DeWalt Telescoping Multi-bit Ratcheting Screwdriver

Why I reached for this driver

I wanted a single ratcheting screwdriver that could live on my bench, handle hardware installs, and reach the occasional recessed screw without dragging a drill out. The telescoping shaft and screw-holding collar on this DeWalt ratcheting driver promised exactly that: compact when stowed, longer when needed, and a magnetic “third hand” for starting fasteners in awkward positions. After several weeks of use on cabinet hinges, outlet covers, and light electrical work, I have a clear picture of where this tool shines—and where it comes up short.

Design and build

The handle is a compact 4.75 inches and made of hard plastic. It’s contoured enough to index your grip, though it lacks the tacky feel of rubber-overmolded handles. Balance is good with the shaft retracted; extended, the center of mass moves forward a bit, which actually helps with straight-line pressure on horizontal screws.

The shaft telescopes smoothly and locks with a push mechanism that’s easy to operate with one hand. There’s a simple forward/lock/reverse selector ring at the head. The ratchet has a moderate click and low back-drag, which made it easy to “feather” fasteners into place without overshooting. It accepts standard 1/4-inch hex bits, and the kit includes common Phillips, slotted, and square sizes in both 1-inch and 2-inch lengths.

One immediate omission: there’s no onboard bit storage and no case in the package. If you’re used to keeping half a dozen bits inside the handle on similar drivers, you won’t find that convenience here. I ended up adding a small bit clip to my pouch to keep things organized.

Telescoping reach and ratcheting action

The telescoping feature is the headline convenience, and it’s genuinely handy. Collapsed, the driver fits easily in a shallow drawer or a crowded pouch. Extended, it reaches into face-frame cabinets and past trim lips where a stubby driver can’t reach. There is a hint of play at full extension—common on telescoping designs—but it was within acceptable limits for general screwdriving. I wouldn’t use it for high-torque stuck fasteners; for those, I retracted the shaft or switched to a fixed driver.

The ratcheting mechanism is a strong point. It engages confidently, and the selector ring is easy to flick with a thumb or forefinger. Back-drag is lower than many budget drivers, so I could maintain contact with a screw head while resetting my grip. Overhead work felt controlled, and driving faceplate screws into plastic boxes was smooth and predictable.

Bit fit and the magnetic screw lock

Bit retention and the screw-holding collar are where this driver’s design philosophy becomes clear—and a bit divisive.

• Bit socket depth: The bit holder is shallower than average. Short 1-inch bits seat, but not deeply. With clean bits and a clean socket, they hold fine under light to moderate torque. With dusty or oily bits, or when I bumped the handle sideways, I had a couple of instances where a bit wanted to walk out. The magnet helps, but it isn’t especially strong. I got into the habit of pressing the bit firmly into the socket until I heard and felt it “click” onto the magnet before driving.

• Long bits: The kit includes 2-inch bits, which are useful for visibility around larger hardware. In practice, the screw-lock collar limits how confidently those longer bits sit in the socket. They will work, but the collar becomes a fence you’re constantly working around. I ended up reserving the 2-inch bits for other drivers and sticking with 1-inch bits here.

• Screw-lock collar: The sliding magnetic collar does what it promises—help hold a screw straight for one-handed starts. It’s particularly effective for horizontal or overhead work, and it saved me from fumbling faceplate screws into carpet more than once. However, the collar feels like the most delicate component in the system. It needs a clean sliding surface and a light touch to keep it moving smoothly. Push it off-angle or use it to lever against an edge, and it can bind or feel gritty. Also, with small fasteners, the collar can obscure your view of the tip as you try to engage the first thread.

A quick maintenance tip that improved performance: I started wiping the collar and the bit socket with a rag at the end of the day and occasionally hit the magnet with a blast of compressed air. Removing metal shavings and drywall dust did noticeably improve both bit retention and the collar’s glide.

Ergonomics and control

The handle diameter is a good compromise: enough girth for torque, still nimble for finger-spinning. The ratchet switch is glove-friendly. Without rubber overmold, grip on sweaty hands is just okay—workable indoors, less ideal on hot exterior jobs. A small knurl on the telescoping section provides a pinch point for controlled starts.

Tip geometry matters, and DeWalt’s bits have a crisp profile that engages Phillips fasteners better than generic black-oxide bits I keep around. I saw fewer cam-out incidents on cabinet screws compared to bargain-bin bits. That said, the driver’s overall depth and magnet strength matter more than tip geometry once torque goes up; use steady, inline pressure and consider switching to a fixed shank for stubborn hardware.

What it does well

• Telescoping convenience: Quick, practical reach without grabbing an extension or a drill.
• Smooth ratchet: Low back-drag and crisp indexing improve control on small hardware.
• Screw starts: The magnetic collar earns its keep for overhead and one-handed starts.
• Compact footprint: Easy to stash on the bench or in a pouch without becoming a space hog.

Where it falls short

• No onboard bit storage: You’ll need a separate bit clip or pouch, which undercuts the “one tool, many jobs” idea.
• Shallow bit socket and modest magnet: Bits can feel tenuous, especially when side-loaded or dirty.
• Collar interference with long bits: The included 2-inch bits aren’t as practical here as they should be.
• Durability concerns around the collar: It demands clean, careful use and doesn’t inspire the same confidence as the ratchet or shaft.

Practical tips to get the best out of it

• Use 1-inch bits with a positive press into the socket to engage the magnet fully.
• Keep the collar and magnet clean; debris quickly degrades performance.
• Avoid using the collar as a lever or prying edge; slide it only to support the screw.
• Add a compact bit rail to your pouch to solve the lack of onboard storage.
• Retract the shaft for high-torque fasteners to reduce flex and play.

Who it’s for

If you want a compact ratcheting driver that can reach a bit farther on demand, and you value a magnetic aid for starting screws, this driver can serve you well on light to medium-duty tasks—particularly around cabinetry, electrical trim-out, appliance panels, and general household assembly. You’ll need to be disciplined about bit management and gentle with the screw-lock collar.

If you’re a tech or tradesperson who relies on a single multi-bit driver all day and expects onboard storage, deep bit engagement, and a bombproof nose, you’ll likely find enough friction points here to look elsewhere.

The bottom line

I appreciate the smooth ratchet and genuinely useful telescoping reach, and the screw-lock collar has saved me from chasing tiny screws more than once. But the shallow bit socket, modest magnet strength, lack of onboard storage, and the fussy nature of the collar keep this from being the no-brainer bench driver I hoped for.

Recommendation: I wouldn’t make this my primary multi-bit ratcheting driver. If telescoping reach and a magnetic screw-start are your top priorities—and you’re willing to manage bits separately and treat the collar with care—it can be a helpful addition. For most users who want an all-in-one driver they can grab without thinking, drivers with onboard bit storage, deeper bit retention, and a more robust front end are the better choice.