If you do home remodeling, either as a professional or on your own, then you know that laying drywall and other materials can be an arduous process given the fact that you have to put in so many screws. If you tried to do it by hand, then your wrist would give out halfway through, which is why it’s so much better to use a power tool instead.
For this purpose, you can either use a drill or a screw gun. While a drill can be handy, it usually only works for lighter jobs that need a handful of screws or more.
However, if you are going to be driving a lot, then a screw gun is the way to go. As such, we’re going to look at the best screw guns on the market and show you the features and benefits that you should be on the lookout for when making a final decision.
10 Best Screw Guns – Comparison
IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | DEWALT DW268 6.5 Amp Screwdriver |
| Check Price |
![]() | Makita XSF03Z LXT |
| Check Price |
![]() | Senco DS332-AC Corded Auto-Feed Screwdriver |
| Check Price |
10 Best Screw Guns – Reviews
1. DEWALT DW268 6.5 Amp Screwdriver
As you will see on this list, DeWalt makes a lot of high-quality screw guns for various applications. Usually, when you are looking at these types of devices, most of them will say that they are a “drywall” gun.
This means that they are designed for drywall and not much else. Thus, if you want to drive a lot of screws into other materials like wood or metal, then you’ll need something like this DW268.
The motor on this driver is incredible, delivering high torque and speed. With the variable adjustment settings, you can go from zero to 2500 rpm with a few clicks. This makes it perfect for a wider range of jobs, so you aren’t stuck only doing drywall with this device.
To help make the job even easier, this gun has an automatic torque adjustment that increases or decreases based on your needs. That way when you’re working on soft material it won’t damage it and vice versa.
Also, it has a lightweight design and a super comfortable feel, so fatigue will be a thing of the past. And, since it’s corded, you can work longer without stopping.
- Powerful 6.5 amp motor
- Corded screw gun
- Durable helical cut steel and bearings
- Automatic torque adjustment
- Rubber grip for better handling
- Two-finger trigger for more control
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Multi-speed and reversal switch
- Goes from 0-2500 rpm
- Will not damage fasteners at top speeds
- Works on various materials, including drywall
- In rare cases, parts may be missing upon arrival
- Power requirements may be different than what you can use
2. Makita XSF03Z LXT Lithium-Ion Drywall Screwdriver
So far, we’ve only seen screw guns with cords, but those can get in the way and can be severely limiting on the job depending on the layout of your setup. Thus, if you want total versatility, then something like this XSF03Z from Makita will be a great option for you.
Cordless guns are much better if you have to reach into tighter corners or do ceiling work, as you never have to worry about tripping or stepping on a power cord.
Plus, if you’re worried about dying batteries, get a couple of backups so that you can switch out and keep working without any delays.
As far as cordless guns go, this is probably one of the best you can find. First of all, the brushless motor delivers massive torque and speeds up to 4000 rpm. That means you can work on almost any material imaginable, as long as you have the right bit and the right screws.
Best of all, to help save battery life, the motor only activates when you are working and the fastener is secured, so you don’t have to waste any energy. As such, the battery can last up to about ninety minutes, or 1,860 screws on a single charge.
Other features include a soft grip handle, an easy-to-adjust nosepiece for quick bit changes, and a battery charge indicator, so you know when to swap it out.
Also, you don’t lose power as the battery drains and the motor even optimizes itself while it’s working so that you don’t have to worry about anything. Overall, this is one of the best cordless screw guns you can find.
- Battery-powered cordless screw gun
- Delivers between 0-4000 rpm
- Durable BL motor
- Push drive technology to save battery life
- When locked, motor activates when you push in
- Motor automatically optimizes itself while working
- Soft-grip handle for reduced fatigue
- Lightweight design is more agile
- Two-finger trigger for more control
- Adjustable nose piece for proper depth
- Battery charge indicator
- Can drive up to 1860 screws in one charge
- In rare cases, the drill chuck may come off unexpectedly
- May have trouble with larger and fatter screws
- Ideal for drywall, but can have a hard time with other materials
3. Senco DS332-AC 3″ Corded Auto-Feed Screwdriver
When it comes to screw guns, one feature that can be a huge help is an auto-feed function. Many of those devices will be labeled as a “collating” driver, which means that they use bands of screws that feed into it much like an old-school machine gun.
In this case, however, Senco has a patented corner fit feed system that works much better and doesn’t get hung up with the rubber band afterward.
You can fit up to thirty screws onto the belt feeder, and they will move up automatically as you work. This can significantly increase your productivity levels beyond what was possible before. The only thing is that it can take a little while to insert the screws initially, so there is a bit of a tradeoff there.
To help make it even easier, this gun allows you to adjust the depth and belt hook with either hand, and the slide change makes it far simpler to change bits when necessary.
Also, a variable speed motor that delivers up to 2500 rpm makes this one of the fastest screw guns on the market. Best of all, the high speeds also allow you to work with other materials such as wood and metal.
