DeWalt 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver Kit

Why I reached for this impact driver—and kept reaching

I picked up the DeWalt DCF887 a few months ago to handle a run of exterior projects—decking repairs, a fence rebuild, and a handful of metal-to-wood fasteners. It hasn’t sat idle since. This compact 1/4-inch hex impact driver is the kind of tool that disappears in your hand until you ask it to do something difficult; then it reminds you it’s packing serious punch. The combination of a brushless motor, three speed settings, and a smart “Precision Drive” mode gives it range that covers everything from delicate cabinet screws to beefy structural fasteners.

Size, balance, and ergonomics

DeWalt kept the footprint small and the weight down, and that matters more than spec sheets suggest. The DCF887 is short front-to-back, which lets me get square to a fastener in tight stud bays and inside cabinets. With the included 4.0 Ah 20V packs, the balance is neutral—no nose dive, no top-heavy feel—and the rubber overmold is tacky without being gummy. The trigger is smooth, with a long, predictable throw that lets me feather starts, and the forward/reverse selector is positive enough that I’ve never bumped it accidentally with gloved hands.

The three-LED ring around the chuck is one of those features you don’t appreciate until you use it. It floods the work area without casting a heavy shadow from the bit, and it stays on for roughly 20 seconds after you release the trigger. That delay has helped me line up the next fastener more than once, though I do wish there were a way to turn the lights off when working against glossy surfaces.

Power and speed you can actually use

On paper, the DCF887 tops out at 3,250 RPM, 3,600 IPM, and 1,825 in-lbs (205 Nm) of torque. In practice, it’s the three-speed gearbox and Precision Drive that make the power accessible.

• Speed 1 with Precision Drive tames the initial hit of torque. For cabinet hardware, electrical device screws, and small finish fasteners, it keeps the bit seated, reduces cam-out, and gives you time to set the screw flush without burying it. It’s as close as an impact gets to a clutch.
• Speed 2 is my general-purpose setting. Deck boards, pocket screws, 3-1/8 in. construction screws—this is the lane where the tool spends most of its time for me.
• Speed 3 is the “bring a friend” mode. Structural ledger screws, timber screws, and lag bolts all go in with authority. I drove 5/16 in. x 4 in. lags into pressure-treated pine without predrilling, and it didn’t flinch. The impact action saves your wrist from the kind of bind-up you get with a drill.

One note on control: in reverse on the lowest setting, the torque is very soft. If I need to break a stubborn fastener loose, I bump up to speed 2 or 3, crack it free, then drop back down. Once moving, it backs things out cleanly.

The chuck and bit fit

The 1/4-inch hex chuck is one-handed and will accept 1-inch bit tips, which is handy in tight quarters. It’s a sleeve-style release—not a push-button—so it’s intuitive to use. My sample shows a tiny amount of play at the bit, which can translate to a faint wobble with long driver tips or hex-shank drill bits. It hasn’t affected fastener starts for me, but if you plan to use it as a drill with long augers or spade bits, know that it’s not the same as a keyed or keyless round-chuck drill in terms of runout.

Tip: If you do drill with an impact, use impact-rated hex-shank bits and let the tool work. For larger holes, step up through sizes rather than muscling a big bit from the start.

Runtime, charging, and the kit value

The kit includes two 4.0 Ah 20V lithium-ion batteries and a fast charger. That’s the right pairing for this tool. With a moderate mix of framing screws and some structural fasteners, a single 4.0 Ah pack has carried me through several hours without a swap. When I do hit the charger, I’m typically back to full in about an hour. Having two packs means the tool effectively never sits, and if you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V platform, these batteries slide right into other tools.

For pros who use an impact all day, larger-capacity packs will stretch the intervals even further, but I’ve found the 4.0 Ah size a sweet spot for balance and runtime. The included belt hook is solid and swappable, and the kit box is sturdy enough to toss in a truck without the lid twisting.

Noise, vibration, and user experience

It’s an impact driver—so yes, it’s loud. The hammering action that spares your wrist comes with decibels, and hearing protection is a good idea for extended use. Vibration is well managed. Even when burying long fasteners, the grip doesn’t go numb, and the tool stays controllable under full impact.

What I appreciate most is how predictable the DCF887 feels across jobs. Starting a screw overhead while you’re stretched on a ladder? Precision Drive helps seat the bit without a skitter. Driving long structural screws near the end of the day? Speed 3 still hits hard and straight, even when your shoulders are tired.

Durability and warranty

Brushless motors earn their keep in dusty, real-world environments. After weeks of treated lumber, metal filings, and drywall dust, the DCF887 hasn’t shown odd noises or heat spikes. The housing has handled a couple of scuffs and a low drop without complaint, and the LED ring is still bright and even. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s a safety net I appreciate on a daily-use tool.

Where it excels—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Compact, balanced, and comfortable for long days
- Three well-spaced speed modes plus Precision Drive for delicate work
- Real power for structural screws and lag bolts without predrilling in softwood
- Excellent LED illumination with a useful afterglow
- Two 4.0 Ah batteries and a fast charger make the kit job-ready

Trade-offs:
- Low torque in reverse on speed 1; step up a mode for stubborn fasteners
- Slight chuck play can show up with long bits; not a replacement for a precision drill
- Impact noise is part of the package—bring ear protection
- Price is higher than bare-tool options, though the included batteries offset it

Practical tips from the field

• Use speed 1/Precision Drive for hardware, hinges, and anything where depth control matters. For ultra-fine work, consider a separate drill/driver with a clutch.
• Keep a short 1-inch bit in the chuck for cabinet and tight framing work; the DCF887 accepts them and it makes a difference in cramped spaces.
• For lag bolts and structural screws, start in speed 2 to set the fastener straight, then switch to speed 3 to finish strong.
• Add a quality 1/4-inch hex socket adapter to your pouch. This driver has enough grunt to spin mid-sized lag heads and nut-setters with confidence.

The bottom line

The DeWalt DCF887 hits that rare balance of compact size, controllable power, and thoughtful features that make work easier rather than just faster. It’s comfortable enough to use all day, strong enough to handle demanding structural tasks, and refined enough—thanks to Precision Drive—to handle delicate fastening without drama. The minor gripes I have—a soft reverse in the lowest mode and a hint of chuck wobble—haven’t kept it from being the first tool I grab for anything involving screws.

Recommendation: I recommend this impact driver. If you need a single do-most-things driver that can move from cabinets to deck framing without skipping a beat, this kit is a smart pickup. The two 4.0 Ah batteries and fast charger make it practical out of the box, and the power-to-size ratio keeps it in your hand rather than in the case. For folks already in the DeWalt 20V ecosystem, it’s an easy choice; for those starting fresh, it’s a capable foundation for a cordless setup that won’t limit you as your projects grow.