If you board out for a living, a drywall screw gun is one of the best investments you can make. A good one will drive hundreds of screws an hour to a consistent depth without tearing the paper, and an autofeed or collated attachment takes the fiddling out of loading each screw by hand.
The choice comes down to two things: do you want a dedicated depth-sensing screwdriver for hand-fed screws, or an autofeed machine that takes screws on a plastic strip? The first is cheaper and more flexible, and the second is quicker on big boarding jobs.
This guide covers six options that are all on sale at Amazon UK at the time of writing, from about £183 to £278, along with an explanation of which is right for the work you do.
Quick Verdict
For autofeed on Makita 18V, the DFR550Z is the benchmark, with more than 1,700 reviews on Amazon UK. For a hand-fed drywall screwdriver that does not break the bank, the Makita DFS452Z is hard to beat.
DeWalt’s DCF620P2K is the pick if you want a kit with batteries and a collated attachment, and Bosch’s GSR 18V-EC TE is a good choice for Bosch Professional users who want to add a magazine later. Milwaukee’s M18FSGC is the premium option for people on M18.
The Best Drywall Screw Guns for UK Trade
Best Autofeed: Makita DFR550Z
The DFR550Z is a Makita 18V LXT autofeed screwdriver, sold as a bare tool at around £205. It takes screws on a plastic collated strip and drives them one after another as you press along the board, so it is built for large areas of plasterboard and for fast, repeatable work.
It has a depth-setting nose that is easy to adjust, so screws go in flush without tearing the paper. With nearly 1,700 reviews on Amazon UK it is one of the most proven autofeed tools on the market.
The trade-off is that it is a dedicated tool and not a general screwdriver, and you will need to buy collated screws for it. For a dryliner who boards out daily that is not a problem.
- Anti-tilt device to prevent screws from swaying
- Dust proof construction
- Silent clutch
- Maximum drywall screw 4mm x 55mm
- Screw range 25mm to 55mm
Best Hand-Fed Drywall Screwdriver: Makita DFS452Z
The DFS452Z is a brushless 18V LXT drywall screwdriver, supplied as a bare tool for about £183. You load each screw by hand, and the depth-setting nose stops the screw at the right depth every time.
It is lighter and more compact than the autofeed machines, and it is much more flexible. You can use it for any screws, in tight spaces and on small repairs, and it will carry on running on the same battery as the rest of your Makita kit.
With around 1,450 reviews on Amazon UK it has a strong track record.
- Brushless motor
- Push drive technology
- Lock on function
- Silent clutch
- One touch locator
Best DeWalt Kit: DeWalt DCF620P2K
The DCF620P2K is DeWalt’s 18V XR brushless collated drywall screwdriver, sold as a kit with two 5.0Ah batteries at about £270. For anyone starting on DeWalt it is a ready-to-use option, since it includes the batteries and a charger.
If you already own DeWalt batteries, look for the bare tool version, but be sure to check that the listing includes the collated attachment you need.
With 160-plus reviews on Amazon UK it is well rated, and the DeWalt XR range is a sensible platform for a drywall fitter.
- Powerful 4400 rpm brushless motor drives screws efficiently and effectively offering maximum runtime
- Set and forget feature remembers your fine depth adjustment setting when removing and replacing the nose cone
- Locking nose cone allows you to work with the same tool on sites where collated drywall screws are not supplied
- Quick release collated screw magazine accepts most collated screws to allow the user to fit boards more quickly
- Ergonomically designed rubber grip gives you excellent user comfort whilst using the tool in either the in-line or pistol-grip hand position
Best for Bosch Users: Bosch GSR 18V-EC TE
The Bosch Professional GSR 18V-EC TE is a brushless 18V drywall screwdriver with a depth stop. At about £217 for the bare tool it sits between the Makita and the DeWalt, and it is the one to buy if you are already running Bosch Professional blue batteries.
On its own it is a hand-fed tool. For collated screws you add the Bosch GMA 55 magazine attachment, which clips on and turns it into an autofeed gun. This modular approach is neat, because it lets you use it either way on the same tool.
- Powerful and compact 18 V drive train capable of fixing 3,400 screws per (4.0 Ah) battery charge, even in narrow spaces
- Compact and lightweight design of 1.6 kg with 4.0 Ah for effortless work and comfortable handling
- Bosch’s brushless motor technology with Electronic Motor Protection and motor brake for a long tool lifetime
- AMPShare: Batteries and chargers are fully compatible with the Bosch Professional 18V System as well as many other tools from brands in the AMPShare battery partnership
- Items included: GSR 18V-EC TE, L-BOXX 102
Magazine attachment for collated screws:
- Drywall screwdriver auto-feed attachment for comfortable and fast working even in difficult positions
- Quick and easy depth setting and tool-less screw length adjustment
- Open design for easy cleaning and longer lifetime
- Comfortable and faster working – auto-feed attachment for drywall screwdrivers
- Scope of supply: 1 x screwdriver bit PH 2
Premium Pick for M18 Users: Milwaukee M18FSGC-0X
Milwaukee’s M18FSGC-0X is an M18 FUEL drywall screw gun supplied with a collated attachment and a case. At around £278 for the bare tool it is the most expensive option here, and there are only a few reviews on Amazon UK, so there is less evidence than for the others.
