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The Best Ratchet Screwdrivers
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Wera Kraftform Kompakt 27 RA Ratcheting Screwdriver & 7 Bits, PH/PZ/SL
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Bahco 808050 Ratchet Screwdriver and 6 Bits
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Stanley Multibit Ratchet Screwdriver + 10 Bits
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Klein Tools 32558 Ratcheting Screwdriver and Nut Driver
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Engineer Right Angled Ratchet Screwdriver + 6 Bits
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Makita P-90071 13-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver
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MAXPOWER 18-Piece Magnetic Ratchet Screwdriver and Bit Set
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Engineer Low Profile Stubby Ratcheting Palm Screwdriver
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SYSYLY 11 in 1 Multi-Bit Magnetic Screwdriver
Ratchet Screwdriver Reviews
Wera make some of the best screwdriver bits in the business, so it makes sense that their Kraftform Kompakt Ratcheting Screwdriver is the best ratcheting screwdriver we’ve reviewed to date.
The quality of the handle was immediately noticeable; the mixture of hard and soft rubbers was comfortable and felt like it gave better grip and control, and the permanent magnet kept the bits in place well.
The ratchet mechanism on the Wera screwdriver is fine-tuned and the teeth inside must be really small, because you can turn a screw the tiniest amount on the ratchet, which will be very handy for small adjustments and tight spots.
The feature that makes the Wera ratchet screwdriver the best ratchet screwdriver set on this list is the innovative bit storage design. Being able to store multiple bits it the screwdriver itself is brilliant. No more hunting through pockets or tool belts for the right bit, because it’s already there.
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Bahco are a Swedish premium tool manufacturer and this monster 808050 ratcheting screwdriver set is great for heavy duty work, but refined enough to give you a light touch where needed.
As you would expect from the best ratchet screwdriver for the UK market, the three-material handle is comfortable and helps you apply a lot of torque to a screw. The included screw bits felt secure in the holder and weren’t going to fall out any time soon.
The dual direction ratcheting mechanism on this Bahco ratchet screwdriver was easy on the wrist and had a small enough return to really tighten screws down well. Our favourite feature is the knurling on the blade though, being able to grip it with your fingers securely is a sign that Bahco listen to their users.
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Stanley are a trusted tool brand around the world, and this Multibit Ratcheting Screwdriver Set hasn’t let them down. The handle felt grippy and allowed for a lot of torque to be applied to a screw.
The Multibit name has been around for a long time, and Stanley have made some changes that should help out in the long run. The ratcheting mechanism on this Stanley ratchet screwdriver feels solid and helps reduce wrist fatigue.
You can store a whopping ten bits inside the handle and around the edge of the ratchet housing. This does make the handle heavy but having the bits to hand makes it worth it.
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U.S. tool brand Klein have been making professional-level kit since 1857. In this time, they’ve had plenty of practice making the best ratchet screwdrivers for electricians on the market. The 32558 multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver is a substantial and solid tool that holds ten different driving tips.
The cushion grip rubberised handle is incredibly comfortable and allows you to put more torque into whatever screw or nut you’re working on. The high torque, heavy-duty ratcheting mechanism works in three ways: forward, reverse, and locked in place. The different bits are held inside the screwdriver body for when you need them, so they’re less likely to get lost.
This is an ideal tool for professionals that demand a lot from their tools. It might not be the most delicate ratcheting screwdriver in the world, but it won’t break down on you if you put a lot of force into driving a screw or nut. There’s a good reason why pro’s choose Klein Tools.
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Engineer have made another essential problem-solving tool with their low-profile right-angled ratcheting screwdriver.
Slim and agile, the dimensions of this screwdriver are perfect for when you just can’t get at a screw head-on. Sometimes even a stubby screwdriver will struggle to get in to position, so this is the best snap on ratchet screwdriver for tight spots.
The Engineer Super Low Profile Ratchet direction selector is a handy innovation. It sits by your thumb during use, ready to switch direction without having to remove the tool from the screw. This, as well as the round dial at the top of the screwdriver, meant that screwing in and out with this right angled screwdriver was fast, accurate and comfortable.
