DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill/Driver (Tool Only)

Why I reached for this drill

I wanted a compact hammer drill that could live in my everyday kit without feeling like a compromise. The DCD805 hit the right notes on paper: a short 7-inch head, brushless motor, two-speed gearbox, and a 3‑position pivoting LED that doubles as a work light. After several weeks of framing, cabinet installs, and a fair bit of Tapcon work, I can say it earns its keep—provided you understand where it shines and where an SDS‑Plus rotary hammer is still the better call.

Build, balance, and controls

The first thing I noticed is how short and tidy the front end is. At 7 inches long, it fits between studs and reaches back-of-cabinet fasteners without gymnastics. Bare-tool weight is about 3 pounds; with a compact pack it stays nimble, with a 5.0Ah pack it leans toward front-heavy but still manageable. The grip has DeWalt’s usual contouring and a rubber overmold that’s secure with gloves or dusty hands.

Controls are straightforward:
- Two mechanical speeds: 0–650 rpm and 0–2000 rpm
- A 15-position clutch plus drill and hammer settings
- Variable-speed trigger with good modulation and a quick ramp up

The metal ratcheting 1/2-inch chuck is a highlight. It bites on smooth-shank bits without walking loose, and I measured only minor chuck wobble—well within what I’d expect from a pro-grade drill/driver. Bit swaps are one-handed and positive.

The pivoting LED feels like a small thing until you use it. Three positions—with a spotlight mode that stays on for up to 20 minutes—turn the drill into a makeshift task light. In a dim mechanical room, I aimed the LED upward to flood the workpiece and left the drill on the cart as a lantern. Smart touch, and bright enough (DeWalt rates it up to 70 lumens) to matter.

Power and drilling performance in wood and metal

In Speed 2 (0–2000 rpm), the DCD805 spins briskly and stayed smooth with hole saws up to 3 inches in plywood and a 1-3/8-inch self-feed in SPF. For larger self-feed bits, I preferred Speed 1 for more control and torque. The spec sheet lists 900 UWO (DeWalt’s power metric). Translation: it has the grunt you expect from a premium 20V hammer drill/driver.

A few specific tasks:
- 1/2-inch spade bit through doubled 2x SPF studs: no stall, clean clears in Speed 2 with a feathered trigger.
- 3-inch bi-metal hole saw in 3/4-inch ply: steady pace; the drill stayed composed, no aggressive kick, but I’d add a side handle if you plan to do this often.
- 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch twist bits in mild steel: predictable starts using the clutch to avoid snapping through; little to no walking thanks to the solid chuck grip.

Heat management is solid. After a run of 2‑3/8-inch hole saw cuts, the gearbox area was warm but never concerning.

Hammer mode for masonry

With a good masonry bit, hammer mode gets you up to 34,000 bpm. I used it for:
- 3/16-inch Tapcon pilot holes in fully cured concrete (2 inches deep): clean, consistent holes at Speed 2.
- 1/4-inch anchors in a CMU wall: slightly slower than in poured concrete, but still efficient.

This is not a rotary hammer replacement for all-day anchoring, but for a couple dozen holes on a service call, it’s perfectly competent. Vibration is well controlled for a drill in this class, and the shorter nose helps keep the bit centered when starting holes. If you regularly do 3/8-inch or larger anchors in hard concrete, you’ll be happier with an SDS‑Plus. For occasional masonry, this checks the box.

Tip: start your hole in drill mode to establish the divot, then switch to hammer. It keeps the bit from skittering and reduces chipped tile if you’re working over brittle finishes.

Driving and clutch behavior

For fastening, the 15-position clutch is useful beyond drywall screws. It’s repeatable and consistent, letting me set pocket-hole screws without burying threads in softer stock. The trigger is particularly easy to feather on delicate tasks, and the gearbox shift engages reliably without hunting between detents.

A couple of notes:
- For long structural screws and lag bolts, Speed 1 feels appropriately confident; kickback is manageable but real—use two hands.
- The chuck release ring has a firm, knurled grip that holds up when hands are dusty or cold.

Runtime and battery choices

Brushless efficiency shows. With a compact battery, I got through a morning of cabinet install: hinge cup drilling, pilot holes, and hardware without swapping packs. On heavier drilling days, a mid-size or 5.0Ah pack makes more sense.

Practical advice:
- For overhead work or ladder work, pair the drill with a compact battery to keep weight and nose-dive in check.
- For repeated hole saw or masonry work, a higher-capacity pack keeps voltage sag at bay.
- The spotlight LED’s 20-minute mode is handy but will sip at your battery—remember to click it off when you’re done.

It’s sold as a bare tool, so plan on batteries and a charger if you’re not already on DeWalt’s 20V line.

Jobsite tracking and extras

The base of the tool accepts DeWalt’s Tool Connect DCE042 chip for asset tracking. If you manage a crew, that’s a plus—you can tag, locate, and inventory without changing platforms. As a solo user, I appreciate the option even if I’m not deploying it daily.

My bare-tool unit did not include an auxiliary handle. For big hole saws or aggressive self-feed work, I would have liked one. Check the listing; some kits include it, but the tool-only version typically doesn’t.

Durability and quality

Fit and finish on my unit are tight. The battery slides in squarely with no rattle, and the case halves are aligned. The selector rings click decisively with a clear distinction between drill and hammer settings. After a few accidental drops from bench height, only minor scuffs on the overmold—no functional changes.

A couple of inspection tips I’d recommend when you unbox any new drill:
- Confirm the LED pivots and locks in three positions; the spotlight mode should stay lit without the trigger.
- Check that the battery interface sits flush and the pack latches in straight with no wobble.
- Spin a 6-inch bit and look for obvious runout; a slight wobble at the tip is normal, but it shouldn’t blur visibly.

What I would change

• Include a side handle with the bare tool. The power is there; give users the leverage.
• The LED’s brightest setting is good, but a slightly warmer tint would render surfaces more naturally. A minor nit.
• The mode ring is close to the chuck; with gloves, I occasionally bumped it switching between clutch and drill settings. Not a deal breaker, just something to be mindful of.

Who it’s for

• Pros and serious DIYers already on DeWalt 20V who want a single drill that handles most drilling and driving tasks, plus occasional masonry.
• Service techs and remodelers who value compact length and a strong LED.
• Small crews who want the option to track tools via Tool Connect without buying a separate “smart” model.

If your work leans heavily into concrete all day, step up to an SDS‑Plus rotary hammer and keep this as your general-purpose drill/driver.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCD805 as a primary drill/driver with a very capable hammer mode. It’s compact, powerful for its size, and thoughtfully equipped with a stout chuck, excellent trigger control, and a genuinely useful pivoting LED. Pair it with the right battery for the task and it covers everything from cabinetry to light anchoring without feeling out of place. I’d like to see a side handle included with the bare tool, and it’s worth giving any new unit a quick alignment and function check on day one, but those are minor notes on an otherwise well-executed drill. If you’re in the DeWalt 20V ecosystem—or planning to be—this is an easy tool to rely on.