Head 2 Head Hands-On: Bosch SPS10 vs LI3000 SmartDriver
By Sean O'HaraConclusions
The head-to-head comparison between the SPS10 and the LI3000 really comes down to features. Both drivers did well. Which package better suits your particular needs, the projects you intend to do on a regular basis?
The SPS10 favors endurance. The removable battery pack, plus the ability to integrate the driver almost seamlessly with any other member of the Bosch PS line that you might already own, make the driver a strong player in its class.
The LI3000 proved to be a shade more versatile in its ability to handle a slightly larger set of applications, but at the cost of stamina. Add to that the $40 price point, which is about half what the Bosch will hit you for, and it puts the picture in slightly better focus.
In the end, neither driver is really head-and-shoulders better than the other. The LI3000 SmartDriver is a cheap, versatile driver that’ll get the job done; and the newcomer Bosch SPS10 is designed to run all day and to stand alone or blend with tools you might already own. The decision depends on which strengths are more important to you.
SPS10 Screwdriver [Bosch]
SPS10 Street Pricing [Google]
SPS10 Via Amazon [What’s This?]
LI3000 SmartDriver [Black & Decker]
LI3000 Street Pricing [Google]
LI3000 Via Amazon [What’s This?]
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April 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
So the 3″ test. Was that at full speed? Since the B&D has a slower speed, which might be due to gear reduction, then it would not be too surprising it has more torque.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
Good question.
I tried it at full speed, half speed and just barely moving and the result was the same.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Lowes has the B&D driver on sale right now online for $12.97! I might just have to pick one up and check it out.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=299433-79992-299433&detail=&lpage=none
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
@Adam:
Yeah but if a Lowes near you doesn’t have it in stock it’s another $11 for shipping and tax making it almost $24. Which is still a deal, but maybe not an impulse buy.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
If you are only driving one or two screws, a real old-fashioned screwdriver (ok, I use a 6 in 1 screwdriver) might be the right tool for the job. Past 2 screws and I find myself searching for my cordless. I have the PS-20 and I would consider it the smallest cordless I would use. It works pretty well, but many times I wonder if I should have bought the PS-40 instead. The 20 is lightweight and has the important Lithium ion battery feature so I can be sure it will still have a charge when I reach for it.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Technicality — on the 1.5″ screw test, the Bosch lasts roughly 32% longer than the B&D, not 24%. You got the math backwards. The B&D did 24% fewer screws though.
76 * 132% = 100, or 100 - 76/100 = 24%
Good review though.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:00 am
[...] Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Head 2 Head Hands-On: Bosch SPS10 vs … [...]
April 27th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
[...] review and comparison to a similar Bosch model that will give you a good idea of its capabilities HERE. It holds up very well against the $80.00 [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I wonder how the new ryobi 4 volt (HP50LK) would do against those two???