DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Heat Gun Kit

Overview

Cordless heat guns used to feel like a compromise, but the DeWalt cordless heat gun struck me as a genuinely useful jobsite tool rather than a niche gadget. It promises up to 990°F, dual temperature and fan settings, and a standard nozzle that accepts common accessories—all in a compact package. The kit includes a 5.0 Ah 20V MAX battery and a charger, so you’re ready to work out of the box. After several weeks of using it for wiring, adhesive removal, PVC bending, and on-the-roof tasks where cords are a hassle, I have a clear sense of where it excels and where it still trails a good corded model.

Heating performance

On high, the tool gets to working temperature fast—within seconds I could start shrinking tubing or softening vinyl. For targeted, localized heat, it punches above its weight. Heat-shrinking 3:1 tubing on 10–12 AWG wire was quick and consistent, and I had no trouble shaping 3/4-inch schedule 40 PVC with controlled passes. For adhesive jobs (automotive emblems, decals), the high setting loosened glue cleanly without scorching paint, provided I kept the nozzle moving. The advertised max temperature of 990°F feels credible at the nozzle and is more than adequate for the typical tasks a cordless heat gun is meant to handle.

Where it’s less at home is broad-surface, high-demand work like stripping multiple layers of old paint. It will do it, but airflow and heat saturation are limited compared with a high-power corded unit. Expect to work in smaller sections and take more time when you’re heating large areas or heavy materials.

Airflow, controls, and usability

Airflow is rated at 6.7 CFM with dual fan speeds. In practice, the low fan setting is great for heat-shrink and fine detail where you want to avoid blasting nearby components, while high gives you a bit more reach and speed. The airflow is gentler than most corded shop guns, which often run in the 12–20 CFM range. That’s the tradeoff you feel: this DeWalt concentrates heat well in tight spaces but doesn’t flood large surfaces with hot air.

The controls are straightforward: two temperature settings (low/high), two fan speeds, and lock-on/lock-off. The lock-off is a nice safety touch in a crowded tool bag, and lock-on is handy for two-handed positioning or when you want a steady blast without a finger on the trigger. The built-in LED is surprisingly useful in attics, cabinets, or under dashboards; it doesn’t turn the gun into a flashlight, but it eliminates the “work in the shadows” problem.

Battery life and charging

Runtime is the defining constraint of any cordless heat gun. With the included 5.0 Ah pack, I consistently saw around 18–25 minutes of continuous use on high and up to roughly 40 minutes pulsed usage on low. That lines up with DeWalt’s “up to 42 minutes on low” claim. If your day involves long, uninterrupted heating sessions, plan on carrying extra batteries or switching to corded for that specific task. For the kind of on-and-off work heat guns often see—shrink a few tubes, warm an adhesive patch, bend a small PVC section—the runtime feels reasonable.

The included DCB115 charger tops off a depleted 5.0 Ah battery in about 90 minutes, which is fine for shop workflows but not instant. If you already live in the 20V MAX ecosystem, rotating multiple packs makes this tool far more practical. Smaller batteries will run it, but they drain quickly and throw off the balance of the gun; the 5.0 Ah is a good match.

Ergonomics and build

Build quality is what I expect from DeWalt: sturdy plastics, confident clicky controls, and a nozzle shroud that doesn’t feel flimsy. At about 4 lbs with the 5.0 Ah battery, it’s not featherweight, yet the balance is good and hand fatigue was minimal during typical tasks. The short overall length makes it easy to work in tight spaces, and the battery forms a stable base when you need to set it down between passes. Noise is modest compared to higher-CFM corded guns; conversations don’t have to stop when someone fires it up.

Heat soak is well controlled. The nozzle area gets predictably hot, but the handle stays comfortable, and I never felt compelled to wear gloves solely because of the gun’s own temperature—only for the workpiece.

Attachments and compatibility

The standard-size nozzle is a big win because it lets you use common aftermarket heat-gun accessories. The kit includes a flat nozzle and a hook nozzle, both of which attach securely and cover a lot of ground: the flat nozzle spreads heat across a strip (great for shrink tubing bundles or decals), and the hook nozzle wraps around small tubing for even heat. I would have liked a concentrator cone in the box for more pinpoint work, but it’s easy to source one that fits.

Because the airflow is on the lower side, accessories that focus or direct heat provide noticeable gains in effectiveness. If you plan to do a lot of electrical work, invest in a small concentrator. For flooring or vinyl wrap, a broader spreader nozzle helps with uniform heating.

Where it shines

• Electrical, low-voltage, and electronics: Shrink tubing, heat-shrink butt connectors, and heat-sensitive work without dragging cords across a jobsite.
• Automotive and marine: Softening adhesives for emblems, creating tidy heat-shrink harnesses, and field fixes where power isn’t nearby.
• Plumbing and DIY: Gentle persuasion for PVC fittings and bends; thawing locks and hoses; small repairs on the roof without an extension cord.
• Tight spaces: The compact nose, LED, and controlled airflow make it easy to avoid collateral heat damage.

In all of these scenarios, the cordless freedom saves setup time and reduces tripping hazards. That convenience is real and often outweighs the raw performance gap versus corded units.

Where it falls short

• Large-surface paint removal: It works, but slower than high-watt corded guns due to lower CFM and battery limitations.
• Extended, continuous heat: High setting drains a 5.0 Ah pack in the neighborhood of 20 minutes. For sustained tasks, you’ll want multiple batteries or a corded backup.
• Controls granularity: Two temperature settings and dual fan speeds are simple, but a variable temperature dial would improve precision on delicate materials.
• Accessory depth in the box: The included nozzles are useful; a concentrator would round out the kit.

None of these are deal-breakers for its intended use, but they’re worth noting if you’re replacing a corded gun for heavy-duty work.

Final recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt cordless heat gun for tradespeople and DIYers who value mobility and quick setup: electricians, installers, auto/marine techs, and anyone doing intermittent heating tasks across a site. It delivers fast, focused heat, smart safety and usability features, and compatibility with standard nozzles, all on the 20V MAX platform. Battery life on high is the limiting factor, and it’s not the right tool for long, continuous, large-surface heating. If you already own DeWalt 20V batteries—or you’re willing to carry a spare—the convenience and capability make it an easy tool to keep within reach. For big paint-stripping jobs, keep a corded unit in the arsenal; for everything else, this cordless gun earns its spot.