reviews say the bits stay in the driver
Cons
- Pozidriv is not printed in the contents line
- A spanner on the bolster can snap a small screw head
- UK texts include a faulty new example, rust after damp storage, and a chipped flat tip
- There is no ratchet
Best for: You want a cheap simple driver for Phillips, slotted screws and the two nut sizes, and you already have a Pozidriv driver for flat-pack.
Less suitable: Cupboard and flat-pack screws with Pozidriv ticks, or any job where you need the bits to click one way.
Specifications
- Model
- Stanley six-way STA068012
- Brand
- Stanley
- Price
- ∼£8
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(2,713)
- Pozidriv
- Not printed
- Drive tips
- PH1–PH2, slotted, 2 nuts
- Type
- Six-way
- Ratchet
- No
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- In the driver
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 160 g
Common questions
Which tips does the listing include?
Phillips 1 and 2, two slotted tips, and 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch nut drivers. Pozidriv is not in that contents line. The item type says non-ratcheting.
Can you put a spanner on it?
The listing says the bolster nut can take a wrench for extra leverage. That also raises the chance of twisting a small screw head off.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Buyers praise a simple driver for Phillips and slotted jobs and say the bits stay in. One new example was faulty on opening. An older one rusted after damp storage, and another was replaced after the large flat tip chipped.
Our view
The Duratech DT104014AU is a cased 60-in-1 at about £14.99, and the head-size line is the one in this set that prints PZ0, PZ1, PZ2 and PZ3 next to slotted, Phillips, Torx, hex and square. Across 629 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.6, a sample large enough to read, and the comparison score of 65 is listing arithmetic rather than a workshop test. The case is 21.5 × 11.8 × 8 cm and the card weight is 620 g, so it lives in a drawer rather than a pocket. The listing states that the magnet sits in the holder and does not reach the bit tip, so a loose screw will not hang on the driver unless you use the magnetiser the same text suggests. A few of the 39 UK texts say bits were lost, and the bullet's Torx run to T40 does not match the head-size line that stops at T30. It is the top pick here because Pozidriv sizes are printed and those UK texts do not say the bits were missing.
Pros
- Head-size line prints PZ0–PZ3 with Phillips, slotted, Torx, hex and square
- 4.6 from 629 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £14.99
- Case is listed at 620 g, so the bits have a home
- Listing states that the magnet stops in the holder
Cons
- Bit tips are not magnetic
- Torx sizes disagree: the bullet runs to T40 and the head-size line stops at T30
- A few UK reviews say bits were lost
- The included-components line is cut off
Best for: You want one drawer set that prints PZ0 to PZ3 for flat-pack and cupboard screws, and you can add a magnetiser when a screw needs to stick.
Less suitable: You want a tip that is magnetic on its own, a long fixed blade, or a driver for electrical work.
Specifications
- Model
- Duratech 60-in-1 cased set
- Brand
- Duratech
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(629)
- Pozidriv
- PZ0–PZ3 printed
- Drive tips
- PH, Torx, hex, square, PZ
- Type
- Cased multi-bit
- Magnet
- Holder only
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- Case
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 620 g
Common questions
Does this listing include Pozidriv?
Yes. The head-size line prints PZ0, PZ1, PZ2 and PZ3, alongside slotted, Phillips, Torx, hex and square. The bullet and that line do not copy every Torx size in the same order.
Are the bit tips magnetic?
The listing says the holder has an internal magnet and that the magnetism does not extend to the bit tip. A separate magnetiser is what the same text suggests if you want the screw to stick.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Buyers mention the range of bits, the case and the grip for the price. A few say bits were lost. The 39 texts in the file do not cluster on a missing Pozidriv set.
Our view
The Bosch GO 3, model 06019H2201, is a cordless driver at about £56.50 with a USB-C cable, an LED ring, a 6.35 mm holder and seven torque settings that have no newton-metre values. Across 2,469 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.5, and the card weight is 320 g in a 24 × 12 × 9 cm box. UK texts say the push-to-start action suits furniture, and the same texts say it is the wrong tool for tiny electronics screws, slow next to a drill-driver, and able to stall on a tight screw. Direction and power controls are called awkward. More than one UK review says the charge lead was missing even though the listing says the cable lives under the inlay, and one text says the motor failed after three weeks. Battery capacity is not printed, and the eight bits are not named as Pozidriv. You are paying for a small powered driver, not for a hand screwdriver with a PZ size you can read.
