This One Screwdriver Can Replace a Whole Drawer (2026)

A drawer full of single screwdrivers is the slowest way to do almost any job. The smarter move is one good multi-bit ratcheting driver: the bits live in (or with) the handle, the ratchet lets you keep your wrist planted while the screw spins, and a single tool covers Phillips, slotted, Torx and square. If you want the deeper field of options, our full ratchet screwdriver roundup goes wider — this is the persuasive short list for the one tool that retires the rest.

Below are six drivers we actually reach for, the case for going multi-bit, and how to pick the right one for the work you do.

At a glance: our top picks

Our overall pick is the Wera Kraftform Kompakt 60 RA — a fine-tooth ratchet, a Kraftform handle that won't roll off the bench, and 17 long bits that genuinely replace a fistful of separate screwdrivers. Want the same idea for less? The CRAFTSMAN 26-piece set does most of it at a hardware-store price.

How to choose a multi-bit screwdriver

The whole point is to consolidate. So the questions are less about brand and more about how the tool stores its bits, how its ratchet feels, and which fasteners you'll actually meet.

Bit storage: in the handle or in a pouch?

Two designs dominate. In-handle storage keeps a few common bits inside the grip, so the tool is self-contained and pocketable — the Wera KK25 is the neat example, with bits tucked in the Kraftform handle. Pouch sets like the Wera KK60 RA or the CRAFTSMAN keep more bits in a roll, which means broader coverage but a bag to keep track of. If you want one tool that grabs-and-goes, favor in-handle. If you want maximum coverage on the bench, a pouch set wins.

The ratchet

A ratchet is what makes a multi-bit driver fast: you drive the screw without lifting and re-seating the tool every quarter turn. Look for fine teeth (a small return angle, so you can work in tight quarters) and a clear forward / reverse / locked switch. The Wera uses a switchover ring; the Williams uses a three-way on/off/lock collar. Locked mode matters — it turns the ratchet into a rigid driver for that final firm tighten or a stubborn first crack.

Fastener coverage

Match the bit assortment to your life. For general home DIY, Phillips, slotted and square cover almost everything. Add Torx if you work on appliances, outdoor gear or bikes, and reach for a precision/security kit like the TEKTON Everybit if you open phones, laptops and game consoles. Buying broad once beats discovering you're missing a T8 at 9 p.m.

The 6 best multi-bit screwdrivers for DIY

1. Wera Kraftform Kompakt 60 RA — our overall pick

This is the tool that makes the "one screwdriver" argument for real. The 816 RA ratcheting bit-driver has fine teeth and a switchover ring for right, fixed or left operation, and Wera's Rapidaptor chuck lets you load and release bits one-handed thanks to a magnetic 1/4-inch hex socket. The Kraftform handle has an anti-roll feature so it stays put on a sloped surface, and the ratchet is rated for up to roughly 50 Nm of torque. The 17-piece pouch carries long PH, PZ, TX, slotted and hex bits — enough that you can leave the rest of the drawer closed. It costs more than a bargain set, and the Wera keeps its bits in the pouch rather than the handle, but the quality is the kind you buy once.

2. CRAFTSMAN 26-Piece Ratcheting Screwdriver — best value

If the Wera's price gives you pause, the CRAFTSMAN delivers the same do-it-all concept for a lot less. The handle has three zones — a speed zone for fast spins, a torque zone with extra grip texture for the hard tighten, and a precision tactile zone for delicate work — and the chrome-plated bar resists corrosion. With 26 pieces and a storage pouch, the CRAFTSMAN set is the easy recommendation for a first serious driver or a second one to leave in the car.

3. Williams 9-Inch Magnetic Ratcheting Screwdriver — most compact

Sometimes you want a tool, not a kit. The Williams is a slim 9-inch in-line ratcheting driver with a three-way on/off/lock switch and a strong magnetic shank that grips both the bit and the screw. The narrow body slips into spots a fat multi-component handle can't reach. It ships with only a few bits, so it pairs best with a separate bit assortment — but as a grab-it-off-the-pegboard driver, the Williams is hard to beat.

4. TEKTON Everybit 135-Piece — most bits

When "replace the drawer" means every drawer — including the junk one with the weird fasteners — the TEKTON Everybit is the answer. Its 135 pieces span security drive types, Torx, hex and even a pentalobe bit for iPhones and MacBooks, plus a precision driver with a free-spinning endcap for steady, low-pressure work on electronics. It's more than most DIYers strictly need, and the smallest precision bits are easy to lose, but the TEKTON kit means you almost never get stymied by a fastener you've never seen before.

5. Wera Kraftform Kompakt 25 (KK25) — most pocketable

The KK25 is the compact, self-contained Wera. It's a bit-driver set — not a ratchet — built around a Kraftform handle with bits stored inside it and a bayonet blade fitted with a Rapidaptor quick-release chuck, so you can swap bits one-handed or pull the blade to use it as a bit holder in a power tool. The kit includes three slotted bits (9/64", 7/32", 5/16") and three Phillips (PH1–PH3) in a belt pouch. It's deliberately minimal — no Torx, no ratchet — so think of the KK25 as the slim everyday driver you actually carry, not a one-box replacement for a full ratcheting set.

6. MECHMAX 68-Piece Ratcheting Driver, Bit & Socket Set — best for mixed fasteners

Plenty of jobs throw both screws and nuts at you — flat-pack furniture, bike work, mounting brackets. The MECHMAX pairs a ratcheting screwdriver with magnetic screwdriver bits and sockets in one clear case, so you're covered either way without digging out a separate ratchet. The bits are value-grade rather than premium, but the MECHMAX set earns its spot for the convenience of having drivers and sockets in a single, see-through box.

Build out the rest of your kit

A multi-bit driver is one of the four or five tools that do most of the work around a house. Once it's in the drawer, fill in the gaps with a good claw hammer, a solid pair of pliers, a cordless drill for the bigger driving and boring, and a tape measure you can actually read. For the full starter checklist, see our essential DIY tool kit.

Frequently asked questions

Can one multi-bit screwdriver really replace all my screwdrivers?

For everyday DIY, mostly yes. A good multi-bit ratcheting driver covers Phillips, slotted, square and Torx in one tool, and the ratchet drives screws faster than a fixed handle. Keep one or two dedicated single screwdrivers for heavy prying or chiseling — jobs that can damage a bit-driver — but for assembling, hanging and repairing, the multi-bit does it all.

What's the difference between a ratcheting screwdriver and a regular one?

A regular screwdriver only turns the screw when you rotate your whole wrist, then you reset and turn again. A ratcheting screwdriver keeps driving in one direction while you turn back the other way freely, so the screw advances continuously. Most ratchets also have a locked mode that makes the tool rigid for the final firm tighten or a stubborn first loosen.

Is the expensive Wera worth it over a budget set?

If you use a screwdriver often, yes — the Wera KK60 RA has a finer ratchet, smoother bit changes and a more comfortable handle, and it's built to last for years. If you only reach for a driver occasionally, the CRAFTSMAN 26-piece or MECHMAX 68-piece sets give you the same multi-bit convenience for a fraction of the price and are plenty for light use.