This 12-in-1 electric screwdriver is my go-to tool

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Hoto 12-in-1 electric screwdriver is typically priced at $60.
• This electric screwdriver has a fast 220 RPM motor, two buttons for screwing in and out for ease of use, three torque settings for different tasks, a circular LED shadowless lamp for better visibility, and includes 12 S2 tool steel bits.
• While durable and reliable, the Hoto 12-in-1 electric screwdriver lacks a super-gentle setting for delicate tasks, making it too powerful for small, intricate jobs.

I use a lot of screwdrivers, and I’ve found that while it’s hard to beat a decent set of traditional screwdrivers (here is a great set by Klein Tools that will last you a lifetime), there are times when electric screwdrivers can take the strain off my hands and wrists. 

Also: This $20 USB-C cable I recommend comes with a useful digital display

I believe in thoroughly testing tools, and the one I’ve been testing hard for over a year now is the Hoto 3.6V cordless 1,500mAh electric screwdriver which has proved itself to be a worthy addition to my toolkit. 

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Hoto electric screwdriver tech specs

• Rotary knob switches the screwdriver between three different torque settings
• Fast driving, thanks to a 220 RPM motor
• A massive 1,500mAh capacity battery provides ultra-long endurance and, when fully charged, can drive in more than 1,000 screws before needing a recharge
• The screwdriver features a circular LED shadowless lamp, so you can see what you’re doing
• The Hoto cordless screwdriver set contains a dozen two-inch long S2 tool steel long bits with hardness up to 60HRC
• The screwdriver and bits are stored in the anodized aluminum alloy storage box that has a soft, rubber top handle
• The Universal Type-C charging interface means you don’t need a separate charger

Also: The best electric screwdrivers: Expert tested

On the one end of this superb screwdriver is a standard 1/4-inch socket that takes the various bits, and behind that is a rotary knob that switches the screwdriver off and on and also switches between three torque settings. There’s also a circular LED shadowless lamp, so you can see what you’re doing, which is a nice touch because it means I don’t have to wrangle a flashlight when I’m working in a dark area.

On the other end of the screwdriver, there’s a USB-C port for charging the unit — a neat touch because it eliminates the need for a proprietary charger (I don’t need any more of those in my life). 

Also: My favorite electric screwdriver for heavy-duty jobs

The controls are about as simple as they get and are located in the middle of the tool. There’s a button to screw a screw in and a button to screw a screw out.

The screwdriver and bits are stored in the anodized aluminum alloy storage box that has a soft, rubber top handle. If you want more than the dozen bits, Hoto has a version with 25 bits in a different case for a few dollars more.

The three torque settings range from powerful enough to assemble a PC case or flat pack furniture (where you need quite low power) to powerful enough to put a fence up or screw down floorboards. 

This screwdriver doesn’t offer a super-gentle setting for things such as electronic gadgets, which this screwdriver might be too powerful for. This is where a mini-precision electric screwdriver complements the Hoto screwdriver well (and this is also on sale right now).

Also: This must-have screwdriver has two cool hidden tricks

ZDNET’s buying advice

Aside from the lack of a super-gentle setting, the Hoto electric screwdriver with a dozen bits is a great choice — especially at this lower price point. Mine has already had well over a year of use now, undertaking tasks such as assembling PC cases, putting together flat-pack furniture, and being abused driving six-inch screws into plastic door and window frames, and it is still going strong. 

It’s more than paid for itself!