Skil Rechargeable 4V Screwdriver with Pivot Grip w/ Magnetic Bit Storage

Why this compact 4V driver keeps ending up in my pocket

Some tools win you over with brute force. This one earns its place by being the easiest thing to reach for when small fasteners threaten to slow you down. The Skil 4V pivot screwdriver has become my go-to for light-duty tasks where a full-size drill/driver feels clumsy, overpowered, or just plain unnecessary.

I’ve been using it for the usual household work—hinges, cabinet pulls, outlet and switch plates, hardware swaps, small brackets and hooks, and furniture assembly—and it has consistently struck the right balance between speed and control.

Ergonomics and the pivot grip

The standout feature is the pivoting handle. It locks into a straight driver or a pistol-grip form, and switching takes a second. In straight mode, it fits into drawers and behind plumbing where a drill/driver won’t. In pistol mode, it’s more natural for driving a lot of screws at once, with better leverage and wrist comfort.

At 0.77 lb, it’s genuinely light. The handle contour is comfortable over long sessions, and because the battery sits inside the handle, the balance doesn’t shift as you work. It’s the sort of tool you can hold by the fingertips when starting a delicate screw, then choke up when you need more push.

Power and speed for the work it’s meant to do

Specs land where I want them for light-duty work: 220 rpm no-load speed and 36 in-lbs (4 Nm) of torque. In practice, that means:

• It’s fast enough to move through a pile of hardware without feeling sluggish.
• It has enough torque to drive typical cabinet and hinge screws into softwood or predrilled hardwood without bogging down.
• It will snug machine screws into threaded inserts or metal housings cleanly.

I wouldn’t count on it for long wood screws into dense lumber without piloting, and it isn’t a replacement for an 18V driver on framing or deck hardware. But for the “everyday screws” we all deal with, that 4V motor is surprisingly capable. The lower torque versus a drill/driver is actually an asset for delicate tasks—you’re less likely to strip threads or overdrive a faceplate.

Precision and control

There’s no clutch to set specific torque levels, so finesse comes from your trigger control and knowing when to finish by hand. That sounds like a compromise, but the slower top speed helps here. I routinely bump the trigger to walk screws in gently and then finish with a quarter-turn by hand if the material is fragile. The motor’s smooth ramp-up makes that easy to repeat across a dozen identical screws.

The single integrated LED does a decent job of lighting a small work area. It’s helpful in closets and cabinets, but it’s not a substitute for a task light in deeper recesses. I appreciate that it’s there; I don’t rely on it as my only light.

Bits, holders, and magnetic storage

The 1/4-inch hex chuck is standard and holds bits securely. The kit includes a set of 1-inch bits plus both short and extended magnetic bit holders. The 3-inch holder, in particular, is useful for recessed hardware and reaching through trim without scuffing it. Magnetic bit storage on the tool itself keeps a couple of extras on hand—handy when you’re moving room to room and don’t want to carry a pouch.

Skil’s bit quality is perfectly fine for household screws. If you do a lot of work with small Phillips or square-drive fasteners, consider adding a higher-end set to round out the kit, but what’s included will cover most common tasks.

Battery and charging

The built-in 4V lithium-ion pack is rated at 6 Wh. Real-world runtime is better than I expected for such a compact tool. I’ve assembled flat-pack furniture with triple-digit screw counts and still had power left. For intermittent household work, it feels like it’s always ready.

Charging is via micro USB. On the upside, you can top it up from a phone charger, a power bank, or a vehicle adapter, which is convenient. On the downside, micro USB is dated and a bit fussier to connect than USB-C. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s one of the few places the tool shows its age.

Build quality and usability

Fit and finish are solid. The pivot hinge is tight with no wobble, the trigger feel is precise, and the forward/reverse action is positive. There’s minimal vibration and very little noise compared to a drill, making it easy to use in an occupied home without announcing every fastener.

Because it’s so compact, it shines in places where you don’t have room to align a full driver. Straight mode lets you guide the bit with your index finger right behind the screw, which helps with accuracy on tiny hardware and reduces cam-out. The combination of low mass and moderate torque also makes it friendly for users who don’t spend a lot of time with power tools—you’re less likely to slip, mar a surface, or overtighten.

Where it excels

• Replacing outlet and switch plates without cracking the plastic
• Cabinet hinges, drawer pulls, and door hardware swaps
• Assembling bookshelves, beds, and other flat-pack furniture
• Installing small brackets, hooks, and closet hardware
• Tightening loose screws in appliances, fixtures, and electronics housings
• Driving into predrilled hardwood where a drill/driver’s torque can be overkill

Where it falls short

• Long or large-diameter wood screws in dense stock without pilot holes
• Any job that benefits from a torque clutch with preset settings
• Heavy-duty construction work, structural fasteners, and lag screws
• Users who want modern USB-C charging

None of these are surprises given the class of tool. The key is matching it to the right jobs. If you try to make it a compact drill/driver, you’ll be disappointed. If you treat it as a powered screwdriver, it’s excellent.

Small touches that matter

• The pivoting handle genuinely expands where and how you can use it; this isn’t a gimmick.
• The extended magnetic bit holder makes recessed fasteners dramatically easier.
• Magnetic onboard storage means you’re not constantly hunting for the next bit.
• Low weight and compact dimensions (6.5 inches long in pistol grip, 8.3 inches straight; 1.8 inches wide) make it highly packable.

Alternatives and context

There are other 4V class drivers with higher top speeds or clutches, and some have USB-C. Those features can be nice, but they often add size or cost. The Skil’s strength is its balance: enough torque, usable speed, a genuinely helpful pivot grip, and a sensible accessory set in a very compact body. If you’re already invested in a 12V or 18V platform, a right-angle attachment or a low-speed setting might cover some tasks, but you’ll lose the easy handling and finesse this tool offers.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 4V pivot screwdriver for anyone who does regular light-duty work around the house, apartment, or shop and wants to move faster with fewer mistakes. It’s comfortable, compact, and appropriately powerful for everyday screws. The pivot grip meaningfully increases access in tight spots, the included short and extended bit holders cover most scenarios, and the 6 Wh battery keeps up with real-world sessions. The micro USB charging is dated, and there’s no torque clutch, but those are reasonable trade-offs at this size and price.

If your workload leans toward heavy carpentry or you need precise, repeatable torque settings, look to a 12V drill/driver with a clutch. For everyone else—from first-time tool owners to pros who want a pocketable companion for small hardware—this little driver earns its keep.