DeWalt 6-Tool Compact Combo Kit

A month with a compact 20V combo that actually covers the bases

I put the DeWalt 20V 6-tool combo through a full remodel and several weekend projects to see if a single kit could carry most of the workload. Short answer: it can—especially if you understand where the compact batteries shine and where they hold you back. The mix of core carpentry tools, a couple of problem-solvers, and a straightforward charging setup makes this a practical starter or expansion kit in the 20V ecosystem.

What you get and first impressions

The kit includes a compact drill/driver, a 1/4 in. 3‑speed impact driver, a 7‑1/4 in. circular saw, a compact reciprocating saw, an oscillating multi‑tool, an LED work light, two 2.0Ah 20V batteries, a charger, and a soft contractor bag. Several tools use brushless motors, and the headliners—the drill and impact—definitely do.

Everything feels like classic DeWalt: rugged housings, rubberized grips, and switches that don’t feel mushy. The combo leans “jobsite-ready” more than “DIY-only,” and the balance on the drill, impact, and circular saw stands out immediately.

Build quality and ergonomics

• Grips: Narrow enough for smaller hands but substantial with gloves. Rubber overmold is placed where it counts.
• Switches and triggers: Predictable, with a comfortable throw on the saws and multi‑tool.
• LEDs: The drill’s 3‑mode light with a spotlight feature is genuinely useful in cabinets or low‑light framing; the impact’s tri‑LED ring reduces shadowing around the bit.

Nothing rattles that shouldn’t, and shoe adjustments and guards move with a positive feel. The bag is sized to carry the whole kit plus a handful of blades and bits, though it fills quickly if you add extra batteries or larger cases.

Drill/driver: compact power with a standout work light

The compact drill is a sweet spot tool. It has a brushless motor, two speed ranges, and enough torque for most woodworking and light metal tasks. I drove 1‑1/4 in. construction screws into studs all day without hot-housing the gearbox, and it handled 1‑3/8 in. self‑feed bits in pine studs when I took my time.

What I liked most is the LED with a spotlight mode. When you need an alignment check inside a vanity or closet, the spotlight buys you accuracy. Balance with a 2.0Ah pack is excellent overhead and at arm’s length.

Where it tops out: big hole saws, thick steel, and continuous mixing—jobs for a mid‑size hammer drill. But for cabinetry, fastening, and typical remodel drilling, it’s fast and predictable.

Impact driver: speed control that prevents carnage

The 1/4 in. impact driver is the kit’s overachiever. Three speeds plus a Precision Drive mode let me sink cabinet screws and structural screws without snapping heads or stripping soft brass hardware. At the top setting, it has the thump to set 3‑1/2 in. construction screws decisively, and the 3,800 ipm impact rate helps keep bit cam‑out down.

Precision Drive is more than marketing: it eases into the fastener, then ramps impact timing sensibly. If you’ve ever watched trim screws walk or hardware shift, this mode saves rework.

Circular saw: full-size blade, compact power

Including a 7‑1/4 in. saw is the right call. The 2‑9/16 in. depth of cut at 90° means it clears 2x lumber in a single pass and still has blade left for sheet goods without babying the cut. I ripped 3/4 in. ply, crosscut wet SPF 2x12s, and cut stair stringer notches. Blade guard operation is smooth, and the handle geometry keeps your wrist neutral during rips.

Runtime is the pinch point with the included 2.0Ah batteries. DeWalt cites up to roughly 330 crosscuts in 2x4 per full charge; that’s achievable with larger packs, but not with the 2Ah batteries here. I got through several framing cuts on a single 2Ah battery, but sheet‑good ripping ate a pack quickly. Pop in a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery and the saw turns into a proper all‑day tool. With the 2Ah packs, think batching cuts and keeping the charger nearby.

Cut quality is solid with a decent blade swap. As with most cordless saws, the stock blade is serviceable but not stellar—upgrade to a higher‑tooth-count finish blade for plywood.

