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I use this 12-in-1 electric screwdriver all the time, and right now it's only $50 during Amazon's Spring Sale

This screwdriver has a built-in light and makes a great gift for the discerning DIYer. And you can snag one for only $50 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Senior Contributing Editor
HOTO electric screwdriver

HOTO electric screwdriver.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I use a lot is a screwdrivers, and I found that while it's hard to beat a decent set of traditional screwdrivers -- here is a great set by Klein Tools that will last you a lifetime -- there are times when electric screwdrivers can take the strain off my hands and wrists. 

Also: How I gave my car AI-powered night vision superpowers

I believe in thoroughly testing tools, and one that I've been testing hard for over a year now is the HOTO 3.6V cordless 1500mAh electric screwdriver, and this has proved itself a worthy addition, and right now you can pick this up for the bargain price of $50 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. 

View at Amazon

HOTO electric screwdriver tech specs

  • Rotary knob switches the screwdriver between three different torque settings
  • Fast driving, thanks to 220 RPM motor
  • A massive 1500mAh capacity battery provides ultra-long endurance and, when fully charged, can drive in more than 1,000 screws before needing a recharge
  • The screwdriver features a circular LED shadowless lamp, so you can see what you're doing
  • HOTO cordless screwdriver set contains a dozen two-inch long S2 tool steel long bits with hardness up to 60HRC 
  • The screwdriver and bits are stored in the anodized aluminum alloy storage box that has a soft, rubber top handle
  • Universal Type-C charging interface means you don't need a separate charger

Also: This portable battery station can power your home for 2 weeks

On the one end of this superb screwdriver is a standard 1/4-inch socket that takes the various bits, and behind that is a rotary knob that switches the screwdriver off and on, and also switches between three torque settings. There's also a circular LED shadowless lamp, so you can see what you're doing, which is a nice touch because it means I don't have to wrangle a flashlight when I'm working in a dark area.

Rotary torque knob with shadowless LED light

Rotary torque knob with shadowless LED light.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

On the other end of the screwdriver, there's a USB-C port for charging the unit -- a neat touch because it does away with the need for any proprietary charger (I don't need any more of those in my life). 

Also: My favorite electric screwdriver for heavy-duty jobs

In the middle of the tool are the controls, which are about as simple as they get. There's a button to screw a screw in, and a button to screw a screw out.

HOTO electric screwdriver in action

HOTO electric screwdriver in action.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The screwdriver and bits are stored in the anodized aluminum alloy storage box that has a soft, rubber top handle. If you want more than the dozen bits, HOTO has a version with 25 bits in a different case for a few dollars more

Removing the HOTO electric screwdriver from its aluminum carry case.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The three torque settings range from powerful enough to assemble a PC case or flat pack furniture (where you need quite low power), to powerful enough to put a fence up or screw down floorboards. 

What this screwdriver doesn't offer is a super-gentle setting for things such as electronic gadgets, which this screwdriver might be too powerful for. This is where a mini precision electric screwdriver complements the HOTO screwdriver really well (and this is also on sale right now).

Also: This must-have screwdriver has two cool hidden tricks

Aside from the lack of a super-gentle setting, the HOTO electric screwdriver with a dozen bits is a great choice -- especially at this lower price point. Mine has already had well over a year of use now, undertaking tasks such as assembling PC cases, putting together flat-pack furniture, and being abused driving 6-inch screws into plastic door and window frames, and it is still going strong. 

It's more than paid for itself!

When will this deal expire?

Amazon is offering significant sales and discounts during their Big Spring Sale event, which runs from March 20-25, 2024, but we've already seen great savings surface, even ahead of the spring event. 

Deals are subject to sell-out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.

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