Ryobi is one of the most popular and recognizable names in power tools, especially with the DIY crowd, but the tools themselves are only half the story. Sometimes, it's the accessories we use with our tools that make all the difference. And for me, that's a cheap DeWALT accessory I use constantly with my Ryobi drill and impact driver.
We talk about power tools a lot, but many of these top brands also make excellent hand tools, power-tool accessories, bits, and other items that'll make the entire experience even better. While most professionals have a slew of accessories, if you're a beginner, a DIYer, or just want a better setup, here's my favorite $10 accessory.
After you buy a new drill or impact driver, the first accessory I'd recommend is a magnetic bit holder. It's an essential drill accessory that makes every job easier, faster, and delivers fewer frustrating moments.
Whether you're remodeling the house, building a patio deck, or assembling furniture, there's nothing worse than constantly fumbling with the chuck that holds your bits. If you need to switch from a Phillips to a flathead, a hex bit, or even a Torx, manually loosening and tightening on a new bit every time is slow and tedious. More importantly, that's the last thing you want to do while you're standing on a ladder or working in a tight space.
A magnetic bit holder like this $10 model from DeWALT makes it easy to swap bits in seconds, keeps screws and fasteners securely attached, and helps prevent dropped or stripped screws. Instead of hitting reverse or looking for a chuck key, all you do is pop out the bit and throw another one in, and you're ready to go.
While easy, fast bit swaps are by far one of the biggest benefits of the accessory, they're not the only reason I recommend everyone buy one. The other reason is the built-in magnet.
For example, we've all been in this situation: you throw a Phillips bit into a drill or driver, then try to screw together furniture, drive into wood, or do some other task, only you drop the screw before you start. Don't lie, we've all done it, and it's even worse when you're on a ladder and have to get down and go searching for a screw.
The built-in magnet in most bit holders keeps your fasteners safely secured to the bit, ready to go at a moment's notice. I recently had to replace some LED can lights in the kitchen ceiling for my dad, but he didn't have a magnetic bit. I'm so used to having one that I kept dropping the screws.
It's even worse when you need that second hand to hold something in place, or you're working in a tight spot or awkward angle. As an added bonus, it can help prevent stripped screw heads. Swap bits faster and more easily, and stop dropping screws.
The DeWALT 3-inch magnetic bit holder has strong fastener retention, a built-in magnet to keep screws securely attached, and makes swapping bits faster and easier than ever.
As mentioned above, the way this little accessory works is pretty simple. A magnetic bit holder uses a strong internal magnet to lock an interchangeable screwdriver bit into its socket, then magnetizes the tip to hold the screw securely. For a more detailed explanation, here's how it all works together with your drill or impact driver:
If you own a power drill but not an impact driver, you deserve a better DIY experience. Impact drivers are amazing, and you should own one.
I own several different magnetic bits of various sizes, but the DeWALT model above is by far my favorite. It's just the right length and has an easy-release mechanism: pull down on the base, and it'll separate from the magnet, making bit swaps even easier. If you don't pull down the base, the internal magnet has excellent bit retention, and that's extremely useful while I'm working on a project.
More importantly, it's impact-rated, too, meaning it can handle the power and torque of an impact driver. And for those unaware, while a drill can certainly drive screws with ease, that job is better suited to an impact driver.
I actually have three DeWALT magnetic bit holders in various sizes, and they're always in my Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hammer drill and my Ryobi Impact driver, with a few spares lying around just in case. And yes, Ryobi makes magnetic bit holders, too.
