Why you should trust us

• I spent 10 years as a carpenter, foreman, and job-site supervisor building high-end houses in the Boston area, some of which were pretty extreme. I’ve also been writing about and reviewing tools since 2007. My experience specific to precision screwdrivers mostly centers on the fact that I refuse to pay more than $5 for a pair of sunglasses. That means I spend a lot of time tightening little hinge screws. I also have four kids, so I fix toys on a daily basis and from time to time, I’ve delved into minor computer repairs.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of our editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

Who is this for?

This recommendation is for a general use precision screwdriver that would live in a kitchen drawer. It’s a tool for tightening the hinge of a pair of sunglasses, opening a toy’s battery case, wiring a thermostat, or dealing with the tiny set screws on door knobs and towel bars. This kind of wide-ranging functionality and ease-of-use is why we recommend a multi-bit screwdriver.

These all-on-one models have their limitations. They will fall short for anyone using precision screwdrivers for RC cars, advanced computer repair, or any of the other involved hobbies that deal with teeny, tiny screws. In these cases, you’re likely better served by a set of individual precision screwdrivers. The higher-quality sets, from brands such as Wiha and Wera, offer drivers that are easy to control and durable, usually with thin stems for getting at screws hidden deep down in a recess and often with magnetized tips.

How we picked and tested

As with a regular screwdriver, certain precision-screwdriver bits see use all the time while others tend to sit around and collect dust. As someone who uses tools on a daily basis and stays extremely hands-on with building and repairing, I’ve learned that I rarely need any precision bits other than Phillips #000, #00, and #0, as well as a few slotted sizes ranging from 1/16 to ⅛. But beyond the basic bits, you’ll encounter less-common ones that are useful for appliance and computer repair or various niches, such as radio-controlled cars. You’ll also find a class of proprietary security bits such as the Apple pentalobe bit, which can crack open an iPhone or iPad. Over the years, I’ve found having these less common bits on hand to be very useful, especially as I try to repair and extend the life of my electronic devices in order to put off replacement costs.

Top pick: Megapro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver

Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter

Top pick

Most multi-bit precision screwdrivers are very basic, and although they do the job, they are limited and often awkward to use. The Megapro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver represents a big step up from those models. Like the larger Megapro 13-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver, which has been our multi-bit screwdriver pick for years, the Megapro 24-in-1 hits all of the high points for a screwdriver, offering excellent storage, a wide bit selection, easy use, and a comfortable handle. Unless you’re a serious hobbyist, this model should be the only precision screwdriver you’ll ever need.

Its distinguishing feature is its bit storage. The 12 double-sided bits stay stowed away in a spinning carousel that lives in the handle of the screwdriver. Once you slide it out of the handle, you can easily find the bit you’re looking for. The system is fast to use, and because each bit has its own spot, misplacing or losing a bit is difficult. In contrast, most multi-bit screwdrivers have their bits floating loose in a handle compartment, so to find one you have to dump them out and sift through them.

The rear end, the top of the bit carousel, spins freely while you’re using the screwdriver. This design makes one-handed screwdriving easier because you can position and hold the tool with your forefinger while spinning the body with your thumb and middle finger. This is a common feature for precision screwdrivers, but typically not on those with handle storage.

Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter

The 24 bits include all of the most basic bits, as well as other, more specialized ones. We used to recommend simpler precision screwdrivers, but over the years we’ve encountered too many instances where we’ve needed a more unusual bit for a project, such as when we replaced the battery on a laptop. Considering our experiences, we think it’s better to have all these bits on hand, in case they’re necessary. It’s easier to grow into a single tool than to keep buying additional tools as you go along.

The teardrop handle is very comfortable. It’s about the size of a large Sharpie marker, and the rubbery coating has some texture lines down where the fingers are most likely to be turning it. The rounded rear cap fits nicely in the palm or snug against the forefinger. The majority of precision screwdrivers are very thin and exhibit little to no consideration of ergonomics, so this is a nice contrast.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Unlike many Megapro screwdrivers, the 24-in-1 is not a ratcheting screwdriver. This makes a difference with a full-size tool, but there’s really no loss with a precision screwdriver. The rear cap spins so smoothly that turning screws is easy enough.

This model can’t handle deeply recessed screws. Because the stem must be thick to accept the bits, it can’t reach anything over about half an inch deep. This drawback is unfortunate, but we don’t think it offsets everything else the tool offers, especially since deep-set screws are rare in day-to-day situations. Individual long-stemmed precision screwdrivers are available for the occasions where that kind of depth is involved.

The price is high for a precision screwdriver. At over $30, the Megapro 24-in-1 is more than twice the cost of our previous pick in this guide, the Maxcraft 7-in-1 Precision Pocket Screwdriver. At the same time, it’s more than twice the tool. So although the initial investment is on the steep side, the Megapro 24-in-1 offers quite a lot more over the long haul—not only is it comfortable and designed with secure bit storage, but it also keeps an abundance of bits on hand if you need them.

Budget pick: Milwaukee 4-in-1 Precision Multi-Bit Screwdriver

Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter

Budget pick

If you’re looking for a simpler, less expensive tool to toss in the kitchen drawer, we like the Milwaukee 4-in-1 Precision Multi-Bit Screwdriver. It doesn’t have every bit you’ll ever need, but it covers the basics for a good price and with some nice ergonomics that set it above the rest. The handle is more comfortable than others, and the rear cap spins freely. The four bits—two slotted and two Phillips—are on two double-sided bits that sit on each end of a removable stem. It’s an easy screwdriver to use, and we’ve found that it’s enough to handle most day-to-day tasks such as changing toy batteries and tightening the hinges on a pair of sunglasses. It’s usually less than $15, less than half of what the Megapro 24-in-1 costs.

The competition

We tested the Klein 4-in-1 Precision Electronics Screwdriver, and it’s almost interchangeable with our also-great pick from Milwaukee. Its rear cap doesn’t spin as smoothly, and its handle is a shade less comfortable. If you find it at a good price, it’s a worthy purchase.

The WorkPro 24-in-1 Precision Screwdriver is similar to our top pick but lacks any ergonomic considerations and has a stubby nose that could be awkward in certain situations.

The Klein 27-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver also looks very similar to our top pick, but it’s a little thinner and has more bits. It also offers a magnetic tip, which can be useful for smaller screws. Compared with the Megapro model, however, it has a less useful set of bits.

You can find a variety of inexpensive multi-bit precision screwdrivers, too. The Husky 8-in-1 Precision Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver Set is a former pick, but other models offer similar functionality at a similar price. For less than $10 or so, these precision screwdrivers offer a basic bit selection but usually have a number of drawbacks, mostly centered on the awkwardness of storing the bits loosely in the handle. We prefer the storage on the Milwaukee model much better.

The Maxcraft 7-in-1 Precision Pocket Screwdriver was a longtime pick. Compared with our current top pick, the Megapro model, it has a limited bit selection and tedious in-handle storage. It lacks a spinning rear cap and doesn’t offer the ergonomics of our picks.

We previously recommended the iFixit 64 Bit Driver Kit. It has a wide selection of bits, a flexible shaft accessory, and a nice reputation. It’s a solid set, but we prefer the Megapro 24-in-1, which offers a wide range of bits in a single, small tool rather than a large set. If you have bit needs that go beyond the Megapro 24-in-1’s selection, the iFixit set is worth a look, but for general use, the Megapro 24-in-1 is a better choice.

This article was edited by Harry Sawyers.