DeWalt 20V MAX XR 1/4 in. 3-Speed Impact Driver with POWERSTACK Kit

First impressions

I put this 1/4-inch impact driver to work on a deck rebuild and some cabinet hardware installs over a couple of weeks, and it quickly became the first tool I clipped to my belt in the morning. It’s compact enough to squeeze between joists (the head is about 5.3 inches long), light in the hand, and noticeably quick off the line. The kit’s two-battery setup—a standard 2.0 Ah pack and a POWERSTACK compact pack—meant I could keep moving without babysitting a charger, and the included belt hook and bag are the kind of niceties that make daily use more pleasant.

Build, ergonomics, and controls

DeWalt keeps the form factor tight here: the tool-only weight is about 2 pounds, and the balance is excellent with either battery. The handle shape and rubber overmold feel familiar if you’ve used other 20V MAX tools, with just enough tack to keep a steady grip when your hands are dusty or gloved. The forward/reverse selector is crisp and easy to toggle with your thumb or index finger without shifting your grip.

The 1/4-inch hex collet accepts standard impact-rated bits and one-handed bit changes are smooth—the spring tension is firm but not fussy. The 3-LED ring around the nose does a good job of reducing shadows around the fastener. It’s useful inside cabinets and under sinks, though it’s still a task light, not a flashlight; in bright daylight it doesn’t lift the scene much.

Up top, a simple three-speed selector and a variable-speed trigger give you control over how aggressive the driver feels. The modes are well-spaced: low is gentle enough for small brass screws, medium covers most general carpentry, and high delivers the tool’s full speed.

Performance and power

On paper, this driver is rated at up to 1,825 in-lbs of torque, 3,250 RPM, and 3,600 impacts per minute. In practice, it’s right where I want an all-around impact driver to be: fast on long structural screws, yet controllable on finish hardware when you stay in the lower ranges.

• Framing/connectors: Driving 4- to 6-inch structural screws into PT lumber in speed 3 was brisk and consistent, with no sense of bogging down before the head seated.
• Decking: With 3-inch deck screws, speed 2 offered the best blend of speed and control; the driver rarely cammed out, and the trigger modulation is fine enough to stop just as the head kisses the board.
• Sheet metal and self-tappers: Speed 1 is genuinely useful for delicate work. Starting self-tappers without skating felt predictable, and I didn’t have to feather the trigger constantly.
• Lag bolts: Pre-drilled 5/16-inch lags sank confidently. For larger fasteners, an impact wrench is still the better tool, but this driver holds its own on typical carpentry hardware.

The brushless motor is both efficient and smooth. There’s very little oscillation through the handle, and bit wobble was minimal with quality bits. The electronic brake stops rotation quickly when you release the trigger, which makes it easier to avoid overdriving.

As with any impact driver, you’ll want ear protection on hand. It’s not unusually loud for the category, but high-speed impact driving is inherently noisy.

Battery options and charge time

The kit includes two batteries and a charger: a 2.0 Ah compact pack and the newer POWERSTACK compact pack. The POWERSTACK has a smaller, lighter footprint and delivers a noticeable initial “snap” on tougher fasteners, especially in speed 3. It’s rated around 1.7 Ah, so it trades a bit of runtime for punch and balance. Overhead work and tight spots benefit from the lighter pack.

Runtime is always tied to the task, but as a reference point, I could sink a couple hundred 2-1/2- to 3-inch deck screws on the 2.0 Ah pack before swapping. The POWERSTACK delivered a bit fewer total screws per charge but felt more willing on longer or harder fasteners. If you live on long structural screws all day, plan to add a 5.0 Ah pack to your kit; for trim, assembly, and general carpentry, the included batteries are a practical pairing.

Charge time is listed at roughly 30 minutes for these compact packs, which matched my experience: both packs were back to full in around half an hour on the included charger. That’s a real advantage on small jobs where you cycle one pack while using the other.

As part of the 20V MAX system, this driver plays nicely with the pile of batteries a lot of us already own, and the UL safety listing and 3-year limited warranty add some peace of mind.

Control and finesse

What separates a good impact driver from a great one is control, and this one gets it right. The trigger has a fine, predictable ramp, and the three-speed selector meaningfully changes the tool’s behavior rather than just topping out at a different RPM. In speed 1, I could set cabinet hinges and pull handles without destroying the heads; in speed 2, pocket screws and deck boards became autopilot work; speed 3 is the “get it done” mode for long fasteners and structural screws.

The LED ring helps you see the fastener and bit engagement area without throwing a big shadow. It’s particularly handy in toe-kick spaces and crawlspaces, though it won’t replace a headlamp when conditions are truly dark.

Heat, durability, and safety

Pushing any compact impact driver hard for long stretches will build heat, and this one is no exception. During sustained, heavy driving in speed 3, the gearbox area got hot to the touch, but I didn’t experience thermal cutouts or performance throttling in normal workflows. Give it a minute to cool if you’ve been burying long fasteners nonstop.

The brushless design should help longevity, and the tool feels tight—no rattles, no sloppy switches. The electronic brake was consistent across all modes. As with any cordless impact, if you ever notice abnormal behavior (like the motor continuing to run after releasing the trigger), stop and have it serviced or replaced immediately. That’s not something I saw in my use, but it’s worth stating outright.

Practical touches

• Belt hook: Included and sturdy, and it keeps the driver accessible when you’re climbing a ladder or picking up materials.
• Kit bag: Flexible and easy to toss in the truck, though it offers less protection than a hard case. It does fit the tool, both batteries, and a small bit set comfortably.
• Bit changes: One-handed inserts and releases are reliable; the collet grabs cleanly without fuss.

If I could change a couple of things, I’d include a higher-capacity second battery for users who spend most of the day in speed 3, and I’d like a slightly brighter work light for daylight shadowy situations. None of that undercuts the core performance.

Who it’s for

• Pros who need a compact, fast, and controllable driver for framing connectors, decking, remodel work, and general carpentry.
• DIYers who want one driver that can handle furniture assembly, cabinet hardware, and weekend construction projects without feeling overmatched or underpowered.
• Anyone already in the 20V MAX ecosystem who wants a top-tier impact driver and appreciates having two different compact battery options in the box.

The bottom line

This impact driver hits the sweet spot: compact and light, strong enough for structural screws, and refined enough for finish hardware thanks to a well-executed trigger and three-speed control. The brushless motor, 1,825 in-lbs torque, up to 3,250 RPM/3,600 IPM performance, and practical features like the 3-LED ring and belt hook add up to a tool that feels ready for daily use. The two included batteries cover most day-to-day tasks, the ~30-minute charge time keeps you moving, and the 3-year limited warranty backs it up.

Recommendation: I recommend it. If you want a dependable, compact driver that balances power with control—and you value having both a standard 2.0 Ah and a lighter, punchier POWERSTACK compact in the kit—this is an easy choice. Heavy, all-day structural work will still benefit from larger-capacity packs, and the work light could be brighter, but those are minor quibbles against a driver that performs this well across such a wide range of tasks.