Pros
- Cordless driver with USB-C charging and a stated LED ring
- 4.5 from 2,469 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Seven torque settings and a 6.35 mm holder, with eight bits in a mini case
- UK reviews describe it for ordinary furniture screws
Cons
- More than one UK review says the charge cable was missing
- No battery capacity and no newton-metre figures are printed
- UK texts say it stalls, feels slow, and is wrong for tiny screws
- The eight bits are not listed as Pozidriv
Best for: You want a small powered driver for furniture and you will check that the USB-C lead is actually in the case.
Less suitable: Tiny electronics screws, a long run of tight fixings, or a hand driver you can match to a printed PZ size.
Specifications
- Model
- Bosch GO 3 cordless driver
- Brand
- Bosch Professional
- Price
- ∼£57
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(2,469)
- Drive tips
- 8 bits, types unlisted
- Type
- Cordless driver
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- Mini case
- Power
- Cordless USB-C
- Weight
- 320 g
Common questions
Is this a manual screwdriver?
No. The item type is a cordless screw driver. The listing includes a USB-C cable, an LED ring, a 6.35 mm holder and seven torque settings. Battery capacity is not printed.
What do UK reviews say it is poor at?
Texts say it is the wrong tool for tiny electronics screws, that it is slow next to a drill-driver, and that it can stall on tight screws. Direction and power controls are called awkward.
Was the charge cable in the box?
The listing says the USB-C cable is stored under the inlay. More than one UK review says the lead was missing. One text says the motor failed after three weeks.
Our view
The Jorest AJJOED0201ORDJPR1 is a 25-in-1 at about £9.99 with bits in the handle and a shaft the bullet claims extends 4.53 inches. The same bullet prints PZ1 and PZ2 alongside security Torx, Phillips, slotted, hex, square and tri-wing, which is why Pozidriv counts as present on the listing. Across 1,325 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.5. The special-feature line says magnetic tip, yet UK texts split: some praise the magnet and others say it will barely lift a screw or that it is not magnetic. One review notes there is no ratchet, and another says bits fall out of the holder. The item line says 160 g and the bullet says 168 g, and the model-name field still says Precision Screwdriver while the title is a multi-purpose driver. It is a pocket driver with two printed Pozidriv sizes, and the magnet is the part you should test on a screw before you trust it overhead.
Pros
- Bullet prints PZ1 and PZ2 plus security Torx and other small tips
- 4.5 from 1,325 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £9.99
- Claimed extension of 4.53 inches for a deeper recess
- Bits store in the handle
Cons
- UK reviews disagree about whether the tip is magnetic
- No ratchet, and one text says bits fall out of the holder
- Weight lines say 160 g and 168 g
- The model-name field calls it a precision screwdriver
Best for: You want PZ1 and PZ2 in a pocket driver with a bit of extra reach, and you will check the magnet on a real screw.
Less suitable: You need a ratchet, a full PZ0–PZ3 case, or a magnet the listing and the reviews agree on.
Specifications
- Model
- Jorest 25-in-1 extending driver
- Brand
- Jorest
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(1,325)
- Pozidriv
- PZ1 and PZ2
- Drive tips
- PZ, PH, Torx, hex
- Type
- Extending multi-bit
- Ratchet
- No
- Magnet
- Claim disputed
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- In the handle
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 160 g
Common questions
Which Pozidriv sizes are printed?
The bullet lists PZ1 and PZ2, plus security Torx T10H to T30H, PH0 to PH3, slotted SL3 to SL6, hex, square and tri-wing. The head-style line only says Torx.
Is it magnetic?
The special-feature line says magnetic tip. In the UK texts, some buyers praise the magnet and others say it will barely lift a screw, or that it is not magnetic.
Does it ratchet?
The listing does not describe a ratchet. One UK review notes that it has no ratchet. Bits are stored in the handle, and one text says they fall out of the holder.
