The screwdriver is an integral part of any home, even if you’re not interested in DIY. There’ll come a point where you need to replace a battery, tighten a loose screw on a car or maybe even build some flatpack furniture which will mean using a screwdriver.
They’re very easy to use but repeated use in a short period of time can leave you with an achy wrist. Ratchet screwdrivers take some of the drudgery out of screwing, but nothing comes close to an electric screwdriver for effortless work. They work a little like mini-drills, using a small motor to spin a driver bit and either tighten or loosen screws.
Related: The best impact drivers for DIY and car care
Bosch’s IXO range is a class leader when it comes to electric screwdrivers and it’s now in its sixth generation, launched in 2019. Sporting an award-winning design, granite-like construction and numerous clever ergonomic touches, it’s an excellent power tool and simple enough to be mastered by just about anyone.
Verdict: Timesaving, easy to use and expertly made, you’ll kick yourself for not buying one sooner.
Score: 5/5
Bosch IXO 6 Electric Screwdriver
Price: £52.99 | VIEW OFFER
What’s good?
There’s no doubting that the IXO 6 is a very stylish piece of kit, it did win an iF Design Award after all. Available in either green or pink, the IXO 6 is a very simple yet appealing power tool. Build quality is as you’d expect from Bosch, the tool may not weigh a lot, but it feels almost indestructible to hand. Everything about the tool is explicit in its function, there’s no excessive flab or unnecessary quirks.
The best example of this is the straightforward design of the controls. There are a grand total of two controls that can be easily operated with one hand. There’s a thumb switch on the top for choosing direction and a progressive squeeze trigger that controls the speed, squeeze harder for more oomph. These two controls have that solid build quality present throughout the rest of the product but don’t feel heavy or clunky to use, the controls are remarkably light. Bosch then wrap the handle in this grippy material to produce what it calls the ‘softgrip zone’ which keeps your hand comfortable.
In practice, this all comes together to make the IXO 6 a really pleasant tool to use, even over long periods of time. The progressive squeeze trigger is particularly good to use, with a surprisingly accurate amount of feedback. All this means that speed accuracy is really easy to gauge, the best way to avoid damaged screw heads and splintered wood from overtightened screws.
This thorough design process extends beyond the controls. The almost industry-standard LED battery indicators are clearly visible during use while the LED scatter light does a solid job of lighting the surrounding area while you’re using the drill. There are two ways you can charge the IXO 6 too, an optional charging station or a much more convenient USB charger. The battery life was fantastic and thanks to the Lithium-Ion battery, only takes two hours to charge from empty. Can’t wait that long? Well don’t worry, the Bosch can be used as a corded screwdriver while on charge via the USB cable.
What’s ok?
The maximum speed of the motor isn’t the fastest in its class at just 215 rpm with no bit installed. It doesn’t hamper the overall ability of the electric screwdriver as the torque remains a constant (the maximum 4.5 Nm of torque will be enough for almost any domestic screwing). It just means your finger has to pull the trigger for a few seconds longer than you’d ideally want, at least that ergonomic design will ensure that your hand remains comfortable.
The range of accessories makes the IXO 6 into a bit of an electric Swiss-army knife, but you do start to question whether everything is genuinely useful. The barbeque blower and spice mill attachments are novel additions that’ll probably be used once and forgotten about. The right-angle, drill and cutting adapter make logical sense around the home but come with a hefty price tag. Also, don’t forget also that the relatively lacklustre motor means these adapters won’t be particularly punchy.
Any negatives?
The Bosch proved itself to be an overall excellent and well-thought-out product. Any criticism that can be levelled against it requires some serious digging. For example, the pistol grip may be comfortable to hold but does also make the screwdriver a little lardy in really tight places. All this means that you should keep a little stubby screwdriver around just for dealing with those awkward nooks.
A small but constant irritant was the tightness of the rubber housing for the screwdriver bits. Obviously, this is far better than the bits being loose and rattling about, and it kept everything tidy and compact, it’s just a little fiddly to use. I found the best solution was to push the bits out using a pencil like I was bashing a jammed bearing out.
Bosch IXO 6 Electric Screwdriver
Price: £52.99 | VIEW OFFER
Pros
• Perfect for DIYers
• Ergonomic touches everywhere
• Stylish
Cons
• Not the smallest cordless screwdriver on sale
• Optional parts are expensive
Specs
Battery voltage: 3.6V
Charging time: Two hours
Weight: 0.34kg
Max torque: 4.5 Nm
Drill bits included: 10 screwdriver bits (Phillips, flathead and Hex)
Extras: Storage box, variable speed control, LED light
Other items to consider:
WORX WX240 3.6V (4V MAX) Screwdriver Pen, RRP £54.99
Makita DF001DW 3.6V Li-ion Screwdriver, RRP £48.90
Bosch Professional Cordless Screwdriver, RRP £67.26
How we tested this product:
This electric screwdriver was used in a number of ways to see how versatile it is. It was first put to the test by assembling a flatpack wardrobe to showcase its long-term comfort and battery life. Then, it was put to use removing trim pieces from inside a car to gauge its tight space abilities before being used for general screwdriver duties around the home to see how useful it really is. It was used alongside a Draper Ratcheting Screwdriver Set to see how time and wrist-saving it really was.
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