DeWalt 20V MAX 3-Tool Combo Kit

A compact 20V combo that hits the everyday sweet spot

I put this DeWalt 20V combo kit to work on a string of small projects—installing cabinet pulls, swapping out a door lockset, framing a short partition, and a bunch of miscellaneous fastener work—because that’s where kits like this tend to live. The short version: both the compact drill/driver and compact impact driver feel purpose‑built for real-world, tight-quarters tasks, and the handheld work light is more useful than it looks on paper. The tradeoffs are mostly around the lightweight batteries and the basic bag, but the core tools are solid.

What’s in the bag

• Compact brushless drill/driver with a 1/2-inch chuck
• Compact brushless 1/4-inch impact driver with a one-handed hex chuck that accepts 1-inch bit tips
• Handheld LED work light with a 360-degree pivoting head and magnet
• Two 20V lithium-ion batteries (1.3 Ah)
• Charger
• Soft contractor bag

Everything is part of DeWalt’s 20V MAX system, so if you’re already on the platform, the kit slots right in. If you’re starting fresh, you get enough to begin tackling household and light trade tasks without extra purchases—aside from bits and drill accessories.

Build, ergonomics, and controls

Both drivers are compact and easy to snake into cabinets and between studs. The grip shape is classic DeWalt—neutral wrist angle, grippy overmold, and good trigger modulation. Balance with the 1.3 Ah pack is excellent; you can run either tool one-handed without feeling like you’re going to nose-dive into the work.

On the drill/driver, the 1/2-inch chuck is a welcome sight in a compact body. It grips cleanly and releases without drama. The two-speed gearbox gives you a low range for control and a high range for general drilling, with a multi-position clutch that actually prevents overdriving when you dial it back. The forward/reverse selector is reachable with the trigger finger, though it has a lighter, less positive detent than I’d prefer—it works, but I’d like a crisper click.

The impact driver’s one-handed chuck is quick and truly one-handed; tap the collar, stick the bit in, and it locks without fuss. It accepts 1-inch bit tips, which sit deeper and keep the tool shorter in tight spaces. The motor is brushless and paired with a drive that hits up to 3,200 impacts per minute, translating to plenty of bite for structural screws and lag heads up to sensible sizes.

Both drivers include an LED with a short trigger-release delay. That 20-second afterglow sounds minor until you’re aligning hardware in a dim corner and don’t have to keep feathering the trigger just for light.

Performance on the job

• Drill/driver: In softwood framing and cabinet-grade plywood, the drill was as expected—confident, controllable, and predictable. It spun 3/8-inch twist bits through pine without bogging and handled spade bits up to 1 inch in clean lumber as long as I kept it in low and let the bit clear chips. It’s not a hammer drill and it’s not a “high-torque compact,” so heavy hole-saw work in dense stock is outside its lane. For day-to-day drill/drive tasks, it’s right at home.

• Impact driver: If you lean on impact drivers for most fastening, this one does the job cleanly. Driving 3-inch deck screws into PT lumber was quick and drama-free, and it’ll set Tapcons in predrilled holes without struggling. It has the familiar impact-driver bark, so ear protection is smart for longer runs. Power comes on smoothly; you can creep a fastener in without cam-out, then squeeze for speed when it’s time to bury it.

• LED work light: The light outputs 160 lumens—modest, but the pivoting head and magnet make it punch above its spec. I stuck it to a breaker box cover, HVAC plenum, and the inside of a van door; the magnet held and the beam filled the space enough to work. It’s not a site light and won’t flood a room, but for close work and inspection, it’s the right size and brightness, and the 360-degree pivot lets you park it exactly where you need it.

Battery life and charging

The kit includes two 1.3 Ah batteries. That capacity keeps weight down and makes the tools feel nimble, but it also defines the runtime. For quick tasks—hardware installs, a handful of pilot holes, a dozen screws—the small packs are perfect. On sustained jobs, you’ll be swapping batteries more often. With two packs in rotation, I didn’t hit a full stop, but I did find myself thinking about a higher-capacity pack for longer fastening runs or larger hole-making.

The upside is the brushless motors squeeze more work out of each charge than brushed equivalents, and the compact packs recharge relatively quickly. If you plan to do a lot of framing, decking, or hole-saw work, consider adding a 4.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah battery to your kit. For punch-list and maintenance tasks, the included packs are plenty.

Design touches that matter

• Compact footprints: Both drivers get into tight, awkward spaces where bigger tools won’t fit.
• 20-second LED delay: Small feature, big usability improvement in dark or confined work.
• 1/2-inch chuck on a compact drill: More versatile bit compatibility without bumping up to a larger tool.
• One-handed hex chuck: Fast bit changes, and the acceptance of 1-inch tips keeps the impact driver stubby.
• Magnetic, pivoting work light: Stick it, angle it, get to work—no balancing acts or third-hand contortions.

Durability and platform

Brushless motors don’t have brushes to wear out, and they generally run cooler under load. After a few weeks of use, neither tool showed signs of looseness or heat fade. The housings are the standard DeWalt composite with rubber overmold in the right places. This kit also benefits from being in the 20V MAX ecosystem; if you already own other tools or batteries, everything plays nicely. It’s backed by a 3-year limited warranty, which aligns with what I expect in this class.

What I’d change

• Higher-capacity batteries in the box: The 1.3 Ah packs keep things light but limit runtime. A 2.0 Ah minimum would make the kit more versatile out of the gate.
• More positive selector feel: The forward/reverse switches work fine, but a firmer detent would inspire more confidence, especially with gloves on.
• Better storage: The soft bag is basic—no structure, no dividers—so tools and batteries rattle together. It protects from dust, but frequent transport would benefit from a more robust bag or a couple of internal pockets.
• Include starter bits: You’ll need to bring your own driver bits and drill bits. Not a deal-breaker, just plan for it if you’re gifting the kit or starting from scratch.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers who want a compact, reliable 20V setup for projects around the house.
• Maintenance techs and facility staff who need a lightweight, easy-to-carry pair of drivers and a handy light for daily tasks.
• Pros looking for a small-footprint kit to complement heavier hitters for punch lists, cabinet installs, and service calls.

If your work leans toward continuous fastening, hole-sawing in dense stock, or overhead drilling in concrete, you’ll outgrow the included batteries quickly and may want a hammer drill and larger packs. But for the majority of fix/fit/finish tasks, this kit hits a practical balance.

The bottom line

This DeWalt 20V combo kit focuses on the fundamentals: compact size, brushless efficiency, and useful features that add up in daily use. The drill/driver and impact driver are both no-nonsense performers with good ergonomics and thoughtful touches like the LED delay and one-handed chuck. The work light, often an afterthought in kits, earns its spot with a strong magnet and a flexible head.

I recommend this kit. The core tools are well executed, the platform is widely supported, and the form factor is ideal for the kind of tasks most people do most of the time. Pair it with a higher-capacity battery if you expect longer runs, and consider a better bag if you travel with your tools, but as a foundation for everyday work, it’s a smart, dependable choice.