After a lot of searching, I ended up with this and I am completely satisfied with my choice. My criteria were a screwdriver with a ratchet, regular size (not short), many bits (8+) with storage space in the body of the screwdriver for all the bits (so I don't have to carry extra bits), good quality and functionality compared to the competition, and a maximum price of €40.
The only other option I found available in Europe was the Milwaukee, which doesn't have good reviews. Just as a reference, in America there is the MegaPro (also sold in Europe at an exorbitant price that is not worth it) and in Germany only Bauhaus, which is essentially the MegaPro with a different name. With the criteria I mentioned above, there are no other reputable options. If you have a higher budget (€80+), check out the PB Swiss Tools PB 6510 R-100 and the Linus (LTT Screwdriver). Both are top quality, but they might be difficult to find and expensive. If you don't care about the other criteria (ratchet or bits in the body), there are many other options available.
Now let's move on to the review. We start with some information about the manufacturer HOTO (home tools). The old model was a collaboration between Xiaomi and Wiha. Together, they also released the precision screwdriver set from Xiaomi. Somewhere along the line, HOTO was created as a subsidiary of Xiaomi, which produced the tools with Wiha's technology. At some point, Wiha disappeared from the promotional material, I don't know if they still have interests in HOTO. So, the Xiaomi/HOTO didn't appear randomly and they released screwdrivers of questionable quality, there is a lot of Wiha's technology behind it.
Positives:
- 16 bits, which is a significant positive. It even had the size I needed for an Allen screw I recently encountered. When I have it with me, I feel like I don't need any other screwdrivers. I don't have to carry a tool case or a set of screwdrivers. I can just put it in my pocket and I'm ready, which solves a lot of headaches for me. There are more specialized tools that you can't avoid... But it covers a wide range and almost all cases.
- Respectable to good ratchet, but it didn't impress me. It needs a bit of resistance to work, I would prefer less. It won't work on screws that turn freely. Overall, it does a great job in tightening and loosening, but it won't do anything if the screw turns easily by hand, for example. It will excel with old screws or stubborn ones.
- Nice feel of the handle material. Excellent feel on the skin and a good grip that doesn't slip. It's nothing like the classic "plastic" screwdrivers, you want to hold it. I don't know if it will withstand the test of time, so I keep the handle in the bag so that the sun and dust don't damage it when it's not in use.
- Feels sturdy. It's a bit "hollow" if you remove the part with the bits from the back, but overall I feel that it's sturdy. I'm not afraid that something will break like with some cheap tools, and so far it's okay.
- The long part fits in many places, its thickness doesn't bother often. I have used other screwdrivers with bits, and this is one of the least annoying in this category.
- Quality of the bits is "S2 alloy steel". I have seen that good brands use the same for bits, I don't know anything more.
- It looks nice, all black. If you have it at home and forget to put it back in its place, it won't bother much. It's not as eye-catching as ALL the others.
- It can also be used as a short screwdriver. You can remove the long part and use it as a short one with the bits. I only use it like this when there is a lack of space. I do not believe it is good as a permanent short (details in the negatives), but it is a welcome extra.
- Magnetic. From the comparisons I have seen, it is one of the strongest magnets in a screwdriver with tips... I mention this because someone complained that the magnet is not strong enough. Yes, it is not the strongest I have seen, but it gets the job done. If you want a stronger magnet, maybe you should forget about screwdrivers with tips in general, as it is not their strong point.
Negatives:
- The shape and size are not ideal. I would understand if space was an issue, they could easily make it thinner at the edge, but at least the mechanism inside is not bothersome. Especially in terms of size, it is too thick in the handle and the shape does not help to conceal it. At first, it seemed strange to me, but practically, I don't have a particular issue. I would like it to be more ergonomic, especially for prolonged use.
- The long detachable piece wiggles a bit. It never bothered me during use, but if it didn't come off, this wouldn't be an issue. As a short piece, it is quite thick and rarely useful, they could have avoided it by making it a single piece.
- The classic tips from elsewhere are difficult to work with, as someone else mentioned. The problem is that they go in deeper and are difficult to remove. They could easily have avoided this issue... If you want to work with conventional tips, get an adapter and the problem is solved. But if you decide to store the conventional tips in the base, you will essentially lose space because you will have a single-sided instead of a double-sided one. There is also the issue of replacements, the screwdriver costs as much as a set of branded replacements, though... Otherwise, the Wiha double-sided ones might do the trick. It's an artificial issue that shouldn't exist.
- It easily leaves marks on the handle, and it definitely leaves marks on the long piece because it is black. Okay, it's a tool, it will leave marks, but it does so more easily.
- Quite heavy, but I don't think you can find anything lighter in its category. Worst case scenario, the piece that holds the tips comes off and it is much lighter. Personally, I prefer it with the piece inside, it has better balance.
In conclusion, it's a very good value for money screwdriver and there is nothing better in its category up to 80+ euros, where you would go for high-end brands. It has many tips that cover almost every situation in the size of a thick screwdriver, it looks nice, works well, and has a handle. It is ideal for a small toolbox in a student's house, a vacation home, to have it forgotten in the car for when you need it, or even in a bag, just to have it. I am very satisfied and I highly recommend it. If you don't want a handle or don't mind a case with tips, you have more options.