Tool review: Compact Power Drivers

 

Drivers with a 3/8" three-jaw
chuck (left) work with hex- and
round-shank bits. Models with
a hex chuck (right) accept
only bits with 1/4" hex shanks.

More to consider before buying

• Charge time. Each driver comes with two batteries and a charger. All required from 30 to 60 minutes to top off, but given the run time per charge shown by most of the drivers, you'll likely not exhaust a battery before the second one is recharged.

• Chucks. Six models feature 3/8" three-jaw chucks, while the others have quick-connect 1/4" hex chucks, as shown at right. Neither style proved a deal-breaker, unless you plan to drill much with the tool; only the three-jaw chucks accept round-shank bits.

 

Eight of the 10 drivers feature
thicker grips, like the Bosch
PS20-2A (left). The Hitachi (right)
and Ryobi have slim grips.

• Clutches. All the tools sport clutches with at least 10 settings -- most had 18 or more -- and we found all the clutches helpful to prevent stripping out or shearing off heads of brittle drywall screws, as well as tiny brass hinge screws.

• Grip comfort and balance. Most of the drivers felt comfortable and nicely balanced. Those with three-jaw chucks proved slightly more front heavy. Battery packs on some models feature small stems, resulting in slimmer grips, as shown at right. The triangular-shaped packs on the others slide into the handles, requiring thicker grips that could be uncomfortable for small hands.