XLX 4.2V Cordless Screwdriver
ZDNET Highlights
- The XLX 4.2V Screwdriver is available on Amazon for $15.
- It has a classic design that’s surprisingly ergonomic, and powerful enough for regular DIY tasks.
- The LED light only lights up when the screwdriver is on.
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Sometimes I am wrong. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does I try to learn from it. Take the other day, for example. I got a new screwdriver to test out, and initially I was quite skeptical of it. After all, the price was under $20, it was from a brand with no bells and whistles, and it looked a bit like something my grandfather might have used in the 1980s.
But I was wrong. It turned out to be not only powerful, but also surprisingly ergonomic.
Also: Best Electric Screwdriver: Expert Tested
The product under consideration is XLX 4.2V Cordless ScrewdriverIt came packaged in a generic plastic box with some screwdriver bits and a charging cable, and it didn’t catch my eye at first,
The screwdriver actually looks like an old fashioned gadget or perhaps a microphone. As soon as I hold it, I feel like playing songs. Despite this, the shape is different from what we are used to these days. Most cordless screwdrivers look like a cylinder of varying thickness depending on battery capacity and power output.
The unit is made of a rigid polymer that appears to resist abrasion and impact, but there is no soft overmolding present. There is also a wire loop built into the end of the screwdriver which I initially thought would be inconvenient to use, but I was wrong.
Am I doing something DIY or interviewing someone?
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
In fact, the size makes the entire unit pocketable, but since there’s no switch to lock it in the off position, I’m not sure if I’d want to keep it in my pocket for long periods of time.
Inside the tool is a 900 mAh battery that can be recharged using USB-C, and the motor is capable of delivering an impressive 3.0 Nm of electric torque (which is a bit more than what is considered hand tight), and the unit can withstand up to 10 Nm of manual force, which is the maximum you can achieve with a screwdriver.
Plus: My all-time favorite cordless screwdriver can handle any task I want (and it’s on sale)
The interface is simple. There is a button to fix the screw, and a button to undo. It has a light that lights up when any button is pressed, and the unit is magnetized for convenience.
It’s all well designed and very ergonomic.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I’ve used it to put a few hundred screws in and out in both real-world use and endurance tests over the past few weeks, and I’m very happy to recommend it. This shape, despite being quite an old style, is time-tested and surprisingly ergonomic. It fits well in the palm of the hand, and the buttons are easy to reach.
The light on the front is also highly functional, illuminating the work area well. The only drawback of the light is that it only lights up when you press the button, so if you’re working in the dark, you’ll need a second light.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
All complaints aside, XLX 4.2V Cordless Screwdriver A great tool for $15. The handle could benefit from some softer overmolding, and the LED light only lights up when the tool is running, but for the price, I can’t complain.
If this were my primary tool, I would replace the screwdriver bits with better bits, but they work. For someone starting out who has a little flat-pack furniture to put together, or an experienced DIYer looking for inexpensive tools to use and abuse, this is an ideal choice.
I’ll keep my tools in a small toolkit in the car.