Our view
The Amazon Basics DS-CJAMZ2010 is a ratchet with 12 bits stored in the handle at about £9.89, and 8,987 amazon.co.uk reviews put it at 4.4. The printed list is SL4 to SL6, PH1 to PH3, T15, T20, T25 and hex H3 to H5, with no Pozidriv, and a UK review calls that the flaw because Pozidriv is the screw the buyer actually meets. The handle is 23.5 cm and 259 g, with forward, reverse and fixed. UK texts also mention bits stuck in the barrel, a bit that would not stay in, a lid that would not stay shut, ratchet slop, and a ratchet that needed oil after a short time, while others call it fine for quick jobs. The special-feature line says magnetic, and reviews that mention PC screws say the magnet struggled to hold them. The head-style field says Security Torx even though the bit list prints ordinary T15, T20 and T25. It is a heavily reviewed ratchet for Phillips, slotted, Torx and hex, and a mismatch for a UK wood screw.
Pros
- Ratchet with forward, reverse and fixed, bits stored in the handle
- 4.4 from 8,987 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £9.89
- Printed list covers slotted, Phillips, Torx and hex
- Stated size is 23.5 cm and 259 g
Cons
- No Pozidriv in the bit list, which a UK review flags
- UK texts mention stuck bits, a loose lid and ratchet slop
- Reviews say the magnet struggles with PC screws
- Head style says Security Torx; the bit list does not
Best for: You want a widely reviewed ratchet for Phillips, slotted, Torx and hex, and your screws are not Pozidriv.
Less suitable: Flat-pack and cupboard screws, or a job where the bit and the lid have to stay put all afternoon.
Specifications
- Model
- Amazon Basics 12-in-1 ratchet
- Brand
- Amazon Basics
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(8,987)
- Pozidriv
- Not printed
- Drive tips
- PH, slotted, Torx, hex
- Type
- Handle ratchet
- Ratchet
- Yes
- Magnet
- Weak in reviews
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- In the handle
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 259 g
Common questions
Does it include Pozidriv?
No. The bullet lists slotted, Phillips, Torx and hex only. A UK review says that is the flaw, because Pozidriv is the usual screw the buyer meets.
What mechanical complaints repeat?
UK texts mention bits stuck in the barrel, a bit that would not stay in, a lid that would not stay shut, ratchet slop, and a ratchet that needed oil after a short time. Others call it fine for quick jobs.
Is the magnet strong?
The special-feature line says magnetic. Reviews that mention PC screws say the magnet struggled to hold them.
Our view
The Sharden SD013E-Red is an extendable multi-bit at about £9.99 and 154 g, with bits in the handle and a 1/4 inch shank. The highlight and the head-style line say Pozidriv, and more than one UK review says the bits in the box were not Pozidriv and that square drive was fitted instead. Across 2,082 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.4, so the complaint sits inside a large sample rather than a handful of posts. Many reviewers still like the extending shaft for a drawer, and one says the shaft extends about 3 inches. One calls the tool flimsy, one reports chipping, and one says the bits are held in the handle magnetically while the tips themselves are not. The title says 12 bits, the highlight says 13-in-1, and a review that expected a Sharden ratchet found none. Buy it only after you have checked the tips against a Pozidriv screw, because the printed claim and the UK reports do not agree.
Pros
- Extending shaft that reviewers use inside a drawer
- 4.4 from 2,082 amazon.co.uk reviews at about £9.99
- Bits store in a 154 g handle with a 1/4 inch shank
- The listing does name Pozidriv, even where reviews dispute the contents
Cons
- UK reviews say the Pozidriv bits were missing and square drive was fitted
- Title says 12 bits and the highlight says 13-in-1
- It is not a ratchet
- One UK review calls it flimsy and another reports chipping
Best for: You want an extending pocket driver and you will match each tip to a screw before you trust the Pozidriv line.
Less suitable: You need the Pozidriv bits the title suggests, or a ratchet you thought this model was.
Specifications
- Model
- Sharden extendable multi-bit
- Brand
- Sharden
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(2,082)
- Pozidriv
- Named; reviews disagree
- Drive tips
- PH, Torx, hex; PZ claim
- Type
- Extendable multi-bit
- Ratchet
- No
- Magnet
- Holder only
- Insulation
- None
- Bit storage
- In the handle
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 154 g
Common questions
Did buyers receive Pozidriv bits?
The head-style line and the highlight say Pozidriv. More than one UK review says the supplied bits were not Pozidriv and that square drive was fitted instead.
Does it ratchet?
A UK review says the buyer expected a Sharden ratchet and this item has none. The title in this file is an extendable multi-bit driver, not a ratchet.
What else do UK reviews say?
