Bosch Cordless Screwdriver IXO (6th Generation, green, variable SPEED CONTROL, rechargeable with micro USB-cable, in storage case), Ixo Basic, 6th Gen

Product Information

Bosch may be better known for making some of the best cordless drills– and every other tool imaginable – for both pro and home DIY use. When it comes to the compact and affordable end of the market, the IXO 6 is probably the best electric screwdriver you can buy. It's certainly the most popular. While I have previously owned cordless screwdrivers of the Ni-MH variety, moving over to Li-Ion brings a few benefits including lighter weight, low self-discharge so it should be ready to use when needed and the convenience of micro-USB charging. The biggest draw is the fact this unit offers a variable-speed trigger allowing for more careful driving of screws which should avoid the tendency of single-speed tools to strip heads at the end of travel. Of course, with care, even single-speed tools are adequate when used with care, but the older IXO V was not any cheaper with its garishly loud Bosch branding, so I opted for the IXO 6 instead.

Perhaps my biggest annoyance with all cordless screwdrivers of a similar design is simply how close the “head” of the unit is to the bit which, because the bit is centred, means that screwdriving close to a corner (or in recesses) becomes impossible. There is an offset “easy-reach” accessory for this, but the cost is significant compared to the cost of the unit. It would be nice if the design would have a “thinner” section near the head or an offset by default which would make it more applicable to precision screwdriver applications (e.g. repairing electronics) without needing extensions or accessories.Of course, there are a few mostly minor criticisms I have as well. The fixed pistol grip feels fine enough with its rubber coating, but my experience with rubber is that it may degrade and become oily over time. The position of the microUSB charging port at the bottom is also a little awkward and vulnerable, as it is uncovered, inviting dust and debris into the port. The trigger itself is a bit on the long side, thus I use two fingers with it rather than one which feels a bit unnatural, but has a slight lag when first starting off which is noticeable. The unit also seems to have a bit more gearbox noise than I was expecting.

Attachment interface – Compatible with additional IXO attachments for increased versatility and perfect attachments for jobs in and around the house. Heading towards the tail-end of the year, sometimes I can’t help but spoil myself with a few presents (to myself, of course). Because of the volume of online shopping clogging up courier services around the place, I started early but didn’t have the chance to do some testing and write-ups until just now. We’ve always been fans of the look and feel of the Bosch IXO. The previous version had a more complex design with a large Bosch logo on the side, which was in keeping with the style of Bosch’s other power tools. The new IXO has a simpler look with an understated two-tone colour scheme. It appears more elegant and sophisticated, which will appeal to a wider user base. New Features, Big Difference

I don't really have anything negative to say about the IXO 6. If you want to put huge masonry screws into concrete, obviously it's not a suitable tool. For 99% of basic DIY jobs it's nigh on perfect. Bosch IXO 6 review: also consider… Mindig tájékoztat a 3 LED-es akkutöltés-kijelző – így részletes akkuinformációkkal végezheti a munkát What else can I tell you about the IXO 6? The bits go in the end – the driver comes with 5 cross-head, 2 Allen, 2 Torx – the star-shaped ones – and only one flat head, as nobody uses them anymore. If you live in an older home, or have more demanding uses in mind, you will certainly need to buy additional bits, but for most modern purposes, the 10 bits provided may well prove to be all you need.