- Powerful 2500 rpm motor
- Proprietary corner fit feed system
- Adjust screw length and belt hook with either hand
- Variable speed trigger with lock and reverse
- Slide change for bits is fast and easy
- Corded screw gun
- Holds up to thirty screws at once
- Compact and ergonomic design
- Works best with Senco screws. Other brands may not fit correctly every time
- Some screw sizes will have a harder time than others with the feed belt
4. DEWALT DCF620B MAX XR Drywall ScrewGun
We’ve already seen what DeWalt can do with a corded screw gun, but now we can look at the cordless option for comparison. When holding it up to something like the DW268, you won’t see as much torque or as much speed, but this is technically a drywall gun, so that is to be expected.
Thus, when comparing this to other devices in its class, it’s easy to see why DeWalt is one of the top brands.
The motor on this gun is brushless and made of durable steel parts, so it will not break down easily. The nosepiece on the front is easy to adjust for depth and it even comes with a locking mechanism, so you never have an accidental shift while working.
The grip is soft and ergonomic, and the whole thing is very light, so fatigue won’t be a problem. The only issue with this particular model is that you have to buy a battery separately, which is kind of a pain.
However, since you should be buying backups anyway, we don’t think that it’s a dealbreaker.
- Battery-operated cordless screw gun
- Powerful brushless motor has high torque
- Easy to adjust nose cone for proper depth
- Cone lock to prevent accidental adjustment
- Lightweight and ergonomic to reduce fatigue
- LED included for better visibility
- Two-finger trigger with lock and reverse mechanism
- Battery not included
- Only works with Phillips screws
- Some components feel a bit flimsy
5. Hitachi W6V4SD2 SuperDrive Collated Drywall
For the most part, screw guns resemble drills more than anything, but this model from Hitachi almost looks like an automatic machine gun when you first look at it.
The nosepiece is extra long with ventilated holes, so it seems like you’re about to fight some Germans rather than hang drywall.
The reason for the more extended nosepiece is so that you can hold collated screw bands. This will allow you to work faster by feeding the band through the system instead of having to place each screw manually.
While it’s not as elegant or refined as the Senco system, it is much better than single screw guns. The only downside is that usually, you will need two hands to steady yourself, although with practice you may be able to get to be one handed.
The power of this gun is also legendary, delivering up to 4500 rpm. This means that you can work on almost any materials with the right bits and screws by your side.
- Corded drywall screw gun
- Tool-free depth adjustment
- Extra long power cord for flexibility
- Sides can hold screw feeders for faster work
- Adjustable speed settings
- Operates between 0-4500 rpm
- Lightweight handle for easier control
- Trigger lock with reverse mechanism
- Long tip requires two hands to keep steady
- In some cases, you may get a refurbished model instead of a new one
6. DEWALT DC970K-2 18-Volt Compact Drill
Earlier, we talked about the fact that you can use a drill as a makeshift screw gun as long as you have the right bit. As such, some drills (like the DC870K-2) are a combination device that works well as both a drill and a driver.
What sets this one apart, though, is its size. This is one of the most compact drill/driver combos you can find.
Although it is still powerful for its size, the brushless motor can only go up to 1500 rpm. As such, it’s meant for drywall mostly, although you can work with some softer woods and plastics as well.
Since it’s battery-operated, you can work in many different tight positions without any problems, and the batteries last for about 1.2 hours on a single charge.
Other features of this combo system include a keyless chuck for quick bit changes, a soft-grip handle, and a variable speed trigger with a locking mechanism. Overall, if you need something small to reach into tight spaces, this is a great buy.
- Battery operated unit
- Combination drill and driver
- Easy to change bits
- Keyless ratcheting chuck system
- Compact and lightweight design
- Variable speed adjustment
- 0-450 or 0-1500 rpm depending on the job
- Easy to change batteries
- Soft grip handle to reduce fatigue
- High-performance motor
- Battery lasts up to 1.2 hours
- In rare cases, the clutch may slip from time to time
- In some instances, parts may be missing upon arrival
- On rare occasions, the battery may not hold a charge
7. DEWALT DW255 6-Amp Drywall Screwdriver
We’ve already seen a lot of DeWalt products on this list, but this next one is probably the most basic and standard unit you can find. If you’re in of a workhorse that can lay a lot of screws without having a ton of extra features, this is your best bet.
What we like about this gun is the motor. It can spin up to 4000 rpm making it ideal for a wide variety of jobs, although it excels at laying drywall.
It has a nosepiece that is easy to adjust for depth and a locking trigger with a reverse setting. Again, this is pretty much as simple as you can get, so if you just want to drive a lot of screws, this will make it happen.
It’s durable and reliable, and it will last for a long time.
- Corded drywall screwdriver
- Powerful six-amp motor
- Depth sensitive nosepiece
- Easy to adjust depth (no tools)Two-finger trigger for better control
- Lightweight design for reduced fatigue
- Durable steel components
- Works on square and Phillips screws
- Operates at up to 4000 rpm
- Locking trigger and reverse setting
- In rare cases, the motor may overheat and stop working suddenly
- Bulkier than other devices
- Cord can get in the way more than with other guns
8. Pink Power PP182 18V Cordless Pink Drill
When it comes to power tools for women, many manufacturers seem to think that pink is the default coloring. Thus, if you are looking at this drill/driver combo, you will instantly notice the color scheme, as well as the fact that it’s “built for a woman.”
