Table of Contents
3 Top Drywall Screw Gun Comparison Chart
| Product Name | (Out of Five) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORX WX255L SD Semi-Automatic Power Screw Driver with Screw Holder |  | | ||||
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR Drywall Screw Gun, Tool Only (DCF620B) |  | |||||
| Pink Power PP481 3.6 Volt Cordless Electric Screwdriver Rechargeable Screw Gun |  |
Are you about to install a bunch of drywall in your home or at the job site? It may be time to shop for a drywall screw gun to help you speed up the installation and save time and money along the way.
You will want to find a tool that keeps your budget in check, provides enough power to drive numerous screws into the studs, and won’t wear you out with a heavy and poor design. While checking out all the different available models, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one will work for you.
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Fear not! We have got all the FAQs and top products on the market so you can choose your best drywall screw gun with confidence.
How to Use Your Drywall Screw Gun?
A drywall screw gun is uniquely designed to hold a Phillips head screw and drive it through wallboard and into a wood stud, perfectly leveling the head of the screw with the surface of the drywall.
- Position the screw in the nose cone-a magnet helps to hold it in place while you position it on the wall
- Provide pressure to firm up the head of the screw with the wall
- Pull the trigger and the electric motor drives the screw into place
When you have the nose properly adjusted for the length of screw and depth of wallboard, your screw should create a smooth dimple in the drywall without breaking the paper, leaving the surface ready for mudding.
Related Reading: Using a Drywall Screw Gun
5 Best Drywall Screw Guns Reviews
Here’s a list of the best drywall screw guns on the market today:
1. Milwaukee 2866-20 M18 FUEL Drywall Screw Gun
Milwaukee delivers an impressive unit that really offers some serious competition with its cordless drywall screw gun that is part of the M18 battery-powered tool system.
What sets this gun apart is its Autostart system that eliminates the need to grab the trigger every time.
Hit the Auto button with the trigger depressed and the brushless motor engages when the cone comes into contact with the wallboard, which speeds up your drywall installation and saves fatigue on your hand.
You can also purchase a separate collator attachment that provides a constant feed of screws without having to dig into your pocket. Users comment that the gun, even with the 18v battery in place, is well-balanced and easy to use.
That being said, it will take some time to get used to the Autostart feature, which can result in damaged drywall. Many users say that the learning curve is fairly steep, but once you master the Auto feature, it significantly speeds up your day.
The M18 battery pack is known for being pretty heavy and does not have the same fast-charging technology found on the Makita systems. You will spend a little more purchasing the batteries and collator for the Milwaukee, but it remains one of the best drywall screw guns on the market.
Pros:
- Autostart technology reduces noise and increases battery life
- Well-balanced
- Available collated-screw attachment
Cons:
- Heavy
- Difficult to avoid damaging drywall without experience
2. DEWALT 2.0AH 20-volt MAX XR Drywall Screw Gun
DEWALT provides an entry into the battery-powered race with its MAX XR drywall screw fun.
When you hit the trigger on this gun, an LED light provides brilliant illumination of your workspace, which is an added bonus when dry-walling a closet, hall, or other enclosed area.
The unique cone-lock mechanism makes switching out the collar a snap without using any keys or other tools to loosen the connection.
Perhaps best of all, you can choose which MAX batter you want to use, allowing you to opt for the lighter 2 amp-hour version or keep moving all day long with the 12 ah unit.
All four sizes fit into the screw gun and all other tools included in the 20-volt MAX system. DEWALT also includes a carry bag, battery, and charger making this gun the best cordless drywall screw gun for a budget.
Now, DEWALT really built this line of tools for the busy DIY’er, so you don’t find the same level of durability. The housing is plastic, not metal, and the batteries will not fully charge when used constantly for several months.
Also, the included carry bags do not include any kind of pockets that can prevent heavy parts from damaging others.
However, if you have a single project in mind for your purchase, this may be the best drywall screw gun for your purpose.
Pros:
- LED light eliminates shadows
- Easy Cone-lock makes for switching bits a breeze
- Variety of batteries available
Cons:
- Batteries wear out with heavy use
- Plastic housing
- Cheap carry bag
3. DEWALT DW255 6 Amp Drywall Screw Gun
When you are looking for the best drywall screw gun that won’t wear out after a morning of use, the DEWALT DW255 may be the right option for you.
This corded gun will never make you stop in the middle of hanging a sheet of drywall and have to go charge or swap out your battery.
It provides 6 amps of muscle and over 4,000 RPMs ready to drive in each screw with the same force for a consistent installation that will be faster to finish out.
The adjustable nose cone is quickly adjusted for screws of 1 1/2 inches, 2 inches, and up to 3 inches without dimpling the paper on the wallboard.
Simply plug it into a heavy-duty extension cord, and you are on your way.
This unit will not break the bank, but you won’t get some popular extras like an LED light to help you work in tight spaces. The gun only operates in the forward direction, which means you will need a drill or screwdriver available when you have a hiccup with a single screw.
