DeWalt 20V MAX XR 5-Tool Combo Kit with Large Site-Ready Rolling Bag

I spent the past few weeks running a DeWalt 5-tool XR POWER DETECT kit through framing punch lists, light demo, and metalwork odds and ends. It’s a thoughtful bundle that covers most of what I actually grab in a workday: a hammer drill/driver, compact impact driver, 7-1/4 in. circular saw, reciprocating saw, and a 4-1/2–5 in. grinder. The twist is POWER DETECT—these tools sense higher-capacity batteries and unlock more output. With one 8.0Ah pack and one 2.0Ah pack in the box, I could feel the difference immediately.

What stood out first

• The 8.0Ah battery turns the saw and grinder into legitimate corded stand-ins for common cuts and light metal work.
• Brushless motors across the board translate to strong runtime and cool-running tools.
• Safety features on the grinder (E-Switch and E-CLUTCH) are more than marketing—restart protection and pinch shutoff matter in the real world.
• The rolling soft bag is genuinely useful on flat ground, though it’s not the last word in organization or protection.

POWER DETECT and battery strategy

DeWalt’s POWER DETECT tech is straightforward: more capable packs mean more available power. With the 8.0Ah battery, the circular saw and grinder hit noticeably harder, spin up quicker, and hold speed under load. With the lighter 2.0Ah pack, you still get competent performance—great for the impact driver and the drill on lighter-duty work—but the saw and grinder lose some of their bite. My workflow settled into a rhythm: 8.0Ah lives on the saw or grinder, 2.0Ah on the impact driver, and I swap the big pack to the hammer drill when boring larger holes or drilling in hammer mode.

One note on specs: the kit lists “1825 ft-lbs” of max torque. That’s almost certainly a units error that should read 1,825 in-lbs (about 152 ft-lbs), in line with compact impact drivers. In use, the impact driver had the authority I expect in that class—plenty for structural screws and lag alternatives with proper prep.

Hammer drill/driver

The 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver is the workhorse here. The ratcheting, nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide inserts is excellent; it grips bits securely and shrugs off abuse. The 3-speed transmission makes a difference. At low speed it has a torque-forward feel for hole saws and big spade bits, while high speed paired with the 2.0Ah pack keeps it compact and nimble for repetitive drilling.

In hammer mode, I ran 3/16 in. and 1/4 in. masonry bits into block for anchors without bogging down. It’s not a rotary hammer—and I wouldn’t treat it as one—but for light masonry, it’s right where it should be. Balance is good with either battery; with the 8.0Ah pack it’s butt-heavy but planted, which I appreciated for overhead anchors.

Impact driver

The compact impact driver is the one I reached for the most. It’s small enough to get into cabinet runs and dense framing, with fine trigger control for delicate work. With the 2.0Ah battery it’s all-day comfortable. Driving 3-1/2 in. construction screws into SPF is a non-event, and it has enough muscle for 5/16 in. structural screws if you step up pilot holes appropriately. Noise is typical for the category; nothing out of the ordinary.

Circular saw

A 7-1/4 in. blade on a 20V saw always invites a baseline question: does it feel like a “real” saw? With the 8.0Ah battery, yes. Cross-cutting and ripping 2x PT, sheathing cuts, and trimming stair treads felt confident. The electric brake is fast, the onboard LED helped on dim remodel sites, and the rafter hook saved me more than once. Shoe rigidity is solid for a cordless saw, and cut quality stayed true with a decent blade. With the 2.0Ah battery, you can do quick cuts, but under heavier load it drops speed sooner—stick to the big pack here.

Reciprocating saw

The recip saw ticks the boxes: variable speed up to 3,000 spm, a keyless lever-action blade clamp, and predictable trigger control. Paired with a demolition blade, I chewed through stud and nail bundles without excessive vibration. It’s not the lowest-vibe saw in the world, but it’s very manageable. Blade swaps are quick, even with gloves. I’d love an orbital action for faster wood cuts, but for a kit saw, versatility and control are more important—and it delivers those.

Grinder

This is where POWER DETECT shines. With a 4-1/2 or 5 in. wheel and the 8.0Ah pack, the grinder feels ready for everyday tasks: cutting EMT and threaded rod, cleaning welds, and chasing small concrete patches. The E-CLUTCH stops the motor when it senses a pinch or stall, which saved me from a couple of sketchy moments in tight spaces. E-Switch protection (restart lockout after power loss) is essential in a jobsite grinder and worked as advertised. It’s a tool I keep huge respect for; these safeguards add real value.

Ergonomics and control

DeWalt’s current-gen handles and trigger feel are familiar and comfortable. Weight distribution is sensible across the set. The belt hooks are a nice inclusion; I used them constantly on the drill and driver. The circular saw’s sightlines are good from either side, and the grinder’s two-handed stance feels natural with gloves. Fit and finish are high; no odd play in chucks or guards, and switches positively click.

Runtime and charging

Runtime tracks with expectations for brushless tools. The 8.0Ah battery extends cutting/grinding sessions meaningfully—enough to finish tasks instead of pausing mid-cut. The 2.0Ah pack is better as a “keep moving” battery for fastening and pilot holes. The included DCB115 charger is reliable and cross-compatible, but it’s not the fastest, especially on the 8.0Ah pack. Plan roughly two hours for a full charge on the big battery. If you’re running multiple high-draw tools, a second battery or a faster/dual-port charger is a smart add-on.

Bag and portability

The large rolling soft bag is more than a throw-in. It fits the five tools, batteries, charger, and extra blades/discs with room to spare. The wheels and telescoping handle make site moves painless—on flat surfaces. On stairs, you’ll feel the 48 lb total kit weight. Protection is typical of soft bags; it won’t baby precision gear, but these are jobsite tools and handled transport without issue. Organization is basic; consider pouches or dividers if you like everything in a fixed place.

Durability and safety

Brushless motors, metal chucks, and solid guards suggest long-term durability with basic care. The UL listing is table stakes, but good to see. The grinder’s E-CLUTCH/E-Switch pairing are standout safety features. The circular saw’s brake and LED improve control and awareness. I’d still recommend hearing and eye protection across the board; the impact driver and grinder especially can be loud in enclosed spaces.

Shortcomings and wish list

• Two batteries for five tools is workable, but a second high-capacity pack would better showcase POWER DETECT across multiple tools.
• The charger is on the slow side for the 8.0Ah.
• The recip saw lacks orbital action; not a dealbreaker, but it would speed up wood demolition.
• The rolling bag is great on smooth floors, less so on stairs and rough terrain.

Value and who it’s for

As a core cordless setup, this kit hits the mark for remodelers, facility techs, and serious DIYers who want pro-grade performance without stepping into specialty tools. The saw and grinder feel notably stronger with POWER DETECT than older 20V models I’ve used, edging closer to FlexVolt-like confidence without swapping platforms. If you already own a stable of 20V batteries, this kit plugs in cleanly; if you’re starting from scratch, budget for at least one more battery.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 5-tool POWER DETECT kit. It’s a balanced, job-ready set with meaningful performance gains when you pair the tools with the included 8.0Ah battery. The drill/driver and compact impact cover everyday fastening with finesse, the circular saw and grinder punch well above typical 20V expectations, and the recip saw is a dependable utility player. Add a second high-capacity battery and, if you’re charging between tasks, consider a faster charger. If you value a kit that works hard right out of the box and scales with your battery choices, this one delivers.