DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Impact Combo Kit with Reciprocating Saw

A practical three-tool starter that nails the basics

I put this 20V MAX combo kit to work across a few real projects—building a small deck step, hanging cabinets, and trimming out a stubborn shrub—and it consistently felt like the kind of straightforward, dependable kit I’m happy to keep in the truck. It isn’t flashy, and it’s not the most powerful setup on the market, but it’s compact, easy to handle, and thoughtfully equipped for common drilling, driving, and cutting tasks.

What you get and first impressions

The kit includes a compact drill/driver, an impact driver, a reciprocating saw, two 20V 1.3Ah lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and a soft contractor bag. All three tools use brushed motors and share the 20V MAX battery platform. The drivers are notably compact, and the reciprocating saw is a straightforward, full-size form factor with a pivoting shoe. Build quality is typical of the brand’s yellow-and-black lineup: sturdy housings, grippy overmolds, and controls that click positively into place.

The bag is a practical throw-and-go solution for storage and short hauls. It’s not rigid, so don’t expect it to protect tools from getting crushed, but it’s roomy enough to hold blades, bits, and a few small accessories alongside the tools.

Drill/driver: compact, predictable, and easy to place

The drill is the quiet workhorse here. Its two-speed transmission (0–450 and 0–1500 RPM) and 1/2-inch single-sleeve ratcheting chuck make it versatile enough for most general tasks. I had no trouble spinning spade bits up to 1 inch in SPF studs, and it drove 3-inch deck screws in low gear without drama. The chuck bites down securely on round and hex-shank bits—no slippage during stop-start drilling into hardwood.

Power is rated at about 300 UWO, which in practice translates to solid performance for household and light carpentry work. It’s not a masonry hammer drill, and it’s not meant for high-demand hole saws all day long, but for cabinetry, framing repairs, fixture installs, pocket holes, and sheet metal pilot holes, it felt right at home. The compact head helps in tight bays; I got it between studs and over a laundry sink where bulkier drills struggle.

Trigger response is smooth, and the brake stops the chuck quickly to keep fasteners from overdriving. With a 1.3Ah pack, balance is good—lightweight and nimble, which matters when you’re drilling overhead. The motor is brushed, so there’s a bit more audible whine and theoretically more maintenance over many years than brushless, but it stayed cool through my mix of tasks.

Impact driver: strong fundamentals, great visibility

If you build furniture, deck anything, or drive lots of fasteners, the impact driver is why you buy this kit. The one-handed 1/4-inch hex chuck makes bit swaps a one-finger affair, and it accepts 1-inch bit tips properly, so short bits sit nice and stable. The 3-LED light ring with a 20-second delay is excellent—no single shadow across the screw head—and it stays on just long enough to reorient between fasteners without blinding you.

Torque is ample for structural screws, ledger screws, and lag bolts within reason. I sunk 1/4 x 4-inch lags into predrilled PT without stalling, and the driver zipped 2-1/2 inch construction screws into LVL cleanly. There are no electronic speed modes on this model; it’s a single-speed unit with variable-speed control via the trigger. That’s fine for most users, but it does mean finesse is on your finger, not a selector. With a little practice, I had good control starting small brass and finish screws without cam-out.

Noise and vibration are typical for a compact brushed impact—snappier than a heavy-duty brushless, but not harsh. For all-day use on a jobsite, I’d want a higher-capacity battery; for weekend projects and punch-list work, this driver feels well balanced and quick.

Reciprocating saw: versatile blade positioning and decent control

The recip saw rounds out the kit with features that matter: a 4-position blade clamp and a pivoting adjustable shoe. The clamp lets you orient a blade up, down, left, or right, which is great for flush-cutting door jambs, pruning close to a fence, or accessing awkward angles in demo. The shoe pivots to keep more tooth contact on curved cuts and to stabilize on irregular surfaces.

With a variable-speed trigger up to 0–3000 SPM, I made clean cuts in 2x lumber using a wood blade and gnawed through a couple of stubborn nails with a bi-metal without shaking the house. It’s not a low-vibration specialty saw, but control is predictable with a two-handed grip and a planted shoe. In pruning, I liked the compact nose getting between branches; just remember to use a proper pruning blade to avoid tear-out and binding.

