The brushless motor drives the Milwaukee at 4,500 rpm. Milwaukee claims its batteries last three times longer than competitors, though it doesn’t estimate their lifespan or make any direct comparisons. At 2.5 pounds, the tool is among the lightest in its class. A battery adds about 1.5 pounds. An important feature of most drywall screw guns is the nose cone, which surrounds the gun’s screwdriver bit. As the screw is driven into the drywall sheet, the nose cone provides a depth stop, so the screw head is sunk just below the surface (to be hidden by filler), but not driven too deep. The BL™ Brushless Motor eliminates carbon brushes, enabling the BL™ Motor to run cooler and more efficiently for longer life

The Ryobi drywall screw gun comes with a very attractive price tag and a specification that challenges many more expensive rivals. The 18V brushless motor delivers a best-in-class speed of 4,700 rpm. The Ryobi is light, too, at just 2.25 pounds, though the battery weight of 1.7 pounds brings it in-line with competitors. Ahead, we explain the key features of these tools and look at some real-world examples to help you find the best drywall screw gun for your needs. The main thing that restricts working speed when hanging drywall, even with auto mode, is the need to load each drywall screw individually. The fix for this is either a collated screw attachment or an auto-feed gun. Adding a collated attachment to a standard drywall screw gun certainly increases working speed, but when it comes to maximizing productivity, nothing competes with a full-time auto-feed screwdriver such as the Makita 18V LXT. Makita DFR550Z LXT Li-Ion Cordless Auto feed Screwdriver 18v gives high operation efficiency delivered from fast rotational speed and improved screw strip management. Has Makita's new silent clutch featuringdirect drive transmission in reverse rotation. Also now with a more reliable casing attachment which can be removed or attached without a tool. The 424mm long machine has an ergonomically designedrubberizedgrip with anti-slip to provide a steady hold in all conditions. DFR550ZFeatures:The tool weighs just 2.9 pounds and has good ergonomics that help counter the inconvenience of having a cord. The 8-foot cord is longer than some, but an extension cable will usually still be needed. Equipped with Star Protection Computer Controls™ to protect against overloading, over-discharging and over-heating The brushless motor runs at 4,000 rpm and can drive collated screws (drywall and standard wood screws) from 1 inch to 2.125 inch long. Instead of the usual three-step depth setting, there is a variable dial. This gives the Makita auto-feed screwdriver great versatility and allows the user to compensate for the hardness of the material and set the depth precisely.

Weight will make a considerable difference to those who are hanging drywall all day, especially if installing ceilings. A comfortable grip and an easy-to-reach trigger will also reduce fatigue and help prevent hand cramps. DeWalt is another brand renowned for well-made, professional-standard power tools. Its 20V drywall screw gun has a brushless motor with a speed of 4,400 rpm. At 2.7 pounds, it is a fraction heavier than the Milwaukee, though the batteries are lighter, so the all up weight difference is negligible. The tool has a soft-grip handle and good ergonomics. Rapid Optimum Charger communicates with the battery's built-in chip throughout the charging process to optimize battery life by actively controlling current, voltage and temperature (battery and charger sold separately) The 6-amp motor produces super-fast driving of 5,300 rpm. This makes the DeWalt corded drywall screw gun ideal for use with metal studs or joists, which are increasingly popular but tougher to pierce than wood. The nose cone has three-position depth adjustment. Helical gears, which mesh more easily than straight-cut alternatives, provide renowned DeWalt durability. Rapid Optimum Charger communicates with the battery's built-in chip throughout the charging process to optimize battery life by actively controlling current, voltage and temperature

The electronically-controlled BL™ Brushless Motor efficiently uses energy to match torque and RPM to the changing demands of the application While corded drywall screw guns are still available and often come with an attractive price tag, the majority are now cordless. The freedom of movement they offer is an advantage, particularly when working on ceilings. Completing the drywall combo is the powerful DeWalt drywall screw gun that took our runner-up spot, plus two batteries, a charger, and a useful canvas carryall. A clutch often works in conjunction with the nose cone, disengaging the drive when the screw reaches the desired depth. Weight and Ergonomics Rapid Optimum Charger has a built-in fan to cool the battery for faster, more efficient charging (battery and charger sold separately)

Brushless motors produce almost zero friction, so they make much more efficient use of the battery power available, resulting in longer runtimes. The best tools use brushless motors, but they are more expensive. As a result, some cordless tools still have brush motors. Cordless drywall screw guns are often sold as “bare tools” (without a battery or charger). If the user doesn’t already own compatible batteries, this can add a considerable amount to the price. Pay attention to the amp hour (Ah) rating of batteries. This can be compared to fuel: the higher the number, the longer the battery will run between charges. Weight and ergonomics always have an impact on handheld power tools, but differences can be more pronounced when hanging drywall. Because this is often a one-person job, it is necessary to support the drywall sheet with one hand while using the other to operate the tool. Makita technology delivers category-leading charge time so the battery spends more time working and less time sitting on the charger Drywall Screwdriver with BL™ Motor delivers 0-4,000 RPM to handle a variety of drywall and framing applicationsPush Drive™ Technology delivers increased efficiency, longer run time and lower noise for drywall fastening . With Push Drive™ the motor starts only when the fastener is engaged with the work piece, so battery power is used more efficiently for significantly longer run time. Contractors benefit from less downtime charging batteries, and from a quieter work environment since the motor runs only during fastening. Efficient BL™ Brushless motor is electronically controlled to optimize battery energy use for up to 50% longer run time per charge Makita technology delivers category-leading charge time so the battery spends more time working and less time sitting on the charger (battery and charger sold separately) Variable speed control switch provides easier operation for fine adjustment of screw depth without locator It is often necessary to cut holes for conduit or pipework when hanging drywall. While the task can be done with a knife, it takes a lot of effort and good control, or the result will be untidy.