DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless Brushless Compact Hammer Drill/Driver Kit

A compact hammer drill that punches above its size

I’ve put a lot of compact hammer drills through the wringer over the years, and the DCD796 has become one of the few I keep in regular rotation. It’s small enough to live on my belt all day, yet capable enough to handle serious carpentry and light masonry without feeling like I’m compromising. It’s not a brute-force tool, but it’s smartly designed for the kind of mixed drilling and driving most of us do day in, day out.

Size, balance, and build

At 7.5 inches front to back and roughly 3 pounds with the included 2.0Ah pack, the DCD796 is genuinely compact and easy to carry. The weight sits close to the hand, so it feels planted when you’re pushing into masonry or leaning on a hole saw. The handle shape and rubber overmold are spot-on; I can run this drill overhead or at awkward angles for long stretches without hand fatigue.

The metal 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck is a highlight. Bit changes are quick and positive, and it holds smooth-shank bits without creeping. Runout on my sample was minimal—good enough for clean hole starts in metal and accurate countersinking. The gearbox selector is crisp, the 13-position clutch is consistent, and the belt hook is strong and reversible. It’s a kit that feels job-ready out of the box.

Power and control

Brushless motors have become table stakes in this class, but the tune here is particularly good. On paper you’re looking at a two-speed transmission (0–550 / 0–2000 RPM), 70 N·m of torque, and a claimed 460W output. In practice, that translates to:

• Wood: Clean, confident boring up to 1-1/2 inches with spade bits and self-feed bits in SPF. With aggressive self-feeds, you’ll occasionally meet the electronic protection if you bury the bit and lean too hard—easing the feed or stepping down to a 5Ah battery solved that for me.
• Metal: No drama with 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch twist bits using a proper pilot and oil. The motor holds speed in low gear and doesn’t chatter when the bit breaks through.
• Fasteners: Deck screws and structural screws are well within its comfort zone. The clutch modulation is predictable for cabinetry and finish hardware, and in high gear the drill runs long screws fast without feeling twitchy.

The electronic protection is tuned conservatively, which I appreciate on a compact tool. It’ll cut power rather than cook itself if you stall a large bit or push past the torque envelope. That’s the right call for longevity, and it forces good technique.

Hammer mode and concrete performance

With a rated 34,000 blows per minute, the hammer action is effective for tapcons and anchors in brick, block, and standard concrete. I’ve set 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch anchors using quality masonry bits with no issue. It’s not a rotary hammer—nor should anyone expect it to be—but for the typical “drill a few holes and move on” tasks, it’s more than adequate. Vibration is manageable, and the compact length makes it easy to work close to corners and inside cabinets.

If you’re planning to core multiple 1/2-inch holes in harder aggregate, it’s worth stepping up to a dedicated SDS-plus tool. For occasional anchor work, the DCD796 is exactly what I want: quick, light, and capable.

LED lighting that’s actually useful

The three-mode LED is not a gimmick. Low and medium modes cover most close-up drilling and driving. The high “spotlight” mode with a 20-minute shutoff is great for under-sink repairs, attics, or when you need to sight a stud line without juggling a separate flashlight. Just be mindful that leaving it in spotlight mode can nibble at the small pack if the drill ends up tossed in a dark case.

Batteries, runtime, and the right pairing

The kit includes two 2.0Ah XR packs and a charger. I like these packs for their light weight and quick top-up; they keep the tool nimble and make sense for service work, cabinet installs, and finish carpentry. For heavier drilling—large spades, hole saws, and extended masonry sessions—I strongly prefer a 5.0Ah or larger pack. The higher-capacity batteries reduce voltage sag under load, which keeps the motor in its power band and reduces the chance of the overload protection tripping.

On balance, the included 2.0Ah packs are a great start and, paired with one higher-capacity pack in your bag, give you the best of both worlds: light and quick for daily tasks, plus staying power when needed.

Sound, vibration, and user fatigue

At a rated 89 dB(A), the DCD796 isn’t loud for a hammer drill, and the tone is less shrill than many compact competitors. Vibration through the handle is well controlled, even in hammer mode. Over long days installing hardware and drilling occasional anchors, I found fatigue to be notably low—credit to the balance, grip shape, and short length.

Durability and serviceability

After months of mixed use—wood framing tasks, a fair amount of kitchen and bath work, and periodic anchor setting—the drill is still tight. The gearbox shifts cleanly, the clutch hasn’t drifted, and the chuck holds like new. As with any compact driver, you can shorten its life by treating it like a mixing drill or stalling it constantly on oversize bits. Use appropriate bits, let the tool do the work, and it should hold up well.

The three-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee add a layer of confidence. The platform compatibility also matters: the 20V Max system (18V nominal) is extensive, so the batteries and charger slot easily into a broader kit.

Small gripes and wish list

No tool is perfect, and a few things are worth noting:

• The compact packs are terrific for feel, but they can encourage you to push the drill beyond its sweet spot. For demanding drilling, move to a 5Ah pack and low gear.
• The hammer mode icon is small; it’s easy to land between drill and hammer if you change modes with gloves on. A more tactile detent would help.
• The chuck on one of my test samples showed a hair of wobble under heavy side load with long augers. It didn’t affect hole quality in normal use, but it’s something I watch for on any compact drill.

None of these are dealbreakers, and all are common to the class.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople and serious DIYers who need a compact, do‑most‑things drill/driver with credible hammer performance.
• Installers, service techs, and remodelers who value light weight, tight spaces access, and all‑day ergonomics.
• Anyone already in the 20V Max ecosystem looking for a compact hammer drill that can cover 80–90% of daily tasks.

If you routinely bore large, deep holes, mix compounds, or chew through hard concrete, a heavier, higher-torque drill or an SDS‑plus rotary hammer will serve you better as a primary tool. The DCD796 can step into those roles in a pinch, but it shines as a compact workhorse, not a bruiser.

The bottom line

The DCD796 gets the fundamentals right: excellent ergonomics, a strong brushless motor, a genuinely useful LED system, a robust metal chuck, and a transmission tuned for real‑world work. It’s light without feeling flimsy, compact without being cramped, and powerful enough to handle an impressively wide range of tasks—especially when you pair it with the right battery for the job.

Recommendation: I recommend the DCD796 as a best-in-class compact hammer drill/driver for general carpentry, installation, and light masonry. It’s an easy daily carry with performance that belies its size, and the kit’s two 2.0Ah packs keep you moving. Add a 5.0Ah battery for heavy drilling, respect the tool’s compact limits, and you’ll have a reliable, versatile driver that earns its keep.