Best Screw Gun

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Updated 11:35 pm

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To help you shop for the best screw gun, we assessed over 30 products you can use for your drywall hanging and other construction needs. We made sure that they are made of durable materials, offer high speed, and most of all, are equipped with user-friendly properties like low weight, a well-designed handle, forward-reverse modes, rechargeable battery operations, and an auto-feed system.

The WORX WX255L Semi-Automatic Power Screw Driver possesses many excellent qualities, with its hands-free screw holder as its main strength. Besides being lightweight, it features a “rapid-slide” cartridge that can accommodate 6 bits, a long-lasting 4-volt lithium battery with charger, and LED light. Keep reading to discover why this product is our top pick, as well as four other highly recommended screw guns on the market today. But before we go any further, take a look at other great tools available today.

Top 5 Best Screw Gun

 #1  WORX Semi-Automatic Power Screw Driver with Screw Holder

Award: Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: Avoid dropping screws and switch bits with ease with the WORX WX255L, which is equipped with a screw holder and 6-bit “slide action” reloadable cartridge. The cordless screwdriver will allow you to drywall continuously, and even single-handedly if needed.

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  • Easy release-and-hold- screw holder
  • Rapid reload cartridge
  • Long-lasting battery

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  • Slow charging

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The WORX WX255L is ideal for driving screws above your head and in tight places where you can’t afford to drop screws. You can work with just one hand as prongs in front of the screw gun hold the screw until it’s driven deep into the surface. You can drive screws at a speed of 230 rotations per minute. The attachment is just as useful in using the reverse mode for taking out screws.

Related: Learn more about the best rust converters.

Another winning feature of this product is its quick-changing cartridge, which contains six of the most commonly used screwing bits: PH1, PH2, SQ1, SQ2, SL4, and SL6. You can easily switch from one kind of bit to another by sliding the bit changer on top of the gun. The 1.5-pound, 3.8-inch product also has a small LED light near the holder so you can view your work area better. It comes with a charger and 4-volt MAX lithium battery that can operate continuously for up to 18 months. However, it takes five hours to fully charge this screw gun. Along with the best disc sander, this gun will help you complete many projects.

 #2  Pink Power Cordless Electric Screwdriver Kit

Award: Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: This rechargeable screw-driving tool features an adjustable handle so you can drive screws more easily even in tight workspaces. The lightweight tool is handy for hanging picture frames or light fixtures or putting together furniture, thanks to its versatile chuck and bright LED light.

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  • Best budget
  • Pivoting head
  • Battery power gauge
  • LED light

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  • Manual bit change
  • Lower voltage

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The main feature of the one-pound Pink Power PP481 is its patented pivoting head, allowing you to lift the handle so that it’s level or at a 180-degree angle with the head. Otherwise, you can use the gun in its normal pistol grip position.

Related: Check out the best scroll saws.

You can choose from any of the 11 bits that come with the product. A forward-reverse switch is available to drive in or take out screws at 200 rpm (no-load speed). Its chuck can accommodate all standard 1/4 bits, but you have to manually load the specific bit you need for the job.

The LED light at the base of the chuck improves visibility for your tight and dark work areas.

The product also has an LED battery indicator so you’d know whether it’s time to charge the screw gun. The 3.6-volt screw gun is recommended for light jobs only. This is one of those tools that you use all of the time, rather than something like the best de icer for sidewalks. Another great screw gun is the Black+Decker 4V MAX Cordless Screwdriver, which has a good battery life, works well in tight spaces, and has a built-in LED light.

 #3  DeWalt DCK263D2 Combo Kit Screw Gun

Award: Best Quality

WHY WE LIKE IT: This DeWalt kit contains two important hand tools for your basic drywall installation needs: a cordless and high-speed screw gun and a cut-out tool with a dust-sealed switch.

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  • Excellent for drywalling
  • Adjustable cone for drive depth
  • Comes with cutting tool

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  • Expensive

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The kit contains DeWalt’s DCF620 screw gun and the DCS551 MAX XR lithium-ion cordless cutout tool.
The 20-volt screw gun has a brushless motor with a speed of 4,400 rpm. The 8.75-inch and 2.5-pound tool has a depth-sensitive nose cone. The DCF620 uses a 1/4-inch hex bit and has a forward and reverse mode.
The unit comes with a battery pack and a charger with a battery gauge.

Meanwhile, the cut-out tool is powered by a 26,000 rpm motor. Measuring 9 3/4 inches long and 2.2 pounds, the DCS551 is tool-free and perfect for making holes to fit lighting, switches, and electric sockets. It has a depth adjustment tool, allowing you to control how much your blade will go right through the wall.
Both tools allow you to view your work area better with their built-in LED lights. Just as the best window cleaning kit makes that job easier, this gun will simplify so many projects around the house.Both tools allow you to view your work area better with their built-in LED lights.

The optional auto-feed or collated magazine attachment is recommended for the DCF620 for faster screw fastening. Also, check out the DeWalt DC970K-2 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver Kit, which is compact yet efficient, having a variable speed range of 0-450 and 0-1500 RPM. This DeWalt Screw Gun also has a 1/2 inch plastic single-sleeve keyless ratcheting chuck for a tighter grip and better precision.

 #4  DeWalt DCF620B Screw Gun

Award: Best Cordless Screw Gun

WHY WE LIKE IT: Many consider the DCF620B to be the best drywall screw gun on the market because of the lower power consumption and low maintenance required of its brushless motor. This screw gun is preferred by professionals for its cordless feature, adjustable and locking nosepiece, ergonomic design, and durable construction.

