DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill (Tool Only)

A compact bruiser with smart safety and honest limits

I put the DCD806 through a broad mix of work—framing, cabinet install, metal studs, and a few days of light masonry patching—and came away impressed by how much punch DeWalt squeezed into such a short package. At just 7 inches long, this hammer drill threads into spaces that usually call for a compact driver, but it still brings serious muscle thanks to a brushless motor and a two-speed transmission.

This is a tool-only kit, so you’ll need your own 20V Max battery. I ran it mostly on 5.0Ah and 2.0Ah packs. With the 5Ah it feels planted and well-balanced; with the 2Ah it turns into a nimble, top-heavy little rocket that’s great for overhead work.

Build and ergonomics

DeWalt kept the footprint tight without making the tool feel cramped. The grip has familiar DeWalt contouring and rubber overmold where it matters. The 1/2-inch metal ratcheting chuck is a highlight—knurled, confidence-inspiring, and it holds smooth-shank bits without walking. I didn’t have to retighten on larger spade bits or step bits, which isn’t always the case on compact hammer drills.

Controls are straightforward:
- A two-speed slider on top (0–650 rpm and 0–2000 rpm).
- A 14-position clutch with clear detents and drill/hammer settings.
- A variable-speed trigger that’s easy to feather for delicate starts.

The belt hook ships in the box and mounts solidly. For right-handed carry on a ladder, it sits at the right angle and doesn’t fight you when reholstering.

Power, speed, and control

Rated at 1050 MWO, this driver sits in the “high-performance compact” class. In low gear, it’s stout enough for structural screws, lag-style fasteners with pilot holes, and larger wood-boring tasks. In high gear, it’s fast and smooth on small to medium holes in wood and sheet metal. The trigger modulation is excellent; I could ease a 3/32-inch pilot into finished maple face frames without the bit skating.

The tool’s anti-rotation system—part of DeWalt’s Perform & Protect lineup—isn’t gimmicky. It stops the motor if it senses a sudden bind. I had it kick in twice on a bi-metal hole saw catching a nail, and one save when a 1-inch auger bit bit down hard in wet SPF. It’s a wrist-saver. There’s an LED indicator that lets you know it tripped. The trade-off is that it can shut you down mid-cut when you’re pushing hard; backing the bit out and re-approaching solved it each time. I’ll take that compromise for the added safety.

Masonry performance

Hammer mode spins up to 34,000 BPM in high gear. For brick, block, mortar, light stucco, and Tapcon prep in standard concrete, it does exactly what you want a hammer drill to do: quick starts, clean holes, and predictable progress with quality carbide bits.

Where it hits its ceiling is old, hard concrete with a lot of aggregate. On a patio repair with river rock mixed into the slab, progress slowed dramatically and the bit heated up fast. That’s the scenario where an SDS-Plus rotary hammer is the right call. The DCD806 can get it done eventually with persistence and fresh bits, but it’s not the most efficient or kind to your consumables. In common residential masonry—brick veneers, cinder block anchors, light-duty anchors into poured concrete—it’s fully capable.

Lighting and visibility

The 3-position LED work light is better than average. It’s mounted low, it’s bright (rated 70 lumens), and the adjustability actually matters. The lowest setting is gentle enough not to blow out pencil marks on white melamine; the highest doubles as a site light for tight cabinets and dim basements. Auto-shutoff keeps you from burning battery if you set it down with the light on.

If I’m nitpicking, the light does cast a shadow right behind larger diameter bits, which is true of most nose-mounted LEDs. It’s still a useful upgrade over single-mode lights.

Runtime and batteries

DeWalt notes the drill can punch a large number of holes per charge with a specific battery and bit combo; real-world results always depend on the battery, material, and bit. With a 5Ah pack, I ran a day of intermittent work—pilot holes, cabinet installs, a dozen 7/32-inch masonry holes, some step-bit work in 20-gauge steel—without needing a fresh battery until late afternoon. With a 2Ah, it’s more of a half-day tool if you’re drilling more than driving.

Heat management is good. Even after longer drilling sessions in low gear, the motor housing stayed warm rather than hot, and recovery time was short.

Tool Connect readiness

If you’re managing a fleet, the chip-ready cavity is a nice touch. Pop in DeWalt’s TOOL CONNECT chip and you get tracking/management features without adding bulk. It’s unobtrusive if you don’t use it, so there’s no downside for solo users.

Noise, vibration, and refinement

In drill/drive mode, it’s smooth and reasonably quiet for the power level. Hammer mode introduces the expected chatter; vibration is controlled but present—you’ll feel it in your palms after a long run of concrete anchors, though not enough to be fatiguing on short runs. The clutch transitions cleanly from slip to drive without the gritty feel some drills exhibit as the internals wear.

Durability and service

Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt’s XR line. The chuck stays true, the gearbox shifts stay positive, and the housing tolerates jobsite dust without gritty switches. The warranty—3-year limited, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction—adds a layer of confidence for heavy users.

Where it shines

• Wood drilling and fastening: Drives structural screws with authority and bores clean holes with spade and auger bits, especially in low gear.
• Metal work: Paired with a good step bit, high gear is quick on electrical knockouts and unistrut. The trigger control helps avoid over-speeding small bits.
• Light to medium masonry: Brick and block anchors, Tapcons in standard concrete, and general renovation drilling are squarely in its comfort zone.
• Safety-critical scenarios: The anti-rotation shutoff is legitimately useful when running hole saws, large bits, or working awkward angles on ladders.

What could be better

• Not a rotary hammer replacement: In hard, aggregate-rich or fully cured concrete, progress slows; use SDS-Plus if that’s your daily grind.
• Visibility on the clutch ring: The markings are legible, but a high-contrast ring would make quick checks easier under poor lighting.
• Tool-only purchase: Common in pro-grade tools, but first-time buyers need to budget for batteries and a charger.

Specs that matter

• 1/2-inch metal ratcheting chuck
• 0–650 / 0–2000 RPM two-speed transmission
• Up to 34,000 BPM in hammer mode
• 14 clutch positions
• Brushless motor, 20V Max platform
• 7-inch tool length
• 3-position LED work light (auto-shutoff)
• Perform & Protect anti-rotation safety with indicator LED
• TOOL CONNECT chip ready
• Belt hook included

Who it’s for

If you’re a remodeler, electrician, facilities tech, or serious DIYer looking for one drill to live on your belt most days, this is a sweet spot: compact, powerful, and genuinely safer under bind-up. If your workload leans heavily toward hard concrete, buy an SDS rotary hammer alongside it. If you rarely touch masonry, you still get a top-tier drill/driver with a “sometimes” hammer mode that’s more than adequate.

Recommendation

I recommend the DCD806 as a primary drill/driver with capable hammer functionality. Its power-to-size ratio, excellent chuck, and thoughtful safety system make it a reliable daily driver. The hammer mode handles brick and block with ease, but it’s not a substitute for an SDS-Plus on tough concrete. If you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V Max platform, it’s an easy upgrade; if you’re starting fresh, the warranty, compact form factor, and real-world control make it a smart entry point into a mature ecosystem.