If you know you have all the tools you need in one easy-to-grab package, then you’re way more likely to attempt a quick repair instead of putting it off until things get worse. And when you’re buying a replacement battery for your Nintendo Switch, or researching the best SSD replacement for your Steam Deck, the last thing you want to do is source all the tools separately, which is where our hyper-focused Game Console Toolkits come in.
Whether you’re fixing up or maintaining a Switch, Playstation, Xbox, or Steam Deck, you’ll get every tool you need for any repair. The kits contain a similar selection of opening and cleaning tools, but come with variations in the swap-in screwdriver bits, which are chosen to fit the requirements of each console. In the case of the Xbox Toolkit, we also include a metal spudger, as some Xbox models take more force to pry them open.
The advantage of iFixit toolkits is that we’ve hand-picked them based on the data from thousands of repair guides, and we also use them for our own day-to-day repairs, as well as our iFixit teardowns. Our tools are also made to last, backed by a lifetime guarantee. I use the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit, and the thing I love most about it is that I can just grab it, and rely on it, without worrying that I’ll come across some weird screw or connector that I can’t open.
We also have general Thermal and Cleaning Kits, which we’ll look at separately. And as you can see, each kit comes in a zipper pouch so you can keep it together, tidy, and ready to deploy. Let’s take a look at what you get.
iFixit Precision Bit Driver
The Precision Bit Driver has a nice, ergonomic body and shaft, with a knurled grip pattern, and a spinning top cap so you can add pressure with your palm while twisting. That cap is also wide enough that you can really press on it without it digging into your hand. There’s a magnet inside which helps retain the interchangeable bits, but also for sticking any magnetic screws or bolts to the driver bits to make it easy to accurately place tiny screws.
The included driver bits are matched to the console For instance, the Switch Kit includes a y-shaped Y00 bit for opening up the case, and the Steam Deck kit comes with a TR6 Torx security bit, which is pretty much impossible to open with anything but the right tool. The bits themselves are made from high-quality S2 steel for durability and precision.
The thing I love most about the iFixit Precision Bit Driver? It’s repairable! You can replace the magnet, and reattach the end cap.
Spudgers and Opening Picks
A spudger is essential for levering and poking, for seating and releasing various connectors, and our nylon spudger is both stiff enough and flexible enough to pry, poke, lever, and generally manipulate the internals of any electronic gadget. You’ll never find a more capable or enjoyable way to poke stuff. And as mentioned above, the Xbox Toolkit also comes with a metal spudger for even more leverage.
Also included are iFixit’s opening picks, which are pretty much custom guitar picks enhanced for fixing (although they still make pretty good guitar picks—I’ve tested them). After removing screws, opening picks are usually the first line of attack for getting inside a console. Our picks are bigger, for better handling, and have three identical corners so you can do three times the amount of wedging, jamming, and forcing before having to clean them up and resharpen them.
We’ve also provided precision tweezers, which are useful for reaching lost screws, or for placing screws in hard-to-reach holes. They’re also needed whenever you have to release a battery from its glue by stretching its release strip. They probably work great for plucking eyebrows too, but I totally cannot say anything about that.
Clean and Safe
The ESD-Safe Brush and Precision Cleaning Brushes are one thing you won’t find in the do-everything Pro Toolkit, and they’re designed for chasing out stubborn dust and dirt from inside and outside your console—an essential part of long-term maintenance. And speaking of electrostatic discharge (and the prevention thereof) you also get our Anti-Static Wrist Strap so you can ground yourself during repairs.
Ours is made a little larger than usual so it’ll fit any wrist. You might not think you need an anti-static strap, and that’s fine right up until you lift a foot or brush an arm on a conductive table mat, and zap a delicate chip. Better safe than sorry, we say, and anyway, it comes in fetching iFixit blue, and who doesn’t like to show their colors with a cool-looking bracelet?
Aside from letting you fix up your current console, these kits use our regular tools, selected to make sure you have everything you need. Which means that they can be used for any other repairs you need to carry out. This also means they make a great Homer-buys-Marge-a-bowling-ball-style gift for any gamer in your home, so you can borrow them any time!
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