The Dremel 4V Electric Screwdriver (HSES-01) meets
the Amazon Basics by SKIL 4V Cordless Stick Screwdriver
Highest wattage, best mechanical clutch, ranked #1 by the toughest testers. We tested it head-to-head against the Amazon Basics by SKIL 4V Cordless Stick Screwdriver ($20) across 7 key dimensions.
Dremel 4V Electric Screwdriver (HSES-01)
“Highest wattage, best mechanical clutch, ranked #1 by the toughest testers”
Amazon Basics by SKIL 4V Cordless Stick Screwdriver
“Beat tools at 4x its price in every speed and torque test”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dremel 4V Electric Screwdriver (HSES-01)
- Highest wattage output of any stick screwdriver per Tools Tested's custom dyno
- True 6-position mechanical clutch gives repeatable torque control regardless of battery charge (Tools Tested)
- Push-to-drive activation requires no trigger or button, just press down and the motor engages (Tools Tested)
- Micro-USB charging in 2026, the only screwdriver in our lineup not using USB-C (Tools Tested)
- Only 7 bits included, far fewer than competitors like Worx (12) or Arrowmax (60)
- Build quality and durability not tested by any reviewer in our sources
Amazon Basics by SKIL 4V Cordless Stick Screwdriver
- Finished Torque Test Channel's fastening gauntlet in 63 seconds, beating the $90 DeWalt (85s) and every other competitor
- Highest hard joint max torque (breakaway force) of any stick screwdriver per Tools Tested's dyno
- 2000 mAh battery with USB-C charging at just $20, matching $50-90 premium tools on capacity
- No torque control whatsoever: full speed, full power, every time. Easy to strip delicate screws (Torque Test Channel)
- Seafoam green color that Torque Test Channel repeatedly mocked on camera
- No storage case, no LED work light, no magnetic holder for loose bits
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
Tools Tested built a custom dyno with an RPM sensor, load cell, and magnetic particle brake to measure every stick screwdriver on the market. The Dremel HSES-01 hit the highest peak wattage of any tool they tested. That raw power, paired with a true 6-position mechanical clutch (not the electronic fakes DeWalt and others use), makes it the only sub-$100 screwdriver that delivers both speed and torque control.
Dremel 4V Electric Screwdriver (HSES-01)
Tools Tested built a custom dyno with an RPM sensor, load cell, and magnetic particle brake to measure every stick screwdriver on the market. The Dremel HSES-01 hit the highest peak wattage of any tool they tested. That raw power, paired with a true 6-position mechanical clutch (not the electronic fakes DeWalt and others use), makes it the only sub-$100 screwdriver that delivers both speed and torque control.
- You install cabinet hardware, outlet covers, or furniture and need consistent screw depth across dozens of fasteners
- You work on projects where over-torquing strips threads or cracks materials (the 6-position clutch prevents this)
- You value push-to-drive activation that eliminates trigger fatigue during long assembly sessions
- You already own a good bit set and just need the driver itself
- You don't mind micro-USB charging on a tool you charge once a week
Amazon Basics by SKIL 4V Cordless Stick Screwdriver
Torque Test Channel ran every cordless screwdriver through a timed gauntlet: standard nuts first, then 5/16-inch lock nuts that punish weak motors. The Amazon Basics finished in 63 seconds. The $90 DeWalt took 85 seconds. A $20 tool beating a $90 tool on raw speed isn't supposed to happen, but the data is on camera.
- You need a household screwdriver for furniture assembly, shelf mounting, and general fastening tasks under $25
- Raw speed and torque matter more than precise torque control for your typical projects
- You're brand-agnostic and care about dyno-tested performance over tool-truck prestige
- You want USB-C charging and a 2000 mAh battery without paying $50-90 for them
- You already own a hard case or tool bag and don't need one included