Cordless wonders: Four screwdrivers put to the test

IKEA FIXA €9
We can't think of a better place to buy a cordless screwdriver than Ikea; this product took a lot of hassle out of assembling some furniture. It is not the best cordless screwdriver we have ever come across and we are not entirely sure it is the kind of tool that will be passed down the generations, but it does what it is supposed to do and does it well. It is easy to handle and comes with a range of drill bits – most of which we have never used. The battery life is pretty good and it is pleasingly compact and easy to store.
Verdict: Excellent.
Star rating: ★★★★★

BOSCH PSR SELECT €79.99
We can only assume we are not the target market for this product: why would we ever pay €80 for an electric screwdriver when we can get one less than a tenner? If you are a professional and are going to be doing a lot of screwing, this might be a sound choice: it looks sturdy and should be able to handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. But if you're only ever going to need a cordless screwdriver to put up the odd hook or assemble the occasional piece of flatpack furniture, we would have to question its worth. It packs a greater punch than its rivals, but we're not sure it will do the job 10 times better than the cheapest of the competition.
Verdict: Too steep for us.
Star rating: ★★

ROK CORDLESS €19.99
When we came across this screwdriver in our local Woodies it was selling for €19.99, down from its regular price of €29.99. At the sale price it is very good value. It has 16 torque settings and from fully charged it seems to run and run. It is fairly lightweight, easy to handle and does what is asked of it. A major plus is that you don't have to go to Ikea to find it, which should save you money. And we're not having a pop at the Swedish store by any means when we say we just know it is not possible to leave there with just one item.
Verdict: Very good.
Star rating: ★★★★

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Ikea Fixa

BLACK & DECKER CORDLESS €36.99
When it comes to DIY, this brand is the best-known. At €36.99 it's not too expensive and brings with it a degree of comfort and familiarity. However, it is more than three times as expensive as the cheapest drill and it only comes with two screwdriver bits, which seems a bit mean, even though, truth be told, the chances of us ever needing more is remote. It weighs a good bit more than the Ikea screwdriver, but that could mean it is more robust. But we can't help wondering how much extra we are paying for brand recognition.
Verdict: Still too dear.
Star rating: ★★★