DeWalt 20V MAX 1/2 in XR Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver with Bluetooth (Tool Only)

Why I reached for this DeWalt XR hammer drill

I’ve used plenty of heavy-duty 1/2-inch hammer drills over the years, but I don’t usually expect much beyond torque, a decent chuck, and a side handle. This one adds something different: integrated Bluetooth, diagnostics, and programmable behavior—without giving up the grunt you buy a hammer drill for. After several weeks of jobsite work and shop testing with concrete anchors, large augers, and hole saws, here’s how the DCD997 fits into a pro setup.

Build, chuck, and first impressions

The drill feels every bit like a premium DeWalt: dense, rigid housing; a proper 360-degree side handle; and a ratcheting, nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide inserts. The chuck is excellent. It bites on smooth-shank bits without slipping, and I saw minimal wobble even on long 3/8-inch masonry bits. The gearbox selector and hammer/drill/drive mode ring have positive detents, and the trigger is linear enough for precise starts.

It’s not compact. With a metal chuck and hammer mechanism up front, the nose is longer than a compact driver, and with a 5.0Ah or 6.0Ah pack, this is a tool you’ll feel on a belt. That said, DeWalt’s grip geometry keeps the balance neutral, and the side handle gives you the leverage you need for big holes and masonry work.

Note: this is a bare tool—battery and charger sold separately. I ran it primarily with 5.0Ah and 6.0Ah packs, plus a PowerStack for lighter tasks.

Power and drilling performance

There are three mechanical speed settings plus the hammer function on the collar. In high gear the drill spins up quickly and holds speed under load, which matters for clean holes in steel and for smaller masonry bits. In low gear, it’s a torque monster. I used a 2-1/8-inch hole saw in stud-grade pine and a 1-1/4-inch self-feed bit through SPF studs. In each case, the drill drove cleanly and recovered well after brief stalls.

In hammer mode, it chewed through poured slab for Tapcon pilot holes and 3/8-inch wedge anchor holes with predictable speed. The shell stays relatively cool for a hammer drill after back-to-back holes; the brushless motor clearly helps on heat management. If you’re used to a dedicated SDS-Plus rotary hammer for larger anchors, that still wins for speed and vibration; but for mixed work—metal, wood, light-to-moderate concrete—the DCD997 has the versatility you expect from a top-tier 1/2-inch hammer drill.

Bind-Up Control that actually helps

On any high-torque drill, the question isn’t if it will bind, but when. DeWalt’s Bind-Up Control monitors for stalls and cuts power before the tool can whip your wrist. I purposely jammed a spade bit on a knot and a hole saw on a nail to see how it handled the worst. Both times, the drill shut down almost instantly. A quick trigger release and re-press brought it back online. Use the side handle anyway—it’s included for a reason—but the electronic safety net is real and well tuned.

Tool Connect: useful beyond “bells and whistles”

The integrated Bluetooth is not a gimmick when you set it up with intention. Pairing took seconds—hold the tool-foot button for a few seconds, add it in the app, and you’re in. From there, two things stood out:

• Inventory and security: I assigned the drill to a jobsite in the app, enabled “disable when out of range,” and tested range-based lockout. If a tool walks off, it goes dead. It’s not GPS, but the “last seen” map plus deterrence is valuable for shared crews and busy sites. Just be smart: jobsite assignments are more practical than tethering the tool to a single phone so you don’t accidentally lock yourself out moving between areas.
• Custom profiles: You can create custom modes layered over the three mechanical gears. I built three: a low-speed, soft-start profile for driving structural screws; a medium-speed profile with a slightly longer ramp for metal drilling; and an aggressive high-speed profile for hammer drilling in concrete. The difference is noticeable. It limits overspeed on fragile tasks and gets the hammer mode right to work on masonry.

Diagnostics (trigger pulls, runtime, temperature, and the coin-cell status for the beacon) gave me a quick read on actual usage. For a one-person shop, that’s neat; for a fleet manager, it’s gold.

LED and ergonomics

The integrated LED foot light is brighter than most and, importantly, configurable. I set the brightness one notch down from max and extended the shutoff delay. Working inside cabinets and low-light corners, this saved me reaching for a separate work light. The grip is classic DeWalt—comfortable and slightly overmolded without being mushy—and the top controls are glove-friendly.

With a PowerStack pack the tool feels noticeably more nimble. With a 6.0Ah pack it becomes a planted, two-handed machine that’s great on larger bits and masonry. Either way, the balance stays neutral enough that tip-in is controlled when starting holes on tile or metal.

Battery life and runtime

Runtime will hinge on what you hang off the chuck. With a 5.0Ah pack I drilled a mix of 1/4- to 3/8-inch holes in concrete and knocked out dozens of bigger wood holes before needing a swap. Brushless efficiency shows up most when you’re not constantly in stall territory. If you’re planning a day of anchor setting, I’d bring a 6.0Ah or two; for general carpentry and occasional concrete, a 5.0Ah is a great match.

Durability, service, and the small stuff

The housing and chuck shrugged off jobsite scuffs and one unfortunate bench drop without drama. Mechanically, nothing has loosened, and the chuck remains tight. DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee add confidence. I also appreciate that the side handle is included in the box—too many hammer drills still ship without one.

As for the Bluetooth beacon, remember there’s a coin-cell involved for the inventory features; it lasts a long time, but it’s worth checking its status in the app every few months.

Where it could improve

• Size and weight: It’s a big drill. If you rarely touch masonry and mostly drive screws, you’ll be happier with a compact drill/driver. This is built for heavier tasks.
• App nuance: The “disable when out of range” feature is powerful but can be overzealous if you tie it to a phone that frequently leaves the area. Setting jobsite geofences and user assignments solves this, but there’s a learning curve.
• Feature redundancy: If you don’t manage a fleet or care about tracking, you’re paying for capability you won’t use. DeWalt’s non-connected XR hammer drills share much of the mechanical performance at a lower tool-only price.

Who it’s for

• Pros who split time between wood, metal, and light-to-medium concrete work and want one drill that can do it all safely and fast.
• Crew leads and facility managers who benefit from Tool Connect’s tracking, assignment, and lockout features.
• Existing DeWalt 20V MAX users who want the most configurable hammer drill in the lineup and already have batteries and a charger.

For occasional DIYers who don’t push big bits or drill concrete, this is overkill. A compact drill/driver will save your wrist and your budget.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCD997 for professional users and serious remodelers who will take advantage of both its muscle and its brains. Mechanically, it’s a top-tier 1/2-inch hammer drill: strong, controlled, with an outstanding chuck and a safety system that genuinely protects you during binds. Digitally, the Tool Connect integration adds meaningful value—tracking, “last seen” location, geofence-based lockout, and programmable behavior that adapts the tool to your work rather than the other way around. If you already live in DeWalt’s 20V MAX world, it’s an easy upgrade. If you don’t need the connectivity or you mostly drive screws, a smaller, simpler drill will make more sense. But for power with smart control in one package, this DeWalt XR hammer drill earns a spot in the bag.