DeWalt 20V MAX* Compact Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit

Why this compact combo keeps ending up on my bench

I’ve spent the past few months bouncing between cabinetry, light framing, and punch-list projects with DeWalt’s 20V compact combo—the brushless drill/driver paired with the 1/4 in. impact driver—and it’s turned into the kit I reach for first. The short version: it’s compact without feeling flimsy, powerful enough for most residential work, and the included batteries keep the workflow moving as long as you rotate them wisely.

What’s in the box

• Compact brushless drill/driver with 1/2 in. chuck
• Compact brushless 1/4 in. impact driver with one-handed hex chuck (accepts 1 in. bit tips)
• Two 20V lithium-ion battery packs (slim 1.3 Ah)
• Charger and soft kit bag

It’s a straightforward package aimed at drilling and fastening in tight quarters. No surprises, but the fundamentals are done well.

Size, balance, and ergonomics

Both tools are genuinely compact. The impact driver is roughly 5.4 in. front-to-back and about 2 lbs bare, which makes it great for working between studs or under sinks. The drill/driver is around 7.5 in. long—shorter than many 18/20V drills in its class. DeWalt’s handle geometry works for me: the rubber overmold isn’t too squishy, and the palm swell provides a secure purchase without hot spots.

Weight and balance feel tuned for the smaller 1.3 Ah packs included in the kit. That keeps fatigue down for overhead tasks and cabinet installs. If you clip on a 4.0 Ah pack for longer runtime, the balance shifts slightly toward the heel—as expected—but the tool still feels planted.

Controls and lighting

The triggers are well modulated with predictable ramp-up, which matters more than raw RPM when you’re trying not to cam out a fastener. The drill has a two-speed gearbox and a multi-position clutch that’s accurate enough to protect hinges and hardware on furniture and built-ins. The integrated LEDs are bright and practical, with a short delay after you release the trigger; it’s especially helpful when you’re indexing a fastener in a dim cabinet or attic.

On the impact driver, the one-handed 1/4 in. hex chuck accepts 1 in. bit tips, which keeps the working length short and lets me store more bits in a small organizer.

Performance in wood, metal, and mixed materials

In softwood framing, the impact driver has more than enough punch. It’s rated around 1,500 in-lbs of torque and 3,200 impacts per minute, and it shows. Driving 3 in. deck screws into pressure-treated stock is fast and drama-free. With structural screws (like 5/16 in. equivalents), pre-drilling helps, but the driver never felt out of its depth for deck framing repairs and ledger blocking. For lag bolts into ledger or posts, I still like to step up to a mid-torque impact wrench, but in a pinch this compact driver gets it done with a pilot hole.

The drill handles typical carpentry holes—spade bits, small hole saws, countersinks—without bogging. A 1 in. spade bit through spruce studs is comfortable in low gear if you let the bit do the work. I wouldn’t use this kit to run hole saws all day, but for occasional 2-1/8 in. locksets in pine or poplar it’s fine. In sheet metal, the drill has enough control to run step bits up to common knockout sizes without snatching, provided you use oil and set the speed appropriately.

This is not a hammer drill, so for masonry anchors you’ll want a rotary hammer or a hammer-drill variant. For occasional Tapcons in block or brick, you can make it work with good carbide bits and patience, but it’s not what this combo is designed for.

Runtime, batteries, and charging

The included 1.3 Ah 20V packs are light and keep the tools compact, but they’re the limiting factor on runtime. On punch-list days—hinges, drawer slides, outlet covers—I can run most of the morning on a single pack with the drill and keep the second battery parked on the charger. On production work, the impact driver will chew through a slim pack faster, especially when you’re driving long screws into dense material.

Two practical tips if you pick up this kit:
- Rotate batteries frequently. Keep one on the charger and swap at natural stops—layout, measuring, sweeping.
- Consider adding a 2.0 Ah or 4.0 Ah pack if you routinely drive large fasteners. The extra capacity noticeably reduces battery swaps without adding much bulk in the 2.0 Ah size.

The included charger is a single-bay unit. It’s not the fastest in DeWalt’s lineup, but turnaround is reasonable enough that I didn’t feel hamstrung on small jobs. If you’re often on a time crunch, upgrading to a faster charger helps.

As for battery compatibility, this kit runs on DeWalt’s 20V MAX system, which means you can share packs across a lot of tools. I used standard 20V MAX compact and XR packs without issue.

Durability and build quality

Both tools are brushless, and that shows up in two ways: cooler operation under load and better efficiency compared to their brushed predecessors. I’ve dropped the impact driver from ladder height onto subfloor once (not on purpose); aside from cosmetic scuffs, it kept humming. The gearboxes haven’t developed any play, and the chucks still hold bits without wobble. The drill’s 1/2 in. chuck grips round-shank bits firmly—no mid-hole slip with augers so far.

The soft bag is fine for tossing the kit in a truck, but it’s just that—a basic bag. There’s no rigid organizer, so small accessories can get lost. I added a small accessory pouch for bits and nut drivers to keep things from swimming.

Noise and vibration

Impacts are loud by nature, and this one is no exception. Plan on hearing protection, especially indoors where the sound can get sharp. Vibration is well controlled, and the motor note is smooth for both tools. The drill, in particular, feels refined when feathering the trigger on delicate work.

Day-to-day value

Where this combo really earns its keep is versatility. I can handle almost everything on a typical remodel checklist: pocket-hole joinery, cabinet installs, shelf standards, light electrical plates, door hardware, and small framing. The footprint and weight mean I don’t think twice about grabbing the bag for quick fixes. If you’re deep in heavy framing or decking all day, a higher-capacity battery and a mid-tier impact driver might make more sense; for everyone else, this kit hits a sweet spot of size, capability, and cost.

What I’d change

• Include at least one 2.0 Ah battery. The 1.3 Ah packs keep weight down, but a touch more capacity would better match the brushless motors.
• Offer a hard case or a divider in the bag. Organization matters when you’re carrying multiple bit sets.
• Add speed/assist modes to the impact driver. A precision mode for small screws would be helpful on cabinetry and hardware, though careful trigger control does the job.

Who it’s for

• DIYers and homeowners who want a capable, compact setup that covers nearly all household tasks without a steep learning curve.
• Pros who need a lightweight, reliable pair for finish work, service calls, and punch lists.
• Anyone already invested in the 20V MAX ecosystem who wants a compact drill/driver and impact without paying a premium for top-tier bells and whistles.

If you primarily drill into masonry or routinely drive large structural fasteners, you’ll want a hammer-drill and higher-capacity batteries in your fleet. This combo can still be your everyday carry, with heavier tools stepping in on specialized tasks.

Bottom line

After living with this DeWalt compact combo on a range of jobs, I trust it. The tools are genuinely compact, the brushless motors deliver strong performance for their size, and the ergonomics make long days easier. The included batteries are the only real bottleneck, and they’re easy to address with an extra pack or two if your workflow demands it.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit. It’s an excellent entry point into the 20V MAX platform and a practical daily driver for anyone prioritizing compact size, solid power, and straightforward reliability. Add a higher-capacity battery for bigger jobs and you’ll have a kit that punches above its weight for years.