LTT Screwdriver Review — is it worth buying? [updated March 2024]
Is this influencer's $70 screwdriver really worth buying?
Buying anything from an influencer feels really sketchy, I thought about whether to buy the LTT screwdriver for a few months before I made the purchase — not least because I’ve a decent set of screwdrivers.
I am the target market for the LTT Screwdriver. I am a computer geek, the person my family turn to when something goes wrong (yeh, if you’re reading this — stop it!) and I’m also someone fairly handy when it comes to DIY… so I have a decent range of precise and normal screwdrivers. But a really good rachet screwdriver… one that could blur those precise and normal boundaries (so i didn't need to carry both in my backpack… that was missing!).
But I was a bit worried at whether it was worth the $70 plus shipping to the UK.
Its honestly one of the reasons I’ve not took the plunge when it comes to the LTT backpack, despite putting together a number of users real life reviews on the backpack — yes it seems worth it to some degree… but right now I can’t see it being worth the $300 including shipping! I can get 95% there with a $50 buy on amazon (and yes i will suffer a little… but its only a little).
Back to the Screwdriver then… is it worth it? Should you be buying this screwdriver?
Well, yes — I would say this is worth the money.
The LTT Screwdriver has a great ratchet — it has really nice feeling feedback (physical) and the sound of the clicks is just enough over the whir of a few fans on the next machine.
The default set of heads / bits the screwdriver comes with are ok, and magnetic but you can fit in any heads you already have to hand — these fit in the bottom container (which holds them tight and not loose — super handy) and you’re ready to go. This flexibility is a real selling point, as is the fact you can buy extra bit-sets on the LTT website too ensuring you can cover all your computing and tech needs.
What I would say is that, as you can see from these photos — the heads feel a little like they may rust a little overtime — this includes the strong magnet bit included. — My screwdriver has only been kept indoors (not in a garage, before anyone asks) and so I am a little confused how this has come to be .. unless the bit is coated in something particularly receptive to moisture.
In terms of the shaft, this at launch seemed to be a target of many reviews — some citing it would wiggle a fair bit, others noting with a fair bit of pressure (it seemed) you could break the screwdriver or the ratchet — honestly I’ve not had an issue with a wiggle or clearly i’ve to broken he screwdriver. Its operated really well throughout and the ratchet is as tight as the day it came.
My only issues to date with my screwdriver are it seems to scratch a little — it fell into a computer and this scratch happened, I'm now careful — and the rust problem on bits.
So, do i recommend the LTT Screwdriver for computer enthusiasts?
In short, Yes. It’s well worth adding to your tool set.
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Update Mar 2024 (6 months on)
Honestly, I think I was a little tentative in my review — I had seen the other reviews on various blogs, on reddit and lots of videos (there are still tons coming out). I was skeptical about the product I had ordered…
6 Months on from my original review and I am sat here today actually saying (a rare) I love this product. It sits on my desk every day and is my go to for most things, and unless I really need something with a bit of oomph … this does it all… I haven’t bought any extra bits I’ve used what came as standard and the ones I already had from other sets — though I am tempted by one or two of the smaller sets just to make life a little easier (they are fairly cheap — I also think the extender is a great idea).
Not long ago, LTT released the stubby type screwdriver, at $10 cheaper I’m not going to say whether this represents great value or not — hell I love my normal screw driver so this could really make a difference if you need one. I just don’t see the need for this stubby that often in my life…
Its kind of like the LTT backpack, at $250, this just doesn't float my boat. The ‘luxe’ version at $600 seems even more mind-boggling not least because I think the only differentiator is the exterior is made from “apple leather” basically vegan leather… everything else is the same… I'm not sure that is worth an extra $350… unless LTT is the new Apple itself? As I questioned in my article about the backpack when it launched, has linus lost his mind?
Perhaps this time he has?
Anyway, I will perhaps update this again with a short video so you can see the screwdriver in use, the slight wear it now has and explain why i enjoy it.
