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If you’re working on appliances, doing electrical work in your home, or tinkering in your car, then you’ll want a good set of nut drivers to get the job done. These handy tools allow you to work smaller nuts and bolts that are too delicate for impact wrenches and out of reach of a socket wrench. Nut drivers, which resemble screwdrivers, allow you to work fasteners in hard-to-reach spots. They come in manual sets with six or seven nut drivers, and single-handled sets with interchangeable bits in both metric and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sizes. I recently put five nut driver sets to the test and found that the DeWalt Multi-Bit and Nut Driver Set, with its many bit sizes and excellent build quality, to be the best of the bunch. Read on to find out more about my test findings and to learn about what to look for when shopping for the best nut driver sets.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt Multi-Bit and Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Milwaukee SAE Core Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FIXED HANDLE: Klein Tools 631 Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST RATCHETING: Gearwrench 16-Piece Ratcheting Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST IMPACT: Neiko Magnetic Hex Impact Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HOLLOW SHAFT: Craftsman 7-Piece Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COMPACT: Kobalt 6-Piece Metric Hex Nut Driver Set
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 5 |
| Time spent testing | 3 hours |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $15 to $80 |
Our Top Picks
The products in our top picks represent a variety of different types of nut driver sets, including those with fixed handles and interchangeable bits. The following five sets went through rigorous hands-on testing.
Best Overall
DeWalt Multi-Bit and Nut Driver Set
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Size: 70 pieces
- Type: Bit driver
- Shaft: Not hollow
What We Like
- Large rubberized handle is easy to grip
- Many size options and bit types
- Fits in compact carrying case
What We Don’t Like
- Some play between bits and shaft
DeWalt’s nut driver bit set is a compact set that offers numerous sizes and bit types. With a set of nut drivers, you’ll typically get seven or eight sizes. With DeWalt’s kit, you get 20 nut driver sizes and a screwdriver bit set that includes flathead, Phillips, Torx, hex, and square drive. Plus, all the pieces fit neatly in a compact case.
The driver itself features a large rubberized handle that makes it easy to get a firm grip on the driver for working bolts. The bits are well made and fit snugly into the driver and over the head of the bolt heads I tested them on. Sure, the slight amount of play between the nuts and driver means you lose some torque, but the variety of sizes and portability of this is worth the trade-off. It’s a high-quality nut driver set alternative to the fixed-handle sets that only give you six or seven sizes.
Get the DeWalt nut driver set at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Milwaukee SAE Core Nut Driver Set
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Size: 7 pieces
- Type: Nut drivers
- Shaft: Hollow
What We Like
- Radius corners prevent rounding off
- Contoured handles with rubberized grips
- Easy-to-read size labels
- Hollow-body design adds versatility
What We Don’t Like
- Shaft length is a little short
It may seem odd to see the vaunted Milwaukee brand name and the word “budget” in the same sentence, but this set is a heck of a deal. It’s priced to within a few dollars of most similarly sized nut driver sets on the market, but it blows them away with its quality. I’ve tested Milwaukee socket sets in the past, and they didn’t disappoint. This set of hollow-body nut drivers is no exception. The build quality of this set is exceptional: The bit drivers’ heads have radius corners that take pressure off the pointed sides of bolts, preventing the driver from rounding them off.
My hands fit nicely around the contours of the rubberized handle, making it easy to get a firm grip for producing max torque. Size labels on the top and side of the handle and also at the head are a nice touch for easy identification.The set comes with a well-curated selection of SAE sizes, and it’s also available in metric sizes.
Get the Milwaukee nut driver set at Ace Hardware or The Home Depot.
Best Fixed Handle
Klein Tools 631 Nut Driver Set
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4/5; Performance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Size: 7 pieces
- Type: Nut drivers
- Shaft: Partially hollow
What We Like
- Rubberized handle makes it easy to grip
- Precision-cut heads with cut-out corners
- Corrosion-resistant chrome plating
What We Don’t Like
- Handles feel a little small
This is a very solid set of hollow-shaft nut drivers from Klein Tools, one of the more well-regarded hand-tool manufacturers in the DIY world. The business end features a precision-cut driver head with radius corners that prevent rounding off nuts and bolts. I also liked the large rubberized grip that allowed me to get a firm handle on the driver. My only gripe was that the handles are a little smaller than those of other nut drivers I tested, limiting the amount of torque I could create with them.
That said, the precision-cut heads fit tightly over the bolt heads I tested them on. Finding the right-size nut driver to use was easy thanks to the easy-to-read white label on the end of each handle. The Klein Tools nut driver set does have a hollow shaft, but the shaft does not run entirely through the handle, which means you won’t be able to use it on extended bolts.
