DeWalt Cordless 3-Tool Combo Kit

Why this combo kit earned a spot in my truck

I put this DeWalt combo kit to work across a few weeks of mixed shop and field tasks: wheel service on a half-ton and an HD pickup, a front-end teardown, some equipment assembly, and a couple of long days in an engine bay. It’s a simple package—one high‑torque 1/2 in. impact wrench, a compact 3/8 in. impact driver, and a handheld LED area light—powered by two 20V MAX 4.0Ah batteries and a single charger, all in a soft contractor bag. What makes it stand out is how well the three tools complement each other and how much real-world work you can cover without raiding the battery rack.

What’s in the box and first impressions

• 1/2 in. high-torque impact wrench (brushless, hog‑ring anvil)
• 3/8 in. impact driver (compact, 5.7 in. front to back, 3.4 lbs)
• LED area light (500/250 lumens, hanging hook)
• (2) 4.0Ah 20V MAX batteries, charger, and soft bag

Fit and finish are typical DeWalt: durable housings, good overmolds, crisp triggers, and clear battery fuel gauges. The hog-ring on the wrench makes socket swaps quick with gloved hands, and the compact driver genuinely fits where bigger tools don’t. The area light is lightweight and slips into odd corners easily thanks to its hook.

Ergonomics and handling

The high-torque wrench is hefty—as these always are—but well-balanced with a 4.0Ah pack. The handle angle and overmold reduce bite in the palm during prolonged use. You’ll still feel it after overhead work or a long afternoon on stubborn fasteners; this is a big-gun class tool.

The 3/8 driver is where the ergonomics shine. At 5.7 inches front-to-back, it tucks between frame rails, under intake plumbing, and around suspension hardware better than many compact impacts I own. The three-LED ring and 20‑second afterglow are more than a spec-sheet nicety; I repeatedly used that residual light to line up sockets and start threads without juggling a headlamp.

The area light is simple and useful. The two brightness levels cover most close-range jobs. The hook rotates smoothly and holds position well. It’s a floody beam that lights a bay or undercarriage evenly, not a spotlight.

Performance: the 1/2 in. high-torque

DeWalt rates the wrench at up to 700 ft‑lbs of fastening torque and 1,200 ft‑lbs of breakaway. Numbers aside, it does what a high‑torque should: it breaks rusted, over-torqued lug nuts and suspension bolts with authority. I used it on wheel lugs torqued to 150 ft‑lbs and a handful that were seized well beyond that; removal was instant in most cases, and only the worst, crusty fasteners took a few seconds of hammering.

On heavy hardware—control arm bolts, crank pulley fasteners, hub bolts—there wasn’t much it couldn’t move. For fresh assembly, I keep it to snugging, then finish with a torque wrench. The anvil has stayed tight, and the hog ring keeps sockets planted while still allowing the quick changes I expect on a busy day.

The motor is brushless and it shows in efficiency and heat management. Under repeated heavy cycles the housing stayed warm but never alarmingly hot. Noise is substantial, as with any big impact—hearing protection is a must.

A note on control: there’s no dedicated mention of multi-speed presets in the kit literature, so plan on trigger modulation for finesse. With good trigger discipline and the tool’s inherent hammering pattern, I could start fasteners without cross‑threading and ease up to snug consistently.

Performance: the compact 3/8 in. driver

This little driver earned more use than I expected. At 3.4 lbs and so short front-to-back, it got into spots where even a compact 1/2 in. wrench is clumsy. It’s ideal for engine bay brackets, under-dash work, HVAC fasteners, and small suspension hardware. The three-LED halo is excellent; no harsh shadows, and the 20‑second delay saves you from grabbing another light for every two‑handed start.

It’s not brushless, and under sustained use you can hear and feel the brushed motor’s character—slightly more whir, a bit more warmth than DeWalt’s brushless compacts. That said, it never overheated on me, and the power-to-size ratio is still very good. It won’t replace a mid-torque for stubborn bolts, but for everyday fasteners it’s fast, compact, and easy to control.

The LED area light

This is a straightforward, handy light that ends up used more than you think. At 500 lumens on high and 250 on low, it fills a wheel well or footwell nicely. The beam pattern is diffuse and even—great for general illumination, less so for spotting a leak 15 feet away. The hanging hook is strong and conveniently shaped for crossmembers, hood latches, and rafter cords. It relies on that hook for mounting; on surfaces without a place to hang, you’ll need to prop it or set it on its base.

Battery life is excellent at 250 lumens, and perfectly serviceable at 500. On days when the impacts rotate through the packs, I often leave the light on low all afternoon without worrying about the battery.

Batteries, charging, and runtime

Two 4.0Ah packs are the right call here. The high‑torque wrench can chew through a battery if you’re tackling a lot of stubborn fasteners, but paired with the compact driver and the light, you can run a full day by swapping packs at breaks. I kept the charger on the edge of the bench and rotated a battery whenever I took five; I never hit a hard stop waiting on a charge.

Heat management is good. After heavy impact cycles, the packs were warm to the touch but went straight onto the charger without thermal delays. Everything is compatible across the 20V MAX line, so if you already own DeWalt tools you’ll appreciate the ecosystem flexibility.

Durability and maintenance

After several weeks of regular use, both impact tools still sound tight with no abnormal play in the anvils. The hog-ring retains strength and hasn’t loosened up prematurely. I keep the anvils and sockets clean, give the hog ring a tiny dab of light oil, and stick to quality impact-rated sockets and adapters—good habits that any impact wrench benefits from.

The soft bag has held its shape and stitching, though like most soft bags it offers minimal organization. If you want to carry sockets and adapters in the same bag, toss in a small roll or tray so things don’t go fishing around for the tool.

Where it shines and where it falls short

What I like
- Legitimate high‑torque performance on the 1/2 in. wrench; it pulls rusted hardware without drama.
- A truly compact 3/8 in. driver that reaches where larger tools don’t; excellent LED worklight behavior.
- Practical area light with two useful brightness settings and a solid hook.
- Two 4.0Ah packs included—enough juice to keep all three tools moving.
- Ecosystem compatibility across 20V MAX batteries.

What I’d change
- The 3/8 in. driver isn’t brushless; it’s a touch louder and warmer under sustained use than DeWalt’s brushless compacts.
- Hog‑ring convenience can mean a slightly looser socket feel than a detent pin, especially with worn sockets.
- The soft bag lacks dividers; tools and accessories jostle unless you add organizers.
- As with any big impact, it’s heavy and loud—plan your day and your PPE accordingly.

Who this kit suits best

• Automotive and diesel techs, fleet maintenance, and heavy equipment users who need a high‑torque for removal and a compact driver for everything else.
• Home mechanics who work on trucks, trailers, and suspension, and want a single purchase that covers most fastener jobs.
• Anyone already invested in DeWalt 20V MAX who wants to add serious torque and a compact driver without hunting for extra batteries.

If your work rarely needs a high‑torque wrench—think light assembly, cabinetry, or finish carpentry—this is overkill. A mid‑torque or a 1/4 in. impact driver kit would be a better fit. But for automotive and mechanical tasks, the pairing makes a lot of sense.

Recommendation

I recommend this combo kit for users who regularly tackle stubborn, large fasteners and also need a compact impact for tight spaces. The high‑torque wrench delivers the muscle it promises, the compact 3/8 in. driver is genuinely useful in daily work, and the area light fills in the gaps. Two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger make it a complete setup, and the 20V MAX compatibility adds long‑term value. It’s not the lightest or quietest kit, and I’d love to see a brushless compact driver in the box, but as a practical, hardworking trio for real shop tasks, it earns its keep.