DeWalt 20V MAX*/FLEXVOLT 5 Amp USB Charging Kit

I didn’t expect a battery charger to replace a handful of adapters in my bag, but the DCB094 kit has come close. It sits at a neat intersection of jobsite practicality and modern USB‑C convenience: clip it onto a 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT pack and you’ve got a sturdy, high‑output power bank; plug it into AC with the included power supply and it turns into a fast charger for your DeWalt batteries. After several weeks of use—on the bench, in the truck, and on a chilly pre‑dawn site—I’ve come away impressed, with a few caveats worth knowing.

What it is and how it’s set up

The DCB094 kit is a bi‑directional USB‑C Power Delivery module that latches onto any compatible DeWalt 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT pack. On one side is a USB‑C port that can either deliver or accept power, and on the other is a USB‑A port for legacy devices. The kit includes a 65W USB‑C power supply, a 100W‑rated USB‑C cable, and a belt hook. Two small LEDs provide “Stage 1/Stage 2” status for pack charging.

It’s compact enough to toss in a tool bag, and it feels like a DeWalt accessory—robust housing, secure latch, and no rattles. Mine has handled knocks and rides in the back of a pickup without drama. There’s no fan noise, and the port fit is snug.

USB‑C performance: real power, clean delivery

The big story here is the USB‑C PD port. On the output side, the module negotiates common PD profiles, and with the right cable it will source up to 100W. In practice, that’s plenty for modern laptops and high‑draw devices.

• Laptop charging: I powered a 14‑inch laptop at a steady 60W without throttling, then pushed to a brief 87–90W during peak draw. No coil whine, no dropouts. If you live on your laptop between the trailer and the jobsite, this is a meaningful upgrade over the old USB “adapter” blocks.
• Phones and tablets: My phone fast‑charged over USB‑C PD as expected. Top‑offs were quick, and the handshake was consistent.
• Small electronics: A Raspberry Pi and a few DC‑powered meters ran smoothly for hours. The regulated PD output is much nicer than dangling a 12V cigarette lighter converter off a truck.

The USB‑A port is limited to 12W. It’s fine for earbuds, headlamps, older phones, and tool lights, but it won’t “fast charge” in the QC sense. If your priority is speed, stick to USB‑C.

You can power two devices at once (USB‑C plus USB‑A), but the total output is managed. With a laptop drawing high wattage, the A‑port will keep accessories alive, not turbo‑charge them.

Charging packs from the wall (and faster than you might expect)

Flip the direction and the same USB‑C port accepts input from the included 65W power supply. Clip the module onto a pack, connect the cable, and it becomes a wall charger—small, silent, and quick. With 5Ah and 6Ah 20V MAX packs, I saw charge times that were competitive with my compact DeWalt wall chargers. The two‑stage LEDs are minimalistic—Stage 1, then Stage 2—but they’re enough to tell whether you’re halfway or almost done.

The neat trick is that the module can accept higher‑wattage PD input than the included brick can deliver. With a 90–100W PD supply and the included E‑marked cable, the DCB094 kit negotiated higher input power and shaved time compared with 65W. You’re still bound by what the pack will safely accept, and your mileage will vary with pack size and condition, but if you already own a beefy USB‑C charger—for example, something you use for a workstation laptop—you can put it to use here.

A couple of practical notes:
- There’s no fan, and heat is well managed. The housing gets warm under heavy charging, but not hot.
- The included AC side is 120V only. If you work or travel where mains are 220–240V, you’ll need a different PD brick rated for local voltage. The module itself is indifferent to AC; it just wants proper USB‑C PD.

Field use: jobsite and weekend duty

Clipped to a 4Ah or 5Ah pack, the DCB094 kit becomes a very capable, rugged power bank. On a framing day, it kept a phone topped up, ran a Bluetooth speaker, and still had juice to bump a tablet. On a camping weekend, it handled a headlamp, phone, and a camera battery charger without a hiccup. The belt hook is a thoughtful touch for quick access, though hanging a big pack off your belt isn’t exactly low‑profile.

Cold weather added one wrinkle. On a frosty morning, with the pack clearly below freezing, the module declined to output to my phone until the battery warmed. That’s consistent with lithium safety behavior, and it’s hard to complain about a device protecting the pack. Just plan for it: keep a battery in the cab or inside a jacket if you know you’ll need USB power in the cold.

Compatibility and quirks

With my 20V MAX XR and a FLEXVOLT pack, everything worked as advertised—charging from the wall, and powering devices from the pack. If you have very early 20V packs, there’s a chance you’ll run into compatibility limits for charging via this module. I can’t test every variant, but if your pack predates the current 20V MAX lineup or shows unusual behavior with newer chargers, confirm your specific model’s compatibility before relying on the DCB094 kit to charge it.

Other things to know:
- The LED status is coarse. I’d rather have a multi‑bar readout, but it’s still usable.
- The USB‑A port is intentionally conservative at 12W. It’s reliable, not lightning‑fast.
- There’s no weather sealing for the ports. I treat it like any other electronics on site—keep it out of standing water and blowing dust when in use.
- Certified cables matter at higher wattages. The included cable is 100W‑rated; if you substitute your own, make sure it’s E‑marked.

Compared with other options

• Versus standard DeWalt wall chargers: This is smaller and silent, and with the right PD brick it’s at least as fast for many packs. It also earns its keep by powering your devices when you’re away from the wall.
• Versus generic power banks: Power banks are lighter for the same watt‑hours, but they’re single‑purpose. If you already haul DeWalt packs, the DCB094 kit lets those batteries do double duty, and it can deliver real 60–100W PD where many power banks top out lower.
• Versus AC inverters: An inverter gets you a wall outlet, but it’s bulky and inefficient for USB gear. Direct USB‑C PD is cleaner, quieter, and wastes less energy.

Build, safety, and support

Fit and finish are in line with DeWalt’s better accessories. Latch engagement is positive, the housing feels dense, and the ports inspire confidence. It’s certified (CSA, UL), which is reassuring for a device that both sinks and sources appreciable power. The warranty is solid for a charger: 3‑year limited, one year free service, and a 90‑day satisfaction guarantee.

Tips to get the most from it

• Use the included USB‑C cable (or another 100W E‑marked cable) for high‑wattage laptops or faster pack charging.
• If you need faster charging than the included 65W brick, pair the module with a reputable 90–100W PD power supply.
• In cold weather, keep a battery warm if you plan to power devices right away; the module may limit output on a very cold pack.
• Treat the USB‑A port as a convenience outlet; use USB‑C for anything you want charged in a hurry.

The bottom line

The DCB094 kit is one of those simple, well‑executed accessories that earns a permanent slot in the bag. As a USB‑C power source, it’s strong enough for real work—laptops, tablets, test gear—and as a charger, it’s a compact, silent alternative to the usual wall bricks, with the option to go faster if you bring your own high‑watt PD supply. It’s not perfect: the status LEDs are bare‑bones, the USB‑A port is limited, and extremely cold packs can stall output. The included power supply is 120V‑only, which matters if you work internationally. And if you own very early 20V packs, do a quick compatibility check.

Recommendation: I recommend the DCB094 kit to anyone already in the DeWalt 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT ecosystem who wants a versatile, high‑output USB‑C solution that also doubles as a compact battery charger. It’s efficient, rugged, and genuinely useful on and off the job. If you don’t own DeWalt packs, a dedicated USB‑C power bank will be simpler and lighter. But for DeWalt users, this is an easy win that turns the batteries you already carry into a reliable, modern power platform.