DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. High-Torque Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil and POWERSTACK 5.0Ah Battery

A heavy hitter that still knows how to behave

I put the DCF900 impact wrench to work the way most high-torque 1/2-inch guns earn their keep: seized suspension hardware, axle nuts, pipe flanges, and wheel lugs that haven’t moved since the factory. It didn’t flinch. The big draw here is simple—real power you can control. Rated at 1,030 ft-lbs of fastening torque and up to 1,400 ft-lbs of breakaway, it consistently broke rusted hardware free without theatrics, yet it was tame enough to avoid turning fasteners into projectiles when the job required finesse.

Power with manners

The headline torque is backed by a brushless motor and a four-mode drive system, plus a variable-speed trigger. The trigger is easy to modulate from a gentle bump to full tilt, which matters when you’re starting a nut on delicate threads or easing a fastener out of crusty threads without galling. The four speed modes are genuinely distinct, not just window dressing, and I found a useful spread from light assembly work to all-out demolition.

Precision Wrench mode is the trick feature. In forward, it helps prevent over-tightening by ramping down as it senses the fastener seating. In reverse, it reduces speed as the nut breaks free so you’re less likely to fling it across the bay. In practice, that saved me time and avoided the “oops” moments that some high-torque guns invite. I used it to snug wheel lugs, then finished with a torque wrench, and it consistently kept me in the safe zone.

If you’re coming from an air gun, the removal speed and authority will feel familiar. The DCF900’s 2,300 RPM/2,200 IPM spec isn’t the highest on paper, but the bolt-busting torque is there, and it translates to quick real-world removals. On rusted suspension bolts and an axle nut that laughed at breaker bars, the tool simply got the job done—no drama, no warm-up cycles, just pull the trigger and watch the fastener move.

The POWERSTACK advantage

This kit pairs the tool with a POWERSTACK 5.0Ah pouch-cell battery. Versus traditional cylindrical cells, the pouch pack delivers excellent sag resistance under heavy load, so the tool keeps its punch deeper into the discharge curve. Runtime felt strong for a high-torque platform: I removed and reinstalled a full set of wheels and tackled several suspension fasteners on a half-ton truck, then still had usable charge left for anchor bolts. If you regularly run high-demand tasks, a second battery is always wise, but the 5.0Ah POWERSTACK held its own.

The battery-to-tool connection (DeWalt calls it BatteryGuard) adds a shock-absorbing interface. On an impact, that’s not marketing fluff—it reduces the worst of the vibration the pack sees during hammering. Over time, that should be a benefit to both battery longevity and contact reliability. The pack is fully compatible with other 20V MAX tools and chargers, and the included DCB115 charger is compact and dependable.

Ergonomics, balance, and build

At 6.4 lbs bare tool (and more with a 5.0Ah pack), this is not a featherweight, but that’s the nature of the category. Balance is good with the included battery; the tool sits neutral in the hand and doesn’t try to nose-dive at arm’s length. The grip is classic DeWalt—secure overmold without being gummy—and the variable trigger has a predictable take-up.

The housing feels stout, and the hammering mechanism has the solid, “tight” sound you want from a premium impact. I also appreciate the hog ring anvil. It isn’t as locked-in as a detent pin for long extensions or overhead work, but for daily socket swaps on the ground or at the bench, it’s faster and still secure with quality impact sockets. After a few dozen changes, the ring loosened to a sweet spot—firm but not frustrating.

The on-tool LED is bright and genuinely useful when you’re deep in a wheel well. It’s not a three-LED halo, but it does a good job of cutting shadows around the fastener. I’d love a slightly longer afterglow timer for positioning, but that’s nitpicking.

Noise and vibration are exactly what you’d expect from a top-tier 1/2-inch impact—loud enough to demand hearing protection, controlled enough that your hands won’t feel buzzed after a reasonable shift. Compared to some older high-torque guns, the vibration signature here feels more refined.

Controls that stay out of your way

The four-mode selector is a push-button cluster you can thumb with gloves, and it holds your selection when you cycle the trigger. The layout is intuitive: low, medium, high, and Precision Wrench. I set Precision Wrench for most assembly work and jumped to high torque for removals. The tool’s feedback is predictable across modes, which is what you want when you’re bouncing between tasks throughout the day.

Real-world performance highlights

• High-strength hardware: Broke free rusted suspension bolts and axle nuts that resisted breaker bars. The tool didn’t bog, and it didn’t “rattle” uselessly—torque translated into movement quickly.
• Wheel service: Removed lugs cleanly on both passenger and light truck wheels. Precision Wrench mode made run-off control simple, and final torqueing with a wrench was consistent.
• Anchors and flanges: For 1/2-inch wedge anchors and pipe flanges, speed 2 or 3 offered plenty of control without overshooting. The variable trigger helped ease fasteners into alignment before locking them down.

What could be better

• Weight and size: High-torque impacts are big and heavy; this one is no exception. It’s not the tool you want for tight engine-bay work or above-shoulder tasks for long stretches. Pair it with a mid-torque if you do a lot of overhead or interior work.
• Hog ring vs. detent pin: The hog ring is ideal for quick changes, but if you frequently run long extensions or work at odd angles, a detent pin anvil would be more secure. That’s a preference call, but worth noting.
• Price of the POWERSTACK pack: The pouch-cell technology performs, but it carries a cost premium. If you already own 20V MAX batteries, you may not feel compelled to switch your whole fleet to POWERSTACK, though it’s a compelling match for this tool.

Durability and service

A brushless motor, solid housing, and the shock-absorbing battery interface all point toward a long service life. The warranty package—3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee—adds confidence. I’ve had zero hiccups with the electronics or the speed selector, even after sustained hammering on stubborn hardware.

Who it’s for

• Automotive techs and serious DIYers who routinely face axle nuts, crank bolts, and rusted suspension fasteners.
• Mechanics and fabricators who need consistent heavy breakaway torque without dragging an air line.
• Construction pros dealing with structural fasteners, anchors, and large couplings.

If your work rarely demands more than lug nuts and light assembly, a mid-torque impact will save weight and money. But if you want one tool that can handle worst-case fasteners and still be controllable for day-to-day tasks, this is a sweet spot.

The bottom line

The DCF900 impact wrench delivers the kind of power that replaces an air hose for most heavy automotive and jobsite tasks, and it does it with controls that keep you out of trouble. The four-mode drive and Precision Wrench features make it more than a blunt instrument, the POWERSTACK 5.0Ah battery keeps the hammer swinging under load, and the build feels ready for years of service.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool. It’s a reliable, high-torque impact that balances brute force with usable control. If you need a cordless 1/2-inch impact that can break almost anything free yet still manage assembly work without stripping threads, the DCF900 is a smart, capable choice. The only caveats are the expected weight and the cost of the POWERSTACK ecosystem—both reasonable trade-offs for the performance you get.