A pentalobe screwdriver is the driver used to remove the pentalobe security screw—nomenclature invented by The Apple Company—or screw drive on many an Apple device. It’s characterized a five-pointed head made to be tamper-resistant by many a screwdriver save the pentalobe one. Apple started adopting the screw in 2009 but it’s a system that isn’t limited to Apple. Other companies use it as well.
These are the top pentalobe screwdrivers in the market to date.
Wiha 26794 Precision Pentalobe Screwdriver Set (PL1-PL6)
This is probably the most complete and active pentalobe screwdriver set you can find after scouring the catalog of Amazon. Other sets lack reviews, activity, or confirmation that they’re even of the pentalobe variety. Only a few dozen people have reviewed it, but they almost unanimously voted it with high ratings. No one voted it one star at all.
Sure, it’s a bit pricey, but it’s such a “rare” set that it’s almost worth the extra bucks just to get 6 sizes of pentalobe driver. It’s such a highly rated product that the closest thing to criticism it got is from someone claiming that a more complete set or kit with other screwdriver types offer more than this product specifically designed to only offer pentalobe drivers.
Wiha 26761 PL1 Precision Pentalobe Screwdriver
This is like the previous entry but instead of a whole set of 6 pentalobes you get only 1 and it’s the smallest, most commonly used one for cellphone repair usage. This item is decently rated by more people than the previous item and is in fact the 3rd highest in this list of 4 pentalobe products. It’s also relatively cheap to get but the previous set of 6 in one pack is still the better deal.
Because it’s German-made, it’s a high-grade kind of screwdriver that won’t break easy and has clean engineering backing it up. However, since it’s PL1 or the smallest size of driver, you need an 8x magnifying lens to examine it with its small flutes and whatnot. It gives you perfect control because the black section is fixed on the blade and the red remains stationary as the rest of it turns. However, it has gotten complaints about stripping screws.
RION TECH 5 point 6 point 3 Piece Tool Kit
Even though RION TECH pentalobe screwdrivers lack the pedigree of a Wiha or even a XOOL, it still ended up on this list with a good enough score and a good combination of form and function. It works great and looks good. You can get it cheaper than a Wiha PL1. It has a lower rating than what it could’ve been because of complaints regarding snugness (it’s not snug enough) and stripping risk.
However, even at full price, the RION TECH Driver Kit is worthwhile because it’s composed of 3 pentalobe driver pieces for use of any electronics, particularly Apple products like MacBook Air or Pro Retina, instead of just one standalone (expensive) screwdriver. According to those who purchased it, it works great on multiple MacBooks for thermal paste replacement and whatnot.
XOOL Precision Screwdriver Set (Pentalobe Screwdriver Included)
Remember how the Wiha 6-piece pentalobe driver set only had one criticism; it doesn’t have other screwdriver types and you only need 1 or 2 pentalobe drivers anyway? The XOOL Precision Screwdriver Set seemingly acknowledges such feedback by being a set that contains all the pentalobe screwdrivers you need plus your usual set of Torx, Philips, and so forth drivers that are magnetic and can be used on various gadgets.
For a complete set of drivers include pentalobe, XOOL offers a sweet deal. For example, you can get more out of this item than the 3-piece RION. In comparison, the full set of Wiha pentalobes are only affordable to the rich or professionals. The more assorted screws of this set are all topnotch in construction and can give Wiha a run for its money which explains why it’s the 2nd highest rated item on this list. It gets demerits regardless because of quality control and certain defective items not meeting its standards.
What to Look for in a Pentalobe Screwdriver
This relatively new screw makes devices more difficult for the novice or layman to tamper with their devices that could lead to them being destroyed further. Many users aren’t even aware of this screw or screwdriver. With that said, many repairmen are looking for these drivers and driver sets to do their job of fixing Apple products and other items more effectively.
Here’s what you should typically look for in a pentalobe screwdriver tool.
- High-Grade Tip: The tip of these precision screws should feature high-performance blades made of material like chrome-vanadium-molybdenum steel and a high-chrome finish. This ensures your screwdriver won’t break easily or end up stripping the pentalobe screw head. You want something that won’t get dull or stripped itself, lasting for a long time with an exact fit every usage. The tips should also feature a no-slip chromed surface.
- Rotating Cap: Another unusual property of pentalobe screwdrivers you won’t usually see in order driver types like Torx and Philips is the rotating cap. The cap should turn precisely as you twist and turn the screw to prevent the change of stripping the screw or over-tightening it. Every turn is deliberate and controlled thanks to this cap that you can control with your fingertip.
- Precision Handle: A decent pentalobe driver handle should feature benefits like being cadmium free in order to allow you to do precise jobs for many, many years of service. The handle should specifically be molded-on tapered so that your grip is ergonomically sound while at the same time tight enough to allow instant pentalobe security screw removal.
To Summarize
Yes, this review seems like a Wiha advertisement piece because 2 out of 4 of the reviewed pentalobe screwdrivers and screwdriver sets are Wiha-branded. The fact of the matter is that like DeWalt with power tools, Wiha is an unavoidable brand and company when it comes to screwdrivers, be it Philips, Torx, or Pentalobe. At any rate, which product should you choose?
It depends on your needs. Go for the Wiha 6 Pentalobe Driver Set if you only want to service products with pentalobes alone. Go for the XOOL one if you want more versatility in your cellphone or PC repair. The PL1 Wiha is good for most iPhones. The discounted RION set is a lesser and cheaper version of the XOOL set, but the latter is worth the extra dollars.