One of my favorite electronic screwdrivers is nearly half off for Prime Day

1 month ago 49

I have a lot of screwdriving solutions, and it is my earnestly held belief that each one is beautiful and special. Sometimes you need the power and endurance of the impact driver; other times, the compact ratcheting screwdriver with the extra bits tucked away in its butt.

But one screwdriver I reach for more often than you’d think is this USB-C rechargeable electric screwdriver from Hoto with adjustable torque and a built-in ring light. And right now it’s on sale at a steep discount as part of Amazon Prime Day.

$40

With a long-lasting battery, adjustable torque (be gentle with your screws!), and a ring-light if you need, Hoto’s USB-C rechargeable electric screwdriver is one of our go-to tools for opening up your games and gear. The kit comes with a USB-C cord, case, and 12 steel bits.

It was first recommended to me (endlessly) by my colleagues at The Verge, and I purchased it because... well, again, all screwdrivers are beautiful and special. But its convenience has helped it earn a spot in my office, instead of the garage, when I need to tinker on some gaming stuff. A brief list of things I’ve used the Hoto electric screwdriver to do:

Upgrade the SSD in my Steam Deck
Replace the display, and both front and back covers, of a perhaps too well-loved Nintendo Switch
Open retro controllers to give them a good tub. Most recent controllers include: An original Indigo Gamecube controller, a Sixaxis controller (don’t laugh), and a Japanese PC Engine controller
Replace the swollen battery in my Razer Blade 14
Tinker with the MiSTer

Image: Hoto Tools

I can’t tell you what the right price for this level of convenience would be — that’s between you and your accountant — but I can tell you that it is currently on sale during Amazon Prime Day for $39.99, or 43% off its list price. That is not as cheap as last year’s Prime Day deal, but isn’t everything more expensive these days?

Some caveats: First, the Hoto electric screwdriver comes with 12 bits — three Phillips head (PH1, PH2, PH3), four hex (H3, H4, H5, H6), three Torx (T15, T20, T25), one flat blade (SL4), and one Pozidriv (PZ2) — which should be enough to get you through a lot of tasks. But if you don’t already have a set of electronics bits, this $19.99 iFixit set is a great complement (and will get you the 3.8mm and 4.5mm Gamebit bits necessary to open older Sega and Nintendo consoles and cartridges).

Second, it only comes with the USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and does not include a USB-A charger. Presumably you have been alive the last quarter century and have a junk drawer full of them, but on the off chance you do not, there is a Prime Day sale on this Anker two-pack for $12.99, and it comes with two USB-C cables. You can put the extra in that junk drawer and start your collection now.

Looking for more deals? Check out all of Polygon’s favorite Prime Day 2024 deals right here, and subscribe to our newsletter below to get great deals delivered to your inbox every week.