Get the Klein Tools nut driver set at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best Ratcheting
Gearwrench 16-Piece Ratcheting Nut Driver Set
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4/5; Performance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Size: 17 pieces
- Type: Nut driver bits
- Shaft: Partially hollow
What We Like
- Handle and bit design maximizes torque
- Precision-cut bits with radius corners
- Includes most commonly used bit sizes
What We Don’t Like
- Handle is a little short
- Cheap storage case
Gearwrench is one of a handful of brands available to DIYers that are good enough to be included in a professional auto mechanic tool set. With bit heads that are precision cut with radius corners, each driver fits snugly to bolt heads and nuts with little risk of rounding them off during testing. Rather than use a bit that attaches to a shaft, Gearwrench forges each nut with its own shaft, which plugs into the ratcheting handle. This design eliminates play between handle and bit, which enabled me to produce more torque with each turn. I also liked the shape and grip of the handle, though I wished it was an inch or two longer so I could get a better grip on it.
The kit’s collection of 16 bits covers common sizes in both metric and SAE, the latter of which are color-coded for easy size identification. Rubber grips around the shaft are useful for hand- threading nuts or bolts. My only real complaint was with the case, which is made of cheap plastic that doesn’t feel like it would last long in a workshop environment.
Get the Gearwrench nut driver set at The Home Depot, Circle Supply, or ToolDiscounter.
Best Impact
Neiko Magnetic Hex Impact Nut Driver Set
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4/5; Performance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Size: 12 pieces
- Type: Impact driver bits
- Shaft: N/A
What We Like
- Made from durable carbonized steel
- Built-in magnet
- Precision-cut bits with radius corners
What We Don’t Like
- Bits have a large radius; may not fit in tight spots
This Neiko magnetic nut driver set is a great option if you’re looking for a set of nut drivers you can use with an impact driver. They’re made from carbonized steel that’s hard enough to handle the torsional force created by an impact driver without cracking. It comes with a dozen bits covering some of the most common metric and SAE sizes. I loved the quality of these bits. Each one has a tight fit over bolt heads and nuts. Slight radius corners place the bulk of the torque on the sides of the nut or bolt, helping to prevent rounding off that can be a common problem when using an impact driver.
Each bit also has a built-in magnet, which holds bolts securely in place on the bit—an invaluable feature when working in the tight confines of a car engine. I also liked the laser engravings on this impact nut driver set, which made it easy to find the size I needed. Additionally, all the bits fit nicely into the included rugged carrying case.
Get the Neiko nut driver set at Amazon.
More Great Options
In addition to the five products I tested, I would also recommend these highly rated nut driver sets.
Best Hollow Shaft
Craftsman 7-Piece Nut Driver Set
Product Specs
- Size: 7 pieces
- Type: Nut drivers
- Shaft: Hollow
What We Like
- Large ergonomic handles
- Includes most common SAE sizes
- Precision-cut driver ends
What We Don’t Like
- Not available in metric sizes
Since being bought by Stanley Black & Decker back in 2017, Craftsman has made a name for itself by offering good-quality tools at an affordable price. This nut driver set is a great example of that. Each piece has a large overmolded handle with rubberized grip, allowing you to get a firm handle on the driver to generate maximum torque. The set is made with hollow shafts, so they’ll work with extended bolts. Plus, it comes with the most common SAE sizes you’ll need a nut driver set for. While Craftsman markets this set as a combination SAE and metric set, the truth is that metric sizes and SAE sizes don’t perfectly align. For that reason, those who need a metric version will need to look to another brand for those sizes.
Get the Craftsman nut driver set at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best Compact
Kobalt 6-Piece Metric Hex Nut Driver Set
Product Specs
- Size: 6 pieces
- Type: Nut driver multi-tool
- Shaft: Not hollow
What We Like
- Compact size fits in a pocket
- Includes most common nut driver bit sizes
- Easy-to-read labels
- Rubberized exterior adds grip
What We Don’t Like
- Won’t work for longer bolts
This pocket-size portable metric nut driver set is a great option if you only need a nut driver set for occasional use or are looking for one that will fit easily inside a tool belt or a small tool kit in your car. It includes all the common sizes you’ll find with full-size nut driver sets, only in a small folding multi-tool design that measures just 5 inches long. Don’t be fooled by its small size, though; this is one tough tool. It’s made from heavy-gauge steel that won’t bend even when you wrench hard on it, and the tool body is covered in a rubber grip that makes it more comfortable to use. Each nut drive is clearly labeled, and the multi-tool comes in both metric and SAE options.
