DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit

A compact bruiser that fits where others won’t

I put the latest DeWalt 20V drill/driver to work across a few weeks of fence repairs, cabinet installs, and some light framing, and it quickly became the drill I reached for first. The headline here is balance: size-to-power, speed-to-control, and weight-to-runtime all feel thoughtfully tuned. It’s not the lightest nor the cheapest 20V option, but it pulls ahead where it matters—speed under load, short head length for tight spaces, and an excellent work light that’s actually useful.

Build, ergonomics, and first impressions

The tool feels every bit like a premium DeWalt: dense and tight, with minimal flex and a reassuring lack of rattle. The head is noticeably short at about 6.4 inches, and that makes a real difference sneaking between studs, inside cabinets, or close to inside corners where longer drills bump out early. The grip angle is comfortable, the overmold has enough texture without being grabby, and the trigger is smooth with a wide range of controllable speed.

Balance depends on the battery you clip on. With the included POWERSTACK compact battery, it feels nimble and well-balanced for overhead work. Swap to the included 2Ah pack and there’s a hint more heft, but still no front-heavy droop. Either way, it’s manageable for extended use, though over a full day of repetitive fastening I’d still prefer the lighter compact pack.

The bag is basic but useful for tossing everything together, and the belt hook is the right orientation for quick hangs. I do wish a bit holder was included.

Power and speed in the real world

On paper, the brushless motor pushes up to 2,000 rpm in high gear with a claimed 900 UWO of output. In practice, that translates to fast drilling in lumber and confident driving in structural screws. I ran a batch of 3/8-in. lag screws into treated posts (with pilot holes) and it stayed in high gear longer than expected before asking for low. High gear is snappy for small fasteners and twist drills up to around 3/8 in.; low gear delivers the torque for larger spade bits, self-feed starts, and stubborn fasteners.

The two-speed transmission and variable trigger make it easy to meter power. The trigger ramp is predictable—slow creep for countersinking, then a linear build that keeps bits from walking. There’s no clutch chatter in drill mode, and it recovers from hard stalls without drama. Heat management is solid; I only noticed warmth around the gearbox after repeated heavy borings, not enough to force a cool-down break.

Chuck and clutch: good hold, slick knurling

The 1/2 in. metal ratcheting chuck is a high point for holding power. Bits seat square and stay put without loosening mid-task, even with frequent forward/reverse changes. The ratchet clicks cleanly, and I didn’t have issues with bit slippage in larger hex-shank drivers or round-shank twist drills.

One nit: the chuck sleeve is smooth enough that, if you’re tightening with work gloves that have slick palms—or bare hands with dust—there’s not much bite. If you habitually “feather” the trigger with one hand while grabbing the chuck with the other, be mindful; the sleeve can spin and heat your fingers. It’s not a dealbreaker, but some extra texturing would help.

The clutch offers 15 positions and behaves consistently. For cabinet hardware and light-duty screws into MDF and pine, it saved a few heads from snapping and a few faces from popping. In hardwoods, I generally bumped into drill mode once screw length hit 2 in. or more.

LED work light that actually helps

The adjustable LED is better than most. Positioned low on the grip and adjustable across three modes, it throws a surprisingly bright beam (up to 70 lumens) that’s wide enough to light a small cabinet interior. The “spotlight” mode with a 20-minute auto-off is handy—set the drill down and keep the hole illuminated while you stage hardware or mark lines. It’s a small quality-of-life feature, but once you have it, it’s hard to go back.

Batteries, charging, and runtime

The kit’s two-battery approach is smart. The compact POWERSTACK keeps the tool light and lively; for punchy day-to-day work like installing hardware, drilling pilot holes, and driving a mix of screws, it’s the pack I prefer. The included 2Ah cylindrical-cell pack stretches runtime a bit and feels slightly more planted on a bench.

Neither pack is meant for all-day heavy construction. If your work involves repeated hole-saw use or large-diameter borings, budget for a 5Ah or higher-capacity pack. The included DCB112 charger is the standard “slow and steady” option—fine for these small packs, but it’s not a fast charger. On a typical day, rotating between the two batteries kept me working without downtime.

Size and handling in tight spaces

At just over six inches of head length, this drill fits where many 20V drills don’t. I had no problem creating pocket holes close to inside corners or drilling shelf pin holes in narrow cabinets without hitting the back wall. The shorter head also reduces wrist strain because you’re less often fighting the drill body contacting the work surface. For electricians and cabinet pros who constantly work in cramped spaces, this compactness is a big win.

Durability and feel over time

After dusty fence repairs and a few mild drops onto subflooring, the tool shows little more than scuffs on the overmold. The gearbox feels tight, the chuck stays true, and there’s no wobble in the spindle. The brushless motor runs cooler than older brushed units I’ve used, and there’s no burning smell even under repeated load. UL listing and DeWalt’s warranty terms provide some extra peace of mind for long-term use.

Asset tracking option

There’s a pocket in the base that accepts DeWalt’s Tool Connect chip. If you manage a small crew or loan tools out, it’s a simple way to add tracking without changing the tool’s footprint. The chip is optional and sold separately, so solo users can ignore it, but the option is there for larger setups.

What I like

• Strong performance in a compact body; keeps pace with larger drills for most wood tasks
• Excellent LED with a practical long-spot mode
• Metal ratcheting chuck with solid bite and reliable retention
• Smooth trigger control and predictable torque delivery
• Two included batteries cover light-to-medium duty days
• Short head length improves access and reduces knuckle-bashing
• Warranty coverage is generous for a pro-grade tool

What could be better

• Chuck sleeve knurling is slick; can be uncomfortable to tighten bare-handed
• Not the absolute lightest—long overhead sessions still benefit from the compact pack
• Included charger is slow; frequent heavy users will want a fast charger
• No side handle or bit holder in the kit
• The included batteries are on the small side for repeated heavy drilling

Who it’s for

This drill hits the sweet spot for tradespeople and serious DIYers who need a compact, powerful 20V driver without jumping to a hammer drill. It’s ideal for carpentry, cabinet work, residential electrical and plumbing rough-ins, and general remodeling. If you regularly drill masonry or run oversized hole saws all day, you’ll want the hammer variant and larger batteries. For everyone else, this is a versatile, compact driver that can anchor a kit.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 20V drill/driver. It blends top-tier speed and torque with a compact footprint, a genuinely useful LED, and a robust all-metal chuck. The kit’s two batteries keep weight flexible, and the tool’s ergonomics make it comfortable for varied tasks. While I’d like grippier knurling on the chuck and a faster charger, those are small trade-offs in an otherwise well-rounded package. If your work lives in wood, metal, and plastics and you value power in tight spaces, this drill earns a spot on your belt.