Many like the extending shaft for a drawer. One calls the tool flimsy. One reports chipping. One says the bits are held in the handle magnetically but the tips themselves are not magnetic.
Our view
The TOOLUTION TL142 is a 26-piece interchangeable set at about £27.90 and a stated 1 kg, sold with blades the bullets rate for insulation up to 1000 V. The file does not name IEC 60900, VDE, GS or a double-triangle mark, so the voltage figure is a claim rather than a standard you can see on the page. The listing line is 3.8 from 8 reviews, the lowest stars and a very small count, and the six texts in the saved listing say they were reviewed in the United States. Those texts mention a comfortable grip, a plastic collar, and pieces that fall out of the case, and they are not UK owner evidence. The tip count says Phillips, not Pozidriv, plus slotted, Torx, hex, square, U-type, Y-type and triangular blades, and a voltage tester that is not a certification. Magnetic tips are claimed. Treat this row as a warning about a 1000 V title, not as a tool for a live consumer unit.
Pros
- Interchangeable blades with a 1000 V insulation claim on the listing
- A case and a voltage tester are included in the description
- The tip list is long: Phillips, slotted, Torx, hex, square and less common shapes
- Stated weight is 1 kg at about £27.90
Cons
- IEC 60900, VDE and a double-triangle mark are not in the file
- 3.8 from 8 reviews, and the written texts in the file are from the United States
- Those texts say pieces fall out of the case
- Cross tips are called Phillips, not Pozidriv
Best for: You are comparing how a 1000 V title reads when the standard is missing, and you will not treat the set as certified.
Less suitable: Live electrical work, a UK consumer unit, or any job that needs a marked insulated tool and Pozidriv blades.
Specifications
- Model
- TOOLUTION 26-piece 1000 V claim
- Brand
- TOOLUTION
- Price
- ∼£28
- Customer rating
- 3.8/5(8)
- Pozidriv
- Not printed
- Drive tips
- PH, Torx, hex, square
- Type
- Interchangeable set
- Magnet
- Tips claimed
- Insulation
- 1000 V claim
- Bit storage
- Case
- Power
- Hand
- Weight
- 1 kg
Common questions
Does the file show IEC 60900 or VDE?
No. The bullets say each interchangeable blade is rated for insulation up to 1000 V. They do not name IEC 60900, VDE, GS, or a double-triangle mark. Do not treat the set as certified from this listing.
Are the reviews British?
The listing line is 3.8 from 8. The six texts in the saved listing say Reviewed in the United States. They mention a comfortable grip, a plastic collar, and pieces that fall out of the case.
Which cross-head is printed?
The tip count says Phillips, not Pozidriv. There are also slotted, Torx, hex, square, U-type, Y-type and triangular blades, plus a voltage tester.
How we compared
Twelve amazon.co.uk screwdriver listings were scored from the shelf method for this folder. Star points, review volume, fit and coverage are added. A 5.0 star line is 37 points, 1,000 or more ratings are 16, fit starts at 12, and printed Pozidriv whose UK reviews do not say the bits were missing is 8. Those published caps sum to 73. The number is listing arithmetic, not a lab test. The top pick is the hand driver that prints Pozidriv sizes and whose UK reviews do not say those bits were missing. The best value is the hand driver under £10 with at least 1,000 ratings whose UK texts do not cluster on a missing advertised tip or a cap that unscrews. A higher score with no Pozidriv printed does not take the top-pick badge.
1
Star points
37%Round((amazon rating − 1.3) × 10). A 4.6 is 33. A 4.4 is 31. A 3.8 is 25. A 5.0 is 37, which is the published cap for this block.
2
Volume points
16%From the amazon.co.uk rating count. Under 10 is 3, 10–49 is 6, 50–149 is 9, 150–399 is 12, 400–999 is 14, and 1,000 or more is 16.
3
Fit points
12%Starts at 12. Subtract 4 when UK reviews cluster on a feature the title names and the bits do not include. Subtract 3 for a repeated mechanical fault, 2 when two fields contradict each other, and 4 when the review texts are not from the United Kingdom.
4
Coverage points
8%8 when Pozidriv sizes are printed and reviews do not say they were missing. 6 for a multi-bit hand driver with no Pozidriv sizes. 5 for a precision set or a single specialist tip. 4 for a cordless driver. 3 when 1000 V is claimed and IEC 60900 or VDE is not in the file.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Screwdriver buying guide
Match the recess first, then the size, then reach, bit retention and whether you need a ratchet. Insulation comes last, and only for electrical work with a named standard. The notes below follow that order for a UK household, using the amazon.co.uk listings scored here and the public sources named at the end of the page. None of the scores is a lab test.
