DeWalt 20V MAX XR POWERPACK 8 Ah Battery (2 PK)

What this battery is and why it matters

I’ve been running DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform for years, and high‑draw tools have a way of exposing the limits of older packs. The 8Ah PowerPack is DeWalt’s latest high‑capacity 20V MAX battery built with tabless cells, and it’s aimed squarely at users who push grinders, circular saws, and recip saws hard. After weeks of jobsite use—metal cutting, framing cuts, and demo work—I came away impressed by its power delivery, heat management, and durability, with a few caveats around size and charging.

Design, build, and ergonomics

At 2.2 pounds per pack and roughly 5 inches tall, the 8Ah PowerPack isn’t pretending to be compact. It’s a brick of energy—160 Wh per battery—and you feel that on top of a compact drill or impact driver. On mid‑to‑large tools, though, the weight distribution is surprisingly good. On my 4‑1/2 to 5‑inch angle grinder, the pack acted as a counterweight that steadied the rear hand without making the tool tail‑heavy. The same was true on a 7‑1/4 inch circular saw; it didn’t transform the balance, but it didn’t throw it off either.

The overmolded base is more than a design flourish. It grips slick surfaces, cushions knocks, and makes standing a tool or battery upright less precarious on finished floors or ladders. After a handful of tosses into a gang box and a few inevitable bumps, the housings show scuffs but no structural damage. The LED state‑of‑charge indicator is clear and responsive—easy to tap with a gloved thumb, bright in daylight, and helpful when you’re deciding whether to swap packs before a long rip cut.

Tabless cells in practice

The big technical shift is the tabless cell construction. Traditional cylindrical cells use current‑carrying tabs that concentrate heat and create bottlenecks under high loads. Tabless designs spread current along the edge of the foil, lowering internal resistance. In real use, that translated to less voltage sag and fewer thermal slowdowns. Cutting thick angle iron with the grinder and a fresh wheel, the motor kept its tone steadier, and I could lean in a bit more without stalling. On back‑to‑back rip cuts in 2x lumber, the saw felt more “eager,” maintaining blade speed toward the end of each cut where older 8Ah packs would begin to soften.

Performance and runtime

DeWalt claims roughly 50% more power versus earlier comparable 8Ah designs. I’m not in a lab, but the difference under load is noticeable. The grinder and circular saw both held speed better, and the recip saw chewed through nail‑embedded lumber without the familiar hiccup when the blade bound slightly.

Runtime is as you’d expect from 8Ah: substantial. Compared with 5Ah packs, I consistently got runtime increases in line with the capacity bump. The bigger story, though, is how usable that runtime is. Some high‑capacity packs heat up and throttle back; this one stayed cooler during repeated heavy cuts. I didn’t hit a thermal shutdown during my testing, even on a hot, sunny day, though the packs were certainly warm to the touch. On lower‑draw tools—sand­ers, routers, oscillating tools—the 8Ah feels almost endless, which is great for long finish sessions where swapping packs is disruptive.

One note: while the 8Ah PowerPack unlocks more from 20V MAX tools, it isn’t a replacement for FlexVolt on 60V tools. If you’re running 60V saws, stick with FlexVolt. For 20V MAX grinders, circular saws, recip saws, planers, and outdoor equipment like string trimmers and blowers, this 8Ah pack hits a sweet spot between power, runtime, and size.

Charging and battery management

These packs do not include a charger. On a standard 20V MAX charger, an 8Ah pack isn’t a quick turn. DeWalt lists about an hour on a compatible fast charger, and that lined up with my experience using a high‑output unit. If you’re moving through a lot of material in one go, plan your rotation: the two‑pack format is perfect for leapfrogging—one on the tool, one on the charger. For crews without a fast charger, budget more downtime or add a second charger to keep pace.

Because each pack is 160 Wh, you should treat storage and transport with the same care you would any high‑capacity lithium‑ion battery. Keep contacts clean, avoid prolonged high‑heat environments, and don’t bury them under other gear while charging.

Durability and jobsite behavior

Between the overmold and the more robust internal layout, the 8Ah PowerPack feels built for site life. The latch engagement is positive and consistent across the DeWalt tools I tried; there was no wiggle or intermittent contact even on older housings. The LEDs kept working after dust‑heavy cuts, and the pack face wiped clean easily. I did a few controlled drops from waist height onto plywood to simulate the inevitable “oops”—no cracks, no rattles, and no performance change.

Cold‑weather performance was also respectable. In a cool morning start around freezing, the packs showed the typical sluggishness on the first minute of use, then came up to speed without drama. Tabless cells don’t eliminate lithium’s chemistry limits, but the reduced internal resistance seems to help early‑morning sag.

Compatibility and fit

The 8Ah PowerPack is compatible with DeWalt’s 20V MAX tools and chargers. It’s physically bigger than compact packs, so be mindful of tools that operate in tight cavities (right‑angle drills inside studs, drywall cut‑out tools in corners). The height can also interfere with some standalone battery mounts and holsters designed around smaller footprints. For most saws, grinders, nailers, sanders, and outdoor 20V gear, fit was a non‑issue.

If you frequently switch between 20V MAX and 60V FlexVolt tools, know that this pack won’t power the 60V lineup, but it does spare you the extra bulk and weight of a FlexVolt 9Ah when you’re strictly on 20V tools.

What I liked

• Noticeably stronger power delivery under load with less voltage sag
• Excellent runtime for grinders, saws, and outdoor tools
• Overmolded base improves grip, stability, and durability
• Clear, reliable LED fuel gauge
• Two‑pack format makes real‑world rotation easy
• 3‑year limited warranty provides reasonable coverage

What could be better

• It’s heavy and tall; not ideal for overhead fastening or compact tools
• Standard chargers feel slow with 8Ah capacity; a fast charger is almost a must
• No charger included in the box
• Price per watt‑hour will be overkill if your work is mostly light drilling and driving

Value and who it’s for

If your day includes sustained cutting, grinding, demo, or long tool‑on‑material cycles, the 8Ah PowerPack earns its keep. The difference between stopping mid‑cut and finishing in one pass is the kind of productivity gain you feel immediately. For finish carpenters, cabinet installers, and techs who live on compact tools, a lighter 4Ah or 5Ah pack will keep your kit trimmer and your wrist happier.

As part of a broader 20V MAX setup, the two‑pack bundle makes sense. One pack can live on the high‑draw tool while the other handles general‑purpose tasks or sits on the charger. If you’re upgrading from older 8Ah packs, the tabless cell behavior is the headline—lower heat, better sustained power, and less sag near the end of a discharge cycle.

The bottom line

The 8Ah PowerPack brings meaningful improvements to DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform. It isn’t just “more runtime”—it’s more usable runtime with better power consistency, especially on tools that punish batteries. The size and weight are real, and charging strategy matters, but those trade‑offs are easy to justify if you regularly push cordless tools hard.

Recommendation: I recommend the 8Ah PowerPack to pros and serious DIYers who use high‑draw 20V MAX tools and want maximum runtime without jumping to FlexVolt. It delivers stronger sustained power, runs cooler under load, and the two‑pack format keeps work moving—provided you pair it with a fast charger and can live with the added weight on smaller tools.