If you are already invested in M18, the build quality and the battery system make it an easy choice. If you are not, the Makita or DeWalt give you better value.
- Brushless POWERSTATE motor for up to 10x longer motor life and up to 60% more power
- Quick release ¼″ Hex chuck allows for easy bit change
- Fine adjustment nose cone for setting desired countersink levels in single screw applications
- Removable collated attachment allows the user to use the gun as a stand alone screwdriver or a collaged screw gun
- Intuitive design of collated attachment to allow for easy cleaning of drywall dust
At a Glance: Drywall Screw Guns Compared
| Model | Platform | Feed Type | Approx. Price |
| Makita DFR550Z | Makita 18V LXT | Autofeed, bare tool | £205 |
| Makita DFS452Z | Makita 18V LXT | Hand-fed, brushless | £183 |
| DeWalt DCF620P2K | DeWalt 18V XR | Collated, 2 x 5.0Ah kit | £270 |
| Bosch GSR 18V-EC TE | Bosch Professional 18V | Hand-fed, magazine optional | £217 |
| Milwaukee M18FSGC-0X | Milwaukee M18 | Collated attachment, case | £278 |
Buyer’s Guide: What Actually Matters
Autofeed or hand-fed
Autofeed machines are quicker on big boarding jobs because you do not have to load every screw, but they cost more to run because collated screws are dearer than loose ones. A hand-fed drywall screwdriver is cheaper and works with any screw, and is the better option for small jobs, repairs and tight spaces.
Depth control
The depth-setting nose is the main thing that separates a drywall screwdriver from an ordinary drill. A good one stops the screw just below the surface of the board without breaking the paper, so check that the adjustment is easy to use with gloves on.
Brushless motors
Brushless motors are more efficient, run cooler and last longer, which matters on a tool that fires thousands of screws a day. The Makita DFS452Z, DeWalt DCF620P2K, Bosch GSR 18V-EC TE and Milwaukee M18FSGC are brushless, while the long-serving Makita DFR550Z is the exception, and it has earned its reputation on reliability rather than on the motor. If you want a brushless autofeed from Makita, look at the newer DFR551Z range.
Collated screws
Check what strip your gun takes before you buy screws. Most use standard coarse-thread drywall screws on a plastic strip in common lengths, but the exact length and strip type vary between makers.
Battery platform
As ever, the battery you already own should drive the decision. A bare tool on your existing platform is much cheaper than a kit, and gives you the benefit of a charger and spare batteries.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you board out all day
Choose an autofeed. The Makita DFR550Z is the straightforward choice on Makita 18V, and the DeWalt DCF620P2K is the kit to buy if you are starting on DeWalt. Over a full day of boarding the time saved from not loading each screw is considerable.
If you do mixed work
Choose a hand-fed drywall screwdriver such as the Makita DFS452Z. It copes with boarding, patching, fixing in tight spaces and ordinary screwing, and you can still use any screws you like. Bosch users get the same flexibility, and can add a magazine to the GSR 18V-EC TE if the work changes.
If you are on a budget
Buy the bare tool on your existing battery platform rather than a kit, and put the saving towards a spare battery and a stock of screws. A bare Makita DFS452Z at under £190 is the cheapest of the dedicated options here.
FAQs
Do I need a dedicated drywall screwdriver?
If you board out regularly, yes. An impact driver or drill will drive the screws, but it will not set the depth consistently and you will tear the paper. A dedicated screwdriver is quicker and gives a better finish.
What is the difference between collated and autofeed?
They are the same thing. Both describe a screwdriver that takes screws joined on a plastic strip and feeds them automatically.
Can I use an autofeed screw gun for decking or timber?
Some can, with the right attachment and screws, but a drywall gun is designed for plasterboard and may not give you the same control on timber.
Which is better for a self-employed dryliner, Makita or DeWalt?
Both are good. Makita has a long-established reputation among dryliners and a wider choice of autofeed models, while DeWalt’s kits are good value. Pick the battery platform you already use.
How long do the batteries last?
A 5.0Ah battery will normally last for a good few hundred screws on a drywall screw gun, and often a full morning of boarding. Carry a spare to avoid downtime.
Final Word
For most dryliners the choice is between the Makita DFR550Z for autofeed work and the Makita DFS452Z for a flexible hand-fed screwdriver. If you are on DeWalt, the DCF620P2K is a good-value kit, and Bosch users can add a magazine to the GSR 18V-EC TE to get an autofeed gun.
Whichever you buy, put it on your existing battery platform and keep a stock of the right screws in the van.
