DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit

Why this compact combo caught my eye

I spend a lot of time working in tight quarters—inside cabinets, between studs, under sinks—so I’m always looking for lighter, shorter tools that don’t compromise too much on power. The Atomic combo kit promised exactly that: a compact brushless drill/driver paired with a compact impact driver, two small batteries, and a bag. After several weeks of projects that ranged from installing cabinets and hardware to framing small partitions and knocking out a handful of repairs, I have a pretty clear picture of where this kit excels and where it taps out.

Build and ergonomics

Both tools feel solid and well-finished. The overmold is generous in the right places and resists slipping without feeling gummy. The drill’s 1/2 in. ratcheting chuck is a standout at this price point—bit changes are quick, and it holds onto round-shank drill bits with conviction. The impact driver’s 1/4 in. hex collet snaps bits in positively and ejects them cleanly when pulled.

Size and weight are the main story. The drill is roughly 6.3 inches front to back and about 2.4 pounds bare. The impact driver is even stubbier at around 5.1 inches. With the compact 1.3Ah pack clipped on, both tools feel balanced and easy to park on a rung or slip into a pouch. The included belt hooks (one for each tool) are actually usable, and I left them on; in cramped spaces they saved me a lot of bending down to pick up a tool.

The bag is basic but not flimsy. It swallows both tools, the charger, and a small set of bits with room to spare. If you want organized storage you’ll eventually want a case or a TStak box, but for tossing in the truck, the bag is fine.

Power and speed: the drill/driver

DeWalt rates the drill at 340 UWO (unit watts out). UWO isn’t directly comparable to torque numbers, but in practice it tells you the drill’s power is in the middle of the compact class. In wood framing, driving 3-inch deck screws in high gear wasn’t a problem, and the drill hung onto spade bits up to 1 inch in softwood without drama—just switch to low gear and let the brushless motor do its work.

Where the power ceiling shows is with high-demand accessories. A 2-1/8 in. hole saw in plywood was doable in low gear with a gentle feed rate, but it’s not a tool I’d choose if I were cutting a dozen can-light holes. In metal, drilling up to 3/8 in. with good bits and cutting fluid felt controlled; beyond that you’re better off stepping up or switching to a larger drill. For cabinetry, hardware, pocket holes, electrical rough-ins, and general repairs, the drill never felt underpowered.

Clutch operation is crisp, and the chuck’s ratcheting action helps keep smaller bits from slipping. The variable-speed trigger is easy to modulate for delicate starts, and the foot-mounted LED is positioned low enough that it doesn’t cast heavy shadows around the chuck.

Power and speed: the impact driver

The impact driver is rated up to 1,700 in-lbs of torque. On site, that translated to confidently driving 3-1/2 in. construction screws and 6 in. structural screws into framing without pre-drilling. I also ran 3/8 in. lags into pre-drilled ledger stock without bogging down. The compact head lets you get into places a longer driver simply won’t fit—inside cabinet frames, between joists near hangers, or behind appliance enclosures.

This model relies on a variable-speed trigger rather than multiple electronic speed modes. I prefer multi-speed selectors for repetitive work with delicate fasteners, but with a little practice the trigger is precise enough for most tasks. The three-LED ring is excellent; it fills the work area without harsh hotspots and remains useful in crawlspaces and basements.

As with most compacts, sustained heavy fastening heats the tool faster than a larger-body impact. For typical residential carpentry and assembly, it’s absolutely capable; if your day-to-day is continuous ledger, structural, or decking work, you’ll likely want a higher-capacity battery and possibly a higher-torque impact in the truck.

Runtime and batteries

The kit includes two 1.3Ah 20V MAX packs. The upside is weight—these keep the tools nimble and reduce fatigue overhead. For punch-list work and intermittent use, having two small packs is convenient: one in use, one on the charger, and neither adds bulk.

The downside is predictable: runtime. Hanging a set of wall cabinets and hardware, I swapped packs a couple of times, which is acceptable. Driving a couple hundred decking screws or running larger hole saws will have you rotating batteries more often. The good news is the tools sit on the same 20V MAX platform as the rest of DeWalt’s line, so if you already own 2.0Ah, 4.0Ah, or 5.0Ah packs, the performance and stamina get a nice bump. I ran the impact on a 5.0Ah pack for a half-day of framing and rarely thought about the charger. FLEXVOLT packs also work in 20V mode, though they negate some of the compact advantage.

Control and lighting

Trigger control on both tools is predictable, with smooth ramp-up and a wide usable range before max speed. For delicate cabinet hardware or small fasteners, I relied on the drill’s clutch and the impact’s light touch rather than speed modes and had no issues stripping heads. The LEDs are genuinely useful: the drill’s foot light illuminates the work area without blinding reflections, and the impact’s triple LEDs cut shadows nicely when driving in corners or recesses.

Durability and serviceability

After several weeks of use, there’s the usual scuffing on the overmold but nothing structural. Brushless motors mean fewer wear parts, and these have the tight tolerances and minimal wobble I expect from DeWalt’s compact line. The 1/2 in. chuck has stayed concentric and hasn’t worked loose, which is something that can plague cheaper compacts. The kit carries a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which lines up with what I consider the standard safety net for this class.

What I’d change

• Battery capacity in the box. Two 1.3Ah packs keep the weight down, but one higher-capacity pack (2.0Ah or 4.0Ah) paired with a compact would better serve users who cross over into heavier workloads.
• Speed options on the impact driver. A low/medium/high switch would make it friendlier for sheet-metal screws and smaller hardware without relying solely on trigger finesse.
• Bit storage. A small onboard bit holder would be handy; as-is, I used a pouch or stuck bits in the bag.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they frame the kit’s strengths: portability and access first, raw endurance second.

Who this kit is for

• Remodelers, service techs, and installers who work in tight spaces and move a lot between tasks.
• DIYers upgrading from older, heavier 18V or brushed 20V tools who want modern ergonomics and respectable power.
• Pros who already own larger, high-torque tools and want a compact set for punch lists, cabinetry, trim, electrical boxes, and maintenance.

If you’re drilling big hole saws all day, driving long timber screws continuously, or need multi-speed impact control for delicate production work, you’ll be happier stepping up to a higher-capacity battery and possibly a more feature-rich impact.

Recommendation

I recommend the Atomic combo kit for anyone who values compact size and balanced performance over brute-force output. The drill’s 1/2 in. ratcheting chuck, the impact’s confident torque in a tiny package, and the overall ergonomics make day-to-day work easier, especially in tight spots. Paired with the included 1.3Ah batteries, the kit shines for service calls, cabinetry, hardware, electrical, and light framing. If your workload leans heavier or longer, add a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack to the mix and you’ll extend the usefulness significantly. The brushless motors, practical lighting, and solid warranty round out a kit that feels thoughtfully designed for real jobsite tasks rather than spec-sheet bragging.