DeWalt 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit with LANYARD READY attachment points

Why this combo kit earned a place in my rig

I spent the past few weeks running a DeWalt XR combo kit that pairs a 20V hammer drill with a 20V impact driver, both brushless and both kitted with tether-ready attachment points on the tools and batteries. I brought it onto a couple of real jobs—steel framing on a lift, exterior ledger work on staging, and a small slab retrofit for Tapcons—to see if it could pull its weight and keep up with the fall-protection requirements many of us face now. In short, it’s a capable, comfortable setup with a standout approach to working at height.

What’s in the box

• 20V brushless hammer drill (1/2 in. chuck)
• 20V brushless impact driver (1/4 in. hex, one-handed loading)
• Two 5.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries
• Charger
• Two LANYARD READY attachment kits (for tools and batteries)
• Soft contractor bag

It’s a true jobsite-ready bundle—enough battery to work continuously, a charger most crews are already familiar with, and a bag that swallows both tools and extras without fuss.

Build and ergonomics

DeWalt’s XR line has a familiar feel: sturdy housings, overmold in the right places, and triggers that modulate cleanly from slow to fast. The hammer drill’s 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck is a highlight. It’s nitro-carburized metal with carbide inserts, and it bites on bit shanks in a way that inspires confidence. I never had a big auger bit slip, even when feathering in low speed to start a hole at an angle.

Both tools are compact enough to work between studs and around hangers, though the hammer drill is still a full-size unit—powerful, not subcompact. Balance with the 5.0 Ah battery is solid. You feel the mass, but it’s rear-heavy in a way that steadies the nose rather than making it tip forward.

Impact driver performance

The impact driver has three speed settings plus Precision Drive. On steel framing, Speed 2 was my daily driver—fast enough to move without chewing up fasteners. Precision Drive earns its name for delicate work: it starts soft, gives a controlled ramp, and avoids that first-impact jolt that can walk small screws or mar hardware. It’s excellent for cabinet hinges, machine screws into tapped holes, and stainless fasteners that are prone to galling.

In framing and decking tasks, the driver sank 3-inch deck screws into pressure-treated lumber without drama. For light structural work, it seated 5/16-inch lags (with pilot) cleanly. It’s not a replacement for a high-torque impact wrench on big hardware, but it covers most carpentry and general construction fastening with room to spare. The one-handed 1/4-inch hex chuck is smooth; bit swaps are quick even with gloves.

Three LEDs around the nose illuminate the work evenly with minimal shadowing. The delayed shutoff is handy when you’re lining up the next fastener; it saves you from fishing for a headlamp for every move.

Hammer drill performance

For wood, the hammer drill’s torque and clutch behavior are well sorted. I bored 1-1/2-inch holes with a self-feed bit through double top plates in low gear and it didn’t stall. In high gear with a 3/4-inch spade bit, chips flew and holes stayed clean. The chuck’s grip made a difference—no mid-hole slippage that forces you to re-snug.

On masonry, set to hammer mode, it drilled holes for 3/8-inch Tapcons in poured concrete efficiently. Is it as fast as a dedicated SDS-Plus rotary hammer? No. But for mixed-scope jobs where you want one drill to cover a little of everything, it’s more than serviceable. The mechanical 3-speed gearbox lets you match speed to the work. Combined with the variable trigger, it’s easy to start fasteners or bits precisely without chatter.

The drill’s three-mode LED is better than most: the spotlight mode throws enough light to work in a crawlspace, and the 20-minute shutoff is surprisingly useful for setup and layout. Just remember it will sip battery if you treat it like a flashlight all day.

Battery life and charging

Brushless motors help squeeze runtime out of the two included 5.0 Ah packs. On a typical exterior day—drilling ledger pilot holes, driving a few boxes of screws, and some anchor work—I rotated batteries without hitting a full stop. The charger does its job reliably; it’s not the fastest I own, but with two packs, I never felt bottlenecked. If you routinely run continuous, high-load SDS drilling or heavy timber work, adding a third pack wouldn’t hurt, but for most day-to-day tasks, this setup is balanced.

Working at height: Lanyard Ready done right

The tether-ready system is the most thoughtful part of this kit. There are dedicated attachment points on the tools, and—crucially—on the batteries. If a pack release is bumped or a jolt loosens the connection, the battery lanyard prevents a drop. I rigged the tools on a scissor lift using standard rated tethers and anchored to the guardrail. The hardware integrates cleanly, doesn’t block the grip, and stays out of the trigger’s way.

Two practical notes:
- Plan your tether lengths. Too short and you fight the tool; too long and you create snag hazards.
- Keep anchors rigid and rated; don’t clip to temporary or unsecured material.

Compared with ad-hoc solutions, this factory approach is cleaner, more secure, and faster to set up at the start of a shift.

Lighting, visibility, and control

Both tools earn points for jobsite lighting. The ring LEDs on the driver eliminate most shadows around the fastener head, and the drill’s spotlight mode is genuinely useful in dark mechanical rooms and under decks. Trigger modulation is excellent on both tools, which matters when you’re trying not to blow out soft wood or wander a masonry bit on a slick surface.

Durability and maintenance

Between metal chucks, brushless motors, and proven housings, the kit feels built for abuse. I had no thermal cutouts or odd noises under load. The soft bag is convenient for tossing the kit in a truck, but it doesn’t protect like a hard case. If your gear rides with steel and fasteners, consider adding a divider or a small hard case for bits and the lanyard hardware so they don’t nick the tools.

Warranty support is standard for the brand: a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s appropriate for tools at this level.

What could be better

• Size and weight: The hammer drill is a bruiser. If you live on a ladder all day, a smaller drill/driver plus a separate SDS might be less fatiguing.
• Charger speed: Functional, but not fast. Crews that churn through 5.0 Ah packs nonstop may want a faster charger on the bench.
• Bag vs. case: A molded case would protect the lanyard hardware and keep things sorted. The bag is roomy but not organized.
• Noise: Hammer mode is loud, as expected. It’s not a ding against the kit, but don’t skip hearing protection.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re just the trade-offs you make with a full-power, full-featured set.

Who it’s for

• Trades working at height: Ironworkers, glaziers, exterior carpenters, MEP techs on lifts—anyone who needs tether-ready tools that won’t fight them.
• General contractors and remodelers: One kit that covers drilling into wood, metal, and light concrete, plus nearly all fastening.
• Serious DIYers: If you want pro-level tools with long runtime and a built-in safety system for ladder work, this is a smart way to step up.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt XR combo kit. It combines strong, refined performance with practical safety in a way that suits modern jobsites. The impact driver has excellent control and plenty of power for everyday fastening, the hammer drill is robust with a chuck that refuses to slip, and the lighting is better than average. Most importantly, the LANYARD READY attachment points—on both tools and the batteries—make it straightforward to work at height without cobbled-together tethers. Add in two 5.0 Ah batteries and dependable runtime, and you’ve got a kit that earns its space in the truck. If you prioritize the lightest possible drill or ultra-fast charging, you’ll have quibbles. For everyone else, especially crews that need tether-ready gear, this is a balanced, capable, and safety-conscious choice.