DeWalt Screwdriver Set (4 pc)

A compact, no-drama screwdriver set that earns its keep

In my shop, a four-driver set either pulls double duty across a surprising number of tasks or it gets buried under piles of specialty tools. This DeWalt 4‑piece set lands squarely in the first camp. It’s a straightforward lineup—two Phillips and two slotted drivers—that covers the core fasteners I see in household, light automotive, and general maintenance work. It won’t replace a full mechanics’ roll or an electrician’s insulated set, but it’s good enough, and comfortable enough, that I’ve reached for it more than I expected.

What’s in the set

• Phillips: PH1 x 3 in., PH2 x 4 in.
• Slotted: 3/16 in. x 4 in., 1/4 in. x 4 in.

This is the classic mix for everyday tasks: the PH2 handles most wood and construction screws, the PH1 fits smaller hardware and appliance screws, and the two slotted sizes cover switch plates, junction boxes, cabinet hardware, and miscellaneous adjustments.

Build and ergonomics

The handles are the headline here. The bi-material overmold has enough give to be comfortable in prolonged use, with a firm underlying core that doesn’t twist under load. The profile fills the hand without being bulky, and the flats provide positive indexing so the blade orientation is easy to feel without looking. I have larger hands and never felt cramped, even with the shorter PH1.

Each handle carries clear tip markings, which sounds trivial until you’re fishing in a drawer for the right driver. They’re not color coded, but the legibility is good from the cap and the side, so identification is quick.

The blades are chrome‑plated steel with sand‑blasted tips. The plating is smooth and consistent, and after a few weeks around the shop (including a damp morning in an unheated garage), I saw no hint of rust or discoloration. The blades are straight and well centered in the handles—no wobble or loose ferrules—and the overall fit and finish are what I expect from a major brand.

At roughly two pounds for the set, they’re reassuringly solid without feeling heavy. Balance is neutral, which makes precise starts easier than on top-heavy drivers.

Tip fit and magnetism

DeWalt sand‑blasts the tips on these, and it’s more than marketing. The slightly matte texture bites into fastener recesses and reduces cam‑out. On drywall screws and coated construction screws, the PH2 seated confidently and let me lean into the last quarter‑turn without stripping the head. The PH1 was precise enough for appliance panels and smaller machine screws.

The magnetized tips are strong enough to hold a 2 in. wood screw horizontally without fuss. That’s perfect for one‑handed starts in awkward positions or overhead work. Importantly, the magnetism doesn’t feel overdone; it won’t fight you when you need to drop a screw, and it hasn’t attracted an annoying beard of metal shavings around the tip. If you’re working near sensitive electronics, be mindful as with any magnetized hand tool—but for general use, the magnetization is a net positive.

Real‑world use

• Electrical and hardware: The 1/4 in. slotted driver handled switch plates and older outlet screws without marring the slot, and the 3/16 in. was handy for small set screws and cabinet hardware. None of these are insulated, so I kept them off live circuits, but the control and tip geometry made alignment easy in tight boxes.
• Cabinetry and general carpentry: The PH2 driver did 90% of the work. It started deck screws cleanly and provided good control for final seating by hand, where a driver drill might overrun and dimple the surface.
• Light automotive: Under the hood, the 4 in. shafts reach most trim clips and hose clamp screws. The handles give enough leverage for stubborn clamps without chewing up the fastener. For deep recesses or narrow engine bay channels, I still needed longer drivers, but for battery trays, air boxes, and interior panels, these worked well.

Throughout, the handles stayed comfortable, especially on repetitive tasks. There’s no striking cap and no hex bolster at the ferrule, so these aren’t for persuading rusty screws with a wrench or hammer. Used as intended, though, they deliver solid torque.

Durability and maintenance

After a month of use that included some deliberate abuse—loosening slightly corroded exterior hardware, prying a paint can lid (don’t do this), and general shop duty—the tips show minimal wear. The sand‑blasted texture hasn’t polished smooth, and edges remain crisp. The chrome finish wipes clean and hasn’t peeled or flaked.

I appreciate that the magnetism hasn’t faded and hasn’t caused crud buildup. A quick wipe keeps them tidy. The handles haven’t softened, nicked, or lifted at the seams. If I were to nitpick, the handle texture could be a hair tackier for oily conditions, but a shop rag on my hands solved that when working around lubricants.

What could be better

• Limited sizes: Four drivers cover a lot, but not everything. There’s no stubby for close‑quarters work, no precision drivers for electronics, and no Torx or square tips, which are common in cabinetry and automotive interiors. This is a foundational set, not a complete system.
• No hex bolster or through‑shank: When a fastener refuses to budge, the absence of a bolster means you can’t add a wrench for extra torque, and there’s no striking cap for impact. If your work routinely involves seized screws, consider a heavy‑duty line with those features.
• Not insulated: They’re fine for electrical hardware, but not rated for energized work. That’s expected at this price point but worth stating.
• Tip ID but no color coding: The markings are clear, but color bands would make size recognition even faster at a glance in a crowded pouch.

Value and warranty

Given the build quality—chrome‑plated blades, accurately ground and sand‑blasted tips, comfortable handles, and magnetized convenience—this set feels fairly priced. DeWalt backs it with a limited lifetime warranty, which aligns with the expected lifespan of hand drivers that aren’t abused. I’ve had no reason to test the warranty, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers who want a dependable basic set that covers the most common fasteners without overbuying.
• Maintenance techs and facility staff who need a grab‑and‑go pouch set for everyday service tasks.
• Mechanics and tinkerers who want solid backups on the bench for hose clamps, battery terminals, and interior trim screws.

If your work leans toward electrical trades, pick up an insulated set alongside this. If you fight seized fasteners, look for drivers with hex bolsters or a full mechanics’ set with through‑shanks.

The bottom line

I keep a lot of screwdrivers around. These four have earned a permanent spot on the pegboard because they strike a practical balance: comfortable to use, tips that engage fasteners reliably, magnetism that helps rather than hinders, and a finish that shrugs off shop grime and moisture. They won’t do every job, but they handle the everyday jobs well—and that’s what I need from a small set.

Recommendation: I recommend this DeWalt 4‑piece set as a reliable, well‑made core for general use. The tip geometry and magnetized ends reduce frustration, the handles deliver real torque without discomfort, and the corrosion‑resistant blades hold up to shop life. It’s not a specialty kit, and it doesn’t pretend to be; as a foundational set you’ll actually use, it’s an easy yes.