What is a screwdriver?
A screwdriver is a handle and a tip that must match the screw recess. In the UK that recess is often Pozidriv rather than Phillips. You tell a useful household driver by a printed PZ size, enough reach, and reviews that do not contradict the magnet or the bit list. Flat-pack screws usually want PZ2. Electronics may want a small Phillips, Torx or pentalobe. Live electrical work wants IEC 60900 or a named VDE test, and only after the circuit is dead.
Best for
- Flat-pack and cupboard screws when PZ2 is printed on the listing
- Phillips and slotted screws when you already own a Pozidriv driver
- Small electronics when the tip is PH, Torx or a stated five-point
Not ideal for
- A Phillips tip forced into a ticked Pozidriv screw
- Live work from a 1000 V title that does not name IEC 60900 or VDE
- A piece count, an HRC number or a tooth claim treated as a measured result
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Forcing PH2 into a ticked Pozidriv screw
A Phillips tip turns a Pozidriv screw with play and can chew the head. A Pozidriv tip does not seat in a Phillips screw. ISO 8764-1 names the two forms. Read the ticks on the screw before you buy a long bit list that never prints PZ.
- 2
Trusting a magnet the reviews contradict
Some listings magnetise only the holder and say the field does not reach the tip. Other titles say magnetic while UK reviews say the screw will not hang on. Test the tip on a screw before you work overhead.
- 3
Reading 1000 V as permission to work live
A 1000 V line without IEC 60900 or a named VDE test is not a certification on the page. Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 sets tight conditions for live work. HSE GS38 treats dead working as normal. Call an electrician for a consumer unit or any circuit you cannot prove is dead.
What to weigh up
Recess and size
HighPozidriv has extra ticks on the screw and a parallel tip. Phillips tapers and is designed to cam out. A Pozidriv driver does not seat in a Phillips screw. A Phillips driver turns a Pozidriv screw with play and can chew the head. ISO 8764-1:2004 names form PH and form PZ. PZ2 and PH2 are the usual furniture and general sizes. Smaller numbers are for electronics. A 1.2 mm five-point tip is not a Phillips.
Reach, magnet and insulation
HighA stubby fits a hinge and gives less leverage. An extending shaft is a moving part. A bolster plus a spanner can snap a small screw. A ratchet helps only when the swing is short. It adds slop, and a storage cap can unscrew when you undo a screw. Some listings magnetise only the holder. A title that says magnetic, while UK reviews say the screw will not hang on, has not settled the claim. Insulation is only for electrical work, and only with IEC 60900 or a named VDE test.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Weekly DIY drawer
You want PZ0 to PZ3 printed in one case and you can accept a holder magnet that stops short of the tip. The Duratech 60-in-1 is about £14.99, with 4.6 from 629 reviews. A few UK texts say bits were lost.
Small electronics
You are opening a laptop, a console, glasses or a watch. The Jorest 25-in-1 precision kit is about £9.99, with 4.6 from 8,267 reviews. Pozidriv is not in the bit list, so it is a poor stand-in for a cupboard screw.
Common questions about screwdrivers
What is the difference between a Phillips and a Pozidriv screwdriver?
Pozidriv, marked PZ, has extra ticks on the screw and a tip with parallel flanks. Phillips, marked PH, tapers and is designed to cam out. ISO 8764-1:2004 names both forms. A Pozidriv driver does not seat in a Phillips screw. A Phillips driver turns a Pozidriv screw with play and can chew the head. They are not interchangeable. PZ2 and PH2 are the usual furniture sizes. Smaller numbers are for electronics. A 1.2 mm five-point tip is a different recess again.
How do you choose a screwdriver size and reach?
Choose the recess before the handle. PZ2 and PH2 cover most furniture and general screws. Smaller Phillips, Torx or five-point tips are for electronics, glasses and some laptop cases. A stubby fits a hinge and gives less leverage. An extending shaft reaches a deeper recess and is a moving part. A bolster that takes a spanner adds leverage and can snap a small screw head. If the listing prints PZ without a number, you cannot check PZ2 from the page.
