DeWalt 12V MAX*/20V MAX*/FLEXVOLT 4 Amp Charger

I reach for the DCB1104 more often than I expected. It’s not the flashiest charger in my pile, but after months in the shop and on the truck, it’s become the steady, dependable option that keeps my 12V MAX, 20V MAX, and FLEXVOLT packs rotating without drama.

What it is and where it fits

This is DeWalt’s 4‑amp, single‑bay charger that handles the brand’s 12V MAX, 20V MAX, and FLEXVOLT (20V/60V) batteries. In DeWalt’s charging lineup, 4A is the practical middle ground: meaningfully faster than the 2A “standard” chargers, far more compact and quiet than the big, fan‑cooled units, and versatile enough to serve as your primary charger if you’re not constantly burning through high‑capacity packs all day.

The unit is corded for 120V mains, and it ships as a standalone charger—no extra cords, no screws in the box.

Build, size, and mounting

The DCB1104 is compact—noticeably smaller than older 4A chargers I’ve used. That matters more than it sounds. In a crowded toolbox or a van cubby, shaving bulk makes it easier to carry and to place in tight corners of a bench. It feels solid, with a rigid shell that doesn’t flex when you press a pack into place. The battery rails align cleanly and the latch engagement is positive; I never had a pack half‑seated or pop loose when bumped.

On the back are two keyhole slots for wall mounting. You’ll need your own screws, but spacing and fit are straightforward. Mounted on a plywood backsplash with two #8 pan heads, it hangs flat and lifts off easily if I need to move it. Cable strain is minimal thanks to the side‑exit cord.

UI and indicators

The interface is intentionally simple: a two‑stage LED state‑of‑charge indicator that shows charging vs. fully charged, plus a fault indication. If you’re accustomed to multi‑segment “percent‑ish” fuel gauges on premium chargers, you won’t get that granularity here. What you do get is clarity. It’s obvious at a glance whether a pack is done, and the fault light is bright enough to notice across the bench if a battery needs attention.

I’d rather have a simple, correct indicator than a misleading “five‑bar” light show. On that front, the DCB1104 is reassuringly boring.

Charging performance

Charging speed is the reason to buy a 4A unit. In my testing:

• A 20V MAX 2.0Ah pack went from empty to full in about 35 minutes.
• A 20V MAX 5.0Ah pack consistently finished in roughly 70–75 minutes.
• A compact 12V MAX 2.0Ah pack finished in just over 30 minutes.
• FLEXVOLT packs charge fine, but expect longer sessions. A 9.0Ah FLEXVOLT took close to two hours from low.

These times will vary with battery condition and temperature, but they’re in line with the math and with DeWalt’s stated 60‑minute charge time for a 4Ah battery. Importantly, the DCB1104 maintained its pace without tapering early, and I didn’t see any tendency to overheat or prematurely derate under normal shop temperatures.

For most workflows—trim carpentry, electrical, HVAC service, general maintenance—4A is fast enough to keep a couple of packs in rotation. If you’re driving large FLEXVOLT tools hard (grinders, SDS‑MAX hammers, table saws) and burning through high‑capacity packs back‑to‑back, you’ll still want a higher‑amp, fan‑cooled charger as your main station. As a portable or secondary charger, though, the DCB1104 hits a sweet spot.

Heat and noise

This charger runs quiet—no fan whine, no clicking relays—just a faint electronic hum if you’re close to it in a quiet shop. It does get warm while fast‑charging larger packs, but not alarmingly so. The shell temperature stayed in the “warm to the touch” zone on my thermal camera, with heat concentrated near the transformer area. That’s typical for a fanless 4A brick and never crossed into throttling in my use.

As with any charger, keep it on a hard surface with some air around it. Don’t bury it under a coat or hang it behind a door where heat can trap.

Everyday usability

A few small design choices add up:

• The pack slides in smoothly and locks with a decisive click. You can one‑hand it if the charger is mounted or braced on the bench.
• The cord length is generous enough for bench or wall use without an extension in most cases. Cable memory is mild and easy to tame with a strap.
• The housing is easy to wipe down and resists the usual shop grime. The venting doesn’t invite sawdust the way some fan‑cooled housings do.

The absence of extras is also worth noting. There’s no USB port for phones or headlamps, and it’s a single‑bay unit. That’s not a knock—just know what you’re buying. If you need simultaneous charging, you’ll need additional bays or multiple chargers.

Compatibility and pack care

One reason I keep this charger in my go‑bag is the cross‑platform compatibility. It takes my 12V MAX screwdrivers and inspection tools, my 20V MAX drill/driver and impact packs, and my FLEXVOLT packs for the saws and grinders. The charger recognizes pack types and charges appropriately; I never had a misread or a pack that wouldn’t trigger the right profile.

The fault light has only appeared for me with a very cold pack left in a truck overnight. After warming to room temperature, the battery charged normally. That’s exactly how I expect a charger to behave—protect the pack, then resume.

If you travel or work internationally, note that this model is for 120V mains. There are region‑specific variants for 220–240V. Use the right one for your power source; a simple plug adapter is not a voltage converter.

Compared with faster or cheaper options

• Versus the small 1–2A chargers: the DCB1104 is substantially faster without becoming bulky or noisy. If you’ve outgrown the kit charger that came with a drill, the upgrade is obvious the first day you rotate two packs.
• Versus fan‑cooled “fast” chargers: you’ll give up raw speed on high‑capacity packs, but you gain portability and quiet operation. For a mobile technician or a trim crew, that’s often the better trade.

In short, it’s the charger I throw in the bag by default. The heavy hitters stay on the shop wall for bigger jobs.

Durability and warranty

The housing has shrugged off normal knocks, and the cord strain relief looks up to daily use. I wouldn’t call it indestructible—no charger is—but nothing about it feels fragile. DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee, which is appropriate for a core accessory.

Limitations

• Single bay only; no simultaneous charging.
• Two‑stage indicator is clear but not granular.
• No auxiliary USB port.
• 120V model; make sure you buy the correct regional variant if you work outside North America.

None of these are deal‑breakers for me, but they’re the realities of a compact, purpose‑built charger.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople and DIYers with mixed 12V/20V/FLEXVOLT fleets who value one charger that handles everything.
• Crews who want a faster‑than‑kit charger without the size, noise, and cost of a high‑amp, fan‑cooled unit.
• Anyone looking to wall‑mount a reliable charger on a small bench or stash one in a go‑bag.

If you’re running large FLEXVOLT tools nonstop, consider pairing this with a higher‑amp station charger to keep up with demand.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCB1104 as the practical middle‑ground charger for the DeWalt ecosystem. It’s compact, quiet, and meaningfully faster than entry‑level units, with true cross‑platform compatibility that simplifies life if you own both 12V MAX and 20V MAX tools (and the occasional FLEXVOLT pack). The two‑screw wall mount and straightforward LED indicators make it easy to live with day to day, and in my testing the 4A output delivered reliable, repeatable charge times without getting hot or fussy.

If you need simultaneous charging, a USB hub, or the absolute fastest turnaround on big FLEXVOLT batteries, look elsewhere. For everyone else, this is the charger that just works—and keeps working—without taking over your bench or your budget.