While many women can handle a standard screw gun, this one does have a few features that can be beneficial to those with smaller hands and lighter needs.
First and foremost, this device is built for small jobs. Thus, if you don’t have to drive a ton of screws or work on a variety of materials, this will be a great addition to your toolkit.
This will help you with hanging pictures, mounting stuff to your wall, and taking out screws that already exist. The lightweight design and the low-torque motor make it a great option for casual handywoman who need something with a little oomph.
Other features include a bubble level so that you know that you’re on target (more drills and drivers need this feature, honestly), a LED light so you can see better, and sixteen torque settings so that you can adjust the motor to fit your needs.
Also, it has a magnetic base so that you can store extra screws and bits much more easily.
- Battery-powered cordless gun
- Works as a drill and as a driver
- Lightweight design to reduce fatigue
- Long lasting batteries
- LED light for better visibility
- Bubble level built-in for more accuracy
- Keyless chuck for quicker bit changes
- Variable speed adjustment
- Operates between 0-550 rpm
- Comes with sixteen torque settings
- Magnetic base for screw and bit storage
- Trigger lock and reverse setting
- Motor is not powerful enough for heavy-duty jobs
- In rare cases, the driver bit may be off center when placed
- In rare instances, the batteries may not hold a charge
9. BLACK+DECKER LDX120C MAX Lithium-Ion
If the Pink Power Drill above was a little too dainty for your tastes, but you don’t need something as powerful as the Makita XSF, then this cordless drill/driver combo will be a great option.
It’s still not made for heavy duty jobs, but it can do a lot more than something as small as the Pink Power.
This device has a high torque motor that can spin at up to 650 rpm. The chuck is keyless for quick bit changes, and the battery lasts for up to one hour. Also, the batteries are fast and easy to swap out so you can keep working as long as you have a backup.
There is an eleven-position clutch and a variable speed adjustment trigger, so you can do quite a bit with this machine. Overall, if you’re a casual handy person, this is a great drill/driver to have.
- Battery operated cordless drill and driver set
- High-torque motor works on all materials
- Easy to change batteries
- Soft grip handle and lightweight design
- Eleven-position clutch for both drill and driver
- Variable speed adjustment
- Operates between 0-650 rpm
- Easy to change bits with keyless chuck
- Trigger lock and reverse button
- Battery lasts up to one hour
- LED light for better visibility
- Not built for heavy duty work
- Light can be hard to see sometimes
- May have a hard time with some wood or metal
10. WORX WX252L XTD Extended Reach Screwdriver
Finishing off our list is the simplest and easiest to use screw gun you can find. On top of that, it is also the smallest and the most lightweight.
Essentially, this is a step above screwing things by hand, making it a great buy for people who want something light and sturdy but not too powerful.
The main feature of this driver is the extendable spindle. It can reach up to two inches long so that you can get into tight spaces much more easily. Also, you can remove it altogether if you do decide to work by hand instead.
It operates at 230 rpm, but there is no variable speed adjustment, so you have to be a little careful when screwing things in. It works with all 1/4 inch screw bits and it can also reverse if necessary.
Finally, it comes with a LED light for better versatility. Simply put, this is a great option for small jobs here and there.
- Battery operated cordless screw gun
- Extendable reach to get into tight places
- Spindle is removable to be used manually
- Compact and lightweight design
- Reverse button included
- LED light for increased visibility
- Works will all 1/4 inch screw bits
- Operates at up to 230 rpm
- Battery lasts up to one hour
- Not designed for heavy use
- Not enough torque to power through hardwoods or metal
- No variable speed adjustment
How to Choose Best Screw Guns in 2021
Motor
First off, when picking a screw gun, the most important thing is the motor. This will tell you how much torque you have and what kind of speed settings you can use, so this will essentially let you know if the device will be sturdy enough for the kind of work you’ll be doing. Simply put, choose carefully a gun with a motor that matches your need.
Collated or Single Screw
As we saw, some screw guns give you the option to feed screws as you work so that you can be a lot faster. If you are doing bigger jobs that require a ton of screws, then this will be a lifesaver.
However, if you don’t need that kind of convenience, a single-use driver is better since it can be easier to handle and be more agile overall.
Corded vs. Cordless
This can be a personal preference, as some people don’t like to trip over cords or be limited in how far they can go while working. In this case, we recommend cordless units if you are doing a lot of overhead work or if you have to get into tight spaces.
Otherwise, a corded model will be a better purchase because it won’t have any battery-related issues. Also, you can usually get more torque and speed from a corded gun.
Final Verdict
There are a lot of great machines on this list, but if we had to pick one that ruled them all, we would have to say that the DeWalt DW268 takes the cake.
It has the best performance of anything we’ve seen and it’s built much tougher than the competition. If you want something with a feeder, though, then you have to pick the Senco DS332 as its feed system is so much better than anything else on the market.
Finally, if you prefer a cordless model, the Makita XSF is our top pick for a battery-operated screw gun.