When does a magnetic screwdriver actually hold the screw?
Only if the magnetism reaches the tip. Some listings magnetise the holder and say the field stops there, so a loose screw will not hang on the driver. Other titles say magnetic while UK reviews say the screw will not lift. A separate magnetiser, or a magnet in the case lid, is a different claim from a magnetic tip. Test the tip on a screw before you work overhead. A review that disagrees with the bullet is the more useful line for that listing.
Is a ratchet screwdriver worth buying?
A ratchet helps when the swing is short, such as inside a cupboard. It also adds slop. On a stubby, UK reviews can describe a storage cap that unscrews when you turn anticlockwise, which drops the bits on the undo. Forward, reverse and locked modes are a ratchet. A title that says torque, with no newton-metre scale, is not a torque screwdriver. Buy a ratchet for a tight space, and hold the cap if reviews say it loosens.
Does a 1000 V label mean you can work on a live circuit?
No. A line that says 1000 V, without IEC 60900 or a named VDE test, is not a certification you can read off the page. IEC 60900:2018 covers insulated hand tools up to 1 000 V AC and 1 500 V DC. VDE and GS are test marks, not UK statutes. Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 allows live work only under strict conditions. HSE GS38 treats dead working as normal. Call an electrician for a consumer unit or any circuit you cannot prove is dead.
What do screwdrivers cost on amazon.co.uk?
In the twelve saved listings captured on 19 October 2026, shelf prices run from about £3.19 to about £56.50. Entry is about £3.19 to £7.66. Most multi-bit handles sit between about £6.92 and £14.99. A cased set or a 1000 V claim sits about £20.99 to £27.90. The cordless row is about £56.50. Prices move, and a star line from a handful of ratings is a thinner record than 4.6 from several hundred.
When should you stop and call a professional?
Stop if you cannot prove the circuit is dead, and for a consumer unit, a gas or boiler casing, or a swollen battery under security screws. Once a screw head is already rounded, forcing a Phillips tip into a Pozidriv recess makes it worse. Small electronics screws are a different job from flat-pack, and they are covered in the precision screwdriver comparison. At work, PUWER 1998 requires suitable, maintained equipment. A 1000 V title without IEC 60900 is not permission to work live.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Duratech 60-in-1 cased set at about £14.99, with 4.6 from 629 amazon.co.uk reviews and a score of 65. The head-size line prints PZ0 to PZ3, and the UK texts in the file do not say those bits were missing. The Stanley six-way scores 67 and does not take that badge, because its contents line has no Pozidriv. The best value is the Stanley STA068012 at about £7.66, with 4.6 from 2,713 reviews and a score of 67. It is a hand driver under £10 with at least 1,000 ratings, and the UK texts do not cluster on a missing advertised tip or a cap that unscrews. The row still shows Phillips and slotted only. Neither badge means the best screwdriver in Britain, or a tool that was lab-tested. Phillips and Pozidriv are not interchangeable.
Best value
View offer
Stanley six-way STA068012
About £7.66, under £10, with 4.6 from 2,713 reviews and score 67. UK texts do not cluster on a missing tip or a cap that unscrews. Phillips and slotted only.
Editorial
Editor
ScrewdriversHand-tool listingsamazon.co.uk review evidence
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to screwdrivers
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Screwdriver buying guideRecess, size, reach, ratchet, then insulation.Best screwdriverOne top pick and one best value, and who should skip them.How to use a screwdriverSeat the tip and stop cam-out.Phillips vs PozidrivWhen PZ, when PH, and why they are not interchangeable.Insulated 1000 V screwdriverWhat 1000 V, IEC 60900 and regulation 14 require.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public sources listed below. Shelf prices and star lines for the twelve listings are the amazon.co.uk figures in the saved listings from 19 October 2026, not a fresh check on 22 October 2026.
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, regulation 14 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- HSE GS38, electrical test equipment for use on low voltage systems (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- HSE INDG291, providing and using work equipment safely (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- ISO 8764-1:2004, screwdriver tips for cross-recessed screws (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- IEC 60900:2018, live working hand tools (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- BSI, BS 2559:1994 specification for screwdrivers (retrieved 22 October 2026)
- PB Swiss Tools, Phillips and Pozidriv explained (retrieved 22 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures in the saved listings captured on 19 October 2026, not a fresh check on 22 October 2026. We did not lab-test these screwdrivers.