XLX 4.2V cordless screwdriver ZDNET's key takeaways The XLX 4.2V screwdriver is available on Amazon for $15.
It features a classic design that is surprisingly ergonomic, and more than powerful enough for regular DIY tasks.
The LED light only comes on when the screwdriver is on. $14.98 at Amazon
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Sometimes I'm wrong. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I try to learn from it. Take the other day, for example. I received a new screwdriver for testing, and I was initially quite dismissive of it. After all, the price was under $20, it was from a brand that didn't ring any bells, and it looked a lot like something my grandpa would have used back in the 1980s.
But I was wrong. It turned out not only to be powerful, but surprisingly ergonomic.
Also: The best electric screwdrivers: Expert tested
The product in question is the XLX 4.2V cordless screwdriver. It came packaged in a generic plastic box with a few screwdriver bits and a charge cable, and didn't catch my eye at first.
The screwdriver really does look like an old timey gadget, or maybe a microphone. I do get the urge to break into song when holding it. Regardless, the shape is a departure from what we're used to these days. Most cordless screwdrivers look like cylinder of various thicknesses depending on battery capacity and power output.
The unit is made of a hard polymer that seems to resist scuffs and impacts, but there's no soft overmoulding present. There's also a wire loop built into the end of screwdriver that I initially thought would make using it uncomfortable, but I was wrong.
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