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  • Best drywall screw gun
  • Brushless motor
  • Works well with collated magazine

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  • Lacks battery pack

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This powerful screw gun works fast and safely due to its versatile and lockable nose cone. You can twist the depth adjustment control to set how far you want the screw to go into your dry wall. You can also take off the cone and load a longer bit when you need to.

The product’s two-finger trigger with lock and rubber grip makes it easy to hold at 2.7 pounds. You’ll find an LED light and belt clip near the base of the handle.

Owners of the DCF620B say they normally use the tool all day on a single, full charge. Its battery operation means you can move from one board to the next without dealing with a cord. For your next project, you may want to also consider the best cordless drill for the ultimate in convenience.

If you want to level up your productivity further, you can opt to order the collated magazine attachment so you can automatically drive screws one after the other without loading them manually. Speaking of productivity, the best long ice scraper will be a godsend in the winter as well. Check out the Makita XSF03Z, which is another powerful screw gun for your drywall screwdriver needs. This cordless drywall screw gun runs at 0-4,000 RPM with a brushless motor to get the job done quickly and easily.

 #5  DeWalt DW255 Screw Gun

Award: Best Corded Screw Gun

WHY WE LIKE IT: This 6-ampere heavy-duty screw gun balances durability with functionality with its vibratory stress relief (VSR) design. Together with its adjustable speed control and versatile nosepiece, the DW255 is a reliable piece of corded machinery.

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  • High-speed motor
  • Very durable materials
  • Depth-sensitive nosepiece

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  • No reverse mode
  • No LED light

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Enjoy consistent speed and drive depth with the DeWalt DW255, which comes with an 8-foot cord. This unit is the only screw gun on our shortlist whose speed you can adjust from zero to 5,300 rpm.
Although the DW255 is the heaviest of all the five products in this article, its VSR features include a rubber-coated grip and a wide, lockable trigger, which lower user fatigue.

This screw gun can drive in 1.5-inch screws to 3-inch screws. However, it doesn’t have a reverse mode. It’s equipped with helical-cut and heat-treated steel gears and weighs 2.9 pounds. You will use this more often than many tools in your tool kit like the best ice scarper for sidewalk. Another screw gun worth considering that’s ultralight and compact is the Bosch PS21-2A 12V Max 2-Speed Pocket Driver Kit, which weights 4.5 lbs. as a whole kit.

How We Decided

We chose products that are made of quality materials so that DIYers, carpenters, and contractors can use them for a long time. WORX (founded in 2004), Pink Power (2012), and DeWalt (1924) vary in their number of years in tool production. But all three companies are patronized for their level of commitment to high standards in providing reliable tools. A lot of DIYers also find having the best cordless drill useful.

We also picked screw guns that will help you get as much work done efficiently through versatile bit holders that can go forward and in reverse mode, high-performing motors—some of which can be adjusted for speed—and long-lasting batteries.

All five products also feature user-friendly designs, from rubber grips and adjustable handles to LED lights and belt clips, offering the support needed by your muscles and eyes so you can do more with less effort.

Best Screw Gun Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Durability
    The best screw gun can withstand rust and other types of damage and will not easily fall apart in case it drops or gets occasionally overused. Hence, it’s worth buying from known brand names like those we recommended above.
  2. Versatility
    Choose a screw gun whose bits can go forward and reverse so you’ll have an easier time getting a screw into a surface or out of it. Screw guns that can work on other materials besides dry wall, such as metal, are built with speed, depth of drive, and torque controls plus adjustable clutch.
  3. Weight
    You can drive in more screws if the weight of your screw gun is manageable. Check for your chosen product’s weight and verify if the indicated weight refers to the tool with the battery attached to it.
  4. Rechargeable battery
    Corded screw guns are normally lighter and stay at a consistent level of power compared to cordless units, but the latter is highly preferred among DIYers and contractors as they give you plenty of freedom. They also become necessary when you’re too far from a power socket or you have to work in a place with limited outlets.
  5. Auto-feed system
    The best screw guns are equipped with mechanisms, called auto-feed or feed-on-return, that automatically load a screw in front of the bit once the first piece is put in place, a true time and effort saver. Screw guns with this feature are also called collated screw guns.
  6. Ergonomic design
    Screw guns with rigid grips and large triggers will allow you to work safely and efficiently until you finish your project.
  7. Spindle lock
    Check the spindle lock of your chosen screw gun and see how it keeps the chuck and bit firmly onto your main device the moment your finger leaves the trigger.
  8. Brushed or brushless motors
    The power supply of brushed motors runs through carbon brushes on the sides of a motor’s shaft to make the motor spin. Meanwhile, a brushless motor doesn’t have these brushes. Instead, a small circuit board supplies electric current. Older screw guns have brushed motors that need to be cleaned regularly and wear out in time due to the friction produced. Although they usually cost more, screw guns with a brushless motor are wise investments because they’re more efficient and work with more force than the models with brushed motors.
  9. Chuck size
    Select a wider chuck so that a variety of bit diameters can fit into it.

Screw Gun FAQs

When should I use a drywall screw gun instead of a regular screw gun?

Drywall screw guns provide better fastening power because of their high speed and depth adjustment. Since you can adjust the depth, you won’t drill in too deep to the point where cracks may occur in a few years. High-end drywall screw guns include self-feeding belts that line up plenty of screws for you so you won’t have to manually load a new screw each time.

What’s the difference between a screw gun and a drill?

A screw gun only drives screws and is used for installing materials like drywall or plywood whose surfaces or edges must be exactly level. It can drill holes but only to a certain extent. Meanwhile, a drill mainly bores holes but can also function as a screw gun provided that an aftermarket part called a dimpler is attached to its chuck. The bits of screw guns can spin at a higher speed than drills (up to 6,000 rpm compared to 3,000 rpm), but the latter can supply more torque.

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