Screws & Bolts Price Comparison 2026
Compare 196 screws & bolts from SPAX, Fischer, DeWALT and more. Find the best price across top UK retailers, from assortment kits to specialist fixings.
Screws and bolts sit at the unglamorous end of any project, yet choosing the wrong one can undo hours of careful work. Our catalogue covers 196 products — from sub-8 £ self-tapping assortment kits to specialist structural fixings pushing towards 64 £ — and the spread tells you something important: this is a market where brand positioning matters as much as the product itself.
SPAX dominates the listing with nearly half the catalogue, and for good reason. Their T-STAR plus drive system genuinely reduces cam-out compared to standard Pozidriv, and their yellow-zinc coating holds up well in indoor timber applications. That said, their average price sits noticeably above Draper Tools, which offers solid value for general workshop use — particularly the 305-piece self-tapping assortment kit that covers most DIY scenarios without breaking the bank. Fischer, by contrast, commands a much higher average price, reflecting their focus on heavy-duty anchoring systems rather than everyday fixings.
One thing worth flagging: a significant portion of the range sits below 12 £, which means most buyers are shopping for packs and assortments rather than individual precision fasteners. If you're working on a structural or load-bearing application, though, tensile strength grade matters far more than pack price — an 8.8-grade bolt costs little more than a 4.6, but the difference in clamping force is substantial. Don't let the low unit cost lull you into skipping the spec sheet.
For outdoor or marine projects, the choice between zinc-plated and stainless A2/A4 is non-negotiable. Zinc-plated fasteners are fine in a dry interior, but they'll show rust within a season if exposed to British weather. Stainless A4 costs more but is the only sensible option near the coast or in contact with treated timber, which contains copper compounds that accelerate galvanic corrosion on standard steel. If you're also sourcing wall plugs or anchors, our Screw Anchors & Wall Plugs category pairs naturally with this range. For projects requiring washers or spacers to distribute load correctly, see our Shims, Spacers & Washers section. And if you need complementary fastening hardware, Nuts covers the other half of the bolt equation.
Prices shift regularly — particularly around Black Friday and January sales, when retailers like Screwfix, Amazon and Toolstation tend to discount bulk packs. Comparing across merchants before buying a large quantity is straightforward here, and the per-unit saving on a 500-piece kit versus a 50-piece pack is often significant enough to justify the upfront outlay.
Top products
- Draper Tools 61275 screw/bolt 305 pc(s) Screw kit (Draper Tools) : The best all-round starter kit in the catalogue — 305 self-tapping screws covering the most common sizes, at a price that makes it a no-brainer for any workshop. Not for structural work, but for general DIY it's hard to beat.
- KS Tools 970.0800 screw/bolt 750 pc(s) M3 (KS Tools) : 750 M3 fasteners at a fraction of a penny per piece — outstanding value for electronics assembly, light engineering, or anyone who regularly works with small metric fixings. Narrow application range, but unbeatable within it.
- KS Tools 970.0400 screw/bolt 160 pc(s) (KS Tools) : A well-rounded 160-piece mixed assortment that sits at the practical sweet spot of the price range. Good variety of sizes and head types — the one to reach for if you want a single kit that covers most general mechanical and DIY tasks.
- SPAX Flat countersunk head, T-STAR plus (SPAX) : The entry point into SPAX's T-STAR plus system, and genuinely worth it for timber joinery. The countersunk head sits flush cleanly and the drive engagement is noticeably better than Pozidriv under power. Overkill for occasional use, ideal for regular woodworking.
- SPAX 3336805 screw/bolt 100 pc(s) (SPAX) : A 100-piece SPAX pack at the upper end of the mid-range — justified for professional timber work where consistency and pull-out performance matter. If you're just putting up a shelf, the Draper kit is sufficient and considerably cheaper.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Pozidriv and a Phillips screw, and does it matter?
Yes, it matters more than most people realise. Pozidriv has four additional smaller ribs between the main cross slots, giving the driver bit a much more positive engagement and dramatically reducing cam-out under power driving. Phillips heads are designed to cam out at a certain torque — useful on production lines, frustrating everywhere else. If you're driving screws with a cordless drill, always use Pozidriv or Torx where available. Attempting to drive a Pozidriv screw with a Phillips bit (or vice versa) will damage the head quickly.
Can I use zinc-plated screws for outdoor decking or fencing?
No — zinc-plated screws will rust within one to two seasons in outdoor UK conditions and should not be used for decking or fencing. Hot-dip galvanised or stainless steel A2 are the minimum for exposed outdoor timber. If the timber is pressure-treated (which most decking and fencing timber is), the copper-based preservatives actively accelerate corrosion on standard steel; stainless A2 or A4 is strongly recommended. The cost difference per screw is small compared to the cost of replacing corroded fixings and damaged timber.
What does the grade marking on a bolt head actually mean?
The grade indicates the bolt's tensile strength — its maximum load capacity before failure. Grade 4.6 is standard mild steel, suitable for light-duty fixings. Grade 8.8 is the workhorse of structural engineering, with roughly double the tensile strength of 4.6. Grade 10.9 is high-tensile, used where maximum clamping force in a compact size is needed. For stainless steel, A2-70 and A4-80 are the common structural grades. Never substitute a lower grade in a load-bearing application — the marking is a safety specification, not a suggestion.
Are assortment kits actually good value, or do they just include sizes you never use?
It depends entirely on your use case. For a workshop or van stock where you encounter varied jobs, a 300–750 piece assortment kit is genuinely cost-effective — the per-unit price is far lower than buying individual packs, and having the right size to hand saves trips to the merchant. For a specific project with defined requirements, a single-size pack of 100 is usually better value and avoids leftover stock. The KS Tools 750-piece M3 assortment, for instance, is excellent for electronics and light engineering; the Draper Tools 305-piece self-tapping kit covers most general DIY scenarios well.
What causes thread stripping, and how do I avoid it?
Thread stripping is almost always caused by over-tightening, using the wrong size fastener, or driving into a material that's too soft to hold the thread. The fix is straightforward: use a torque specification where one exists (particularly for structural bolts), pre-drill the correct pilot hole diameter for wood screws, and never force a fastener that feels tight before it's fully seated. In soft materials like MDF or chipboard, consider using a coarser thread or a larger diameter. In metal, ensure the tapped hole matches the bolt's thread pitch exactly — mixing metric and imperial threads is a common cause of immediate stripping.
Should I use thread-locking compound or Nyloc nuts for vibration resistance?
Both work, but for different situations. Nyloc nuts (with a nylon insert) are reusable and convenient for assemblies that need occasional disassembly — they're the standard choice for most mechanical applications. Thread-locking compound (such as Loctite) is better for bolts that thread directly into tapped holes where a nut isn't practical, and is available in removable (blue) and permanent (red) grades. For high-vibration environments like engines or heavy machinery, permanent-grade compound on critical fasteners is the more reliable option. Don't use Nyloc nuts at temperatures above 120°C — the nylon insert loses its locking ability.
Is it worth paying more for SPAX screws over cheaper alternatives?
For timber work, yes — the T-STAR plus drive and the serrated thread design genuinely perform better than generic equivalents, reducing splitting in hardwood and improving pull-out resistance. For basic metal-to-metal or general assembly work, the premium is harder to justify and a quality zinc-plated alternative from KS Tools or Draper Tools will do the job. Where SPAX earns its price is in volume timber applications: flooring, decking subframes, and structural joinery where cam-out and thread performance directly affect the quality of the finished job.