DeWalt 20V MAX XR 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer Kit with 2.0Ah Battery, Charger and Kit Bag

Why this cordless finish nailer won me over

I started using the DeWalt 16‑ga finish nailer to trim out a small renovation: baseboards, door casing, and a couple runs of crown in a den. I was after the convenience of a cordless setup without the compromises I’ve run into on some battery nailers—slow ramp‑up, frequent stalls, or mushy depth control. Over several weeks, this tool proved it can handle day‑to‑day finish work with the speed and consistency I expect from a pneumatic, while giving me the freedom to leave the hose and compressor at home.

Power and consistency

This nailer drives 16‑gauge straight nails from 1‑1/4 to 2‑1/2 inches, powered by DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform and a brushless motor. I ran 2‑inch fasteners for most tasks, bumping up to 2‑1/2 inches for crown into framing and dropping to 1‑1/2 inches on delicate casing. Across poplar, pine, MDF, and occasional oak jamb extensions, it set nails cleanly without hesitation. The power feels immediate—no spin‑up lag—and the internal mechanism maintains a consistent strike, so I wasn’t chasing over‑ or under‑driven nails across boards of varying density.

Depth adjustment is tool‑free and precise. A small dial near the nose moves in fine increments, and the change shows up predictably at the fastener. Once I dialed in a setting for a material, I could return to it with confidence later in the day.

Trigger modes and speed

Two firing modes cover different rhythms of work. Full sequential is what I used for casing and tight miters, where placement matters and any stray mark is unwelcome. Contact (bump) mode shines on long baseboard runs; the tool kept pace with my workflow without missing a beat. There’s no appreciable cooldown or slowdown as the battery drains, which is where some cordless nailers lose their edge.

Recoil is modest and controllable. I didn’t see tip creep when bump firing on vertical surfaces, and keeping the nose planted produced consistent, flush heads.

Accuracy and line of sight

The micro nose is genuinely helpful. It gives a clear view of the driver point and makes it easier to hug the edge of a profile or land fasteners on narrow stock. I could keep nails tucked into the shadow lines of casing without wandering into visible flats. The integrated LED light is brighter than I expected and actually useful; it illuminates the target area without washing out the pencil line.

The tool is well balanced. With the included 2.0Ah battery, total weight lands around the mid‑6‑pound range, and the center of gravity sits comfortably over the grip. On ladder work, I appreciated the adjustable belt hook (switchable left or right), and the body isn’t so bulky that it fights you in inside corners. That said, this is a straight 16‑ga gun, so it won’t reach into some of the tightest crown corners the way a 15‑ga angled nailer can.

Battery life and charging

The kit battery is a 2.0Ah pack, and the included charger takes roughly 90 minutes to top it off. With that pack, I consistently got a few hundred shots—enough to trim a couple rooms—before I felt the need to swap. If you’re running a full day of production trim, I’d carry a second 2.0Ah or step up to a 4.0Ah for longer stretches between charges. The upside is total compatibility with the broader 20V MAX line; I rotated in packs from other DeWalt tools without issue.

Cold mornings shaved a little off runtime, as expected with lithium packs, but performance didn’t sag appreciably until the very end of the charge.

Jams, stalls, and maintenance

In my testing, jams were rare, but not nonexistent. I had one jam early on when I tried an off‑brand fastener strip that seemed slightly out of spec; the tool’s jam release door and integrated stall release lever made clearing it straightforward. The jam door opens without tools, and the stall release resets the driver blade without digging out a hex key. After switching back to quality 16‑ga straight nails and keeping the magazine clean of debris and adhesive build‑up, the gun ran smoothly.

Two practical tips helped keep things trouble‑free:
- Stick to well‑made nails with consistent collation, and match the length to the workpiece—don’t push 2‑1/2 inch nails into skimpy trim where deflection is likely.
- Periodically brush out the magazine and nose, especially after MDF runs, which shed a lot of fine dust.

If a nail ever “skates” and tries to exit where it shouldn’t, stop immediately and inspect the nose and driver channel. This is good practice with any finish nailer, cordless or pneumatic.

Ergonomics and controls

The grip and trigger are comfortable through long sessions; rubber overmold helps when your hands are dusty or sweaty. The rear‑loading magazine holds 110 nails and slides smoothly, with a solid, positive latch. The pusher spring is robust enough to keep strips feeding cleanly down to the last few fasteners. I appreciate that the key controls—depth wheel, trigger mode selector, jam release, stall release—are all tool‑free and easy to reach without changing hand position.

Noise is noticeably lower than a compressor cycling in the background. You still get a satisfying mechanical thwack, but it’s not something that will annoy a homeowner if you’re working in an occupied space.

Where it shines

• Trim carpentry: Baseboards, casing, and crown are its bread and butter. The micro nose and consistent depth control make clean, repeatable work easier.
• Punch‑list and remodels: The cordless format eliminates setup time. Being able to walk into a finished house and quietly knock out a dozen tasks without a hose is a real productivity boost.
• Mixed materials: It handled softwoods, MDF, and moderate hardwoods without drama, as long as I chose appropriate nail lengths and avoided firing too close to edges.

Where it falls short

• Tightest corners and heavy crown: A straight 16‑ga can’t match the reach or holding power of an angled 15‑ga, particularly on large crown or very hard, thick trim. If that’s your daily work, you may want both tools in the truck.
• Weight versus pneumatics: It’s heavier than a compact pneumatic nailer. You don’t feel the hose tug, but after a full day overhead, the difference shows up in your shoulders.
• Single 2.0Ah battery in the kit: It gets you started, but pros will want at least one spare pack to avoid downtime.

Reliability and care

Beyond that early jam, reliability has been solid. The brushless motor and internal components feel robust, and the exterior plastics have held up to normal jobsite knocks and a few belt‑hook dings against ladders. As with any finish nailer, care matters: don’t oil it (this platform is designed to run dry), keep the nose clean, and resist the urge to use it as a pry bar in tight trim—your future self will thank you.

Bottom line

The DCN662 strikes a very good balance of power, precision, and convenience. It brings pneumatic‑like performance to a cordless format with thoughtful features: a precise depth wheel, quick jam and stall clearing, bright work light, and a micro nose that genuinely improves placement. Runtime on the included 2.0Ah battery is respectable, and the ability to share packs across DeWalt’s 20V MAX ecosystem adds flexibility.

Recommendation: I recommend this nailer to remodelers, trim carpenters, and serious DIYers who want compressor‑free finish work without sacrificing speed or control. It excels at baseboards, casing, and medium crown, and it’s accurate enough for high‑visibility trim. If you primarily install large crown or heavy hardwood moldings, pair it with a 15‑ga angled nailer for maximum holding power and reach. Otherwise, this is the cordless 16‑ga finish nailer I’d keep in the bag for everyday trim.