DeWalt Hammer drill with POWER DETECT and impact driver combo kit

First impressions and what’s in the box

I put this DeWalt combo to work on a mix of tasks—framing and decking in the shop, anchors and conduit outdoors, and a couple of punch-list odds and ends—and it settled in quickly as a dependable, do-most-things pairing. The kit includes a 1/2 in. three-speed hammer drill, a three-speed 1/4 in. impact driver, a fan-cooled fast charger, an 8.0 Ah 20V MAX battery, a compact 2.0 Ah 20V MAX battery, and a soft bag. That battery spread is smart: the big pack unlocks maximum performance and runtime, while the compact pack keeps weight down when finesse matters.

Both tools are brushless, and the build quality is exactly what I expect from DeWalt’s pro-grade line—tight tolerances, confident switches, and no creaks or flex in the housings. The soft bag isn’t protection in the way a hard case is, but it does make it easy to haul both tools, two batteries, and a box of fasteners to a job.

The hammer drill: power with nuance

The hammer drill is the star if you need high output and versatility. It’s a three-speed unit with a 1/2 in. ratcheting metal chuck, and the jaws have carbide inserts that grip bits firmly without marring shanks. Even with large-diameter bits, I didn’t experience walking or slippage; the chuck locks aggressively and releases cleanly.

DeWalt’s POWER DETECT feature is the interesting bit here. Swap from the 2.0 Ah to the 8.0 Ah pack and you can feel the drill wake up. The tool senses the battery’s capacity and adjusts output to suit. In practice, that means better sustained torque and a higher ceiling on demanding tasks with the 8.0 Ah battery attached. Drilling 1-1/2 in. spade and self-feed holes through doubled studs felt pleasingly unbothered on Speed 2 with the large pack, where Speed 3 with the compact pack started to feel a touch labored. The additional mass of the 8.0 Ah pack also helps the tool plant better when you’re leaning on it.

Switching to hammer mode, the drill handled masonry chores that typical DIY models struggle with. Setting sleeve anchors and drilling 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. holes in cured concrete steps went faster than expected for a 20V hammer drill, with predictable percussion and minimal chatter as long as I kept the bit sharp and let the tool do the work. If masonry is a daily jobsite requirement, a rotary hammer is still the right tool, but for intermittent anchors, Tapcons, and light-to-medium concrete work, this drill is absolutely up to the task.

The three-speed gearbox is genuinely useful. Speed 1 is a torque-first setting for big hole saws, large spade bits, or stainless fasteners. Speed 2 covers most wood and metal drilling with a good blend of torque and rpm. Speed 3 is a high-rpm drilling mode for small-diameter bits. The trigger response is linear and easy to meter. A three-mode LED beneath the chuck includes a spotlight mode with a 20-minute shutoff, which is more helpful than it sounds—set the drill down and it doubles as a work light under a sink or inside a closet.

The impact driver: compact, quick, and controlled

The impact driver in this kit delivers up to 1,825 in-lbs of torque, up to 3,250 rpm, and up to 3,600 impacts per minute. Specs aside, it feels like a proven driver tuned for control. The three speed modes cover delicate material screws (Mode 1), general construction screws and cabinet hardware (Mode 2), and structural fasteners (Mode 3). The variable-speed trigger is predictable across all three modes, and I found I could feather screws flush into soft pine without chewing up heads—the kind of behavior that separates a good driver from a twitchy one.

For heavier work, Mode 3 drove 6 in. structural screws into LVL without predrilling and ran 3/8 in. lag screws with a smooth, progressive hit. It’s not the absolute most brutal driver you can buy today, but it’s more than enough for carpentry, mechanical, electrical, and general installation tasks. The compact form factor helps. The head is short enough to fit between studs, and the balance is good with either battery. Bit changes are quick via the 1/4 in. hex collet, and retention was positive—no wobbly bits or spontaneous ejections.

Noise and vibration are on par with other pro-grade impacts. Extended heavy fastening sessions will always be loud; hearing protection remains a good idea.

Batteries and charging

The included 8.0 Ah battery is the right pairing for POWER DETECT. It not only extends runtime; it lets the hammer drill operate in a higher performance envelope. Expect a noticeable, tangible difference in grunt compared to the compact pack, especially on large-hole drilling or masonry. The trade-off is weight. The big pack adds heft you’ll feel overhead or at full reach. For cabinet work, light metal fabrication, or service calls, the 2.0 Ah pack is a relief; the tools become much livelier and less tiring.

The fan-cooled fast charger is a strong addition. It charges higher-capacity packs at up to 8 A and compact packs at up to 4 A, so the 8.0 Ah battery goes from flat to full in roughly an hour, and the 2.0 Ah pack is back in service in well under 40 minutes. The charger accepts both 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT 20V/60V batteries, which is handy if you’re already on DeWalt’s platform. The cooling fan is audible but not obtrusive, and it noticeably shortens the turn-around time when you’re cycling packs hard.

Ergonomics and usability

Both tools feel solid in-hand without being bulky. The overmold is in the right places, and neither handle forces an aggressive grip angle. With the 2.0 Ah pack, the combo is agile and easy to maneuver. With the 8.0 Ah pack, the balance shifts rearward and fatigue sets in sooner overhead, but that’s an expected trade-off for the output and runtime you get.

The hammer drill’s clutch and mode ring are positive and easy to index with a gloved hand. The speed selector is crisp; I never had it inadvertently pop out of gear. The LED’s 20-minute spotlight setting is genuinely useful in tight spaces, and the standard work-light mode is bright enough without washing out close work.

The impact driver’s shorter nose makes a difference in cabinets and between studs. Combined with the three speed modes, it’s a driver I can hand to an apprentice and trust they won’t over-torque delicate hardware, yet it still has the headroom for structural work when needed.

The soft bag is fine for transport and storage, with enough room for both tools, the charger, and a couple of accessory cases. If you need impact resistance or stackable storage, you’ll want to migrate the kit into a hard case or a modular box system.

Durability and support

The all-metal transmission in the hammer drill and the nitro-carburized ratcheting chuck inspire confidence. After a stretch of drilling in pressure-treated lumber and concrete, the drill stayed cool for its size, and I didn’t notice any slop developing in the chuck. Similarly, the impact driver’s anvil and collet have remained tight after driving structural fasteners and ledger screws. Brushless motors help with longevity and efficiency.

DeWalt backs the kit with a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Given the components and the overall build, I’d expect a long service life with routine care.

Where it shines, and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- High, usable power—especially with the 8.0 Ah battery and POWER DETECT
- Versatile, genuinely different three-speed ranges on both tools
- Excellent chuck grip and bit retention on the hammer drill
- Compact, controlled impact driver that still hits hard
- Fast, fan-cooled charger and a sensible battery spread

Trade-offs:
- The 8.0 Ah battery adds real weight; you’ll notice it overhead
- Soft bag offers convenience, not protection
- If you rarely drill masonry or large holes, the hammer drill’s capability may be more than you need

Recommendation

I recommend this combo for pros and serious DIYers who want a two-tool kit that covers almost everything: heavy drilling in wood and light-to-medium masonry, structural fastening, and precision driving. The hammer drill’s POWER DETECT behavior meaningfully elevates performance with the included 8.0 Ah battery, and the impact driver’s balance of torque and control makes it easy to live with every day. If your work is mostly light carpentry or assembling furniture, you can save weight (and money) with a compact drill/driver kit. But if you value headroom—tools that won’t bog when the job gets tough—this kit earns its spot in the truck.