Bosch IXO Cordless Screwdriver 3.6V with Lithium Ion Technology

On the battery/charging side of things it lives up to the maker's claims. It charges quickly, and holds its charge if not used for a long time. It is comfortable to hold and small enough to get into tight corners. It's really only suitable for light work, but that's fairly obvious from the compact design.

However, the switch that sets the direction of turn is poorly designed and placed. It lies on the main handle, just above the trigger and under your index finger and I find that whenever I tighten my grip, I either turn it off, or reverse the direction. If the switch were stiffer, or preferably placed on the barrel of the unit, it would be better, although I would prefer a different switch type altogether. It's difficult to describe why this is such a problem, but pick one up before you buy and you will see what I mean. The handle is too small to grip further down away from the switch. Maybe it would be ok if you have small hands.

To add insult to injury, the magnet that holds the bits in the unit has fallen out and being so tiny was impossible to find. Now the bits fall out and the screwdriver is nearly useless. This is poor build quality in an otherwise robust design.

I like Bosch tools and this is the only one I've bought that I have not been very pleased with.


Most useful tool I've ever had   July 4, 2005
33 out of 33 found this review helpful

Contrary to the previous reviewer I couldn't be happier with my Ixo. It has become the most well used tool in my house and as I have just moved home and bought a new house that's needed a lot of DIY that's no mean feat! My father in law also loved the little IXO when he came round to help out with bits of work. I think he was a little sceptical that it was gimmicky at first but soon got to love it.
The little light on the end of the screwdriver is particularly helpful at helping you see when screwing underneath the sink or in tight corners and he liked this also. So much so that my partner and I just bought him his own IXO for father's day - needless to say he way delighted and uses his lots too.


Superb driver - and you CAN use extentions with it.   June 22, 2006
Mr. R. D. McKergan (Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.)
32 out of 32 found this review helpful

I've had my Ixo for over a year now and am completely satisfied with it.

As I'm a computer technician, it tends to get a lot of relatively light work, but when putting together some (lots!) of flat-pack furniture, I make sure it's never far away. Even putting up smoke alarms required just the Ixo (I used the supplied drill bit for the pilot holes in the ceiling then the driver bits for screwing the detectors in place).

Being small, it's easily stowed - and the charge seems to last for ages giving impressive torque when needed. Chances are, you'll ring the head on the screw before the drill stops.

As well as the supplied bits, I've used an 8-inch 'snake' extention (a bit attachment) which allows driving around corners and into awkward places - again, no problems.

Honestly, it's the best purchase I've made in a long time and is perfect for light to medium work. Perhaps not for heavy jobs but then you wouldn't have been looking at it for that in the first place would you? :)

Highly recommended!


Bosch Brilliance   January 27, 2006
Chris Williams (Billericay, Essex United Kingdom)
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

lovely to hold battery keeps power extremely well even when kept in garage for several months off charge. Plenty of supplied useful bits. Only downside often have to hand finish to get good tightness but gee saves all the the hard work prior so I don't mind giving an extra 1/2 turn by hand


Bosch IXO screwdriver ~ not really up to the job   January 8, 2006
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

Quite a neat little tool fairly powerful too, but the switch that changes the driver direction is too easily moved out of position when gripping the tool. The bits cannot be used with an extension piece so the realistic use of the tool is quite severely restricted.