dewalt dcf620d2 screw gun

The Best Cordless Screw Guns for Drywall with Reviews 2024

Disclaimer: None of our reviews are sponsored. We earn a commission when you purchase items through our links.


If you install a lot of drywall or plaster and a cordless screwdriver isn’t cutting it, a screw gun might be the answer to your problems.

What’s the difference? Why is one better than the other? We’ll get to all that and more.

First, let’s take a look at some of the top products on the market today. There’s quite a variety, from bare tools to kits that have just about everything you need.


Quick Picks

Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...

Best Pick
DEWALT DCF620D2
The best cordless screw gun hands down. On the higher end of price, but you get what you pay for... a top selling professional grade tool with a ton of positive reviews to back it up.
Best Value
Milwaukee 2866
If you want better value for your money and you already own M18 batteries then this tool-only model will save you big chunk. Highly rated professional grade screw gun.
Best Budget
Ryobi ONE+
If you're on a budget and don't plan on using a screw gun for very long, then this may be the model for you. A great seller with good reviews.

Best Cordless Screw Gun with Reviews 2024

Here's a list of the best cordless screw guns we found:

1. DEWALT DCF620D2 Cordless Screw Gun

  • 4400 RPMs
  • DEWALT brushless motor in that delivers superior performance and maximum run time
  • Li-Ion battery with fuel gauge provide 33-Percent more capacity over standard packs
  • Cone-Lock(tm) nosecone locks on securely and is easily removed
  • ergonomically designed for less worker fatigue
  • LED light for visibility in tight spaces
  • 3 year warranty

Pros

  • Long lasting battery
  • Ergonomic design is comfortable to use for long periods of time
  • Safety locks are easy to put in place and remove
  • LED lights to improve visibility in dark, narrow spaces

Cons

  • Belt clip can be difficult to use
  • Little to no other customer complaints

Overview

This DEWALT brushless screw gun is fast, effective, and durable.

It comes with maximum speed control and high torque so you can use it with a wide range of materials. The design is ergonomic, easy to use, and really comfortable so you can work for longer periods of time.

There are a lot of really convenient features, too, including easy to use safety locks, a belt hook so you can keep your hands free when you need to, and an LED light to light up small, narrow spaces. Plus, the battery is included.

This cordless screw gun from DEWALT has a durable, effective design that’s built to last. It’s great for the professionals who need a reliable tool to get the job done.

2. Milwaukee 2866-20 Cordless Screw Gun

  • Longest runtime for continuous work (Up to 3,400 screws per battery charge with 4.0 Ah battery)
  • Lock-on button for continuous work
  • Bosch EC brushless motor technology for long lifetime
  • Bosch Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) protects the battery against overload, overheating, and deep discharge
  • Integrated LED light for illuminating the work area, even in dark places

Pros

  • Auto start to save wear and tear and battery life
  • Very long run time
  • Professional level tool
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Battery not included
  • Can be difficult to get screws started
  • Some users reported it freezes up occasionally

Overview

The Milwaukee 2866-20 is a powerful screw gun that has enough power to compete with corded competitors but with more productivity.

Auto start mode is not only convenient, it also saves wear and tear on the engine and battery life because the motor is only running when it’s in use. It’s quieter and gives you  3 times longer run time. It’s is a professional grade tool that’s affordable enough for anyone to add to their workshop.

3. Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Brushless Drywall Screw Gun

  • Brushless motor provides maximum performance
  • Variable speed trigger with lock-on feature: 0-4, 4700 RPM
  • LED light illuminates the work area and remains on for a time after trigger is released
  • Part of the ONE+ system, featuring over 100+ tools

Pros

  • Automatic start extends the life of the tools
  • Variable speeds to adjust to different materials
  • Adjustable and removable nose cone
  • LED light

Cons

  • Not recommended for the professional frequent user.

Overview

For the reliability of a cordless screw gun in a cordless one, the Ryobi Brushless Drywall Screw Gun is a great choice.

It has variable speeds and a lock on feature so that you can use it with a variety of materials and get consistent results.

The automatic start feature is really convenient but it also extends the life of the tool by eliminating unnecessary wear and tear. That’s not all, there’s also an LED light to help light up your work area.

4. DEWALT DCF622B 20V MAX XR Adjustable Torque Screwgun

  • Versa-Clutch design prevents screws from stripping
  • Brushless motor is more resistant to wear than motors with carbon brushes
  • Achieves a top speed of 2,000 rpm for metal fastening work
  • Built-in LED light for safer, more precise work in darker conditions
  • Lightweight tool weighs just 2.8 pounds
  • Maximum screw size of #14
  • 3-year limited warranty with 90-day free service contract and 30-day money back guarantee

Pros

  • Lightweight construction at just 2.79 Kgs
  • High performance for the home or tradesman
  • Handy belt hook
  • Also rated to handle all kinds of screw driving tasks in metal & wood
  • Nice grip position directly behind the driver

Cons

  • Yet to find any real complaints about this model

5. Makita XSF03Z Cordless Drywall Screwdriver

  • 18V LXT Lithium Ion Batteries
  • Brushless Motor for Improve Life
  • Variable speed: 0 to 4,000 RPM
  • Lock-on button for continuous use
  • Built-in L.E.D. light

Pros

  • Highly rated tool
  • Powerful Motor
  • Tough rugged design
  • Adjustable nose piece delivers consistent screw depth
  • Ideal for drywall contractors

Cons

  • Need multiple batteries for larger jobs

6. Bosch SGH182B Cordless Screw Gun

  • RPM: 4200
  • Volts: 18
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimensions:18.5 x 14.5 x 6.2"
  • Weight: 3 lbs

Pros

  • Safety features to protect battery for extended life
  • Lightweight and really compact
  • LED light for visibility
  • Direction control placed so it won't be accidentally engaged

Cons

  • Bare tool without included battery
  • Eeight distribution is a bit off when battery attached
  • Limited number of complaints

Overview

Another great choice is the Bosch SGH192B. It has safety features that prevent battery overload or overheating.

