If you’re working on a large project, a drywall screw gun is your best friend. These tools speed up installation with push-driven motors, adjustable depths, and powerful speeds.
But after a quick search, you’ll see there are tons of options to choose from.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices, don’t. We’ve rounded up the best.
So whether you’re looking for a collated screw gun or something easy on the wallet, here are the best drywall screw guns of 2022.
Best Drywall Screw Guns
- Makita XSF03R Cordless Drywall Screwdriver Kit (Top Pick)
- Ryobi 18 V Brushless Drywall Screw Gun (Best Budget)
- DeWalt 20V Max Drywall Screw Gun (Top High-End)
- Dewalt Collated Attachment (Best Collated Option)
- Rigid R600 Screwdriver (Top Corded)
The Types of Screw Guns
Drywall Screw Guns
Drywall screw guns are excellent for drywall installers or any DIYer working on a large room. While they’re similar to drills, they work a bit differently.
Drywall screw guns have a pressure-driven clutch. So, when you press a screw into the drywall, the motor automatically engages.
When the screw reaches its intended depth, the motor disengages.
Another great feature is that you can set the screw depth you want. While it may take a couple of tries to get the depth perfect, once you do, a drywall screw gun will speed drywall installation dramatically compared to using a drill.
Collated Drywall Screw Guns
Collated screw guns or collated attachments allow you to attach a strip of collated screws to the gun. This will save you time since you won’t need to place screws manually.
Regular Screw Guns
A regular screw gun is very similar to a drywall screw gun. However, these tools may not have enough power for driving screws in large drywall jobs.
If you’re investing in a screw gun, get one specifically for drywall.
Cordless and Corded
When it comes to drywall screw guns, there are both corded and cordless options. Many of the newer models, including those from Dewalt and Ryobi, are cordless.
While this is convenient, it’s good to have backup batteries for large jobs.
You can also find corded options. The most significant benefit of using a corded drywall gun is that you won’t randomly lose power.
However, the cord can be a hazard, and if not long enough, you’ll need to continually switch plugins.
Corded options are also not ideal if you’re working in a house that doesn’t have the power turned on yet.
What’s The Difference Between A Drill and A Screw Gun?
Drills and screw guns are pretty similar. You can use a drill with a drywall attachment to hang drywall.
However, if you want to speed up the process, go with a drywall screw gun. Screw guns allow you to set the depth so your screws are neat and at an appropriate level in the wall.
Most newer models also have a pressure-driven clutch that engages the motor when you push the screw on the drywall and stops when the screw reaches the proper depth.
Top Drywall Screw Guns Review
1. Makita XSF03R Cordless Drywall Screwdriver Kit (Top Pick)
Most drywall screw guns come with the bare tool only. So, if you’re looking for a highly rated drywall screw gun that includes a battery and charger, consider the Makita XSF03R.
The Makita has push-driven technology, great for fast drywall installation. The motor engages only when you push the screw against the drywall.
It also has a brushless motor which means the battery will last longer.
The Makita is a powerful screw gun capable of drilling through metal framing and optimal for installing subfloor, backer board, and decking.
Pros:
- Push-drive technology
- Long battery life
- Brushless motor
- Comes with a charger and battery
- 0-4,000 RPMs
Cons:
- No noticeable cons. This is a highly rated, high-quality tool.
Buy The Makita XSF03R Cordless Drywall Screwdriver Kit On Amazon
2. Ryobi 18 V Brushless Drywall Screw Gun (Best Budget)
If you’re working on a tighter budget and have other Ryobi products, consider adding this to your toolkit. While less expensive than some other options, this is by no means a “cheap” or low-quality drywall screw gun.
The Ryobi has powerful speeds up to 4,700 RPMs. It has a heavy-duty pressure-driven clutch that engages when pressing the screw to the wall.
Its brushless motor keeps the battery power going for longer.
The biggest downside to this tool is that it doesn’t come with a charger or battery. So if you don’t have other Ryobi tools, this might not be the best deal after all.
Pros:
- Variable speed motor, 0-4,700 RPMs
- Pressure-driven clutch
- Brushless motor
- Lightweight and quiet
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a battery or charger
- Some users report issues with longer screws
Buy The Ryobi 18 V Brushless Drywall Screw Gun On Amazon
3. DeWalt 20V Max XR Drywall Screw Gun (Top High-End)
If you’re looking for a drywall screw gun that will last for years and has excellent durability, you can’t go wrong with DeWalt. While this model is a bare tool only (meaning you need to buy a battery and charger), it is compatible with the collated attachment.
Like other models we’ve covered, the Dewalt Screw Gun DCF620B has a brushless motor for efficiency and increased battery length. In addition, it has an LED light that illuminates dark, hard-to-reach areas.
This model also has powerful speeds of up to 4,400 RPMs – faster than the corded Dewalt screw gun.
Pros:
- Brushless motor
- Powerful speeds up to 4,400 RPMs
- Compatible with the collated attachment
- Cordless drywall screw gun
- LED light
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with the required 20-volt lithium-ion battery or charger
- Need to purchase collated attachment separately
Buy The DeWalt 20V Max XR Drywall Screw Gun On Amazon
4. Dewalt Collated Attachment (Best Collated Option)
Collated screw guns have strips of collated screws that feed through for a faster installation experience. But most cordless guns require attachments rather than coming as standard collated options.
This attachment works with the Dewalt Screw Gun DCF620B that we just covered. It has a slim nose, so you can still get into tight spots.
The collated attachment is also relatively inexpensive. As a result, it has high reviews, 4.5 out of 5 stars, and more than 500 ratings on Amazon.
Pros:
- Slim nose, easy to maneuver
- Works with the Dewalt Screw Gun DCF620B
- Relatively inexpensive
- Will speed up your job
Cons:
- Some users report inconsistent driving depth
- Some users complain of a lack of drive bits
Buy The Dewalt Collated Attachment On Amazon
5. Rigid R600 Screwdriver (Top Corded)
Believe it or not, it’s harder to find a corded screw gun than it is to find a cordless option. Luckily the Rigid R600 Drywall Screwdriver is highly rated, inexpensive, and corded.
This tool comes with an adjustable nose piece so you can set the depth of your screws. It also has a 6.5 amp motor, auto stop brushes, and an ergonomic trigger.
The Rigid R600 has a 90-day satisfaction policy and a limited three-year warranty.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Adjustable depth
- 6.5 amp motor
- Corded
Cons:
- Not many, this is a solid corded option
Buy The Rigid R600 Screwdriver On Amazon
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering if a drywall screw gun is worth it. It absolutely is.
While you can technically use a drill for drywall screws, a screw gun will speed up your process.
These power tools allow you to set the depth for consistent screwing. Most also have pressure-driven technology that engages the motor when pressed against drywall and stops when the screw is at the appropriate depth.
If you want your drywall screws to look neat, be at appropriate depths, and for the job to go faster, get yourself a high-quality screw gun. They are great for large DIY projects and professional installers.