DeWalt XTREME 12V MAX Brushless Cordless 5-in-1 Drill/Driver Kit

The first morning I clipped the DeWalt 12V 5-in-1 to my belt, it was because I knew I’d be living inside cabinets, inside stud bays, and under a vanity—places where a full-size drill is more liability than help. By sundown, I’d used every head on it at least once and stopped thinking of it as a gimmick. It’s a compact problem-solver that favors control and access over brute force, and it does that job well.

Design, ergonomics, and build

The core body is short—under 5 inches—so even without an attachment, it’s a tidy little driver. With a 12V 2.0Ah slide pack installed, the balance sits right at the web of the hand, and the weight stays light enough for one-handed overhead work without fatigue. The handle shape and rubber overmold gave me a secure grip with gloves or bare hands, and the variable trigger has the kind of fine modulation I rely on for delicate fasteners.

DeWalt built this around a brushless motor and a 2-speed gearbox with 15 clutch settings. The clutch ring has clear detents, and the drill mode is easy to find by feel. Forward/reverse is predictable and firm. Nothing on the tool rattles; the locks for the heads click positively into place, and there’s very little wobble when you’re pushing on a stubborn screw. Fit and finish feel up to DeWalt’s pro line, even though this sits in their compact 12V family.

A small but welcome touch: there’s a magnetic 1/4-inch hex bit holder on the tool itself, so you can run the body as a near-stubby driver when you don’t need a special head. The included belt hook is reversible and sturdy. The LED foot light does a decent job illuminating the work area without blinding you.

The multi-head system

You get four attachments in the kit:
- 1/4-inch hex quick-release head for most driving chores
- 1/4-inch hex offset head for fasteners up against edges
- 1/4-inch hex right-angle head for tight quarters
- 3/8-inch ratcheting chuck for round-shank drill bits

Swapping heads is fast and intuitive. Each head indexes in multiple orientations so you can clock the bit exactly where you need it. I used the right-angle head inside a base cabinet to set drawer slide screws without removing the slide—huge time saver. The offset head let me drive hinge screws a finger-width from a side panel without camming out. For drilling, the 3/8-inch ratcheting chuck is better than basic; it tightens smoothly and holds small twist bits securely.

The quick-release hex head has a one-handed collar, so bit changes are quick, and it holds impact-rated bits snugly with minimal runout. Across all heads, the driving feel stays consistent, which isn’t always a given on modular tools.

Power, control, and runtime

This is a control-first tool with enough power for most installation and finish tasks. On low speed, clutch set in the mid-range, I could run #6 and #8 cabinet screws into hardwood face frames with no drama and no stripped heads. On high speed in drill mode, it has the zip for clean pilot holes with 1/8- and 3/16-inch bits and will handle light hole saw work in drywall and softwood. It’s not a 20V framing driver—don’t expect to sink 4-inch structural screws into LVL without pre-drilling—but that’s not its mission.

DeWalt rates tool output at 255 UWO, and in practice that translates to “plenty for cabinetry, electrical, hardware installs, and furniture assembly.” The two-speed transmission covers the typical range: low for nuanced fastening, high for small bit drilling. The clutch behavior is a standout—engagement is consistent and precise, which makes setting repeatable torque on delicate hinges and electronics covers painless.

With the included 2.0Ah battery, I got through a full day of light-duty install work—mix of hinges, hardware, and small pilot holes—on a single pack, with a quick top-off during lunch. The pack recharges quickly (around a half hour), and since it’s a slide-style battery, it’s easy to swap without fumbling. If you’re planning heavier drilling or all-day production driving, consider adding a second 2.0Ah or stepping up to a 3.0Ah compact.

Visibility and usability in tight spaces

The LED is mounted in the foot, which I prefer over nose-mounted lights for two reasons: it throws light where the bit is headed, and it avoids direct glare. That said, when you’re using the right-angle or offset heads, the attachment can cast a shadow depending on orientation. It’s still useful; just be ready to adjust your angle for the cleanest view.

Because the body length is so short, you can get into spots that normally require a stubby screwdriver, and the offset head keeps the bit close to the edge so you’re not fighting the tool against a wall or side panel. The right-angle head has been especially handy for electrical work—running screws on junction box covers in a stud bay without swapping to hand tools.

Noise and vibration

The brushless motor runs quietly for a drill/driver. There’s less high-pitched whine than I hear from many 12V tools, and the vibration is minimal unless you’re binding a bit. Under load, it stays composed, and the gear change is smooth, not crunchy.

What I’d change

• Include a second battery. The kit only ships with one 2.0Ah pack. For pros or anyone using this as a daily driver, a second pack would close the loop.
• Better storage for the heads. The soft bag is fine, but the attachments can end up free-floating unless you add small pouches or foam. A molded insert or a compact hard case would keep things organized.
• A slightly brighter LED would be welcome. The current light is serviceable; a bit more output would help when the right-angle head casts a shadow.

These are small nitpicks. None are deal-breakers.

Where it fits in a kit

I treat the DeWalt 12V 5-in-1 as an installation driver that pairs with a higher-voltage drill or impact for heavy-duty tasks. It’s perfect for:
- Cabinetry and hardware installs
- Electrical boxes, outlets, and cover plates
- HVAC panels and appliance service
- Furniture assembly and disassembly
- Light drilling in wood, plastic, and sheet metal

For framing, large spade bits, big lag screws, or deep hole saws, I reach for an 18/20V tool. But on most finish or service jobs, this 12V stays on my belt because it saves steps and reduces the chance of over-driving fasteners.

Durability and warranty

After weeks bouncing around in a van and a few drops off a ladder shelf, mine shows scuffs but no functional wear. The head interfaces are still tight, and the ratcheting chuck hasn’t loosened up. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee—solid coverage for a tool in this category.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 12V 5-in-1 is a well-executed multi-head driver that prioritizes access, control, and speed of setup. The heads aren’t a novelty—they’re genuinely useful in everyday installs—and the tool body’s short length makes it more capable than most compact drivers in confined spaces. The brushless motor, two-speed gearbox, and 15-position clutch work together to keep you from stripping screws or cracking trim, and the quick-change heads make it faster to get the bit where it needs to go than wrestling a full-size drill into place.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to installers, remodelers, electricians, HVAC techs, furniture assemblers, and serious DIYers who work in tight spaces or on delicate hardware. It won’t replace a high-torque drill or impact for heavy construction, and the kit would be stronger with a second battery and better head storage. But as an everyday installation driver, it’s compact, capable, thoughtfully designed, and a genuine time saver.