DeWalt MAX FIT 6-in-1 Multi-bit screwdriver

A compact driver with a few quirks

I’ve been carrying the Max Fit 6‑in‑1 in my pouch for a couple of months, splitting time between punch-list carpentry and light electrical work. On paper, it checks the right boxes: a six-function body, on‑board bit storage, and a magnetic screw‑lock collar to help with one‑handed starts. In practice, it’s a mixed bag. There are smart ideas here, and a few that get in the way.

Build, feel, and ergonomics

The handle has a comfortable, slightly oval shape that fills the palm and lets you lean in without hot spots. It’s lighter than many multi-bit drivers I’ve used, which is nice on a ladder, but that same lightness makes it feel a little hollow. The rubberized overmold offers decent grip with dusty hands, though it does pick up grime. The end cap is flat enough to stand upright on a bench and solid enough to bear down with the heel of your hand.

Bit storage is straightforward: a double‑ended shaft with bits at each end, each riding in a magnetic holder. The retention out of the box was positive without being stubborn. After a few weeks, mine settled in tighter on one side—still usable, but it started taking a deliberate tug to free the bit. A quick wipe and a dot of light oil in the holder brought it back to normal.

Bit fit and the MAX FIT tips

The headline feature is the MAX FIT tip profile that’s meant to seat deeper and reduce cam‑out. On common #8 and #10 screws, the #2 Phillips felt snug, and I could drive cabinet hinge screws without tearing up the heads. On shallow, cheap fasteners (think bulk drywall screws), it was fine when I kept firm pressure, but I still saw the occasional cam‑out if I got lazy on the push. The #1 Phillips and the 3/16" and 1/4" slotted tips are serviceable; they’re ground square and hold a flat fastener properly without rocking.

Where the bit performance stumbled for me was longevity. With steady use on outlets, switch plates, and hardware installs, the #2 showed visible rounding sooner than I expected. Not unusable, but it lost that crisp “bite” that makes a hand driver efficient. If you’re the type to keep a driver in constant rotation on the jobsite, budget for replacement bits or treat this as a backup.

The magnetic screw‑lock collar

The collar is a distinctive feature, designed to capture the screw and reduce wobble. It’s genuinely helpful for drywall screws, outlet cover screws, and any horizontal or overhead start where you don’t have a third hand. Slide the collar forward, the screw centers, and you can get a clean bite without the screw flopping off.

Two caveats: the collar adds bulk near the tip, which can block access to countersunk hardware and narrow recesses, and it doesn’t play well with smaller flatheads (#4 and below). I also found that it collects ferrous debris—shavings and swarf stick to the magnet—so it’s worth wiping it clean every few days. On balance, I used the collar about half the time; it’s a nice aid in open spaces, but I slid it back out of the way for tight pockets.

The flip: quick change that isn’t always quick

The 6‑in‑1 design relies on a reversible shaft with indexing tabs that lock into the handle. In theory, flip, press, and go. In practice, alignment matters. The shaft has a turning slot cutout near one end for twisting hooks and eye bolts, and those reliefs like to catch the handle’s locking tabs if you’re not paying attention. You need to rotate the shaft a quarter turn to find the correct alignment; otherwise, you’ll feel it snag.

Once you learn the orientation, it becomes muscle memory, but it’s a small speed bump—especially when you’re swapping back and forth on an outlet or bouncing between hardware sizes. I also noticed that, after some use, the shaft on my sample seated more willingly in one orientation than the other. A light cleaning and a dab of silicone helped.

What you get—and what’s missing

The Max Fit 6‑in‑1 covers common bases. You get:

• Phillips #2 and #1
• Slotted 3/16" and 1/4"
• A 1/4" nut driver
• A turning slot in the shank for hooks/eye bolts

For household tasks, that lineup makes sense. For electrical work, the absence of a 5/16" nut driver is notable; 5/16" is a staple on HVAC panels, conduit clamps, and many hex‑head fasteners. If your day job leans heavily on hex hardware, you’ll want a driver with both 1/4" and 5/16" nut driver ends. There are no square or Torx bits on board either, so this isn’t a comprehensive pro setup—it’s a focused kit for the most common screws.

Real‑world use

Across a kitchen cabinet install, the #2 Phillips and the magnetic collar worked well for hanging doors and setting pulls; it kept the screws where I wanted them while I lined up hardware. Swapping out a couple of duplex outlets, the driver had enough handle diameter to break loose stubborn plate screws without shredding the slots. The slotted bits are ground true, which helps when you need to “rescue” a slightly damaged fastener.

Overhead, setting smoke detector mounts into anchors, the collar was nice to have, but the added girth near the tip made it tight in some recesses. The 1/4" nut driver did fine on appliance panels and hose clamps. I missed 5/16" a few times and had to switch tools.

Where I felt friction day to day was in speed changes. Flipping the shaft or swapping bits is faster than digging in a pouch, but not as fast as a ratcheting multi‑bit or a tool with a more forgiving indexing system. If you’re doing repetitive tasks where you swap tips constantly, the small alignment hiccup adds up.

Durability, maintenance, and warranty

The handle has held up to drops and tumbles off a ladder without cracking. The magnet is strong and hasn’t loosened. The bits themselves are the wear point. Expect the #2 to show the first signs of rounding. Treat the bit holder like any precision mechanism: keep it clean, blow out dust, and add a drop of light oil if the bits start to stick or the shaft gets stubborn. The magnetized collar will benefit from a quick wipe to remove filings.

DeWalt backs it with a limited lifetime warranty against defects, which is reassuring for the handle and mechanism. Bits, as consumables, aren’t typically covered—worth keeping a spare #2 in your bag if you intend to use this daily.

Who it suits

• Homeowners and DIYers who want one driver that covers the majority of household screws.
• Punch‑list carpenters who need a compact, lightweight backup for common fasteners.
• Techs who appreciate the screw‑holding collar for overhead or one‑handed starts.

Who might be better served by something else:

• Electricians and HVAC techs who need a 5/16" nut driver and a broader bit selection on board.
• Anyone who swaps bits constantly and would benefit from a ratcheting mechanism.
• Users who are hard on Phillips bits and expect long life from a single tip.

Tips to get the most from it

• Learn the shaft’s indexing orientation—mark a tiny dot with a paint pen to speed up flips.
• Keep the magnet clean; filings degrade the screw‑holding function.
• Don’t be shy about replacing the #2 Phillips; it’s the workhorse, and fresh edges matter.
• A tiny drop of light oil in the bit holder keeps changes smooth without compromising retention.

Recommendation

I recommend the Max Fit 6‑in‑1 as a light‑duty, general‑purpose driver for household use and as a secondary tool on the jobsite. It’s comfortable, compact, and the screw‑lock collar genuinely helps in a number of scenarios. However, it’s not the most confidence‑inspiring multi‑bit in terms of longevity, the bit‑flip mechanism can be fussy until you learn its quirks, and the absence of a 5/16" nut driver limits its appeal for trades where hex fasteners are daily fare. If your needs align with its core set—Phillips, slotted, and the occasional 1/4" hex—it’s a handy tool to have. If you rely on a broader set of bits, faster changes, and heavier‑duty tips, look toward a more fully featured multi‑bit or a ratcheting driver with 5/16" on board.