DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit

Overview

A good cordless combo should disappear in your hand, deliver predictable power, and make batteries an afterthought. After weeks of carpentry, light electrical work, and a few masonry anchors, that’s been my experience with DeWalt’s XR combo: a compact 1/2-inch hammer drill paired with a 1/4-inch impact driver, both brushless and running on the company’s 20V platform. The kit includes two 2.0 Ah XR batteries with fuel gauges, a charger, belt hooks, and a soft contractor bag. On paper, it’s a familiar recipe; in the field, it feels refined.

Build and Ergonomics

Both tools land squarely in the compact class. The hammer drill measures 7.5 inches front-to-back and weighs 3.6 pounds bare, which helps when you’re reaching between studs or working overhead. The impact driver is even stubbier at 5.3 inches, and its short nose makes a bigger difference than you’d expect for cabinet installs and tight hardware runs.

DeWalt’s handle geometry is still among my favorites: a neutral grip angle, medium-density overmold, and a balance that’s centered rather than nose-heavy. With the 2.0 Ah packs, neither tool feels fatiguing during all-day punch-list work. The belt hooks are sturdy, reversible, and secure well to a tool belt. On a casual belt, the hook hangs a little proud and can snag when you crouch; it’s fine, just not my first choice without a rig.

Fit and finish are what I expect at this tier—tight seams, confident switches, clean selector detents. The hammer drill’s 1/2-inch chuck grips bits securely and runs true, and the transmission shifts positively. The impact driver’s quick-change collet snaps bits in and out without drama.

Performance: Hammer Drill

As a drill/driver, it’s excellent: smooth clutch action, plenty of speed for clean holes in softwood and hardwood, and enough torque to drive larger spade and auger bits within reason. I used it to bore 1-inch spade bit holes through SPF studs for low-voltage runs and it didn’t bog in low gear. The brushed alternatives I keep around tend to fade under the same load; the brushless motor here keeps its composure and runs cooler.

In hammer mode, the tool is capable for light masonry. I tapped 3/16-inch and 1/4-inch anchors into cured concrete for ledger and bracket installs. The percussion is crisp and gets the job done. It’s not an SDS-Plus and shouldn’t be treated like one; if you routinely drill larger holes in concrete, you’ll want a dedicated rotary hammer. But for small anchors and occasional use, this hammer drill is a reliable solution.

One small standout is the 3-mode LED ring with a clever “spotlight” mode that stays on for up to 20 minutes after you release the trigger. That’s handy when you’re marking holes in a dim closet or attic and don’t want to juggle a separate light. Just remember it can sip at the battery if you leave it on inadvertently.

Performance: Impact Driver

The impact driver has the right blend of speed control and torque for daily fastening. It offers three torque levels (rated at 27/170/205 Nm), which translate nicely to task-based control: the low setting is great for delicate hardware and cabinet screws, the middle for general construction screws, and the high for structural screws and small lag bolts. The trigger modulation is linear, so it’s easy to start screws without cam-out.

It has no trouble with 3-inch exterior screws into PT lumber. With 1/4-inch x 4-inch lags into predrilled holes, it drives confidently; for larger structural fasteners, you’ll still want to predrill or step up to a stronger tool. The three front-facing LEDs are well-placed and remain on briefly after you release the trigger, which helps when you’re aligning the next screw.

Noise is what you’d expect from an impact driver—sharp but not shrill. With the brushless motor, heat buildup is minimal, and I never tripped thermal protection during extended runs.

Batteries, Runtime, and Charging

The kit’s two 2.0 Ah XR packs are a smart match for compact tools. They keep weight down and the onboard fuel gauges are accurate. For punch lists, trim, hardware, and general drilling, I cycled between the two packs and rarely reached for a charger mid-day. For heavier duty, like decking or repeated masonry drilling, a 4.0 or 5.0 Ah pack will stretch runtime and keep the tools planted, but you pay a penalty in weight.

Charging is straightforward and reasonably quick. Swapping between two packs made downtime largely moot on smaller jobs. The battery slide interface is positive; on one tool, I noticed a hint of play once locked in. It didn’t cause intermittent power or dropouts, but a slightly tighter fit would inspire more confidence.

Lighting and Visibility

DeWalt’s lighting remains among the most practical. The hammer drill’s spotlight mode doubles as a task light in crawl spaces and closets, and the impact driver’s triple-LED array eliminates shadows around the bit. Against polished metal, the driver’s LEDs can reflect enough to wash out your sightline; a strip of tape on the workpiece solves it when needed.

Durability and Maintenance

These tools feel ready to live in a contractor bag. They shrugged off a couple of waist-high drops onto plywood and one bump against concrete without functional harm. The overmold protects common impact zones, and the triggers and selectors never lost their crisp feel. As with all compact brushless tools, routine maintenance is mostly about keeping vents clear and chucks clean. The included soft bag is sturdy and zips smoothly, though it lacks internal organization; a few pouches or a hard case would better manage bits and fasteners.

DeWalt backs the kit with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Given the build quality, I’d expect these to outlast that window with normal use.

What I’d Change

• Include at least one higher-capacity pack in the kit to broaden its out-of-box versatility.
• Tweak the battery rail tolerances to eliminate minor wobble on some tools.
• Add onboard bit storage or include a clip-on bit holder in the box.
• Consider a hard case option for buyers who prefer organized storage.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re easy wins that would elevate the kit further.

Who It’s For

• Tradespeople and remodelers who want a compact, reliable pair that covers 90% of drilling and driving tasks without fatigue.
• Serious DIYers looking to step into a proven 20V platform with room to grow.
• Anyone who values good lighting, precise control, and the efficiency of brushless motors in a small footprint.

If your day is dominated by heavy structural fastening or frequent concrete drilling beyond small anchors, you’ll want higher-capacity batteries and, in the case of concrete, an SDS-Plus hammer in the mix. For everything else, this combo is hard to fault.

Recommendation

I recommend the XR combo. It strikes a practical balance of size, power, and runtime, and the feature set—brushless motors, excellent LEDs with a useful spotlight mode, compact footprints, and thoughtful ergonomics—adds up to tools that make work easier rather than just louder. The included 2.0 Ah batteries keep things light and are ideal for most tasks; pairing the kit with a 4.0 or 5.0 Ah pack later gives you the depth to tackle longer or heavier sessions. Add in solid build quality and a competitive warranty, and this kit feels like a smart, long-term foundation for the 20V platform.