Every so often, a tool is neglected as it only seems to solve a problem another type of tool already does. Then you use it for its intended purpose, and you become annoyed at your boneheaded behavior. For us, and maybe you, that’s nut drivers. They may do what ratchet wrenches can do, but they’re a little overkill in many cases. Not only that, but carrying a nut driver around can be a lot easier, especially when working under the hood. We talk about some of our favorite offerings on the web and provide a buying guide so that you can find the best nut driver for your project.
Best Overall
Klein Tools 6-Piece Heavy Duty Magnetic Nut Drivers SAE
Best Value
Hurricane Folding Nut Driver Set
Honorable Mention
Wiha 11-Piece 1000-Volt Insulated Nut Inch Driver Set SAE
Best Nut Driver Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Klein Tools 6-Piece Heavy Duty Magnetic Nut Drivers SAE
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Best Value
Hurricane Folding Nut Driver Set
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Best Premium
Wiha 11-Piece 1000-Volt Insulated Nut Inch Driver Set SAE
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Most Versatile
DeWalt Screwdriver Bit Set with Nut Drivers
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Honorable Mention
Gearwrench 7-Piece Hollow Shaft Cushion Grip Nutdriver Set SAE
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How We Selected The Products
We’ve had our hands on a lot of tools over the years — nut drivers included. We might not know everything about every brand, but we certainly have a good idea of what to expect based on experience. That said, we leaned toward some of our favorite names as we put our list together. What makes those names our favorites really comes down to quality. We also made sure to present a blend of different features and functions so that you can get a good idea of what options are available to you as you shop around. The result might not be the end all be all list for everyone, but we believe it will get most in the right ballpark.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
Now for the big questions. What’s right for you? How do you know? Is it even on this list? While we think our selection of nut drivers pretty much covers all the bases, we know it’s easy for us to miss the mark for many consumers. That’s why we want to set you up with a quick buying guide. This way, we can hopefully help you to better understand what features are important and what you need to look for specifically.
What to Consider When Buying Nut Drivers
Types of Nut Drivers
Nut drivers come in all shapes and sizes and though they all seem to do the same thing, we can break the offerings into different types. That’s why we want to take a minute to help you understand the various options. In understanding the differences, you will have a better idea as to what belongs in your toolbox.
Hollow Shank
Hollow shank nut drivers are your best bet in most cases. We say that because they otherwise have a rather shallow hex opening that makes it very easy to bottom out on thread, preventing the nut driver from doing its job. The good news is that most offerings seem to fall into this category these days. We say that because a good amount of our search results seem to have been of this type of nut driver.
Still, it is a detail worth looking for before you purchase. Keep in mind that a hollow shank isn’t as strong as its solid alternative, meaning there’s no room for flimsy materials or poor construction.
Folding
Folding nut drivers aren’t that common. In fact, the Hurricane Folding Nut Driver Set is the only one on our list and is one of only a few that we came across. These types of nut drivers are defined by the folding shanks that live within the handle. That detail allows them to function much like a pocket knife, making them incredibly convenient to carry around.
This design is great for some, but not all. Keep in mind that these cannot feature hollow shanks, nor are they as comfortable to use. Therefore, they really are only good for folks who don’t use nut drivers all that often or only need something that can get them out of a pinch from time to time.
Insulated
Insulated bit drivers are a must-have item for anyone that works with electrical components. They’re built with materials and in such a way that protects the user from electric shock. It’s natural that you will find this type ideal for electricians, but plumbers, HVAC techs, mechanics, and other tradespeople will definitely benefit from the design in many cases.
Insulative properties often warrant doing away with other features. In many cases, you will find that these nut drivers do not have hollow shafts or hexes that work with wrenches. This is likely to prevent using these in any way that might compromise the effectiveness of their insulation.
Standard
What we’re calling standard are nut drivers that don’t have any of the definitive features listed above. They have fixed shanks without pass-throughs or insulative properties. That might seem to make for a relatively bland tool, but that’s great for saving money. All other features can drive up the price, which is money wasted if you don’t need them.
Keep in mind that nut drivers are primarily intended for small fasteners, and their reach is virtually the only additional benefit that’s necessary for many situations. Also, some of the other designs we mentioned can prevent additional features from being used or compromise integrity which may be undesirable for some people.
Key Features
The good news is that nut drivers are very simple. That means there’s very little to take into consideration as you shop for what’s right for you. Outside of sizing to match fasteners, you’re going to want to keep these three features in mind while you sort through your options.
Quality Construction
The quality of tools is always of utmost importance. As a rule of thumb, you should always invest in the best tools you can afford. Thankfully, sticking with reputable brands makes that relatively effortless, but it doesn’t exactly explain what makes a nut driver good.