The lightweight, compact design is easy to use and won’t cause fatigue. Plus, there’s an integrated LED light for when you’re working in tight spaces or dark areas.

One of the best things about it is the placement of the direction control. It’s out of the way so you won’t accidentally engage it and go in reverse.

This is a great choice for a professional or to have in your toolbox if you’re a homeowner. It’s easy to use and control plus the built-in safety features will whatever battery you have last a long time.

Cordless Screw Gun Advice & Buying Guide

So, you have the best drywall sander ready to go and you need a screwdriver to get started on your project.

At this point, you might be wondering, what’s the difference between a screw gun and a regular drill? Is one really better than the other? Before we get into buying advice, let’s take a closer look at what the differences really are.

Screw Gun vs Drill

Screw guns are similar to power drills only they’re designed specifically for driving screws. That said, there are some tools that can perform as both a drill and a screw gun.

Screw guns usually have variable speed and a clutch. So, you can set them to operate at a lower speed and set a maximum torque. That means you can use them with a range of materials and different sized screws without worrying about stripping them or tearing them into pieces.

One of the identifying features of a screw gun is that they have a drill chuck instead of the quick change mechanism that drills have. While you can simply pull out a bit and place a new one with a drill, a screw gun is a little more involved. You have to insert it into the chuck and adjust the tension properly as you would with a drill bit.

You can read more about screw guns vs drills in our article here.

Things to Look for in a Screw Gun

If you’re looking for a screw gun, here are some things to keep in mind.

Cordless vs Corded

This article covers cordless screw guns. There are corded options available but we vastly prefer the convenience of a cordless tool. Especially if you’re looking for something to use with drywall installation. Having to worry about being tethered to a cord limits your movement and you have to maneuver around it as you’re working. Corded tools are often lighter because there’s no battery, which adds weight, but we still like the freedom of a cordless tool.

While cordless tools are usually a little more powerful than their cordless counterparts, with screw saws, there’s not much difference. There are even screw guns that claim to be more powerful than corded versions. Some of the batteries are really great and last a pretty long time without sacrificing power. Corded tools have their place but for the kind of jobs a screw gun is used for, without a doubt, we prefer a cordless version.

Variable Speed and Adjustable Clutch

Some of the more powerful screw guns include variable speed and an adjustable clutch. If you want to be able to use different kinds of screws on a wider variety of materials, look for these features. Most of the screw guns that can also be used as a drill will have these because it will let the drill penetrate a wide range of material.

If you’re going to be using this tool with only drywall, you might be able to get by without variable speed and an adjustable clutch but these features are necessary if you want some versatility.

Weight

We mentioned earlier that cordless tools tend to be a little heavier because you have to account for the batter. Keep in mind that the weight we included for each product is for the bare tool. Meaning, the tool only without the battery. Battery weight can vary depending on the brand and some of these products do not include a battery so there really isn’t a good way to compare them directly.

That said, by looking at the weight of the bare tool, you can get some idea of what you’ll be working with. Some of these only weight about 3 pounds or so and the heaviest ones weigh 7 pounds. It’s likely you’re already working with tools that are heavier than that. For example, we did a review of the best drywall sanders. They weight between roughly 10 and 20 pounds. So, weight is relative.

Depth Gauge or Cone

The main reason to use a screw gun with drywall installation is that the depth of the screw is so important. Too deep and you’ll ruin the paper surface of the drywall. With a screw gun, you can adjust the depth so it stops at the right place every time.

Extras vs Bare Tools

A lot of these products include some nice extras. You’ll find various bits, storage boxes, and even cutting tools and an automatic collated magazine attachment. These things aren’t necessary but they are definitely nice to have. If you’re looking for an easy way to make this tool more versatile, extras like these can definitely take it to the next level.

Something to pay attention to when you’re shopping is whether or not the screw gun comes with a battery and/or charger. Since all the tools we picked are cordless, they all require a battery. If you have to get one and a charger on top of the price of the tool, you might want to consider upgrading to a different model that includes a battery. That said, if you already have a compatible battery, a bare tool is just what you need.

In Summary

Screw guns are the best tool for installing sheets of drywall. They’re fast, and accurate which really speeds up the job. While there are corded options available, we tend to lean toward cordless tools like the ones we included on this list.

If you do a lot of drywall work and are interested in learning more about it, check out our post all about drywall or learn the difference between drywall and plaster. Learning a little more about drywall, it’s composition, and what makes it special can help you understand why a screw gun is the right tool for the job.

About Jacob Hanson

Jacob is the Editor at Toolsfirst.com. He used to be the owner of a local construction company with over 20 years experience in the trade. He now enjoys thoroughly researching DIY tools as well as publishing guides to help readers.

Comments

  1. Dmitriy says

    Hi,
    Models Dewalt,Makita and Milwaukee for drywall.
    My question about impact mode in those screw drivers.Some movies in Youtube exactly shows that they have. Is it correct information.

    Thanks in advance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *