DeWalt 20V MAX Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Impact Driver Kit with POWERSTACK Compact Battery

A compact impact driver that gets the job done—mostly

I put this compact DeWalt impact driver to work across a handful of real jobs: assembling cabinet boxes in a tight pantry, driving 3-inch deck screws while rehanging a section of fence, and running structural screws for ledger blocking. In short, it delivers the fundamentals—power, size, and control—in a tidy, lightweight package. But there are trade-offs, and they mostly revolve around heat and runtime with the small 1.7 Ah POWERSTACK battery included in the kit.

Size, balance, and build

The first thing I noticed is how easy this driver is to live with. At 5.4 inches long and around 2.1 pounds bare, it slips between studs and inside cabinets without complaint. With the compact POWERSTACK pack, the whole setup stays light and well-balanced. The grip is textbook DeWalt: comfortable contouring, tacky overmold, and a stance that makes it easy to feather the trigger without a death grip. The overmolded base adds a little extra confidence when you set it down on concrete or a truck bed.

Fit and finish are solid. The 1/4-inch hex chuck supports one-handed bit changes with a positive snap, and bit retention was strong in my testing—no surprise ejects or wobble. The included soft bag is basic but serviceable, and the 20V charger topped the small pack from empty to full in roughly half an hour, which aligns with the stated 30-minute charge time.

Power and speed

This is a brushless motor with factory specs of up to 2,800 RPM, 3,200 IPM, and 1,500 in-lbs of max torque. On paper, those numbers put it in the compact/midrange class. In practice, that’s about right: it ran 3-inch deck screws into pressure-treated lumber cleanly and consistently, and it handled typical construction screws and cabinet fasteners without drama. For structural screws (think 5/16-inch x 3-inch) into framing, it got them home, but you can feel it working near the top of its comfort zone.

There’s no multi-speed switch or assist modes here—just a variable-speed trigger. That’s not a deal-breaker, but if you’re accustomed to dialing the tool down for delicate tasks or up for heavy lags, you’ll miss the versatility of a dedicated low/high or precision mode. The trigger modulation is smooth, though, and I was able to ease fasteners in without cam-out, especially with quality bits.

Noise is what you’d expect from an impact driver—sharp under load—but vibration is well-managed. Extended driving sessions don’t feel punishing.

The POWERSTACK battery: compact, quick, and limited

DeWalt’s compact 1.7 Ah POWERSTACK pack gives this driver a very svelte footprint. I like the shape and balance, and the pouch-cell design seems to deliver snappy power bursts without sag. The LED fuel gauge on the battery is a welcome touch, and real-world charge times were fast.

That said, 1.7 Ah is still 1.7 Ah. Runtime on repetitive tasks is limited, and the battery warmed up noticeably during sustained driving, like running a few dozen screws to rehang fence boards. I didn’t hit thermal shutdown, but both the battery and the tool’s base got hotter than I’d prefer during longer bursts of continuous work. Swapping to a higher-capacity 4.0–5.0 Ah pack improved both runtime and how cool the system ran, so if you’re planning day-long fastening, budget for an extra battery or a larger one.

LED and usability touches

The onboard LED sits under the chuck and throws a bright, centered beam that’s actually useful in cabinets and crawl spaces. The 20-second delay after you release the trigger is great for checking your work or aligning the next fastener without “blipping” the trigger. Shadowing is minimal for a single LED—the offset is well-placed.

Other small but meaningful touches include the one-handed bit loading (fast and secure) and the compact footprint that stands upright better than most small drivers thanks to the squared battery base.

Heat and durability

Under light-to-moderate use, heat wasn’t an issue. Push it harder—repetitive, back-to-back driving in treated lumber—and warmth builds. With the compact battery, it gets there quicker. That’s common for small packs under sustained loads, but it’s worth calling out if you plan to work in hot weather or run longer fastener sequences. I didn’t experience performance fade beyond what you’d expect as a small battery drains, and the tool never stalled unexpectedly.

As for durability, the brushless motor, overmolded base, and DeWalt’s overall build give me confidence. If you’re rough on tools, the 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee offer a decent safety net.

What it’s great at

• Tight spaces and overhead work: The small size and light weight make it a pleasure for cabinet installs, HVAC brackets, and electrical/mechanical fastening in crowded spaces.
• General carpentry and remodeling: Driving 2-1/2 to 3-inch screws into studs and softwood is its sweet spot.
• Quick punch-list tasks: Fast charge times and a compact kit bag make it an easy throw-in-the-truck driver.

Where it falls short

• Heavy-duty fastening: 1,500 in-lbs is respectable, but if you routinely drive large structural screws, long ledger fasteners, or big lags, you’ll want a higher-torque driver or a drill/driver in tandem.
• Long runtime demands: The included 1.7 Ah battery drains fast under continuous load and runs warm. It’s fine for short bursts; less ideal for production work.
• Limited controls: Without multi-speed or assist modes, you’re reliant on trigger control alone. It’s responsive, but not as foolproof as a dedicated low-speed setting for delicate fasteners or a “precision” mode for small hardware.

Practical tips from the field

• Use better bits: A high-quality impact-rated bit reduces cam-out and helps the tool’s torque land where it should.
• Step up the battery for big days: A 4.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah pack meaningfully improves runtime and keeps heat in check.
• Pre-drill for large lags: It’s not a miracle worker; proper prep helps the driver perform above its weight class.

Value and ecosystem

If you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform, this driver slots in neatly and benefits from full charger and battery compatibility. The POWERSTACK pack makes the tool feel modern and nimble. As a standalone kit, the single compact battery is the main limiter—one battery is rarely enough for all-day work—but for homeowners and pros who need a lightweight secondary driver, it’s a compelling package.

The bottom line

I like this compact DeWalt impact driver for what it is: a light, comfortable, brushless driver that’s easy to control and easy to carry. It punches adequately for most day-to-day fastening and excels in tight, awkward spaces. The LED delay and one-handed bit loading are genuinely useful, and the fast charging keeps the small pack in rotation.

I don’t like how quickly the included 1.7 Ah battery runs warm and runs down during sustained tasks. The tool itself can also build heat under heavier use. Neither issue was catastrophic in my hands, but they’re the reason I’d pair this driver with a higher-capacity battery for anything beyond short bursts.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool as a compact, everyday impact driver for homeowners, DIYers, and pros who need a nimble secondary driver for punch lists, cabinetry, and light-to-medium carpentry. It’s reliable, comfortable, and genuinely compact. If you’re a framing crew, a deck builder, or anyone who routinely drives large structural fasteners, look for a higher-torque model or plan to run this one with larger batteries and realistic expectations.