DeWalt Stubby Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set (7 pc.)

A compact problem-solver that earns pocket space

There are jobs where a full-length screwdriver is simply the wrong tool. Working behind appliance panels, inside electrical cabinets, or under a sink, you need something that fits where your hand barely does and still turns stubborn fasteners with control. That’s the niche where the DeWalt stubby ratcheting driver has spent the last few weeks with me, and it’s a niche it fills well.

Build, design, and first impressions

This driver is palm-sized but reassuringly dense, with a metal, knurled selector ring that sets the tone. The ring provides three positions—right, lock, left—and the tactile feedback is crisp in each detent. The body uses a bi-material handle: firm plastic where you want stability and softer overmolding where your palm and fingers need grip. It’s comfortable in a variety of grips, whether you’re pushing straight-on with your palm or choking up for finesse.

One early note: the finish and plastics don’t scream “premium” the way some all-metal stubby drivers do, but the parts that matter—the ratchet mechanism and the selector ring—feel solid. After repeated use, the ring never lost its positive click, and there’s no perceptible slop at the bit holder.

Ratcheting action and control

The ratcheting mechanism has pleasantly low backdrag, which is important in confined spaces where you can’t swing a handle very far. It’s not an ultra-fine tooth count, but it’s fine enough to make measurable progress even with short arcs. I used it to snug the hard-to-reach screws on a dishwasher panel where I had only a few degrees of swing, and the driver still advanced smoothly. The lock position is equally valuable for breaking loose stubborn fasteners without risk of ratchet slip.

Torque transfer is quite good for a stubby. The knurled ring doubles as a surface for your index finger and thumb, allowing subtle direction changes and helping you keep track of the ratchet mode by feel. The handle shape invites a push-and-twist motion that’s efficient in cramped quarters.

Bit fit, selection, and magnetism

DeWalt’s MAX FIT bit geometry shows up in grip and cam-out resistance. In drywall screws and cabinet hardware, Phillips bits seated cleanly and held their line under wrist-heavy torque better than the generic bits that usually live in stubby drivers. I especially appreciated having a #3 Phillips on board—rare in compact drivers but genuinely useful for HVAC panels and larger construction screws. The inclusion of square (Robertson) bits is a practical touch if you encounter deck or electrical fasteners.

Two limitations stood out. First, there’s no Torx in the included selection, which many of us encounter frequently in appliances, automotive work, and modern hardware. Second, the bits aren’t color-coded, so quick identification takes an extra beat. Neither is a deal-breaker, but they’re noteworthy if you’re trying to minimize downtime mid-task.

The magnet at the bit holder is strong enough to retain both the bit and a screw head reliably. I could load a #8 screw and snake my hand behind a wall oven bracket without losing it—a small but real test of a driver’s day-to-day usefulness.

Ergonomics in tight spaces

Stubby drivers are all about access, and this one excels in typical problem areas. Inside a wall cabinet to adjust door hinges, above a ceiling grid to tighten a loose bracket, or behind a dash panel—each time the short shank and compact body let me get on the fastener without contorting my wrist into oblivion. The girth of the handle is well chosen: large enough to deliver torque without being so bulky that it blocks your path to the screw head.

Where torque demands grow beyond the comfort zone of a stubby, you will feel the leverage limitation. That’s true of every stubby driver and not specific to this one, but it’s worth stating. For stubborn, corroded fasteners, I switched to a longer driver for better leverage, then came back to the stubby to finish the work where space was tight.

Internal bit storage and cap design

Internal storage is the unsung hero of any multi-bit driver, and here it’s thoughtfully executed. The cap on the handle stores a selection of bits and uses two small latches to click into place. On my unit, the cap stayed put during use and didn’t rattle. It requires a deliberate squeeze of the tabs to open, which is exactly what I want when the handle is moving back and forth in a tight spot.

I did manage to dislodge the cap once when I brushed it sideways against a panel edge while the latches weren’t fully seated. The takeaway: press the cap firmly until you feel both tabs engage, and you should be fine. I’d prefer a slightly deeper latch engagement for insurance, but in practice it held up.

Durability and serviceability

After several weeks, the ratchet still feels tight and consistent, with no added play. The MAX FIT bits show normal wear but no premature rounding, and the bit holder’s magnet hasn’t weakened. The metal selector ring resists scuffs, and the handle overmold hasn’t peeled or loosened. While I wouldn’t call the exterior finish luxurious, the tool takes knocks without any functional degradation. The limited lifetime warranty is a reassuring backdrop, though I didn’t need to test it.

Everyday performance in real tasks

• HVAC and appliances: The #3 Phillips bit made short work of panel screws that smaller drivers chew up. Ratcheting saved time in awkward orientations.
• Cabinetry and furniture: Subtle adjustments on European hinges were easy, especially with the lock position when I needed fine control.
• Electrical odds and ends: The square bits came in handy with boxes and hardware that use Robertson screws, particularly in retrofit situations.
• Automotive trim: The stubby body got me into spaces a pistol-grip ratcheting driver couldn’t manage, and the magnet helped prevent fastener drops into the abyss behind panels.

In all of these, the driver provided reliable contact and enough torque to confidently finish without stripping. Where more leverage was needed, it still served as the “access specialist” to start or finish the fastener in tight confines.

What could be better

• Bit selection: Torx bits would broaden the tool’s usefulness significantly.
• Cap security: The cap is secure when fully latched, but a stronger latch or a quarter-turn twist-lock would make it foolproof.
• Finish details: The handle plastics and fit lines feel utilitarian rather than premium. Functionally fine, but if you’re expecting a showpiece, this isn’t it.
• Identification: No color-coding on bits means a moment of squinting to pick the right one in low light.

The bottom line

The DeWalt stubby ratcheting driver gets the fundamentals right: strong ratcheting action with clear mode selection, genuinely useful bit engagement thanks to MAX FIT geometry, confident magnetism, and a compact form that actually reaches the screws you bought it for. The knurled metal selector ring is a highlight, lending both durability and control. The internal storage is convenient and, while the cap requires a full, deliberate snap to secure, it kept the bits where they needed to be.

Would I recommend it? Yes. If you often work in tight spaces—maintenance techs, HVAC installers, cabinetmakers, DIYers tackling appliance repairs—this driver earns a spot in your pouch or glovebox. Its strengths in ratcheting feel, bit fit, and compact ergonomics outweigh the minor nitpicks about the cap and the absence of Torx bits. Add your preferred Torx to the rotation and you’ll have a small, capable problem-solver that punches above its size.