Black & Decker 4V Lithium Ion Cordless Screwdriver

A compact helper that earns its spot in the drawer

I picked up this 4V driver to handle the kind of everyday tasks that don’t warrant rolling out a full drill/driver: assembling flat-pack furniture, swapping cabinet knobs, tightening door hinges, adding wall plates, and the like. After several weeks of use, it has proven to be the kind of tool you reach for without thinking—light, uncomplicated, and ready for the small jobs that pop up around the house.

Build and ergonomics

The first thing I noticed is the weight. At just under a pound, the tool feels almost pen-like compared to a drill. The compact, pistol-style grip sits naturally in hand, and the balance is centered enough that I could work overhead without wrist fatigue. It’s not a convertible design; the fixed pistol grip won’t snake into every recess the way a pivoting handle might, but for most cabinet interiors and tight corners, the short nose and compact body were an advantage.

Controls are simple and predictable. The forward/reverse switch is where you expect it, and the trigger action is smooth. The 1/4-inch hex chuck accepts standard bits, and swapping them is quick. Fit and finish are in line with what I expect from a budget-friendly 4V tool—no creaks, no rough seams, and nothing sloppy.

Power and speed

With a top speed of 180 RPM and 40 in-lbs of torque, this driver sits firmly in the light-duty category. That’s not a drawback if you keep it in its lane. It’s ideal for #6 and #8 wood screws into pre-drilled holes, machine screws for hardware, and self-tapping screws into sheet metal or plastic. The speed is deliberate rather than brisk, which makes it easy to keep a screw straight and avoid cam-out.

Where I hit the limits was driving longer wood screws into dense material without pilot holes and backing out stubborn, paint-bound screws. The motor stalls before it can damage the fastener, which is a nice safety margin, but it means you’ll either pre-drill or finish with a hand screwdriver for the toughest bites. For most household tasks, I found the torque appropriate—enough to sink hardware, gentle enough not to blow past the threads in softer materials.

Battery and charging

The internal lithium-ion pack is tied to a micro-USB port for charging. That’s a smart choice for convenience—there’s always a cable around—and it means you can top up from a phone charger or power bank. On the flip side, micro-USB is dated in a USB-C world, and you won’t see the faster charging you might get from proprietary docks.

Runtime has been more than adequate for the kind of work this driver does. I got through multiple furniture builds, a couple of hinge adjustments, and a small hardware swap before needing a charge. If you’re tackling a big project with dozens of fasteners, it’s wise to start with a full battery and keep a cable handy; for intermittent use, I rarely thought about the battery at all.

Lighting and visibility

The integrated LED is bright enough to illuminate cabinet interiors and the shadowy corners behind appliances. It’s positioned well, so the bit doesn’t cast a bothersome shadow right where you need to see. It won’t replace a headlamp in a crawlspace, but as a task light it’s effective and appreciated.

Magnetic bit storage

The magnetic bit storage on the tool body is a surprisingly useful touch. I kept a #2 Phillips and a 4mm hex there most of the time; they stayed put while I worked, though I wouldn’t trust them loose in a tool bag. It’s a quality-of-life feature that saves a few pocket digs and makes quick changes faster.

What it’s great at

• Flat-pack assembly: Controlled speed and compact size make it easier to avoid stripping cam locks and confirm everything seats correctly.
• Cabinet and furniture hardware: Knobs, pulls, and brackets go quickly, and the tool’s lower torque helps prevent overdriving into soft wood.
• Electrical cover plates and fixtures: Gentle power reduces the chance of cracking plastic plates; the LED helps in dark corners.
• General upkeep: Tightening loose screws on door handles, hinges, and household gadgets.

In all of these, the 4V driver feels precise and stress-free. The low weight reduces fatigue, and the simple control layout keeps you moving.

Where it falls short

• Heavy-duty fastening: Long wood screws, lag screws, and tasks into dense hardwood are beyond its comfort zone. Plan to pre-drill or use a more powerful driver.
• Speed for repetitive tasks: 180 RPM is fine for control, but if you’re hanging dozens of brackets, you’ll wish it were faster.
• Charging standard: Micro-USB is convenient but not modern. If your setup is fully USB-C, you’ll need to keep an extra cable around.
• Storage retention: The magnetic bit holders are handy in use, but they’re not a secure transport solution.

Practical tips for best results

• Pre-drill if you’re unsure: A small pilot hole makes full use of the available torque and keeps screws from wandering.
• Use quality bits: A snug bit fit prevents cam-out, especially with the slower rotation speed that invites you to lean on the fastener.
• Let the tool do the work: If it stalls, back out, reassess the hole size, and try again rather than muscling through.
• Finish by hand for delicate hardware: A quarter-turn with a hand screwdriver at the end avoids overtightening on soft plastics and thin metal.

Durability and maintenance

This tool isn’t meant to live on a jobsite, but around the house and in a light-duty shop setting, it has held up well. The housing resists scuffs, the chuck maintains a solid grip on bits, and the switchgear feels reliable. Keep the chuck area clean of swarf, charge the battery every few months if it sits unused, and it should be ready when you are.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners who want a no-fuss solution for household projects without stepping up to a bulky drill.
• DIYers assembling furniture or installing hardware on a regular basis.
• Hobbyists working with plastics, light metals, and small fasteners where finesse matters more than speed.

If you’re a pro looking to drive hundreds of fasteners a day or working in dense materials, you’ll outgrow this quickly. Pairing it with a full-size drill/driver makes for a great one-two setup: this for starting and finishing hardware, the bigger tool for the heavy lifting.

The bottom line

The 4V driver hits a sweet spot for convenience, control, and simplicity. Its strengths are exactly what you want in a small, household-focused screwdriver: lightweight handling, USB charging you can do anywhere, an LED that genuinely helps, and enough power to cover the majority of day-to-day fastening. Its limitations—modest torque, modest speed, and a dated charging connector—are easy to work around if you keep expectations aligned with its design.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool as a reliable, easy-to-grab driver for light-duty household and hobby tasks. It won’t replace a drill/driver, and it’s not designed to. But as a dedicated screwdriver that prevents stripped heads, sneaks into tight spaces, and lives happily in a kitchen drawer or utility cabinet, it earns its keep. If you frequently assemble furniture, adjust hardware, or handle small fixes, this is a practical, budget-friendly choice that reduces effort and increases control without adding complexity.