Reciprocating saw: compact, controllable, and jobsite handy

This compact recip saw is a “fits where others won’t” tool. The variable‑speed trigger up to 2,900 SPM gives good control when starting a cut in PVC or EMT. It’s excellent for trimming copper stubs, cutting out drywall, and flush‑cutting nails behind trim with a flexible metal blade.

It’s not a demolition monster. For heavy demo in doubled LVLs or thick nail‑embedded lumber, you’ll want a full‑size saw. Used as intended—tight spaces, overhead cuts, plumbing and electrical mods—it’s easy to steer and less fatiguing than a full‑length tool.

Oscillating multi‑tool: quick‑change convenience that you’ll actually use

The quick‑change accessory system is simple and secure. Swaps are tool‑free and fast, which matters when jumping from a wood plunge blade to a scraper or grout blade mid-task. Power is more than adequate for undercutting door jambs, trimming shims, and cutting outlet boxes in drywall.

Vibration is well controlled for this class, and variable speed feels linear. Match your blades to the material and let the tool’s weight do the work; if you push hard, you’ll just heat up the accessory and drain the small battery faster.

Work light: better as a task light than area lighting

The LED work light puts out around 110 lumens. It’s enough to light up a cabinet, breaker panel, or crawl‑space junction, and the form factor sits where you point it. It won’t replace a stand light or headlamp. I used it as a fill light when the drill’s spotlight wasn’t lined up with the work.

Batteries, charger, and runtime strategy

The two 2.0Ah batteries keep weight down and balance the drill, impact, and multi‑tool nicely. On these tools, I worked comfortably with one battery in use and one on the charger, swapping every 30–45 minutes of intermittent use.

For the circular saw and recip saw, runtime is the limiter. If you plan a day of cutting or demo, add at least one 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack to your kit. The charger is straightforward and consistent; both packs topped off from one bar in under an hour in my shop at room temperature.

Portability and storage

The soft bag swallows the full kit and a basic blade/bit selection. It’s easy to toss into a truck or carry up stairs. If you prefer hard cases or modular boxes, these tools drop neatly into DeWalt’s stackable storage systems, but that’s an additional purchase.

Durability and warranty

Across weeks of dust, light rain, and plenty of trips in the back of a hatchback, everything still looks and operates like new. The warranty is reassuring: 3‑year limited, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day satisfaction. For a primary kit, that coverage gives you room to put the tools to work right away without babying them.

Who this kit fits

• Remodelers and serious DIYers needing a capable “core” cordless setup.
• Pros who want a lightweight secondary kit for punch lists and finish work.
• Anyone invested (or planning to invest) in DeWalt 20V batteries and accessories.

If your work is heavy framing or daily demo, consider budgeting for higher‑capacity batteries or upgrading individual tools (especially the recip and saw) to their higher‑output siblings. The beauty here is you can grow into that without abandoning what’s in this set.

Pros

• Well‑balanced, brushless drill and impact with excellent work lighting and control
• Full‑size 7‑1/4 in. circular saw with practical cutting depth
• Quick‑change oscillating tool that encourages frequent, efficient accessory swaps
• Compact recip saw that’s easy to steer in tight spaces
• Useful, cohesive kit that covers most jobsite tasks
• Solid warranty and ecosystem compatibility

Cons

• 2.0Ah batteries limit runtime on the saws; plan to upgrade for heavy cutting
• Work light is strictly task‑level illumination
• Soft bag fills up fast once you add extra batteries and blades

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 20V kit as a capable, well-rounded foundation for remodel work, punch lists, and serious DIY projects. The drill and impact are standouts, the circular saw is genuinely useful thanks to its blade size and cut depth, and the multi‑tool and compact recip solve the kinds of problems you actually run into on real jobs. The only caveat is battery capacity: the included 2.0Ah packs are great for driving and detail work but feel undersized for sustained cutting. Pair the kit with at least one 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery, and you’ve got a portable, reliable setup that can handle most tasks without reaching for corded backups.