DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit with POWERSTACK 5Ah Battery

Why I reached for this saw

I’m not sentimental about reciprocating saws—they’re beaters by design—but I do care about how quickly and cleanly they get me through wood, metal, and the occasional awkward cut in a tight cavity. The DeWalt XR recip saw in this kit has been riding along on remodel jobs and yard cleanups with me for a while now. It’s a straightforward, brushless, 20V model paired with DeWalt’s 5.0 Ah POWERSTACK battery, and it hits a sweet spot between compact size and real-world cutting performance.

Build and ergonomics

At about 16 inches long and 9.5 pounds with the 5.0 Ah battery, this is a compact, full-bodied recip—shorter than many traditional models without straying into “one-handed” territory. The balance with the POWERSTACK pack is excellent; the flatter, pouch-cell battery profile tucks closer to the handle and keeps the saw from feeling tail-heavy when you’re reaching or cutting overhead.

The handle is comfortable, with a generous two-finger variable-speed trigger that gives good control for starting cuts in pipe, conduit, and sheet goods. The overmold is grippy without being gummy, and the pivoting shoe plants well, even when you’re bracing on a rounded 2x or a not-so-stable demolition surface. I do wish the shoe adjusted for depth—here it simply pivots—so you can’t step the shoe out as the blade dulls.

Blade changes are fast. DeWalt’s twist-style keyless clamp is glove-friendly and secure. Like most clamps, it gets warm during heavy metal cutting, so pause a beat before swapping blades if you’ve just been chewing through angle iron. You can flip blades for upside-down cutting, which helps with flush cuts along floors or drywall.

Features that matter on the job

• Brushless motor: Runs cooler and maintains power under load better than older brushed models.
• 1-1/8 in stroke length, up to 3200 SPM: A good, mid-class recipe that favors control and speed in wood and light metal.
• LED work light: Bright enough to find your line in cabinets and crawlspaces; it’s not a floodlight but it helps.
• Pivoting shoe: Improves stability on uneven surfaces and when plunge-cutting.
• 3-LED battery gauge: Simple and accurate enough to plan your next battery swap.
• POWERSTACK 5.0 Ah battery and charger included: Ready to work out of the box, and the pouch-cell pack feels compact on the tool.
• Battery base with rubber overmold: Sets down on finished surfaces without scuffing.

Notably absent are a rafter hook and an orbital action switch. The lack of orbital mode is the bigger omission for aggressive demolition.

Cutting performance

In framing lumber with a 6 TPI demolition blade, this saw moves. The 1-1/8 inch stroke and 3200 SPM combination put it in the same performance ballpark as other compact, brushless recip saws. It chews through nail-embedded 2x material at a respectable pace, staying controllable when you angle the shoe and let the stroke do the work. Without orbital action, it won’t outrun the biggest saws in brute demolition, but the cut quality is cleaner and easier to control on plunge cuts and tight notches.

In metal, the variable-speed trigger really earns its keep. With a 14–18 TPI bi-metal blade, I can feather the trigger to start on EMT without walking the blade, then ramp to full speed. Cutting 1-1/4 inch EMT and copper pipe is predictable and chatter-free. Thick, solid stock is doable with the right blade and patience, but that’s true of most compact recips.

Pruning is a good use case here, too. The compact length helps weave between branches, and the pivoting shoe bites bark without skating. Use a dedicated pruning blade and the saw will surprise you with how nimble it feels in a tree or against a fence line.

Vibration control is decent. It’s not a floating-handle, anti-vibe specialty saw, but it’s well damped for its size. Over a day of mixed cuts, my hands weren’t buzzing, and I appreciated the steadiness when plunge-cutting drywall and plywood where accuracy matters more than raw speed.

Runtime and battery behavior

With the included 5.0 Ah POWERSTACK pack, runtime has been solid. Pouch cells tend to hold voltage under load better than cylindrical cells of similar capacity, and that shows up here as consistent cutting speed deeper into the battery. I’ve gotten through small-bath demo sessions—studs, nails, copper, a bit of ABS—on a single pack. Hard, continuous demo will still demand spare batteries, but the included pack is a strong daily driver.

Charging on the included DCB1106 is quick enough between tasks that I rarely feel stalled. The charger is compact and easy to stash in the included bag.

Day-to-day usability

The onboard LED is positioned well and kicks on immediately; it helps when you’re sighting a cut in a dark cabinet or attic corner. The tool bag is serviceable—not a hard case—but it fits the saw, battery, charger, and a small roll of blades. The included blade is fine for getting started; you’ll want a set of wood, metal, and demolition blades to match the work.

Dust and chips clear reasonably well with open-tooth demolition blades; fine metal chips collect around the shoe like any recip. Clean the clamp area occasionally and the twist mechanism will stay smooth.

Noise is typical for a recip saw: loud enough that ear protection is a must. The motor tone stays steady under load, which, in my experience, is a good indicator of an efficient brushless drive.

What I wish it had

• Orbital action: The biggest miss. Orbital mode speeds up wood demolition noticeably; if you’re tearing out kitchens all week, you’ll feel its absence.
• Adjustable shoe depth: Useful for extending blade life and changing attack angle.
• Rafter hook: Handy on ladders and framing; not essential, but once you have one, you miss it.

None of these are deal-breakers for general-purpose use, but they’re worth noting if you’re comparing to top-end demolition-focused models.

Durability and warranty

I’ve tossed this saw in and out of trucks and job boxes, and it’s holding up: no clamp slop, no shoe looseness, and the LED still works after a few dusty days. The 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction period provide a reasonable safety net for a tool that will see abuse by nature.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers and pros who need a compact, full-size recip with reliable power and control.
• DIYers stepping up to a brushless saw and wanting a ready-to-go kit.
• Anyone already on the 20V MAX platform who wants a capable recip without jumping to a heavy, feature-laden demolition monster.

If you routinely do heavy demolition and prize max speed in wood above all else, consider a larger, orbital-equipped saw. If you’re splitting time between demo, plumbing cuts, pruning, and jobsite odd jobs, this one hits the mark.

Verdict

The DeWalt XR recip saw in this kit finds a practical middle ground: compact, balanced, and plenty strong for daily tasks, with thoughtful touches like the twist clamp, pivoting shoe, and a genuinely useful LED. The POWERSTACK 5.0 Ah battery is a meaningful addition—it keeps the tool feeling nimble and maintains power well under load. I’d love to see orbital action and an adjustable shoe in a future rev, but even without those, the saw is competent and confidence-inspiring.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for pros and serious DIYers who want a compact, brushless reciprocating saw with strong all-around performance and excellent platform compatibility. It’s not the fastest wood demo saw in the world, but its balance, control, and runtime make it the one I keep reaching for when the cut actually matters.