DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless 10,000 PSI Variable Speed Grease Gun (Tool Only)

Greasing day used to mean sore forearms and a lot of crawling around to reach stubborn zerks. After a few months with DeWalt’s 20V cordless grease gun, I don’t dread the job anymore. It’s not magic—it’s still grease—but the right mix of pressure, hose length, and control turns a chore into a routine.

What you get and how it’s built

This is a tool-only unit with a shoulder strap and a 42-inch flexible hose. You’ll need your own 20V MAX battery and charger. The gun itself is rugged and fairly bulky. Tool-only it’s just under 10 lb, and once you add a 20V battery and a full 14 oz cartridge, you’ll feel it. The integrated no-mar foot lets it sit securely on a floor or frame rail while you work, and the strap is more than a throw-in—it genuinely helps during long sessions or when you’re climbing around equipment.

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt: tight threads on the barrel, a firm (but smooth) variable-speed trigger, and well-placed controls. The LED is positioned low on the housing. It’s not a work light replacement, but it’s bright enough to help you find fittings in dim corners without juggling a flashlight.

Pressure and flow in the real world

The headline numbers—10,000 PSI max and up to 5.0 oz/min—translate to tangible gains. On a compact track loader that hadn’t been faithfully serviced, the gun punched through a few reluctant fittings without drama. With manual guns, I’ve run into that “is this zerk blocked or am I just weak today?” moment. Here, a short squeeze tells you quickly whether the fitting will take grease; if not, I stop and inspect rather than forcing it.

The variable-speed trigger is the right way to handle flow on a grease gun. On big bushings or fifth wheel plates, I feather it wide open for fast delivery. On small tie-rod ends, I barely crack the trigger and watch for the telltale ring of fresh grease at the seal. Having that range in one trigger beats flipping between fixed speed settings and keeps me from over-greasing delicate joints.

Hose, coupler, and reach

The 42-inch hose is a sweet spot. It’s long enough to leave the weight of the gun on the ground or a step while I guide the coupler into tight places, but not so long it becomes a wrestling match. The stock coupler grips zerks very securely. That’s good for maintaining a seal at high pressure, but it can be stubborn to remove. Two tips that help: ease trigger pressure before you pull off, and if the line is still loaded, crack the bleeder for a second to relieve pressure. If you’re servicing dozens of fittings daily, consider a locking coupler upgrade—worth it for repeat use.

Priming and cartridge changes

This is one of the places the gun earns its keep. Swapping cartridges is straightforward, and the air-bleeder valve makes priming quick. My process: pull the barrel, slide in a fresh cartridge, pull the follower, thread the barrel back on, then hold the gun upright and crack the bleeder while slowly cycling the trigger until a clean stream forms. Close the bleeder and it’s ready. I’ve had far fewer air pockets and sputters compared with some other cordless units. The included pump filter screen is a nice touch; keep it clean and you’ll reduce junk entering the pump and your fittings.

Ergonomics and control

Balance varies with battery size, but the grip and trigger feel are solid. The brushed motor is audible but not obnoxious. The biggest ergonomic comment is weight—this is not a one-handed, all-day hold for most people. The strap and the hose length are the design’s answer, letting you park the gun nearby and just manipulate the hose end. That approach works well on trucks and heavy equipment. In tight automotive bays where you’d prefer a small pistol-grip, this is overkill.

The LED does what it needs to. It helps me spot a hidden zerk on a skid steer arm at dusk, but in bright daylight it’s largely irrelevant. I also appreciate the no-mar foot; I set the gun on paint and aluminum diamond plate without scuffing.

Battery life and output

DeWalt doesn’t include a battery, so plan accordingly. With a mid-capacity 20V MAX pack, I haven’t had runtime be a limiting factor on typical service days. Flow rate and pressure demand both draw power, so runtime varies widely depending on whether you’re pushing thick grease into tight joints or cruising through easy fittings. If you maintain multiple machines, bring a spare battery and you’re covered.

In use: from pickups to heavy iron

Where this gun shines is fleet and equipment maintenance. On a tandem-axle truck, steering and suspension get done quickly without stopping to reposition a manual gun. On a compact tractor or loader with hard-to-reach pivots, the 42-inch hose keeps my hands out of pinch zones. The high max pressure is reassuring on stubborn fittings, but with great pressure comes the need for restraint: I listen and watch. If a joint won’t take grease at light pressure, I stop and clean or replace the zerk rather than cranking down and risking a blown seal.

Quirks and limitations

• Weight: It’s heavy once loaded. The strap mitigates it, but if your work is mostly under-car, light-duty automotive service, a smaller gun may be more comfortable.
• Coupler grip: Secure, but sometimes difficult to release. Pressure relief solves most of that; a locking coupler is a smart upgrade for frequent users.
• Tool-only: If you’re not already on DeWalt 20V MAX, the true cost includes a battery and charger.
• LED placement: Helpful in the dark, not transformative. Don’t expect it to flood a work area.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing before you buy.

Care, safety, and small wins

• Keep the coupler clean. A quick wipe before each fitting goes a long way toward keeping grit out of bearings.
• Use the bleeder. It’s there to save you time and mess—use it anytime the gun coughs or after a cartridge change.
• Don’t force it. The gun’s 10,000 PSI can mask problems. If grease isn’t moving at low trigger pressure, diagnose rather than overpower.
• Store with the hose secured. Avoid tight kinks and it’ll last longer; the 42-inch length is great until it gets pinched.

The 90-day money-back guarantee, 1-year free service contract, and 3-year limited warranty add some peace of mind. I haven’t needed support, but that backing matters for a tool that sees harsh environments.

Verdict

I recommend the DeWalt 20V grease gun to anyone who services trucks, farm equipment, or heavy machinery and wants to cut time and effort without sacrificing control. The combination of real pressure, generous hose length, and a nuanced variable trigger makes it fast on high-volume tasks and gentle when precision matters. The air-bleeder and filter screen reduce the usual priming headaches, and the build feels ready for jobsite abuse.

It isn’t the lightest option and the coupler can be stubborn, and you’ll need to budget for a battery and charger if you’re not already on the platform. But those are manageable trade-offs. If your current routine involves a manual gun and cramped hands, this upgrade pays you back quickly in speed, consistency, and less frustration.