DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 3-Speed Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit

A multi-tool I actually enjoy reaching for

An oscillating multi-tool is rarely the star of the shop, but it’s often the one that bails you out. After months with DeWalt’s XR multi-tool kit, I’ve found myself inventing excuses to use it. It’s compact, confident in the cut, and the control scheme makes it easy to get clean results without fighting the tool.

What you get and how it sets up

The kit lands you on your feet: the tool, a 20V 2.0Ah battery, charger, soft bag, two cutting blades (a general-purpose bi‑metal and a fast-wood blade), a sanding pad with 15 sheets, a universal accessory adapter, and a depth guide. There’s nothing fiddly about setup—charge the pack, snap in a blade, and you’re cutting in minutes. The quick‑change clamp is tool‑free and intuitive: squeeze, seat the accessory, release. No tiny screws to lose on the floor.

The universal adapter is a nice safety net. I ran DeWalt, Bosch, and Diablo accessories without drama. The clamp holds firmly, and I never had a blade slip, even during plunge cuts in 2x stock and when trimming old casing nails.

Ergonomics and control

This is where the DeWalt stands out. Instead of a simple slide switch, you get a dual‑grip variable‑speed trigger paired with a three‑position speed selector. Pick a ceiling (1, 2, or 3), then “feather” within that range with the trigger. It’s a great combination: set speed 1 for delicate tasks and you can squeeze confidently without overshooting, or bump to 3 for fast material removal. The trigger is easy to modulate whether you’re choking up near the head or holding it pistol‑style.

Balance is excellent with the compact 2.0Ah pack; the battery sits far enough back that it doesn’t interfere in tight quarters, and the tool feels lighter than its spec suggests. The rubber overmold gives a secure grip without feeling gummy, and the profile is slim enough to fit into stud bays and under toe kicks. The lock‑on switch is genuinely useful for sanding—click on, relax your hand, and focus on your surface.

The LED light hits the work area well enough to be useful in dim corners, especially when you’re marking and following a plunge cut line. It’s not floodlight‑bright, but I appreciated it when opening an electrical box in a poorly lit hallway.

Cutting and sanding performance

With a brushless motor topping out at 20,000 OPM and a 1.6‑degree oscillation arc, the XR multi-tool is tuned for control with enough speed to hustle through common jobs. A few examples from my use:

• Door jamb undercuts: With a scrap of flooring as a guide and the wood blade, I got clean, flush undercuts in oak without scorching. In speed 2, the tool tracked predictably, and the trigger let me ease into corners.
• Drywall plunge cuts: The bi‑metal blade made neat outlet openings with minimal blowout. The housing stays slim enough to see your line, and the LED helps here.
• Nail and trim adjustments: Cutting proud brads and trimming shims felt confident. It’s not an angle grinder, but for occasional metal, the tool has enough authority to get it done.
• Grout and detail sanding: The included pad turns it into a credible corner sander. It won’t replace a dedicated random orbit sander, but for small patches and window muntins it’s handy.

Speed 1 is genuinely low, which is perfect when you’re nibbling around fragile veneer or old plaster. Speed 3 chews through softwood quickly with a sharp blade. Heat buildup felt reasonable; the head gets warm under sustained cutting but never tripped a thermal cutout in my use.

Vibration control is good. It’s not class‑leading velvet—Fein still wears that crown—but the DeWalt’s buzz is well damped and doesn’t travel aggressively into the handle. I could make a series of door jamb cuts without tingling fingers afterward.

Accessory changes and compatibility

The quick‑change system is one of the better ones. Squeeze, slide the accessory on its pins, release, and you’re locked in. It’s faster than screw‑type clamps and easier to operate with gloves than some spring‑loaded levers I’ve used. The trade‑off is that it’s not a Starlock interface, so you don’t get truly hands‑free changes, but with the universal adapter in the bag, accessory options are a non‑issue.

The depth guide is a thoughtful add‑on. For consistent plunge depths—say, for recessing a hinge mortise or cutting an opening over a finished floor—it keeps you honest. It’s a little bulky in tight cabinets, so I use it selectively, but when accuracy matters it earns a spot on the tool.

Runtime, charging, and batteries

The included 2.0Ah pack is the right call for balance and for most homeowner tasks. On a typical punch list—some jamb undercuts, a few drywall openings, and a little sanding—I could make it through without recharging. If you expect to run the tool continuously (sanding spindles, scraping adhesive, demo days), stepping up to a 5.0Ah pack is a noticeable upgrade with only a modest weight penalty. The charger tops up a compact pack quickly enough between tasks; I’d keep a spare battery around if this tool becomes your daily driver.

One thing I appreciated: with bigger batteries, the tool still clears the work. The battery sits behind the grip and doesn’t crowd your cut line.

Noise, dust, and small details

This category of tools is loud and shrill by nature. The DeWalt is no worse than its peers, but hearing protection is wise. Dust collection is minimal with the included sanding pad—there’s no integrated vac port—so plan on a vac nearby or clean up afterward. The LED does help you see what you’re sanding in those dusty moments.

The lock‑off for storage is a tiny but appreciated safety feature. Tossing it in the bag with other tools feels less risky when the trigger can’t be bumped alive.

Durability and service

Build quality is solid: tight plastics, no rattles, and a clamp mechanism that inspires confidence. The brushless motor is a plus for efficiency and longevity, and DeWalt backs the kit with a 3‑year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee. After a steady stretch of use, there’s no blade wobble, and the clamp still closes crisply.

What I’d change

No tool is perfect. Here’s what I’d tweak:

• Include a second compact battery in the kit; a multi‑tool invites task hopping, and a backup pack keeps you moving.
• Offer a dustable sanding solution—an add‑on shroud or pad with extraction would make the sanding mode more compelling.
• While vibration is well controlled, competitors at the very top end feel a touch calmer under heavy load.
• The soft bag is fine, but a molded case would better protect small accessories and sandpaper.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers: Ideal as a first serious multi‑tool. The control scheme makes it hard to overdo it, and the kit gets you cutting immediately.
• Remodelers and trades: A dependable addition to a 20V DeWalt setup. It’s not a specialty demolition tool, but for punch lists, trim tweaks, outlet cuts, and oddball fixes, it’s exactly what you want in the pouch.
• Occasional users: You don’t need to baby it. Put in a fresh blade, set the speed cap, and it makes clean work out of awkward jobs.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt XR multi-tool. It balances power, finesse, and convenience better than most, and the trigger‑plus‑selector control gives you real precision without overthinking the cut. The quick‑change clamp is fast and secure, the brushless motor keeps heat and runtime in check, and the kit includes everything you need to get to work. If you plan on long, continuous sessions, budget for a second battery or step up in capacity. If you want the absolute lowest vibration on the market, a high‑end alternative exists—but you’ll spend more and lose the value of this kit. For most users, this DeWalt hits the sweet spot.