DeWalt 20V MAX XR POWERSTACK Compact Battery (2-Pack)

A compact battery that punches above its size

The first time I snapped the PowerStack compact battery onto a 20V MAX impact driver, the tool felt like it shed a half‑pound and picked up a gear. It’s a simple thing—shorter, lighter, rubber‑bottomed—but the change in balance and responsiveness is immediate. That theme held across my time with the two‑pack: these are small batteries built to deliver big bursts of power, with some very real tradeoffs you should understand before you buy.

What’s different here

PowerStack is built around pouch cells rather than the cylindrical cells used in most compact packs. That design lets the pack sit lower and spread heat across a larger surface area. In practice, that means a smaller footprint, a touch less weight than a typical 2.0Ah, and better current delivery when you spike the throttle on high‑demand tools. Each pack includes an LED fuel gauge and a thick overmolded base that protects both the battery and whatever you set your tool on.

Capacity is 1.7Ah. That spec matters, and I’ll come back to it, because it defines where this battery shines and where it doesn’t.

Power and performance

On fastening and drilling tools, the PowerStack feels lively. With a brushless impact driver, there’s less voltage sag under heavy loads. Driving ledger screws into PT lumber, the tool kept its top speed and didn’t bog the way compact cylindrical packs sometimes do at the end of a charge. The same was true on a compact hammer drill setting Tapcons—staying in the meat of the tool’s torque curve gives you faster holes, and the PowerStack helps you stay there.

I also ran the pack on a multi‑tool, a cutoff tool, and a compact circular saw. The saw is a good stress test; it’s not what this battery is designed for, but it reveals how the cells handle surge current. The PowerStack spun the blade up confidently and made crisp short cuts in 2x stock. You can feel the pack’s ability to deliver current—starts are snappier, and the tool maintains RPM more consistently while you’re in the cut.

That said, the physics don’t change. With 1.7Ah on board, sustained high‑draw tasks pull this pack down quickly. Ripping long rips, running a recip saw through nail‑embedded wood, or grinding for minutes at a time will heat the pack and deplete it fast. It’s superb for punch‑list tasks—short, intense bursts on compact tools—but it’s not a do‑everything battery.

Runtime reality

If you’re used to a 2.0Ah compact pack, expect a bit less runtime from this one. On an impact driver hanging drywall, I was swapping batteries sooner than I would with a 2.0Ah, though not by a massive margin. On a compact circular saw, you’ll feel the difference more acutely—two to three quick cuts are fine, but it’s not the battery I’d choose for extended cutting.

This is core to the purchase decision: the benefit you’re buying is power density in a smaller, lighter form, not longer run time. If you need hours of continuous work between charges, step up to a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack. If you want your compact drill or driver to feel lighter and hit harder for short bursts, this battery is in its element.

Heat, durability, and the overmolded base

Under repeated high‑load bursts (oscillating tool plunge cuts, impact driving lags), the pack warmed but didn’t cook. The pouch‑cell layout seems to spread heat well across the case. I never triggered a thermal shutdown in normal use, but extended grinding can get it hot enough that I’d give it a minute on the bench before recharging.

The overmolded base is a quiet win. It absorbs scuffs, takes the sting out of setting a tool on finished surfaces, and adds a bit of grip when you park a drill on a sloped surface. The housing itself handled a few accidental drops without drama.

Charging and compatibility

Charge time on a standard 20V MAX charger landed near the stated 60 minutes from empty, a touch quicker on a fast charger. The LED gauge is easy to read and seemed consistent—useful when you’re cycling two packs on a charger during a work session. Compatibility has been seamless across my 20V MAX tools and chargers. If you run older 18V stem‑style tools, an adapter will bring these packs into the fold, but that’s an extra piece of kit to track.

Ergonomics matter more than you think

Where PowerStack really earns its keep is in overhead and tight‑space work. On a compact impact driver, the shorter pack lets the tool tuck into stud bays and under cabinets more easily. The weight savings—modest on paper—feels significant after an hour of overhead fastening. The improved balance is noticeable on oscillating tools as well; a forward‑heavy tool becomes easier to control when there’s less mass hanging off the handle.

Reliability and maintenance notes

Across regular use, both packs held their charge well in storage and performed consistently. I got into the habit of rotating them often and topping them off the same day after use—good practice for any lithium‑ion pack. As with any compact battery pushed hard, give it a minute to cool before you slap it on the charger; you’ll extend its life and avoid unnecessary heat cycling.

DeWalt backs the packs with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee. Registering the batteries and keeping receipts makes life easier if you ever need support. Given the newer pouch‑cell construction, I’d also suggest giving them a solid workout during the first few weeks so any issues surface while you’re well inside the return window.

Value and who it’s for

At full retail, this two‑pack sits at a premium. Street pricing is often better, and that’s when the value proposition makes sense. For trades and DIYers who rely on compact tools—finish carpentry, electrical work, punch‑list service, HVAC—these packs make tools feel more agile without giving up performance. If your work skews toward longer, continuous loads (deck building, demo, framing), you’ll be happier pairing one PowerStack for nimble tasks with a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah for the heavy lifting.

A quick reality check on manufacturer claims: DeWalt touts more power and longer lifespan versus its previous compact batteries. The power claim lines up with my experience; these hit harder than their size suggests. Lifespan is harder to judge in the short term. The design has promise—less heat, less sag—but only time and cycles truly tell.

The bottom line

PowerStack is a thoughtfully executed compact battery that favors punch, balance, and ergonomics over sheer endurance. It makes compact tools feel better in the hand and faster under load. The 1.7Ah capacity is the limiter, and you’ll feel it if you ask this pack to be your all‑day, do‑everything battery.

Recommendation: I recommend the PowerStack compact battery as a complement, not a replacement, in a 20V MAX kit. If you value lighter tools, better balance, and stronger bursts of power for short, frequent tasks, it’s excellent—especially at sale pricing. If your priority is maximum runtime or you routinely run high‑draw tools for extended periods, invest in higher‑capacity packs first and add PowerStack later for the jobs where compact power matters.