Get the Kobalt nut driver set at Lowe’s.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Nut Driver Sets
I carefully evaluated each of the five nut drivers I tested. I worked fasteners of various sizes on a lawn mower engine and car engine. When using them, I considered how well each size fit onto the bolt and how resistant it was to slipping or pulling off. I also considered how easy it was to grip the handle to work fasteners. Along with hands-on testing, I also looked for kits that included the most commonly used sizes one would need for this type of tool.
For the two sets I did not test, I conducted extensive research, comparing specs for each one while also reading through dozens of customer reviews.
What to Consider When Choosing a Nut Driver
When choosing a nut driver, it’s important to consider build quality, the driver sizes the set includes, and the type of handle. Ahead, find out more about these and other attributes of nut driver sets.
Build Quality
While all nut driver sets are made from steel alloy, that doesn’t mean they’re all the same quality. There are a few things to look for when shopping for one of these tools. The nut driver head should have radius corners, which are slight cutouts in each of its six corners. This design causes the tool to engage only the flat sides of a nut or bolt, taking pressure off the fasteners’ corners, which prevents rounding off that can ruin nuts and bolts.
If you’re using a nut driver with a single handle and shaft that can hold a variety of bits, make sure the driver has a mechanism that holds each bit securely in the shaft. Nut driver sets are often used in engines and other machinery in which a bit can become hopelessly lost if it falls out of the driver head.
Driver Sizes
Nut driver sets have common metric and SAE sizes that typically range from 3/16 inch to ½ inch for SAE and 5 millimeters (mm) to 12 mm for metric. These sizes will fit the vast majority of bolt and nut sizes you’ll find in cars, lawn mowers, appliances and other places where you’d need a nut driver. If you’re dealing with larger fasteners, you’ll want to use a tool that provides the higher torque necessary to turn them, such as an impact driver or socket wrench. Most nut driver sets come with seven drivers in either metric or SAE sizes. Sets with interchangeable bits typically have far more sizes.
Shaft Length and Type
Nut drivers have long shafts that are designed to reach fasteners that are in hard-to-access areas, such as inside a car engine or under a cabinet. Shaft length ranges from around 3 inches up to 5 inches.
Some nut drivers have hollow shafts that run from the head of the tool all the way through the handle. Nut drivers with this feature are necessary if you’re working nuts on extended bolts.
Handles
Nut driver sets come with three different designs: fixed, interchangeable bits, and interchangeable shafts.
- Fixed handle: Sets with fixed handles come with individual nut drivers of varying sizes. These nut driver sets typically come with six or seven nut drivers.
- Interchangeable bit: Some sets have a single handle and shaft with interchangeable bits. These sets are very versatile, including numerous sizes and even other screwdriver bits. The downside to this type of set is that the connection between bit and handle adds play that reduces the amount of torque you can generate with it.
- Interchangeable shafts: Nut driver sets with interchangeable shafts have different nut driver sizes that you can attach and detach from the handle. This design offers the best of both worlds. Since the shaft and bit are one piece, very little torque is lost in the connection, yet you get the benefit of more sizes than what a fixed-handle set offers. However, these sets do tend to be more expensive.
Handle Size and Grip
Since nut drivers are manual tools, the handle and grip are critical. How firmly and comfortably you can grip the handle of a nut driver largely determines how much torque you can create and hence how easy it is to tighten and remove nuts and bolts. The best nut drivers will have a large molded rubberized grip that conforms to the contours of the hand.
FAQs
If you’re wondering whether you need a nut driver set or what sizes your set should include, then read on for answers to these commonly asked questions.
Nut drivers are useful for working on smaller nuts and bolts typically found in electrical appliances, automobiles, computers, and other machinery. They’re typically used on smaller fasteners in which precision is valued over high torque.
Look for a nut driver set that covers the standard sizes: 3/16 inch to ½ inch for SAE sizes and 5 mm to 12 mm for metric. These sizes will cover the most commonly used nuts and bolts found in electronics and machinery that don’t require a high amount of torque.
A nut driver is a manual tool designed for use with smaller fasteners. A nut runner is a pneumatic power tool designed to tighten and loosen bolts that require a high amount of torque. These powerful tools are also useful for removing stuck nuts and bolts.
Metric and SAE, also known as the imperial measurement system, are two different forms of measurement. Since metric and SAE fasteners are both common, it’s helpful to have a set of nut drivers in each size. While SAE sizes and metric sizes can be very similar, they aren’t identical, and using an SAE size on a metric fastener can cause you to round off the nut or bolt.
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design for such sites and publications as Popular Mechanics, Pro Tools Review, CNN Underscored, and This Old House Magazine.