DeWalt 20V Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless 1/2 in. Compact Drill Driver Kit

First impressions

A compact drill lives or dies by two things: balance and control. This DeWalt 20V compact drill/driver nails both out of the gate. With the included compact POWERSTACK batteries, the tool sits low in the hand and feels planted without being nose-heavy. At just about 8 inches long, the head clears cabinet interiors, stud bays, and between-joist spaces where bulkier models get awkward. The metal 1/2-inch chuck and rubber overmold make a good first impression on durability and grip.

The kit includes two of DeWalt’s flat-pack 1.7Ah POWERSTACK batteries, a DCB112 charger, a soft bag, and a belt hook. It’s a thoughtful bundle for everyday drilling and fastening. The charger isn’t the fastest in DeWalt’s lineup, but it’s fine for compact packs.

Ergonomics and controls

Trigger modulation is excellent. The brushless motor responds smoothly across the two speed ranges: 0–650 rpm in low and 0–2000 rpm in high. I could feather the trigger for delicate starts on tile backer screws, then ramp up to full speed without the jumpiness some compact drills exhibit. The 15-position clutch ring clicks positively and is easy to dial without moving your grip. If you drive a lot of cabinet screws or hardware, that tactile feedback matters.

The 3-mode LED is one of the better task lights I’ve used on a drill/driver. You get two brightness levels for normal work and a “spotlight” mode that stays on for about 20 minutes, acting like a temporary work light. It’s genuinely useful when you’re in a dark closet or attic and need both hands free. The tradeoff is obvious: remember to switch it off or you’ll come back to a low battery.

Balance with the compact POWERSTACK pack is excellent. The flat battery geometry keeps the tool upright and stable when you set it down. The belt hook is reversible and sturdy, and the soft bag is sized right—room for a bit set and a couple of small hole saws without turning into a black hole.

Chuck and bit holding

The metal ratcheting chuck is strong and trustworthy. One-handed bit swaps are simple, and I never had it loosen under load. Runout on my sample was minimal, which showed up in straighter holes with small diameter bits. That matters when you’re drilling pilot holes into hardwoods or tapping holes in sheet metal—wobble adds up. The keyless design has generous knurling and a firm detent at full tight, so you feel when it’s locked.

Performance in wood and metal

In high gear, the drill drove 3-inch decking screws into pressure-treated pine without drama. For long screws into dense lumber, I flipped to low for more control; the reduction gearing kept the bit from camming out even when I deliberately pushed the torque. On the drilling side, a 1-1/2 inch spade bit through a stud felt well within its wheelhouse. With a 2-1/8 inch hole saw in plywood, I stayed in low and let the tool work—steady progress, no stall outs, just a reasonable pace for a compact drill/driver.

In metal, high speed makes small bits cut cleanly. I ran 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch cobalt bits through angle iron in high gear with cutting fluid and got nice chips. For 3/8 inch in mild steel, low gear was the play. Again, steady progress without chatter or overheating. The motor will get warm after extended hole-sawing, and the chuck gets hot, as expected. Nothing unusual for a tool this size.

A quick reality check: this is not a hammer drill. If you regularly drill into masonry, you’ll want a dedicated hammer drill or rotary hammer. For wood, metal, plastics, and fasteners, this compact driver has the speed range and torque to cover most day-to-day tasks.

LED and visibility

DeWalt’s 3-position light is more than a gimmick. On low and medium, it floods the chuck area without harsh hotspots, and in spotlight mode it reaches several feet ahead. The 20-minute timeout is long enough to serve as an improvised work light in a closet or crawlspace. I found myself using it more than expected. My only gripe: it’s easy to forget it’s on when you set the drill down. Make a habit of tapping the mode button before you pack up.

Batteries and charging

The compact POWERSTACK batteries are the highlight of this kit. They deliver punchier current than DeWalt’s cylindrical-cell compacts, and they keep the tool feeling trim. Runtime is what you’d expect from 1.7Ah packs: great for trim, cabinetry, electrical rough-in, and general maintenance; limited for all-day framing or production installs. On average, I got a bit over a hundred 3-inch screws into softwood per charge in mixed-speed use. Two packs in rotation kept me moving, but for sustained heavy work I’d pair the drill with a 5.0Ah or 8.0Ah pack.

The DCB112 charger is on the slow side compared to DeWalt’s rapid chargers. With the included compacts, charge times were perfectly acceptable, roughly the length of a coffee break. If you already own bigger batteries, expect slower top-offs. The integrated fuel gauge on the POWERSTACK packs is easy to read, though once I had a gauge not light until I reseated the battery—pressing the test button firmly has prevented repeats.

Durability and build

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt’s XR tier: tight seams, robust chuck, and no rattles. The gearbox shifts decisively between low and high; the selector never skipped a detent under load. Over a few weeks of drywall, cabinet install, and shop tasks, the tool picked up the usual scuffs but nothing more. The rubber overmold hasn’t started peeling, and the trigger still feels crisp. Warranty coverage is a 3-year limited with 1-year free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which is competitive for pro-grade cordless tools.

Extra features

There’s a slot for DeWalt’s Tool Connect chip if you’re managing a fleet and want asset tracking. It’s unobtrusive if you don’t use it, and handy if you do. I’d love to see an included bit holder, but that’s nitpicking. The included soft bag is compact and much less bulky than a hard case, which suits a daily carry setup.

What could be better

• Charger speed: The included DCB112 is fine for compact packs but feels slow with higher-capacity batteries. If you own multiple 20V tools, a faster charger is a sensible upgrade.
• Runtime on included packs: The compact 1.7Ah batteries keep the drill light, but they’re not built for marathon days. The good news is swapping to higher-Ah packs is seamless.
• Spotlight discipline: The 20-minute LED spotlight is great, but it can become a battery vampire if you forget it’s on.
• No hammer mode: Not a fault, just a limitation. If masonry is on your list, choose the hammer drill variant or a rotary hammer.

Who it’s for

This drill/driver hits the sweet spot for remodelers, electricians, plumbers, facilities techs, and serious DIYers who value compact size without sacrificing speed. If your work lives in wood, light metal, plastics, and lots of fasteners, it’s an easy fit. If you’re routinely boring large holes or running hole saws all day, you’ll want bigger batteries or a higher-torque drill alongside it.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 20V compact drill/driver. It combines excellent ergonomics, a stout metal chuck, a useful 3-mode LED, and a smooth two-speed transmission in a body that actually fits where you need it. The included POWERSTACK batteries keep it light and responsive, and while their capacity isn’t for marathon sessions, having two in the kit and the option to use larger packs covers most scenarios. Add the solid build quality and the practical warranty, and you’ve got a compact driver that feels dialed for real work, not just specs on a box. If you need hammer drilling or all-day runtime on a single pack, look at a hammer variant or add higher-capacity batteries; otherwise, this is an easy tool to keep at the top of the bag.