We found the Megapro well suited for use by those with large hands. Its handle features rubber inserts and is comfortable to grip, but it might be a little large for someone with smaller hands. The end cap slides out for easy bit retrieval, and the double-ended bits make it handy to find the right bit without needing to carry extra bits around. The directional collar is easy to switch, and the ratcheting action is smooth.

Grip shapes and styles vary from screwdriver to screwdriver. Some brands have one handle design that they use on all of their products, and some tradespeople have come to prefer them. Other models use tapered grips, allowing for several hand or grip positions. The directional collar on the Bahco switches directions smoothly, and the screwdriver’s ratcheting action is smooth. We inserted screws into pine, ash, and walnut boards, and the Bahco didn’t miss a beat, even when we exerted force. There’s a tiny bit of play in the shaft, which we would have preferred not to be there, but it wasn’t enough to affect the tool’s performance. The benefit of these screwdrivers is that, many times, the bits are long. You can get a good grip on them when storing or swapping bits. The downside is that these screwdrivers are often heavier, and bits often fall or slide out of lower-end models when you aren’t looking. Kits Most ratcheting screwdrivers use a gear-and-pawl system. Depending on the direction you set the screwdriver to, the pawl will engage with the gear, forcing the tip to rotate with the handle. When you twist the screwdriver in the other direction, the pawl skips over the gear’s teeth, rotating the grip independently of the tip. The Workpro Ratcheting Screwdriver features a nonslip grip and solid feel, making it easy to get a firm grasp on the handle. The tool stores six 3.5-inch double-ended bits in its base, which gave us 12 different bits to choose from, including slotted, Phillips head, star, and Torx. The bits themselves are magnetic—rather than the head—but they remained firmly in the tool, even when we shook it upside down.The Wera ratcheting screwdriver feels solid in the hand, and one of the first things we noticed was its nonslip, ergonomic grip that’s contoured to help the user get a firm grasp. The bit storage base slid out easily with just a light push of the button on the bottom, making it easy to select the bits. We inserted screws in pine, ash, and walnut boards, and the screwdriver held up to all densities.

We tested the Milwaukee’s ratcheting action on a variety of boards, and it didn’t bog down even when we used maximum force inserting screws into walnut wood. There are some things worth considering when shopping for the best ratcheting screwdriver beyond just the style of bit storage. Consider the length, the grip, and other built-in features you might find with certain models. Keep the following points in mind while shopping so you’re sure to get the best ratcheting screwdriver for your needs. Types of Ratcheting ScrewdriversScrewdrivers are essential pieces of kit, used by DIYers and professionals alike. Ratcheting systems give you a mechanical advantage and make the job much easier to complete. The MulWark is made to insert and remove fasteners where there’s very little room to maneuver. Although it was the smallest ratcheting screwdriver we tested, we were able to insert screws in different types of wood—even in walnut—without the ratcheting mechanism failing. But because the MulWark is intended for use with fingers, not a fist grip, our fingers wore out before the tool did. For those times when you need to insert fasteners behind a mounted flat screen or in another tight spot, the MulWark shines.

teeth ratcheting screwdriver which permits smooth operation and minimum rotation arc to catch the next pawl tooth If you’ve ever tried to tighten or loosen screws in tight spots where a straight-handled screwdriver won’t fit, consider the MulWark Low Profile Mini Ratchet Screwdriver. It comes with 20 bits, featuring an assortment of Phillips-head bits, slotted bits, torx bits, and hex bits. It comes with a strong magnet in the head so bits don’t fall out. No onboard storage because this tool is just too small, but the bits fit in two plastic holders that can be easily stored together in a drawer. The benefit of storing the bits in the handle is that it’s harder to lose them. As long as the cap stays shut, the bits are secure, even if they pop out of their clips. The downside is that switching between bits stored in the handle does create some downtime. Also, these bits are often smaller and harder to grip. Bits on the HandleWe used the Megapro to insert screws in pine, ash, and walnut boards, and then we tested it on removing stubborn screws. It stood up to strong twisting force, and the ratcheting action didn’t slip or break. We used quite a bit of torque. If we could ask for one thing to be different it would be a magnet in the head—when we turned the screwdriver downward, the bits often fell out. As opposed to storing your bits inside the handle, several models come with storage on the handle. These models have slots or holes for holding the bits right in the grip. They either clip into place or slide in from the bottom of the handle.