DeWalt 20V XR Brushless 3/8 in. & 1/2 in. Sealed Head Ratchet

Why this cordless ratchet stood out in my shop

I’m a long‑time believer that cordless ratchets earn their keep not by brute force, but by how quickly and reliably they move work along between the hand tools and the impact. DeWalt’s 20V XR ratchet hit that sweet spot for me: strong enough to break light corrosion, quick enough to speed up assembly and teardown, and thoughtfully built for everyday automotive and equipment work.

For clarity, I’ll refer to it as the XR ratchet. It’s a 20V brushless, sealed‑head unit with interchangeable 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. square drive anvils. On paper it delivers up to 75 ft‑lb and a no‑load top speed of 300 RPM. In practice, those numbers translate to a confident, usable tool that bridges the gap between compact 12V ratchets and bulkier impacts.

Build and design

The XR ratchet has a 15 in. overall length and weighs about 2.6 lb bare. With a compact 20V battery, it balances well; with a larger pack, the handle gets tail‑heavy but still manageable. The housing is glass‑filled nylon—a smart choice for a tool that lives in oily engine bays and sees solvents every day. I’ve cleaned mine with brake cleaner and degreaser without any swelling or softening.

The head is sealed, which matters. Grit and old grease kill ratchet mechanisms over time, and a sealed head buys you longevity and fewer maintenance quirks. The forward/reverse selector is positive and easy to flick with a thumb or forefinger, even with gloves on.

There’s an onboard LED near the business end. It’s bright enough to be useful, though like most handle‑mounted LEDs the socket and your hand can cast a shadow in tight spots. Still, I found it handy during under‑dash work and when snaking around accessories where shop lighting doesn’t reach.

A trigger lock helps prevent accidental run‑ups in a drawer or bag. It’s a small detail, but I appreciate it when the tool shares a box with other triggers and switches.

Interchangeable 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. anvils

This feature is the hook, and it’s more than a gimmick. Swapping to 1/2 in. means I can run deeper impact‑rated sockets on suspension and drivetrain fasteners without walking back to the cart for a different ratchet. Back on 3/8 in., it feels appropriately compact and nimble for interior, engine, and bracket work.

The changeover is straightforward and secure. I keep both anvils in the same drawer, and I’ve gotten fast at switching based on the task. If you normally carry two ratchets to cover both sizes, this consolidated approach is genuinely useful.

Power and speed in real use

DeWalt rates the XR ratchet at up to 75 ft‑lb and 0–300 RPM. Out of the box, it’s clear this is a torque‑first ratchet rather than a high‑speed runner. For me, that’s the right call in a 20V package. It will:

• Bust loose lightly corroded 10–14 mm hardware without complaint
• Pull aluminum case bolts down cleanly without over‑running threads
• Take care of accessory brackets, pulleys, and underbody shields efficiently

It’s not an impact, so for truly stuck fasteners you’ll still want a breaker bar or an impact wrench. I usually crack the fastener by hand, then let the XR ratchet do the running. As with any powered ratchet, be mindful of reaction torque at the top end—keep a neutral wrist, especially near the 75 ft‑lb ceiling.

The variable‑speed trigger offers good modulation. Feathering the trigger to start threads and avoid cross‑threading feels precise, and the brushless motor ramps smoothly. At full tilt, 300 RPM is quick enough to feel like a time saver while still controllable.

Ergonomics and handling

The handle shape fits my hand well, and the texture keeps a grip when gloves are slick. With a compact 2.0Ah pack the balance is excellent; with larger packs the rear weight is noticeable but not unwieldy. Compared to 12V ratchets, this 20V unit is larger, and you feel that in really cramped spaces. The head profile is tidy, but the neck is not an “extended‑reach” style. If you spend a lot of time buried behind timing covers or inside frame rails, a long‑neck variant would reach deeper. Around an engine bay, underbody, or interior, it’s versatile enough for most tasks.

Noise and vibration are both tame—much quieter than an impact and less buzzy than some brushed ratchets I’ve used. After a few extended sessions, heat never became an issue, which I credit to the brushless drive and sealed head.

Battery platform and runtime

This is a bare tool; batteries and charger are sold separately. On the 20V platform, you’ve likely already got packs. With a 2.0Ah battery I can power through a typical set of brake jobs and a handful of underhood tasks without swapping. Bigger packs stretch runtime, but I prefer the compact size for better balance and access. The brushless motor seems efficient—no obvious parasitic drain, and no rapid cutouts under normal load.

Durability and maintenance

Between the sealed head and the chemical‑resistant housing, this ratchet is built for shop abuse. I routinely wipe it down with solvent after greasy jobs. There’s no special maintenance required beyond keeping the anvil detent clean and the tool dry when you can. The warranty package—3‑Year Limited Warranty, 1‑Year Free Service, and a 90‑Day Satisfaction Guarantee—adds some confidence for a daily‑use tool.

Where it shines

• One tool, two drive sizes: The interchangeable anvils reduce how much I carry and speed up work when I switch between 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. sockets.
• Strong for the category: The 75 ft‑lb rating translates to real‑world authority without jumping to an impact.
• Shop‑ready build: Sealed head and solvent‑resistant housing hold up to oily, gritty environments.
• Trigger feel and control: Smooth variable speed helps with delicate starts and consistent rundown.

What could be better

• Not an extended‑reach neck: Overall length is respectable, but the neck isn’t the long, skinny type that reaches deep into recesses.
• Moderate top speed: 300 RPM is fine for control; if your workflow favors very fast rundown, some high‑speed ratchets spin quicker.
• Size with larger batteries: With 4.0Ah+ packs, it gets bulkier than 12V options. Compact batteries keep it in its ergonomic sweet spot.

Practical tips from the bench

• Break stuck fasteners by hand first. Use the XR ratchet to spin them off and run them back down.
• Keep both anvils nearby. I store the extra in a small caddy so I’m more likely to swap sizes instead of reaching for a second tool.
• Use the trigger lock when transporting. It prevents accidental start‑ups, especially if you store it with sockets attached.
• Choose the right battery. A compact 2.0Ah keeps balance and access; save larger packs for marathon sessions.

The bottom line

The XR ratchet earns its place by combining meaningful torque with a flexible, shop‑ready design. The interchangeable 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. anvils make it feel like two tools in one, and the brushless, sealed‑head build handles daily grease, solvents, and the occasional abuse without complaint. It won’t replace an impact for stubborn hardware, and it’s not the deepest‑reaching ratchet on the market, but for most automotive and equipment tasks it’s a reliable workhorse that speeds up the middle of the job—the part where ratchets save you real time.

Recommendation: I recommend it, especially if you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V platform or want a single ratchet to cover both 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. work. Choose it for its torque, durability, and versatility. If your priorities are ultra‑compact size or an extended‑reach neck for deep recesses, consider a dedicated long‑reach 12V alternative—but for general shop use, this XR ratchet hits a very practical balance.