We tested a few Wera screwdriver sets to see if you should defy tradition
Ask almost any professional what their favorite screwdriver is, and chances are they won't have to think for more than a second before answering. For years, my answer has been the Wurth Zebra range. However, there are plenty of people who have told us that the Vera screwdriver set is the right choice. We got a few sets and it's clear why they're such a hit.
advantage
- Ultra-comfortable handle design
- Ideal for fastener heads
- A good set of features across different lines
- magnetic nib
- Take it Easy handle identification on certain styles
- some styles of wrench aids
- Some styles are available with full tangs and strike caps
- 1000V isolated models available
shortcoming
- no obvious disadvantages
Basic design and comfort of Wera screwdrivers
The first thing we noticed about our Wera screwdriver set was that the handle shape was very similar to our favorite Wurth Zebra models. We found a similar level of top-notch comfort when putting them in our hands for the first time.
These odd-looking handles actually provide a very natural grip point for your fingers and even your palm. The outer coating is just right — not too hard, so a little sweat can make your hands slippery, and not too soft, causing chafing and blistering.
The handle flares out to a hexagonal tip that resists rolling on flat surfaces.
Putting the bit under load, we can tell that Wera screwdrivers were designed by people who know and use screwdrivers. Power transfer is excellent and they feel great in your hands.
Wera Kraftform handles consist of three components. The core is high density plastic that holds the blade in place. The outer coating has two parts. The black or red parts in our test kit are harder plastics, and the inner parts are softer. The combination provides comfort, grip and torque transfer.
Wera screwdriver sets we tested
We got three different 7-piece screwdriver sets. Here's what we tested:
Wera Kraftform 900 series screwdriver set
- 3.5mm slotted
- 4.5mm, 5.5mm and 7.0mm slotted with impact caps
- #1 Phillips and #2 Phillips with strike caps
- bottle opener
With the exception of the bottle opener, all of these Wera 900 series screwdrivers have a hexagonal blade. All but the smallest slotted screwdrivers have a wrench assist section above the handle.
The five primary screwdrivers in the set have a strike cap to help you chisel when the job calls for it. It's not a replacement for a dedicated chisel set, but it can work in a pinch, especially in demos.
The tip has a slightly magnetic coated tip. The Phillips tips seem to be stronger than the slotted ones, though.
In fact, Wera does not magnetize the tips. But somehow, every one of the three sets of drives we tested charged in some way. Strange.
The fit with our test screws was excellent without any play.
Wera Kraftform 300 series screwdriver set
- 4mm slotted
- #1 and #2 Phillips
- #2 Pozdrift
- 15, 20 and 25 clubs
Turning to the 300 Series screwdriver set, we compromised a few features. The blade is round and has no wrench assistance. Three Torx screwdrivers have the same magnetic black coated tips as the 900 series.
Phillips, Posidriv, and slotted tips use different turns. They have a rough laser etch that grips the fastener. It grips really well – better than a tip with diamond grit. All other things being equal, these are the best gripping tricks we've ever used, and they require less downforce to stay engaged with the head of your fastener.
We also saw Wera's "Take it Easy" controller recognition system come into play. Each style has a different colored ring with size markings inside the ring. We don't mind color coding, but we prefer icons with pointy shapes for quicker identification.
Wera Kraftform 100 iS Insulated Screwdriver Set
- 3.5mm and 5.5mm slotted
- #1 and #2 Phillips
- #2 addition and subtraction
- 20 and 25 clubs
Wera's 100 iS Insulated Screwdriver has the standard 1000V safety rating (tested to 10,000V) that we've come to expect to see on all professionally insulated models. They feature Vera's "Take it Easy" identification system.
Interestingly, the Wera contains a #2 PlusMinus drive. These seem to be more popular in Europe, but have a growing fan base in the US as well. It's basically a combination of Phillips and slotted fastener head styles, and having a screwdriver designed to fully engage the head is a nice luxury.
General Wera Screwdriver Pricing
The prices we can find online are a bit higher than what you can find from Southwire or Klein. Still, it's not a huge difference. For the comfort and features that the Wera offers, we think it's worth paying a little more to get them.
the bottom line
When we ask who makes the best screwdrivers, a lot of people vote Vera, and for good reason. They're comfortable, pack meaningful features, and come in a variety of options to suit your trading needs. There is still some room for improvement, but the Wera screwdriver is still far ahead. If you haven't tried Wera yet, we recommend you give it a go.