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It’s no secret that Makita makes some of the most trusted power tools. Their drills and saws can be found on building sites as well as workshops around the world. It’s no surprise then that the P-90071 13-in-1 is one of the best ratcheting screwdrivers available right now.
What I like the most about this screwdriver is the quick-change magnetic bit holder. It holds the bits nice and securely and has a positive knurled surface for extra grip. It’s removable and can be used as a bit holder in your combi drill or impact driver if you need it as well.
The handle section is rubberised and fits neatly into the hand. If you unscrew the bottom of the screwdriver, you can take out the pair of multi-bit holders. Inside, you get a collection of 25 mm and 50 mm long bits including the ever-useful Torx and hex bits.
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The MAXPOWER brand is responsible for stacks of useful hand tools and other accessories from pipe wrenches to breaker bars. Their magnetic ratchet screwdriver comes with a decent selection of 16 different driver bits that will work for just about any job in front of you.
The ergonomically shaped handle fits well in the hand and even holds six different bits as a handy quick-change feature. You can plug the bits directly into the ratcheting handle or add the ¼” magnetised extension shank when you need some extra reach. The ratcheting system means you can select from forward, reverse, or locked by twisting the collar above the handle.
The rest of the bits that don’t fit into the handle include a useful selection of small Chrome Vanadium nut drivers, small hex bits, and a trio of PoziDriv sizes. It’s a whole tool kit in just one handle, and seeing as the bits are standard ¼” diameter, you can swap them out for any of the others in your collection.
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This is the sort of tool that you might not use every day, but there will be days when only this Engineer stubby palm screwdriver will do the job. The tiny body is perfect for getting into the smallest spaces where no other screwdriver will reach.
It’s the best ratchet screwdriver for tight access areas, as it can even be fitted into gaps less than 4 cm wide, perfect for awkward fixings found in cars or on pieces of equipment. The ratcheting system on the palm screwdriver was robust and felt like it could take a lot of torque.
Although it only came with one Phillips #2 bit, it’s a common size and doesn’t reflect on the overall usefulness of this palm screwdriver. It’s the sort of tool that you keep with you for when it’s the only one that will get you out of a tight spot.
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If you want a decent multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver, but you don’t want to pay out for a big brand version, SYSYLY have you covered. Their multi-bit magnetic screwdriver is comfortable to use and comes with a good selection of different bits.
What makes this one of the best ratcheting screwdrivers I’ve tested out is the telescopic shank. By twisting the collar, you can then extend the bit holder in 5 cm increments to get into the tightest spots. It’s a really handy feature on an already clever little multi-tool.
By folding out the yellow section, ten of the 11 included bits can be stored away inside the handle. The range is decent and even includes several security bits that might come in handy one day. The last handy feature is the magnetiser/demagnetiser accessory that comes with it.
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How to Choose the Best Ratchet Screwdriver
Screwdrivers 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.
Most traditional screwdrivers have a fixed shaft. When you turn it in your hand it turns a screw, but when you get to full lock in your wrist, you have to let go. Ratcheting screwdrivers solve this problem by adding a return feature that allows you to spin the screwdriver in the opposite direction while the screw stays in place.
Features to Look Out for
Ratchets are great and save you a lot of time, but the best ratchet screwdriver, like the Wera Kraftform, will have a switch to change direction without removing the tool from the screw.
Keeping screw bits together is another handy feature, as seen on the Bahco 808050. If you can switch between a flat head and a Phillips without going back to your toolbox, it will save you time and effort every day you use it.
Other Types
A traditional screwdriver can be of varying lengths, but when access is tight you need a stubby screwdriver like the Engineer Stubby Ratcheting Palm Screwdriver, giving you the same amount of force, but able to get into those tight spaces. And when even a stubby won’t do, you can turn things around with a right-angled screwdriver and get where other screwdrivers can’t.
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