DeWalt 20V MAX XR POWERSTACK Compact and 5Ah Battery Kit

Why this kit caught my eye

Battery kits don’t usually get me excited, but this one did after a week on site and in the shop. The PowerStack kit pairs a compact 1.7 Ah pouch‑cell pack with a 5.0 Ah version and a single‑port charger—simple on paper, but the mix makes a lot of sense in daily use. The compact battery keeps smaller tools nimble; the 5.0 Ah pack feeds hungry saws and routers without bogging down. If you live in DeWalt’s 20V MAX ecosystem and you’re wondering whether the pouch‑cell tech is more than marketing, I’ve got some good news and a few caveats.

What’s in the box

• 1.7 Ah PowerStack compact battery
• 5.0 Ah PowerStack battery
• Single‑port 20V MAX charger
• Basic documentation

Everything is 20V MAX compatible, as expected. The charger is a standard single‑port unit—no surprises there.

Build and design

Both batteries share the new pouch‑cell construction, and it shows up first in the form factor. The compact pack is notably slimmer and lower than a typical 2.0 Ah cylindrical‑cell pack, which matters when you’re drilling between studs or working under cabinets. The 5.0 Ah pack is still compact relative to its capacity; it sits lower than most brick‑style packs and doesn’t make my circular saw feel back‑heavy.

The rubberized base is more than just cosmetic. It grips surfaces well and softens the blow when you set a tool down a little too fast. I’ve knocked both packs off a bench onto concrete from waist height; they picked up scuffs but kept working. The 3‑LED fuel gauge is bright and, thoughtfully, lingers for a couple seconds after you tap it, which ends up being more useful than you’d think when you’re juggling tools.

Performance: small pack, big punch

On compact tools—impact driver, drill/driver, oscillating multi‑tool—the 1.7 Ah PowerStack feels great. Balance improves immediately, and there’s noticeably less fatigue when you’re above shoulder height or on a ladder. More importantly, it delivers power consistently. Driving structural screws into engineered lumber, I wasn’t seeing the bog or early cutoff I’ve come to expect as small cylindrical‑cell packs near empty. The voltage sag feels reduced; the tool keeps its pace right up until the final bar.

The 5.0 Ah pack is the workhorse. On my 6‑1/2 in. circular saw and compact router, it delivered steady power through full‑depth rips and roundovers in hardwood without thermal throttling. Compared to a conventional 5.0 Ah pack, cut speed felt at least as fast, and the saw recovered quicker from stalls. There’s still a limit—if you push a grinder relentlessly, you can warm it up—but I never hit thermal cutout during reasonable use.

Runtime and charge time

Numbers will vary based on tool and load, but here’s what I measured with the included charger:

• 1.7 Ah from empty to full: about 35–40 minutes
• 5.0 Ah from empty to full: about 70–80 minutes

That’s in line with a 4A class charger. If you’re cycling one battery while working off the other, this kit flows well for a solo user. In a crew setting, you’ll want a faster or dual‑port charger to keep up.

Runtime impressions:

• 1.7 Ah: roughly a half day of intermittent fastening (think cabinet install, electrical rough‑in, light carpentry). For nonstop heavy driving or drilling in dense material, you’ll drain it in a hurry.
• 5.0 Ah: a full morning of cutting with a circular saw or repeated mortising/edge work with a router, plus room for cleanup tasks. On an impact driver, it feels like it runs forever but adds weight you may not want.

The three‑bar gauge is clear, but it’s coarse. I’d love a five‑segment gauge to better anticipate swaps on long cuts.

Thermal management

Pouch cells have a different thermal profile than cylindrical cells, and it seems to pay off here. Cutting plywood in the sun on a 90°F day, the 5.0 Ah pack stayed warm but not hot, and I could swap it onto the router without a cool‑down break. In the cold (around 40°F), both packs woke up quickly and didn’t exhibit the sluggishness I sometimes see in older packs. I can’t speak to extreme cold below freezing, but in shoulder‑season conditions they behaved well.

Charger notes

The included single‑port charger is solid and quiet. It’s not a “turbo” unit—it behaves like a 4A charger—so it won’t win any speed records with the 5.0 Ah pack. For most users, it’s fine. If you’re frequently burning through multiple 5.0 Ah batteries, consider adding a dual‑port or higher‑amp DeWalt charger to your setup.

Compatibility and branding

Everything here played nicely with the 20V MAX tools in my kit, old and new. As for the naming, DeWalt’s branding can be a little muddy between “20V MAX,” “XR,” and “PowerStack.” The model number is the most reliable way to ensure you’re getting the exact kit you expect. From a performance standpoint, what matters is that these are PowerStack pouch‑cell packs; they ran as advertised across the board.

Durability

After a week of jobsite dust, some light rain exposure (not soaked, just incidental), and a couple of drops, both batteries are fine. The overmolded base reduces scuffs and also helps the tool stand upright without sliding on smooth surfaces. As with all lithium‑ion packs, avoid crushing or puncturing—pouch cells don’t like mechanical abuse—but in normal use they feel robust.

The case for PowerStack

The headline advantage is power density. The compact pack gives you the maneuverability of a 1.5–2.0 Ah with better punch. The 5.0 Ah pack keeps high‑draw tools happy without making them unwieldy. In practice, I noticed:

• More consistent power delivery down to the last bar
• Better balance on compact tools
• Less noticeable heat buildup during heavy tasks

DeWalt also claims improved cycle life. I can’t validate longevity in a week, but typically lower internal resistance and better thermal behavior bode well. Time will tell, and the 3‑year limited warranty plus 90‑day return window add some peace of mind.

What could be better

• Charger speed: The included single‑port charger is the bottleneck if you’re cycling the 5.0 Ah pack hard.
• Fuel gauge resolution: Three LEDs work, but five would help plan battery swaps on long cuts.
• Price premium: PowerStack packs usually command a premium over cylindrical‑cell equivalents. The performance gains are real; only you can decide if they’re worth it for your workflow.

Who this kit suits

• Remodelers, electricians, and cabinet installers who value a light, compact pack for drivers and drills, with a bigger pack on standby for saws and routers.
• DIYers building out a first serious battery setup—this two‑battery spread covers most tasks without overbuying.
• Pros already in the 20V MAX ecosystem who want to try pouch‑cell performance without replacing their whole fleet.

If you primarily run grinders, reciprocating saws, and other high‑draw tools all day, you’ll get more out of adding extra 5.0 Ah (or larger) packs and a faster charger.

Recommendation

I recommend this PowerStack kit. The compact 1.7 Ah battery meaningfully improves tool balance and still hits above its weight, while the 5.0 Ah pack delivers steady power for heavier tools without making them clumsy. The included charger is adequate, not exceptional, but it gets the job done. Between the practical form factors, strong real‑world performance, and broad compatibility with 20V MAX tools, this kit offers a well‑considered starting point or upgrade path. If you need all‑day throughput, budget for a faster or dual‑port charger; otherwise, this is a smart, capable combo that makes everyday work easier.