Sometimes, you come across something you just can’t hold back from purchasing. There is nothing like breaking out a new toy, especially if you find it to be consistently useful in your daily needs (or somewhat daily). This is where the HOTO Electric USB-C Rechargeable Screwdriver Set comes into play.
I have seen these before, but it wasn’t until a colleague of mine allowed me to borrow his that I found a need to own one myself. I came close to buying into one of these once, opting (instead) for a basic set that was quite similar, outside of the fact that it wasn’t electric (just a plain pen-style screwdriver with bits). I’ve owned it for several weeks now, but ultimately just couldn’t hold anything up to something like this.
Since buying into one of these to replace that manual set (around a week ago), I have already used it close to a dozen times. Each of those times, I was thankful that I gave it a try.
Like those small manual (and boring) sets, this offers a small footprint that allows you to easily travel with. You can easily slide this into any kind of bag, and the case that everything comes in is aluminum (so the build quality of the case is even worth it).
It comes with 24 various bits you get to choose from. Covering most of your styles needed for tinkering with gadgets and various trade-specialized equipment. This includes slotted, phillips, hexagon, torx, security torx, pentalobe, pozidriv, Y-Shaped, tri-wing, and triangle.
It all fits nicely into the aluminum travel case, and like similar kits (both manual and electric), the small slots the bits fall into are magnetized so that they stay in place. Assuming that you don’t drop the case on the ground like I did once already (not a bright idea).
There is a small area (in the above image, you can see it is in the top-left corner of the inside of the case) that is magnetized that you can use to magnetize the bits with before using them. Simply run them across this a few times so that they can easily grab onto screws.
As for the screwdriver itself, it snaps right into place within its own slot, making sure it stays put for travel as well.
The screwdriver is small, thus allowing you to make use of it in rougher angles. One example was installing a smart door lock on a door within a tight area as the lock makes use of four tiny screws that you screw into both sides of the lock. But those holes are so close to the door itself that you can’t get a normal screwdriver within the space to get the job done. Not only that, but this isn’t more torque than you need for the job, thus it won’t strip anything out in the process like a normal electric screwdriver could.
As you can see from the above image, the quarter helps to create an idea of how small this screwdriver really is. You’d think it wouldn’t have much power/torque at all, but you’ll be surprised. It is just as powerful as any other pen-style model of its size.
It offers two simple buttons for choosing the direction in which you want it to operate (like any other model has). Like most people, you’ll find that you won’t even look at the instructions it comes with since you don’t need to. Operation of the screwdriver is straightforward. As is the process of installing/removing the bits, and charging it (charges using a simple USB-C cable).
The only issue I came across is that I wish it had a small LED light built into it, running around the bit like some screwdrivers have. Beyond that, there isn’t anything to complain about.
As I mentioned, I have already used it for a number of projects. Including dismantling and building various racks for projects at work. As well as installing a smart door lock, troubleshooting a small motor in a desk fan, and building a Raspberry Pi unit (just to name a few).
Each time, the screwdriver knocked out the task with ease. Making my life that much easier in the process.
Our Conclusion
If only every review were that easy to write about. This is a straightforward product that doesn’t take much thought to make use of. Its build quality is spot on, and it comes with enough bits to knock out a long list of tasks. It offers enough torque for its size that you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its performance. As mentioned, the only thing it is really missing is a built-in LED light. Beyond that, I docked its score slightly for the original MSRP being $49.99, which isn’t as competitive as it should be. However, it does appear to maintain a decent sale price at times, making it more than worth it. In fact, at the time of writing this, it is on sale for $29.99, making for the perfect buy.
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