Slotted Vs Phillips Vs Hex: Which One Is The Best?

A screw drive is the part of the screw where you insert a screwdriver. Based on the design of the screw drive, they are called by different names. A screw is one of the main components of all most any construction or engineering project. But which design is the best? Which Screw drive design helps to improve efficiency? Let’s have a look.

Our Verdict

You can choose either Phillip or Hex screws for your use. Phillip is the cheaper of the two, and they have the edge on that. But hex screws offer better security. They even have tamper protection screws, which are a step up from others. Slotted screws are best used for woodworking, as such activities do not pose much risk. 

Slotted Vs Phillips Vs Hex: Comparison Chart

Slotted Vs Phillips Vs Hex: Differences

1. Design

Each screw drive design varies from each other. The slotted screw has a horizontal indentation on the top. Over the years, different design changes have emerged, such as a coin slot drive. Phillips has a “+” design with a depression in the middle. Hex screw design has a hexagonal recession on the top

Bottom Line: Draw

2. Usage With Power Tools

To tighten the screws, use the type of shank that matches your crew drive design. Different shank designs are there to match any screw drive design. But there is a torque limitation to each design. The slotted screw drive is the least favorite of the lot. Power tools tend to slip away on a slotted screw. Hex and Phillips have torque limitation, but hex is better of the lot. 

But using such screws with a power tool is the choice of each individual. But, hex is the best of the lot. 

Bottom Line: None the Wiser, But Hex Edges Forward

3. Security

The less familiar the screw drive design, the more secure it is. This is due to the limitation of tools to unscrew the screw. Hex on this side wins. But due to its improved tool accessibility, the security part is getting a bit patchy. But there are also improvements in hex design to increase security. 

Bottom Line: Hex Screw Drive

4. Screw Drive Diameter And Screw Length

Different screw drives have various diameters. Also, the length of the screw varies according to the screw types. There is no clear winner here. 

Bottom Line: Draw

Slotted Vs Phillips Vs Hex: Similarities

1. Function

Screws are used for tightening different products, machines among many. But there are specific functions for each screw drive design. The slotted screws are more used in woodworking. But electronics and various other products use Phillips screw drives. Hex ones come in handy on heavy-duty constructions. Such constructions range from constructing a building, airplane among many. 

2. Strength

Screw strength is due to the materials used in construction. You can make screws using aluminum, stainless steel, brass, among many. The strength relays on the material and the diameter to length ratio. Thicker screws are stronger than thinner ones. Stainless steel ones are stronger than many others. 

Slotted Vs Phillips Vs Hex: Short History

There are different types of screw drive designs that have been in the market for a long time. The screw design is the part of the screw where you insert the screwdriver. There are many designs for screw drive designs. The most important ones are: slotted, Philips and hex.

Slotted 

The slotted screw drive has a horizontal indentation on the flathead. The indentation in single and extend to the diameter of the screw head. The slotted screw is driven in by a flat-bladed screwdriver or even a knife. 

From a manufacturing standpoint, they are the easiest to produce and use. They are the first form of screw drives produced by men. It has been in use for centuries and cheapest to make. It is quite common in existing productions and installations around the world. 

Phillips 

John P. Thompson created the Phillips screw drive design. He later sold his design to Henry F. Phillips. Phillips later formed the company called Phillips Screw Company. He improved the design and promoted the product. The original patent assigned to Phillips company expired in 1966.

Their design is the second most utilized used design in the world. It has a “+’ design. The slot is getting deeper in the middle.

Hex

The hex screw drive design has a hexagonal recess, which can be operated by a hex wrench. The hex wrench is also called as Allen wrench, Allen key, Hex key, among many. After its discovery, a hex screw with a pin in the recessed area is also made available. The metric size of the hex screw design is defined by ISO 4762. But different versions of hex screws have other ISO numbers.

The introduction of hex design was by Bauer & Schaurte, a German Company. They patented it in the year 1936. 

Slotted Vs Phillips Vs Hex: Overview

Overview Of Slotted 

Slotted screw drives are the first form of screw drives produced by men. It has been in use for centuries and cheapest to make. It is common in existing productions and installations around the world. The slotted screw drive has a horizontal indentation on the flathead. The indentation in single and extend to the diameter of the screw head. The slotted screw is driven in by a flat-bladed screwdriver or even a knife. From a manufacturing standpoint, they are the easiest to produce and use. They are cheap and easy to use. 

On the downside, they are difficult to use with a power tool. Power tools often slip out of the slot damaging both the screw and surrounding material. Being cheap means less security. Even for removing the screw, all you need is a knife. This can leave you vulnerable if you used slotted screws for construction.

With improvements in design, many tried to improve security and performance. Coin slot drive, Hi-Torque model, double slot drive is among the many. The coin slot drive has an arching depression, which is deepest in the middle. Creating the Hi-Torque model was to address the torque issue. To address the torque issue when using a power tool. Double slot drive has two intendants at 90 degrees each. 

Overview Of Phillips 

Phillips screw drive is the second most utilized design in the world. It has a “+’ design. The slot is getting deeper in the middle. John P. Thompson created the Phillips screw drive design. He later sold his design to Henry F. Phillips. Phillips later formed the company called Phillips Screw Company. He improved the design and promoted the product. The original patent assigned to Phillips company expired in 1966. But they have been introducing changes to the 1st design to improve performance. 

The Phillips screw drives were an answer to the problems faced by slotted drives. Phillips screws have better cam potential, better alignment among many. The drives also decrease the chance of slipping. This is a prominent issue with slotted screw drives. It is also easy to use with power tools. The anti-slip design helps to protect both the power tool and the surface. This improves its quality and efficiency.

On the downside, they are difficult to manufacture, at least in the initial days. Manufacturing them in the 1930s was difficult. The American Screw Company of Providence created the means to manufacture the screw. They are the ones that created an efficient method to manufacture these screws. They licensed their method in the 1930s. There were also reports about the screws that they tended to cam out at lower torque. But this issue is not yet proven scientifically. In the initial days, the security offered by the screws were great. But as the tools became more available, the security took a dip. 

Hex

The introduction of the hex design was by Bauer & Schaurte, a German Company. They received their patent in the year 1936. The hex screw drive design has a hexagonal recess and is driven in by a hex wrench. The hex wrench is also called as Allen wrench, Allen key, Hex key, among many. 

After its creation, a hex screw with a pin in the recessed area is also made available. The metric size of the hex screw design is defined by ISO 4762. But different versions of hex screws have other ISO numbers.

Hex screws provide better security than all the above screws dries. There are also tamper-resistant versions of hex screws. The tamper-resistant hex screws and design definition by ISO is there in the table. 

They are also a better choice when you are using a power tool. It has better cam potential and anti-slip design. The alignment is neat, and damage to the surrounding material is significantly less. 

Due to deeper slots, they are also challenging to strip down, making them more secure. They have better cam potential and easier to use with a power tool compared to the rest. But they are costlier of the lot. 

Final Talk

Using a screw of a particular design is the user’s choice. If you are on a tight budget about the cost, then slotted drives are the best way to go forward. The price difference is negligible, yet they have a tiny advantage. But the screws are prone to slipping, damage, and has lower cam potential. Phillip screws are the best compromise for all. It has better cam potential and security. It is also cheap and available anywhere at any time. 

But if you have security issues and needs some to of the line options, then buy the hex screws. They are unique at present, offering better security. It has better tamper protection than slotted and Phillip screws. You can choose either Phillip or Hex screws for your use. Phillip is the cheaper of the two, and they have the edge on that. But hex screws offer better security.