DeWalt Cordless Cable Stapler Kit

On my last rough-in, I finally left the hammer and saddle clamps in the bag and brought a dedicated cable stapler. I didn’t expect it to change my workflow as much as it did. The DeWalt cable stapler made solo routing, holding, and fastening NM cable noticeably faster and cleaner, especially overhead and in tight framing.

Setup and first impressions

The kit lands you a ready-to-run package: tool, 2.0Ah 20V battery, charger, soft bag, belt hook, and a staple holder. You’ll need to buy DeWalt’s 1 in. insulated cable staples (DRS18100 or equivalent) separately. Out of the box, the bottom-loading magazine is straightforward, and the cable alignment guide is obvious enough that I didn’t need to crack the manual to get going.

At 8.6 lb with battery, the stapler isn’t featherweight, but the balance is good and the hand position feels natural whether I’m nose-up overhead or running low across studs. The extended trigger is more useful than it looks in photos—you can re-grip quickly around obstructions without contorting your wrist to reach the trigger. Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt: tight, durable plastics, stout fasteners, and a nose that looks built to survive the occasional drop.

Alignment and drive quality

The cable guide is the star of the show. Feed the cable into the slot, press the nose flat to the wood, and the tool centers the insulated staple over the cable every time. That consistency is hard to match by hand. It’s not that a hammer can’t do a good job; it’s that this does a good job repeatedly, quickly, and with fewer stop-starts to re-seat a staple that wandered off center.

Drive depth is purposefully conservative on a single run of 14/2 or 12/2 NM. The stapler leaves a small, even gap between the cable and the insulated crown—enough to prevent crushing and keep inspectors happy. If I need the cable immobilized at the end of a run or around a box, I’ll give that last staple a light tap with a hammer. When stacking two cables, the hold is more secure out of the tool. For larger cable (e.g., 10/2), I still got clean starts and full seating, though the hold remains “serviceably snug” rather than clamp-tight—which is exactly what you want to avoid damaging the jacket.

I didn’t experience jams during use. The sequential-only trigger (no bump fire) keeps the pace controlled, which likely helps reliability. It also reduces the chance of double-firing or walking the tool along the stud too quickly and misplacing a staple. The tradeoff is speed: if you’re covering long straight runs, you won’t be blazing at pneumatic brad-nailer rates, but this is a safer, more deliberate approach for cable.

Working in real framing

In typical 2x framing, the stapler fits cleanly between studs and under joists. The narrow 3 in. body tucks into most spaces I encounter. In older houses with uneven lumber and odd gaps, the nose still finds purchase more often than not, though extreme corners and tight returns where the guide can’t sit flat may still call for a manual staple or two.

Overhead is where the tool pays for itself. With one hand I position and hold the cable; with the other I set the nose and fire. The center-mounted LED has just the right throw to keep shadows off the guide, and it eliminates the flashlight jiggle I’m used to when I’m stapling above shoulder height. Being able to align, hold, and fasten in one motion is the real advantage over hand-driving.

Staples, capacity, and reloads

The magazine holds 34 staples. That’s fine for short runs and punch-list tasks, but on bigger pulls you’ll be reloading more often than you would with a larger-collation gun. Bottom loading is quick, and the staple holder in the kit bag is a thoughtful touch to keep sleeves organized.

The 1 in. insulated staples are proprietary, and they’re pricier than bulk saddle clamps. They’re also cleaner to handle and, in my experience, less wasteful: they feed consistently, and you’re not tossing bent clamps. The insulation and crown design protect the cable better than bare metal, and I like the repeatability.

Power, runtime, and platform

The included 2.0Ah pack is the right call for weight and balance. Runtime has been a non-issue for typical residential rough-ins; I can run through a morning’s worth of routing and fastening on a single charge, swap batteries at lunch, and keep moving. If you’re already on DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform, the convenience is obvious. The tool is compatible with larger packs as well, though I prefer the smaller footprint of the 2.0Ah for overhead work.

Noise is minimal—no compressor, no hose, no air hiss—just a quick mechanical snap. That’s easier on the ears and the crew, and it pairs well with punch-list or remodel work where you’re sharing space with other trades or the homeowner.

Ergonomics and visibility

• Center-mounted LED: hits the sweet spot for alignment without blinding glare.
• Extended trigger: lets you fire in awkward orientations without choking up the grip.
• Adjustable belt hook: left or right; strong spring; actually usable on a ladder.
• Weight and balance: on the heavier side for its size, but controlled and predictable.
• Dimensions: compact enough to navigate studs and joists, but a manual staple still wins in the tightest corners.

Limitations and learning curve

• Tightness control: there’s no depth adjustment to squeeze a single cable tight; the tool is tuned to avoid crushing. Expect a slight gap on single runs and plan to hand-tap a staple where you need a non-moving anchor.
• Sequential-only: safer and steadier, but not as fast as a bump-fire workflow when you’re moving fast down a line.
• Staples are proprietary: the insulated 1 in. staples perform well, but you’re locked into a specific size and format, and cost adds up on large projects.
• Magazine capacity: 34 staples per load means periodic reloads on long pulls.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re characteristics to understand so you can plan accordingly. The design choices skew toward cable protection, accuracy, and reliability, not maximum speed.

Build quality, service, and warranty

The tool feels built for site life—nothing rattly, no spongy linkages. The nose and guide have held up without bending or scuffing out of alignment. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, and it’s made in the USA with global materials. That all tracks with the category and price.

Where it fits in my kit

As a dedicated fastening tool, this replaces a hammer and a pouch of staples on most NM cable work. I still keep manual staples for corner cases, but for 14/2, 12/2, and most double stacks, this has become the default. It shines in overhead work, long straight runs where alignment matters, and any job where I’m working solo and want to hold, align, and fasten in one motion without fumbling.

If you rarely pull new cable or you’re only touching a handful of staples per job, a manual approach remains hard to beat on cost. If you’re a remodeler, electrician, or serious DIYer tackling full rooms, additions, basements, or service upgrades, the time savings and consistency are easy to justify.

The bottom line

The DeWalt cable stapler is a purpose-built solution that does what it promises: fast, consistent, and cable-friendly fastening for NM and similar low-voltage runs. The alignment guide, LED, and extended trigger make real-world work easier; the sequential actuation and insulated staples prioritize protection and accuracy over raw speed. You’ll pay more for the proprietary staples and you won’t choke the cable down tight out of the tool—but those tradeoffs are exactly what keep the jacket safe and the inspector smiling.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to pros and serious DIYers who do regular residential wiring. It meaningfully speeds up rough-in work, especially overhead and when working solo, while improving consistency and reducing cable damage risk. If you only staple occasionally or balk at the ongoing cost of proprietary staples, you can skip it. For everyone else, it earns its spot in the bag.