While you definitely don’t want cheap, rust-prone steel, you don’t have to worry much about this detail, as most manufacturers seem to do alright. What can be an issue are weak grips. Cheap plastic grips will fall apart after a few hard uses, so it’s worth investing in brands you know took the time to make sure you have a good sturdy base to work with.
Insulated Grip
Now, this is something that seems pretty niche-oriented, but it’s a detail to keep in mind if you ever intend to work with electrical components. Many charged-up parts feature small fasteners for a nut driver to handle, but you can get shocked if you’re not careful.
Take the time to make sure a nut driver is insulated before you buy. Even if it comes from a brand that deals in electrician equipment, it might not be. If you are working with high voltage, your life can depend on this detail, so you need to make sure it’s present.
Head Type
Most nut drivers have a fixed head and shank. That’s great for a lot of reasons, but it’s not universally superior. For example, you might run into a nut where a deeper socket is necessary. At that point, you might be forced to switch to a ratchet with a deep well socket if your nut driver has a fixed head unless it has a hollow shank. Also, you might need to carry around multiple bit drivers as you can’t change the hex size with a fixed shank.
There are nut drivers with interchangeable shanks or that use a drive much like a ratchet. These are details you’ll want to consider if you don’t have the luxury of knowing exactly what fastener sizes you’ll encounter or when.
Nut Driver Tips and Tricks
Before we wrap up, we’ve got a few quick tips on nut drivers for you. Don’t worry, these aren’t here to reinvent the wheel or to overcomplicate the matter in any way. You might even consider them as common sense. We just want to go over them for good measure!
Match Your Setting
If you’re not sure what nut drivers work best for you, take a look at what others in your field are using. Electricians or anyone working with electrical panels in residential or commercial settings will likely lean on something insulated, while mechanics typically go for uninsulated. It also doesn’t hurt to lean on something that allows you to use your existing socket selection if you’re working under the hood.
Consider Torque
Nut drivers are incredibly handy for jobs that don’t require much torque in the automotive world. If you’re working with aluminum or small fasteners, they’re definitely a great option. However, they still don’t lend themselves to breaking stubborn fasteners, so you won’t be able to use them in place of a wrench every time.
Carry an Adjustable
Unless you’re working with studs or threaded passages every time, you’ll need something to assist a nut driver every so often. If you’re tackling a quick job, you’ll at least want to take an adjustable wrench with you. Doing so just might save you a couple of annoying trips back to the toolbox.
FAQs
Ok, so we didn’t answer the one question you’ve been asking. Relax — we’re only human, so we can’t use telepathy to tap into your brain waves. We can, however, answer the most frequently asked questions about nut drivers we found on the web!
Q. What are nut drivers used for?
Nut drivers are primarily used to deal with small fasteners with relatively light torque settings. That might seem like a rather vague description, but that makes them useful for many different projects. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and mechanics will find uses for them on a daily basis.
Q. What’s the difference between nut drivers and bit drivers?
In the most basic terms, a nut driver is intended for use with hex-head fasteners, while bit drivers accept bits for dealing with Phillips, Torx, and standard screws. In other words, a bit driver is essentially a screwdriver with interchangeable heads. That said, bit drivers often come with bits that make them function as a nut driver or can be fitted with a drive adapter that allows the use of sockets.
Q. Do electricians need nut drivers?
Yes, electricians do need nut drivers. They are considered an essential tool for that line of work. Plumbers and HVAC techs who also work with electrical components from time to time will also need nut drivers. However, it’s wise that they use insulated versions for those fields as they can easily be injured or killed if the wrong steps are taken before working with these components.
Q. What can I use if I don’t have a nut driver?
Nut drivers might have a design that allows them to function slightly differently from wrenches, but they still work with the same type of fasteners. Therefore, wrenches can often be used in their absence. However, that isn’t the case if an insulated tool is necessary for the type of work we mentioned above or otherwise.
Q. What sizes do nut drivers come in?
That depends on the manufacturer. However, typical SAE sizes range from 3/16-inch to 1/2-inch, and metric sizes run from 5mm to 10mm. However, you will definitely find sizes outside of these ranges in many cases.
Final Thoughts
Again, the Klein Tools 6-Piece Heavy Duty Magnetic Nut Drivers SAE takes our pick for best overall, but we know the Hurricane Folding Nut Driver Set‘s price is hard to ignore for many.
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Founded as the /DRIVE YouTube channel before growing into a full-fledged online publication in 2015, The Drive brings you the best of what’s new in the world of speed, from gear reviews to the latest industry coverage—all from a veteran team of writers and editors with many decades of combined hands-on experience. Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.