Of course, that cord can trip you up while working your way around the room.
All in all, this is an affordable and dependable option when you have more than one piece of drywall to hang.
Pros:
- Powerful gun
- Convenient cord for consistent performance
- Adjustable nose piece
Cons:
- No light
- No reverse capability
- Get tangled in the extension cord
4. Makita XSF03Z 18V LXT Cordless Drywall Screwdriver
If you are ready to make a serious investment into your toolbox and need a screwdriver to hang drywall at your next job, the Makita XSF03Z is the best drywall screw gun for keeping you moving all day long.
The LXT lithium-ion battery system uses proprietary technology to deliver fast charging batteries able to last for hours. You will spend up to three times more compared to the corded bare tools, but guy into impressive flexibility along the way.
Unlike the older generation of batter-powered tools, this drywall screw gun is lightweight so it won’t wear you out by holding it up all day. The 18-volt battery offers up 4,000 RPM and plenty of torque, so it is like using a corded gun.
The Makita screw gun does have a bulky nose cone that completely hides the screw from the installer’s view, so you may mark up your drywall until you get the hang of the system.
Other screw guns have cutaway nose cones for better visibility. If you don’t have good upper arm strength, it is heavier than a corded unit, so that can be a drawback for some users.
Overall, buyers of the Makita find it to be among the best tools in their chest making it a smart investment as the best drywall screw gun.
Pros:
- Provides 4,000 RPM for fast installation
- Batteries work with LXT tool system
- Fast charging
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Battery purchase doubles or triples the price
- Heavier than corded models
- Nose cone hides the screw from view
5. Senco 3″ Corded Auto-feed Screwdriver
When you are hanging drywall every day, you will want a tool that is always easy to hold, includes all the best add-ons, and is ready to keep rocking.
Senco built the best drywall screw gun that meets all of these criteria. It is corded, so it sheds the extra weight provided by a bulky battery pack.
Every gun has a collator built in, so it provides a constant feed of screws allowing you to move right along without needing to resupply. Professionals know this brand as the go-to tool when equipping their crews.
It does have a higher price tag compared to other corded guns, but you aren’t shelling out for premium upgrades. You will have to purchase drywall screws designed for the collator which will raise your supply budget, but you get that back with improved productivity.
Finally, most other guns have motors capable of 4,000 RPMs or higher. The Senco is only capable of 2,500 which seems like a drawback, until you realize it has just enough power for the job it was designed to tackle.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Collator built in
- Durable and efficient
Cons:
- Expensive price tag
- Lower RPMs/less powerful
- Locked into using expensive screw strips
How to Choose the Best Drywall Screw Gun
Before you click on the lowest price or the picture with the most attachments, it is wise to think about how you will be using your drywall screw gun and what you expect it to be able to do.
Let’s look at some common options to help narrow the field for the best drywall screw gun.
1. Corded or Battery Powered
If you are hanging a single sheet of drywall, a corded gun offers plenty of power while keeping your purchase price under control.
A shared rechargeable lithium-ion battery system allows you to use the same power source among your tools while setting you free from that tangled cord.
2. Self-Feeding?
When refinishing several rooms, you are going to need a lot of drywall screws. A collator attachment found on some units reloads your gun automatically so you are not always fishing in your pocket to fit the next screw to the nose.
However, you will have to buy the exact screw designed to fit your gun, which can limit options.
3. Matching the Bit to the Screw
Make sure that your screw gun can adjust the depth of the cone so that you can fully drive a 3 inch or 1 1/2 inch screw without damaging the wallboard.
4. LED Light
Are you finishing that cubby hole under the stairs? Look for an LED light to help line up your screw without fumbling with an extra fixture in the tight space.
5. Balancing the Weight
Corded guns are much lighter, but the battery-powered units are now designed to balance the additional weight.
It is a good idea to test out the grip for yourself before buying and avoid spaghetti arms at the end of the day.
What is the Difference Between a Screw Gun vs. a Drill?
While you can use an electric drill to install drywall, it was not designed with the job in mind. Your screw gun has a motor that delivers more torque, which gives you better control over the power at slower speeds reducing the damage done to the new wallboard.
A drill will need a specialized drywall bit, but it may not be adjustable for the length of screw that you are using.
The drill has a more powerful motor, which can spin your screw out of control and leave you frustrated while taking more time to get the job done.
If you have more than a single piece of drywall to install, purchasing the best drywall screw gun available will make your home improvement project less of a chore.
What is the Best Drywall Screw Gun?
For the professional drywaller, the Milwaukee 2866-20 M18 FUEL Drywall Screw Gun is the best drywall screw gun for your dollar with a rechargeable battery system, available collator attachment, and unique Autostart trigger.
If you are a weekend warrior, the DEWALT 2.0AH 20-volt MAX XR Drywall Screw Gun delivers the best bang for your buck while including some convenient upgrades. Add your own spin on these products by leaving a comment below or sharing on your social media page.
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