This is the smartest electronic precision screwdriver I've ever tested | ZDNET

Oct 14, 2024

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Arrowmax SES Max Electric Mini Power Screwdriver.

I've tested a lot of electric screwdrivers over the past year or so, and there are some that I've fallen in love with because they've made my life easier. I've found some absolute workhorses that I've been using for months.

A few weeks ago I came across a new screwdriver that is probably the smartest, most intelligent, most high-tech precision electric screwdriver I've used -- the Arrowmax SES Max.

Also: The best electric screwdrivers: Expert tested

There are a lot of features on the SES Max that it shares with another screwdriver in the range, the SES Ultra. The SES Max features an ergonomic pencil-style grip that allows it to be gripped firmly for extended periods without fatigue. There's a single button that controls everything, and an OLED display to keep you informed.

The device features a cool OLED display.

As with any good precision electronic screwdriver, it has a sensible torque range, offering enough power to break small fasteners free, but not so much as to damage things.

Also: This 12-in-1 electric screwdriver is my go-to tool, and it's available for less than $50

The 500mAh battery can handle up to 900 precision screws on a single full charge, and the screwdriver can be recharged using the USB-C connector built into the storage case.

There are also four built-in shadowless LED lights for illuminating the workspace, which is super helpful.

The four built-in shadowless LED lights are a useful feature.

The kit includes some of the highest-quality bits that I've seen. The bits are precision-machined and fit the fasteners perfectly, dramatically reducing the risk of chewing up a screw head and turning a small, quick job into a protracted nightmare.

Also: This tiny accessory gave my Android phone thermal vision superpowers. Here's how to use it

The better the bits, the easier the job. If you take anything from this review, take that advice on board.

These bits are some of the highest-quality ones I've tested.

There's also a bit magnetizer for charging and demagnetizing bits, which makes it easier to handle fiddly fasteners.

The single killer feature of the SES Max is the motion control feature that detects whether you want to tighten or loosen a fastener. Fit the bit into the fastener, press the on button, begin to apply torque, and the screwdriver takes over. There's no need to fiddle and find the appropriate loosening or tightening button.

Also: This $20 USB-C cable I recommend comes with a useful digital display

Once on, the screwdriver will either apply one of the four torque presets or, if the auto feature is selected, it will detect how much pressure is applied and increase or decrease the torque accordingly.

It's a wonderful feature that's well-engineered and works like magic.

The motion control feature is cool and intuitive.

The tool also has an app for Android and iPhone, which can control the torque settings and the light. The app is a nice touch, but I'm unsure how much I'll use this feature.

Yes, even a screwdriver now has an app.

The Arrowmax SES Max is, for my needs, the very best precision electric screwdriver I've come across. I love the charging case, the ergonomic design, the quality of the bits, and the smart features packed into this tool.

Priced at $80 (at the time of writing, there is a 20% off coupon on Amazon), that's a good price for such a versatile tool that will likely give you years of service.

If you don't want the motion-sensing feature, then you can get a similar set of features from the Arrowmax SES Ultra, priced at $60 (this tool also has a 20% off coupon).