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An insulated screwdriver may not be seen like an important tool to own, but it could save your life. According to the National Library of Medicine, around 1,000 fatalities a year are caused by electrical burns, and many of them might have been prevented by these widely available and usually very affordable tools. Even DIYers who do nothing more than wire a light fitting or add an outlet should own at least one good screwdriver set.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the key safety standards and the kind of features you can expect from this type of screwdriver. We’ll take a detailed look at our top pick, the Hurricane 1000V Insulated Electrician Screwdriver Set, and at several other options from leading brands. Somewhere in this carefully curated selection that runs from budget-friendly to pro-standard tools, you should find the best insulated screwdrivers for your needs.
Best Overall
Hurricane 1000V Insulated Electrician Screwdriver Set
What We Like
- Good quality yet affordable screwdriver set with case
- Hardened magnetic tips offer convenience and durability
- Includes voltage tester to check for live circuits
What We Don’t Like
- Occasionally the locking mechanism breaks
- No square drive included
Specs
- Number of screwdrivers: 11
- Types: Phillips, Slotted, Pozidriv, Torx
- Standards: VDE, GS
The Hurricane 1000V Insulated Electrician Screwdriver Set first came to our attention when we tested the 10 best screwdriver sets, where it took our Best for Electricians award. First and foremost, it has the internationally recognized VDE certification and also achieves Germany’s highly regarded GS safety standard.
This is an interchangeable screwdriver set with shafts made from rust-resistant chrome vanadium steel. Tips are hardened for durability and are magnetic, making it easy to pick up or hold small screws. There are four slotted, three Torx, two Phillips, and two Pozidriv heads, and the set comes in a compact, impact-resistant case. There’s also a useful electroprobe to check if a connection is live.
We found a lot to like about the Hurricane insulated screwdriver, not least being its affordable price tag. Criticisms are rare, though a small number of the locking mechanisms on the handle have reportedly broken. There’s also no square drive. These types of screws are found on some terminals and clamps.
What our tester says: “I used the Hurricane insulated screwdrivers to install several outdoor ceiling fans and they were definitely up to the task. The handles were comfortable, and the voltage probe was convenient, as were the magnetic tips. This set is a great option for basic household electrical repairs and installations.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Hurricane insulated screwdrivers at Amazon.
More Insulated Screwdrivers Worth Your Money
The following shortlist of insulated electrical screwdrivers offers something for everyone, and we are happy to recommend each model. There are some options, like our top pick, that are particularly budget-friendly. Others may cost a little more, but they are from world-leading brands that offer superior balance and ergonomics. Anyone who plans to use the tool regularly should see their investment repaid over time.
- Horusdy 6-Piece 1000V Insulated Screwdriver Set, available at Amazon.
- DeWalt Insulated Screwdriver Set, available at Amazon or The Home Depot.
- Klein Tools Insulated Screwdriver Set, available at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
- Milwaukee 1000-Volt Insulated Screwdriver Set, available at The Home Depot.
- Wera Kraftform Plus Insulated Screwdriver Set, available at Amazon.
- Wiha Insulated Screwdriver Set, available at Amazon.
While there are battery-powered insulated cordless screwdrivers and ratcheting screwdrivers that meet the VDE standard, the number of customers that report faults means we are unable to recommend them at this time.
How We Chose the Best Insulated Screwdrivers
Safety is obviously a major factor with insulated tools, so the first thing we did was establish which were the relevant standards. The two recognized by electrical professionals and insulated screwdriver manufacturers are from Verband der Elektrotechnik (VDE), a German association, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Both guarantee that a screwdriver is safe with an AC circuit up to 1,000V, which is well above the 120V or 240V AC found in modern American homes. It’s not enough that an insulated handle screwdriver claims to be safe; it needs to be physically marked on each tool.
Next, we looked at the variety of tools available. Professionals tend to favor individual screwdrivers, but insulated multi screwdrivers with a single handle and a number of switchable inserts can save a lot of space and often come in convenient cases. We looked at the material used to make the screwdriver and whether the tip had been hardened for added durability and/or was magnetic. We looked for insulated screwdriver sets that offered a variety of tip shapes, because all manner of screws are used for connectors. Cost played a part, as did brand reputation. We investigated over 40 sets before making our final selection.
For an expert’s input on choosing the best insulated screwdrivers, we contacted Jimmy Hillier, president and CEO of multi-state electrical, HVAC, and plumbing contractors, Happy Hiller. He underlined the importance of VDE or IEC certification, but also had some other useful tips. “Some tools have thick, bulky insulation that makes the shaft wider than it needs to be; avoid such tools. If the shaft is too fat, you literally can’t reach the screw or worse, you strip it trying.” He added, “Other key features are ergonomic grip (for torque without hand fatigue), magnetized tips (to avoid dropping screws in tight spots), and clearly labeled sizes (so you’re not squinting mid-project).”
FAQs
In the article above, we focused on the types of insulating screwdrivers and gave some insight for how to choose the best of these electrician tools for your needs. During our research, several questions of a more general nature came up, so we’ve provided answers for those here.
Absolutely. Even the best insulated screwdrivers are relatively inexpensive and could prevent you from being electrocuted.
VDE stands for Verband der Elektrotechnik, a German testing organization. VDE-certified insulated electrical tools (pliers as well as screwdrivers) are guaranteed safe when working on circuits up to 1,000V AC.
Many are red and yellow, but it is not safe to go by color alone. This type of screwdriver should be marked 1,000V AC, and if certified, will carry the VDE and/or IEC 60900 symbol.
An insulated handle screwdriver will prevent electricity from traveling from a circuit to your body with potentially fatal consequences. It can also prevent short circuits that might damage the equipment you’re working on.
