DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Drywall Cut-Out Tool (Tool Only)

I reached for the DeWalt cut-out tool on a recent recessed lighting install and didn’t put it down until the last plate was back on the wall. It’s a compact, cordless workhorse that feels purpose-built for drywall cutouts—boxes, cans, registers, and the stray odd shape—without the cord snagging on ladders or catching on studs.

Design, ergonomics, and controls

The first thing I noticed is the size and balance. Bare, the tool weighs about 1.6 pounds and measures roughly 9.5 inches long. Pop on a 2.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery and it’s still compact enough to choke up on for precise tracing around boxes. The rubber overmold is grippy without being gummy, and the slight waist in the handle makes it easy to index your grip by feel.

DeWalt moved the on/off switch forward where your thumb naturally lands. That matters more than it sounds—on ladders, overhead, or with your off hand holding a vac hose, being able to actuate the switch without shifting your grip keeps the bit where it needs to be. The lock-in detent is positive, and I didn’t run into accidental shutoffs.

One thoughtful touch: an integrated belt clip. It’s simple, but it saves a lot of awkward tool juggling while marking or measuring between cuts.

Bit changes and setup

The tool-free collet is the standout quality-of-life upgrade. If you’ve ever fished for a tiny wrench with dust-covered gloves, you know why. Here you twist the collar by hand; no wrench required. It accepts 1/8-inch, 5/32-inch, and 1/4-inch bits with corresponding collets, so you can match bit size to the job. I ran mostly 1/8-inch drywall bits for electrical boxes and stepped up to stouter multi-material bits for plaster and lath spots.

The depth guide is equally straightforward. Loosen, set your depth—just a hair beyond board thickness—and tighten. The guide rides flush against the surface and keeps you from plunging too deep into the cavity, which is insurance against catching a wire or chewing up a box edge. It’s not a precision micrometer, but it’s quick, consistent, and durable.

Performance and cut quality

This tool is single-speed at 26,000 RPM, driven by a brushless motor. Raw speed helps push a clean kerf through gypsum and paper with minimal tear-out, and the brushless motor keeps the power up under load. Through 1/2-inch drywall, it tracks smoothly with very little chatter; even tapered edges or doubled layers didn’t bog it down as long as I let the bit do the work.

Cut accuracy has more to do with technique than the motor. I had the best results riding the edge of the box clockwise with the depth guide just kissing the face paper, keeping a light but steady lateral pressure. If you push too hard or angle the tool, you’ll flex the bit and your cut line will wander. With a proper bit and gentle feed rate, I could make tight corners around device boxes without snapping a bit.

For harder surfaces like old plaster, I’d swap to a tougher multi-material bit and reduce my feed pressure. The motor keeps up, but trying to force the line will overheat the bit. With the right bit, I finished a ceiling fan cutout in three minutes without drama.

Dust management

Unsurprisingly, a 26,000 RPM cut-out tool produces dust—especially overhead. The onboard LED helps you see the line even in a dusty haze, but for ceilings I strongly prefer pairing with a dust shroud and vac. The tool is compatible with an optional shroud that uses a 1-inch port; with a compact extractor and a light hose, it captures the bulk of airborne dust and keeps it out of your eyes. If you don’t add a shroud, at least wear eye and respiratory protection. The high-pitched whine also warrants hearing protection.

LED and visibility

The integrated LED is brighter than I expected on such a small tool and it’s well-placed. It illuminates the work area without casting a harsh shadow right where the bit meets the paper. In a dim hallway with breakers pulled, the light made a real difference tracking lines and verifying box edges through the paper surface.

Battery life and platform fit

This is a tool-only unit in the 20V system, so you’ll need your own batteries and charger. On a 2.0Ah pack I was able to do a dozen box cutouts and two can lights before swapping, and a 5.0Ah pack got me through an afternoon of odds and ends with charge to spare. Runtime varies with material and bit choice, but the brushless motor clearly helps. If you’re already in the DeWalt 20V ecosystem, this fits right in; if not, factor the cost of at least one compact pack and a charger.

Weight-wise, a compact pack keeps the overall tool nimble, while a larger pack shifts the balance toward the back of the handle. On vertical work, that rear bias actually helps, but for extended overhead use I preferred a compact battery to reduce fatigue.

Precision details that matter

• Start/Stop control: The forward switch reduces fumbles. It also makes it easier to feather the cut at the beginning and end of a line.
• Collet feel: The tool-free mechanism has a positive, repeatable clamp. Bits didn’t creep out under load.
• Vibration: Noticeably low for a cut-out tool at this speed. That translates to cleaner edges and less hand fatigue over time.
• LED spill: The light stays out of your eyes, even in reflective white interiors, which isn’t always the case on compact tools.

What I’d change

• Variable speed: It’s a single-speed tool. I’d welcome a two- or three-speed option for delicate surfaces, laminate-faced panels, or templating on softer materials where 26,000 RPM is overkill.
• Dust shroud inclusion: The optional shroud is a worthwhile accessory for overhead work; it would be nice to see it bundled or at least more readily available. Plan on picking one up if you do a lot of ceiling work.
• Depth gauge markings: The depth guide is fast and reliable, but a clearer scale or positive detents at 1/2 and 5/8 inch would make repeat settings even faster in the field.

Durability and service

The overall build is classic DeWalt—robust case, tight seams, and an overmold that can take being set down on rough subfloor without peeling. The collet threads and depth guide hardware haven’t shown wear after several days of intermittent use. Clean-up is easy: a quick blast of compressed air around the collet and vents, and a wipe down. It carries a 3-year limited warranty, and the housing is Tool Connect chip ready if you need inventory tracking in a larger fleet.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers and electricians doing regular box, can, and register cutouts who want the freedom of cordless.
• Drywallers who want a dedicated, compact cut-out tool that won’t fight them in tight quarters.
• DIYers tackling larger projects who already own 20V batteries and want cleaner, faster cutouts than a jab saw can provide.

If you rarely cut drywall or already own a corded unit you love, the upgrade calculus comes down to cord freedom and the tool-free collet. For me, those two things add real productivity and less frustration on site.

The bottom line

This DeWalt cut-out tool nails the essentials: strong brushless performance, thoughtful ergonomics, and genuinely useful features like a tool-free collet, LED, and a practical depth guide. It’s compact, easy to control, and powerful enough to stay ahead of you as long as your technique is sound. The lack of variable speed and the separately sold dust shroud are the only notable misses, but neither undercuts the core job it’s built to do.

Recommendation: I recommend it. If you’re in the 20V system and need a reliable, cordless drywall cut-out tool, this one combines speed, control, and convenience in a way that makes day-to-day cutouts faster and cleaner. Pair it with a compact battery and a dust shroud, and it becomes a go-to for drywall work.