DeWalt 20V MAX Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit with FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX Battery

What’s in the box and who it’s for

DeWalt’s 20V combo here pairs the DCD996 1/2 in. 3‑speed hammer drill with the DCF887 1/4 in. 3‑speed impact driver, plus two batteries—a compact 20V 2.0Ah and a FLEXVOLT 20V/60V 6.0Ah—along with the fan‑cooled rapid charger and a contractor bag. I’ve been using this kit as my “do most things” cordless setup on remodels and punch‑list days, and it covers a wide span of drilling, hammer drilling, and fastening without dragging a cord around.

If you’re moving from a starter 18/20V kit into something that’ll stand up to heavier workloads, this is the step up. The brushless motors, the 3‑speed gearboxes, and the battery mix make it versatile enough for pros while still approachable for ambitious DIY work.

Design, ergonomics, and build

Both tools feel solid, with DeWalt’s familiar rubber overmold and confident triggers. The hammer drill isn’t small—roughly 8.4 in. front to back and about 4.7 lb bare—and with the DCB606 FLEXVOLT battery it becomes a hefty package. The included 360° side handle is not window dressing; use it whenever you run big bits or switch into hammer mode. The weight is the trade‑off for the power you get.

The impact driver is much more compact and well balanced. With the 2.0Ah pack it’s nimble enough for cabinet work and overhead fastening. The triple LED ring on the driver throws even light with minimal shadowing, and it stays on briefly after you release the trigger—handy in dark corners. The hammer drill’s 3‑mode LED is brighter than most and lets you bump up to a “spotlight” style mode for longer illumination after the trigger.

I appreciate that both tools include belt hooks, and the bag is roomy enough to carry the kit plus a bit set and a couple of small accessories. The DCB118 fan‑cooled charger is fast and compatible with both 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT packs, though its cooling fan is louder than the simpler chargers—I keep it in the trailer or a corner of the shop.

Performance: drilling and hammer drilling

In wood, the hammer drill is a torque monster. In speed 1 with the side handle on, it handled self‑feed bits and large spade bits without drama. I pushed a 2‑1/8 in. hole saw through a doubled top plate and the drill barely flinched. Speed 2 is a nice middle ground for spade bits and general boring; speed 3 is where I go for twist‑bit drilling in lumber and metal.

In masonry, hammer mode gets real work done. I tested 3/16 in. and 1/4 in. holes for Tapcons in 20‑year‑old poured concrete. With a sharp carbide bit and the FLEXVOLT battery, the drill maintained high BPM and didn’t bog. It’s not an SDS‑Plus rotary hammer, but for anchors and light fixture work it’s genuinely quick and controlled. Vibration is very manageable for a hammer drill of this size, and the clutch of the percussion mechanism feels tight and consistent.

Chuck performance matters on a high‑output drill. The all‑metal ratcheting chuck grips bits securely, especially with larger shanks. On a couple of cold mornings, the chuck tightened down so firmly that it took a deliberate two‑hand grip to release—worth noting if you’re swapping bits frequently with gloves on. Otherwise, concentricity and grip were excellent.

One quirk I ran into: the clutch on the drill, when set to the very lowest torque number, still drove small screws a little hotter than I’d prefer, especially in higher gear. You can mitigate this by staying in speed 1 for delicate work or by simply moving over to the impact driver for precision fastening.

Performance: fastening with the impact driver

The DCF887 remains one of the most balanced impact drivers in its class. The 3‑speed selector plus the precision mode in the lowest setting protected screw heads and reduced cam‑out. Driving 3 in. decking screws all day, I camped in speed 2 and only bumped to speed 3 for long structural screws. With 1,825 in‑lbs of max torque on tap and roughly 3,800 impacts per minute, it has more than enough grunt for ledger screws (with proper pilot) and lag bolts up to 3/8 in. by 3 in.

Trigger modulation is excellent; the tool eases in smoothly before the hammering starts, so placing fasteners precisely is easy. The triple‑LED light ring is still one of my favorites because it eliminates the single‑shadow you get on drivers with a single emitter above the trigger.

Noise is typical for an impact driver—loud in a closed space—so hearing protection is smart. Heat buildup was a nonissue in mixed‑duty cycles; I didn’t experience thermal throttling during normal framing and decking tasks.

Batteries, runtime, and charging

The battery pairing is smart. The 2.0Ah pack keeps the impact driver light for finish and cabinet work, yet still offers a respectable runtime for a half‑day of intermittent fastening. The FLEXVOLT 6.0Ah pack turns the hammer drill into a workhorse. On heavy drilling days (hole saws, percussion drilling), I ran the FLEXVOLT almost exclusively; the extra mass stabilizes the tool, and the runtime benefits are obvious. On lighter days, I swapped the FLEXVOLT to the driver to minimize battery juggling—FlexVolt packs run 20V tools at full performance.

Charge times on the fan‑cooled DCB118 are quick for both batteries; think “coffee and layout” rather than “go to lunch” to get back to a usable state. The fan kicks on as soon as the charger senses a hot pack and helps keep charging consistent in summer conditions.

Controls and features

• 3‑speed transmissions on both tools give meaningful changes in torque and RPM. I used all three ranges regularly.
• The forward/reverse controls have positive detents; no accidental mid‑trigger flips.
• The hammer drill’s LED modes are genuinely useful—the high‑output setting provided enough light to align anchors in a dim mechanical room.
• Keyless chuck on the drill and quick‑release collet on the driver speed up bit changes.

Durability and service

After months of regular use, there’s minimal scuffing to the housings and no wobble in the chuck. The side handle threads still engage cleanly. DeWalt backs the kit with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and a 90‑day money‑back guarantee, which is reassuring for a kit at this price. Routine maintenance is simple: keep bits sharp, blow dust out of the vents, and don’t store packs fully depleted.

What could be better

• Weight: The hammer drill with the FLEXVOLT battery is heavy for overhead or ladder work. The 2.0Ah pack helps, but you give up runtime.
• Clutch behavior: Even at low settings, the drill’s clutch can feel aggressive. For delicate fastening, the impact driver’s low speed/precision mode is the better choice.
• Chuck release: The ratcheting chuck can bind a bit when it’s cold or after high‑torque cuts; it’s secure, but sometimes stubborn.

None of these are deal‑breakers, but they’re realities to plan around.

Value and system fit

This kit isn’t the cheapest route into 20V cordless, but the performance ceiling is high, and the FLEXVOLT battery is a strategic inclusion if you plan to add 60V tools later (miter saws, SDS‑Plus rotary hammers, outdoor equipment). If you already live in the DeWalt ecosystem, this slots in seamlessly; if you’re starting fresh, it’s a strong foundation that won’t need upgrading soon.

Bottom line

As an everyday work pairing, this DeWalt combo delivers: real muscle in the hammer drill for wood and light masonry, and a compact, well‑controlled impact driver for everything from cabinetry to structural screws. The battery mix lets you tune the setup for either runtime or lighter weight, and the rapid charger keeps the workflow moving. It’s not featherweight and the clutch is on the assertive side, but the overall build quality, speed options, and consistent power make it a dependable two‑tool kit.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit to pros and serious DIYers who need high output and a versatile two‑tool solution. Choose it for the 3‑speed transmissions, excellent lighting, true hammer‑drill capability in concrete, and the forward‑looking inclusion of a FLEXVOLT battery. If you prioritize the lightest possible drill for all‑day overhead work or you mainly drive delicate fasteners, you might prefer a compact drill/driver kit. For everyone else, this strikes a smart balance of power, control, and system flexibility.