DeWalt 20V MAX XR POWERSTACK Oil-Resistant Compact Battery

A compact punch I kept reaching for

The first day I clipped the PowerStack compact battery onto my impact driver, I did a double take. The tool felt lighter, the balance shifted closer to the grip, and the first few fasteners seated with a little more authority than I expect from a compact pack. Over several weeks of mixed work—overhead fastening, light electrical, some trim carpentry, and shop tasks—I kept grabbing this pack when I valued control and agility over sheer runtime.

What’s different about this pack

DeWalt’s compact PowerStack is built around pouch cells instead of the traditional cylindrical cells used in most 20V MAX batteries. On paper, that means higher power density and lower internal resistance in a smaller footprint. In practice, that translated to two things I could feel:

• Stronger “hit” on tools that pulse power, like an impact driver or hammer drill.
• Noticeably better balance on compact tools because of the low, flat form factor.

This version adds an oil-resistant housing and an overmolded base, which makes sense for anyone working around cutting fluids, lubricants, or greasy engine bays. The base also protects finished surfaces and keeps tools from skating off a countertop—small detail, real benefit.

Size, weight, and ergonomics

At roughly 0.81 lb and with a footprint that tucks neatly under the handle, this pack makes compact tools feel truly compact. On a drywall driver or 12V-style-sized impact, the difference is obvious; on a larger drill/driver, it still trims weight and reduces wrist fatigue when you’re working overhead. For me, that matters more than the last bit of runtime in many workflow scenarios—especially when I’m bouncing between tasks and chargers are nearby.

I also appreciated that the LED fuel gauge is easy to check with a quick thumb press before climbing a ladder. No guessing games.

Power and tool performance

Here’s where the pouch-cell design shows up. With an impact driver, the pack delivers a firm initial surge. Driving structural screws into framing, it felt closer to a mid-size 4.0Ah compact pack in “punch,” even though it’s only 1.7Ah. On a hammer drill drilling 3/8-in holes in masonry, it held speed well until the last 10–15% of charge, where it tapered predictably.

On cutting tools, expectations matter. It will spin a compact circular saw for quick rips and notched cuts, and it’ll run an oscillating tool with power to spare. But this is not a grinder or full-day-saw battery. Think of it as a sprinter: fast off the line, superb for short bursts and finish work, and then back to the charger.

If your workflow is heavy in fastening, electrical rough-in, punch lists, service calls, or trim—this pack shines. If you’re crosscutting all afternoon or hogging out material with a hole saw, step up to a 4.0Ah compact or a 5.0Ah/6.0Ah standard pack.

Runtime and charging

At 1.7Ah, runtime is the tradeoff for the compact size and power density. I could get through a surprising number of fasteners on a charge, especially because the pack’s power delivery doesn’t sag early. But you’ll still swap or charge more often than with a 4.0Ah compact or 5.0Ah standard pack.

On a standard DeWalt charger, I saw roughly an hour to refill from low. A fast charger shortens that considerably and pairs well with this style of “sprint and swap” pack. If you run two of these in rotation and keep a higher-capacity battery for saws and drills, you can stay productive without feeling constrained by capacity.

Durability and jobsite behavior

The overmolded base has already earned its keep. It softens the tool’s footprint on finished surfaces and provides a bit of shock absorption when you set a tool down briskly. The oil-resistant housing is also more than a label claim: wipedowns after incidental exposure to cutting oil and brake cleaner didn’t leave haze or softening. If you work around oils and solvents, that’s confidence-inspiring.

Thermally, the pack gets warm if you push it with drilling or cutting, but cooldowns were reasonable, and I didn’t hit thermal shutdowns in normal use. The flat design also helps keep tools upright and stable on the bench—another small but welcome quality-of-life detail.

Compatibility and balance across the 20V MAX line

The pack worked with every 20V MAX tool and charger I tried. On compact tools (impact drivers, drywall drivers, oscillating tools, compact routers) it’s an excellent balance match. On mid-size drills and saws, it’s a great “finish pass” or touch-up battery but not a production solution. If your kit spans from compact to heavy-duty, plan to mix this pack with a couple of larger-capacity batteries.

The pouch-cell promise, with caveats

Pouch cells bring advantages—power delivery, packaging efficiency—but they’re still relatively new in this form factor for many of us. Cycle life is a claimed benefit, and after months of use I haven’t noticed meaningful capacity fade. That said, long-term durability is something I’ll keep watching. As with any lithium pack, smart charging habits help: avoid leaving it fully depleted for long periods, store cool and at partial charge if it’s sitting awhile, and keep vents clear during charging.

What I liked

• Power-to-size ratio: It hits harder than you’d expect from a 1.7Ah pack, especially on impact and hammer tools.
• Ergonomics: Lightweight and compact, with a low profile that keeps tools nimble and reduces wrist strain.
• Oil-resistant, overmolded construction: Holds up better to rough, greasy environments and is kinder to finished surfaces.
• Predictable taper: Delivers strong output through most of the charge and doesn’t “fall on its face” early.
• Useful fuel gauge: Quick status checks before heading up a ladder or into a crawlspace.

Where it falls short

• Runtime: It’s still a 1.7Ah pack. Expect more swapping on saws and high-draw tools.
• Price versus capacity: At full retail, cost per watt-hour is high. Sale pricing makes it much more compelling.
• Not a grinder/saw battery: It’ll run them in a pinch, but if those are daily drivers, you’ll want higher capacity.
• Uncertainties on long-term longevity: The design promises more cycles; real-world confirmation takes time and use.

Who should buy it

• Electricians, HVAC techs, service pros, and punch-list carpenters who prioritize light weight, agility, and quick bursts of power.
• Anyone doing overhead work or long days with an impact driver or OMT where every ounce matters.
• Automotive and maintenance trades that benefit from the oil-resistant housing and non-marring base.

Who should look elsewhere:

• Framing crews, deck builders, and metalworkers leaning on saws and grinders most of the day. A 4.0Ah compact or 5.0Ah+ pack is a better base battery, with the PowerStack as a specialty add-on if desired.

The bottom line

The PowerStack compact battery earns a permanent slot in my kit because it makes my most-used tools feel better in hand and hit harder than their size suggests. It’s not the “one battery to rule them all,” and it shouldn’t be your only pack. But as a lightweight, high-output option for fastening, drilling, and trim tasks—especially in oily or finished environments—it’s excellent.

Recommendation: I recommend the PowerStack compact battery as a complement to, not a replacement for, your higher-capacity packs. If you value reduced weight and sharper tool response and your work leans toward fastening, service, and finish tasks, you’ll get real benefits. Buy it on sale if you can, pair it with a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery for heavier tools, and you’ll have a flexible, efficient setup that covers almost everything.