DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw with POWER DETECT Tool Technology

A week with DeWalt’s POWER DETECT recip saw

I put this DeWalt POWER DETECT recip saw through a mix of demolition, yard cleanup, and metal cutting to see where it shines and where it compromises. It’s a full‑size, brushless 20V tool with a 1‑1/8 in stroke and a variable‑speed trigger. Pair it with a high‑capacity battery and it becomes a different animal—noticeably faster and more assertive than DeWalt’s compact recip options. It’s also heavier and simpler in its feature set than some pros might expect.

Setup, feel, and balance

Out of the box, the saw is straightforward: slide in a 20V MAX battery, pop a blade into the lever‑action clamp, and go. With a 5.0Ah pack, the tool feels manageable; with an 8.0Ah XR or a FlexVolt pack, it gets front‑heavy but stable. Bare weight is listed at 7.6 lbs, and with a larger battery you’re realistically working around the 9–10 lb mark.

The handle shape is familiar DeWalt: a comfortable overmold, a predictable trigger pull, and a nicely placed lock‑off. At 19.75 in long, it’s not compact. In tight bathroom demolition or HVAC chases, I had to negotiate around studs more than I would with a shorter body saw. On the flip side, the length and mass give the shoe a planted feel against workpieces, which helps keep the blade tracking straight.

POWER DETECT and batteries

POWER DETECT recognizes high‑capacity 20V MAX packs and bumps output. The difference is easy to feel. With a 5.0Ah pack, the saw is competent. Swap to an 8.0Ah XR and cuts are faster and the motor holds speed deeper into the stroke without bogging. FlexVolt 20V‑compatible packs also physically fit and power the tool; high‑capacity packs in general deliver the best performance here. DeWalt claims up to 44% more power with an 8.0Ah battery, and the behavior matches that spirit in use: fewer stalls, more confident plunge starts, and better momentum through dense stock.

Runtime follows the same pattern. Heavier packs buy more cuts per charge, but they also increase fatigue. If you’re doing short bursts—lopping branches, cutting nails, trimming pipe—a 5.0Ah pack keeps the tool nimble. For extended demo sessions, I preferred the 8.0Ah despite the weight penalty.

Cutting performance

The 1‑1/8 in stroke and 0–3,000 spm range give this saw good material removal. In 2x lumber with embedded nails, a 6–9 tpi demolition blade ate quickly and stayed controllable. Compared to compact, 1 in‑stroke saws, you can feel the extra bite each cycle. It shows up most on wood and pruning blades, where aggressive teeth like to be fed.

Metal cutting is predictable. With a 14–18 tpi bimetal blade on EMT conduit and 1/8 in angle, the saw tracks straight with moderate pressure. There’s no orbital action here, which in my experience is a net positive for metal: smoother starts and less chatter. On wood, the lack of orbital means it’s not as ferocious as some orbital‑capable saws. It still cuts fast, but if you prioritize maximum wood‑cutting aggression, you’ll notice the difference.

Pruning is a sweet spot. A coarse 9–11 tpi carbide blade on 3–5 in green branches moves quickly, and the fixed shoe gives you a solid fulcrum to pivot against. The tool’s weight actually helps keep the blade engaged, reducing kickback when you hit odd grain or knots. The integrated LED is bright and lands where it should; I appreciated it during late‑day cleanup.

Vibration control is solid for a full‑size 20V recip. It’s not class‑leading, but with quality blades and the shoe firmly planted, hand fatigue stayed reasonable over an afternoon of mixed cuts. Noise is typical for the category—hearing protection is a must.

Controls and the blade clamp

The variable‑speed trigger is well tuned. It’s easy to start delicately for plunge cuts, and full‑trigger speed comes on smoothly. The keyless lever‑action blade clamp is quick, even with gloves. Blade release feels positive and I didn’t experience any accidental loosening. The clamp is single‑position; you can’t rotate the blade to 90° or invert it for low‑profile flush work. If you rely on a four‑position clamp for awkward angles or scraping attachments, that limitation matters.

The shoe is fixed. That simplifies the mechanism and keeps things tight, but you can’t adjust the shoe depth to access fresh teeth on a worn section of blade or to tune aggressiveness. For general demo and pruning, I didn’t miss it much; for finer work or extending blade life on metal, an adjustable shoe is handy to have.

What’s missing

• No orbital action. Wood cuts are still fast, just not as aggressive as orbital‑equipped saws.
• No four‑position blade clamp. Limits flush‑cut flexibility and certain specialty tasks.
• No rafter hook. On ladders and framing jobs, I missed having a place to hang the saw.
• Fixed shoe. Stable, but less adaptable and not depth‑adjustable.

None of these are deal‑breakers for straightforward demo and cutting, but if you depend on those features, you’ll want to account for it.

Durability and serviceability

The build feels thoroughly “jobsite.” The housing and shoe shrugged off dust, a few drops, and plenty of contact with framing and masonry. The rubber overmold protects high‑wear corners without turning gummy in heat. DeWalt backs it with a 3‑year limited warranty. Blade changes and cleaning are simple; keep debris out of the clamp slot and blow out dust around the trigger and vents, and it runs consistently.

Ergonomics and fatigue

This is a two‑handed tool most of the time. Overhead cutting with a large battery gets tiring quickly, but waist‑to‑knee‑height work is comfortable. The longer body gives you leverage to bridle the saw against the work when you need to temper vibration. If your daily routine is heavy overhead demo or tight in‑wall work, the size and mass can be a hinderance compared to compact models.

Where it fits in a kit

For contractors and serious DIYers already on DeWalt’s 20V platform who want a powerful, no‑nonsense recip saw, this model hits a sweet spot. It’s notably stronger than compact 20V units, especially on high‑capacity batteries, without stepping into separate 60V tool and charger territory. If your projects are a mix of remodeling, deck work, rough carpentry, metal cuts, and yard cleanup, it’s a capable all‑rounder.

If you prioritize features like orbital action, an adjustable shoe, or a rafter hook, you’ll want to consider other options within DeWalt’s lineup or look at premium models that emphasize feature sets over value. Likewise, if you live in tight spaces and favor one‑handed or sub‑compact saws, this isn’t that tool.

Practical tips from use

• Use high‑capacity batteries when you need maximum speed. The saw clearly benefits from 8.0Ah packs.
• Match the blade to the task. A good demolition blade makes more difference than you might expect; it also helps manage vibration.
• Plant the shoe. Let the saw’s weight work for you on wood and pruning; it reduces chatter and kickback.
• Mind the clamp orientation. Without a four‑position clamp, plan flush cuts accordingly and keep a short blade on hand for tight spaces.

The bottom line

This DeWalt POWER DETECT recip saw focuses on core performance: strong cutting with a long stroke, a smooth trigger, and a robust build, boosted meaningfully by high‑capacity batteries. It doesn’t chase every convenience feature. You give up orbital action, a four‑position clamp, an adjustable shoe, and a rafter hook, and you accept a heavier, full‑size body.

I recommend it for users who value cutting speed and durability within the 20V MAX system and can live without the extra bells and whistles. If you want a powerful, dependable saw for demolition, remodeling, and outdoor cutting—and you have or plan to use larger batteries—this is a smart pick. If you need maximum maneuverability or a feature‑rich configuration for specialized work, look to a lighter compact model for tight spaces or a higher‑spec reciprocating saw with the orbital and clamp options you rely on.