Runtime on the 1.3Ah battery is the limiting factor here. Continuous demo or lots of yard cutting will drain a pack quickly. For quick cutouts, pipe, and odd jobs, it’s fine. If you anticipate a day of sawing, plan on a 4Ah or 5Ah upgrade.

Batteries, runtime, and charging

The included 1.3Ah packs are lightweight and keep the tools nimble, which I appreciated on ladders and overhead. The trade-off is runtime. With the impact driver sinking screws into pressure-treated lumber, I got through a modest task list on a single pack, but swapping was inevitable during longer sessions. The drill is more efficient and stretched the pack further. The recip saw is the hungriest tool in the kit.

The upside is compatibility: these tools live on the 20V MAX platform, so if you already own higher-capacity packs, you’re set. If you don’t, I’d budget for at least one 2.0Ah pack for drivers or a 4.0–5.0Ah pack if the recip saw will see regular use.

Ergonomics and usability

All three tools are compact and comfortable. The grips are well-shaped with rubber overmold in the right places. Balance with the included batteries is excellent—no nose-heaviness on the saw and no wrist fatigue on the drivers. Switches are crisp, and the forward/reverse selectors are easy to find with gloves.

The lighting deserves a special nod. The impact driver’s 3-LED ring with the 20-second delay is genuinely helpful in cabinets, attics, and under-deck work. The illumination is even, eliminating harsh shadows right where the bit meets the fastener.

Who this kit is for

• Homeowners and DIYers who want a reliable, compact three-tool set that covers the most common tasks: drilling, screwdriving, small demolition, and rough cutting.
• Pros who need a light-duty secondary kit for service calls or a compact setup that fits into tight mechanical rooms and cabinets.

Who should look elsewhere: if you’re driving big structural fasteners all day, drilling large holes with self-feeding bits, or running a reciprocating saw for extended demo, a brushless kit with higher output and 4–6Ah batteries will serve you better. Likewise, if you need a hammer function for masonry, this drill isn’t the right match.

Key specs that matter in use

• Drill/driver: 0–450 / 0–1500 RPM two-speed; 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck; ~300 UWO output
• Impact driver: one-handed 1/4-inch hex chuck; accepts 1-inch bit tips; 3-LED ring with 20-second delay
• Reciprocating saw: variable speed 0–3000 SPM; 4-position blade clamp; pivoting adjustable shoe
• Power: 20V MAX platform, brushed motors
• Batteries: two 1.3Ah lithium-ion packs, charger included
• Warranty: 3-year limited; 90-day return policy
• Certifications: CSA and UL listed

Durability and maintenance

Over a few weeks of mixed use, nothing loosened or rattled. The metal ratcheting chuck on the drill holds up well under repeated bit swaps. The impact driver’s anvil and chuck spring still feel tight after a lot of bit changes. As brushed tools, these will benefit from sensible cooldowns between heavy cycles and the occasional blowout of dust around vents. Keep the recip saw’s shoe pivot clean and lightly lubricated so it continues to track smoothly.

Value and the upgrade path

As a three-tool entry into the 20V MAX ecosystem, the value is strong. You get functional, compact tools with practical features (that 4-position clamp and the impact’s light ring are standouts) and enough performance for real work. The clear upgrade path is batteries: stepping up to 2.0–5.0Ah packs transforms runtime without changing the tools you’ve learned to like. If you find yourself hitting the ceiling on power, the same battery platform supports brushless drivers and saws down the line.

The bottom line

I recommend this 20V MAX combo kit for anyone who needs a dependable, compact set for everyday drilling, driving, and cutting. It’s easy to handle, the features are well chosen for real jobs, and the tools feel solid in the hand. The main caveat is runtime: the included 1.3Ah batteries keep weight down but will require more frequent swaps, especially with the recip saw. If you’re comfortable adding a larger-capacity pack later—or already have one—this kit is an excellent, budget-friendly way to cover the essentials with tools that punch above their size.