DeWalt 3/8 in. Cordless Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil Kit

A compact 3/8-in workhorse that punches above its weight

I reached for DeWalt’s 3/8-in impact on a series of automotive and equipment tasks to see where it shines and where it falls short. In short: it’s a compact, easy-to-control driver that delivers more breakaway grunt than its size suggests, and the kit format (two 5.0 Ah batteries and charger) makes it a straightforward pick if you want to get to work right away. It’s not a precision torque tool and it lacks advanced modes, but as a reliable, go-to 3/8-in impact for daily fastening and removal, it’s been excellent.

Why a 3/8-in impact makes sense

There’s a lot of overlap between 3/8-in and 1/2-in impacts, so I like to be clear about use cases. A 3/8-in driver is typically what I want in tight engine bays, interior work, small to mid-sized fasteners on mowers and equipment, and general service work. The head is smaller, the tool is lighter, and with a hog ring anvil you can swap sockets quickly without fighting a detent pin. If you’re primarily breaking truck lug nuts, subframe bolts, or doing suspension fasteners all day, you’ll usually want a 1/2-in. But this DeWalt narrows that gap more than most.

Size, balance, and ergonomics

The first thing I noticed is how compact it is. At about 5.2 inches long and 2.3 lbs bare tool, the head fits into spaces where a 1/2-in impact just won’t go. With a 5.0 Ah pack attached, it’s still well-balanced and manageable overhead or at arm’s length. The handle shape is familiar DeWalt: a comfortable arch, rubber overmold in the right places, and a belt clip that’s actually usable when you’re moving around a bay or ladder.

The variable-speed trigger gives you fine control at low RPM, which matters when you’re starting fasteners by feel. I could creep fasteners in smoothly before the hammering started, a small thing that makes a big difference in avoiding cross-threading.

Power and speed in real use

DeWalt rates this model at up to 250 ft-lbs of tightening torque and up to 400 ft-lbs of breakaway torque. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they line up with my experience. It had no trouble removing stubborn, rusted 10–14 mm fasteners, caliper bracket bolts, pulley hardware, and most engine-bay odds and ends. It also broke free passenger car lug nuts torqued around 90–110 ft-lbs, though a 3/8-in impact (and 3/8-in sockets) wouldn’t be my first choice for wheel work as a steady diet.

The speed range tops out around 2,850 RPM with 3,150 IPM. In practice, it feels snappy without being wild. On removal, it drives fasteners off quickly and predictably. On installation, the trigger modulation is precise enough that I could stop just as the hammering engaged, then switch to hand or torque wrench for final torque. That’s how a 3/8-in impact should be used—quick to snug, not the last word in tightening.

Hog ring anvil: fast and practical

The hog ring anvil is set up for quick socket swaps. It’s the right choice here. I could rotate between 10, 13, and 15 mm impacts rapidly without the “detent pin fight” that slows you down when you’re moving fast. The retention is firm enough that sockets don’t walk off in use, but still easy to pull one-handed—especially helpful when you’re jammed into a fender well and don’t have two hands to spare.

LED ring and visibility

The on-board LED ring around the anvil is brighter than the single-spot LEDs I’ve used on older impacts. It lights the fastener area evenly and reduces shadows when you’re under-dash or inside an engine bay. It’s not a replacement for a proper work light, but it’s very handy when you’re just moving between fasteners and don’t want to set up extra lighting.

Battery life and kit value

The kit includes two DCB205 20V 5.0 Ah packs, a charger, a bag, and a belt clip. That alone adds a lot of value, because 5.0 Ah packs dramatically reduce battery swaps. Across a day of mixed removal and installation, I could run most of the afternoon on a single pack. Twice the batteries means there’s always one on the charger and you’re not babysitting runtime.

For someone entering the DeWalt 20V platform or looking to standardize on 5.0 Ah packs, it’s hard to argue with the kit approach. If you’re already deep into DeWalt batteries, the bare tool would still be compelling—but having two fresh 5.0s is a luxury you feel on longer days.

Control and workflow tips

A 3/8-in impact with this much breakaway torque can still overdo it on installation if you’re not paying attention. A few practical habits kept things clean and safe for me:

• Start fasteners slowly with the trigger and stop as soon as the hammer engages.
• Use torque sticks for wheels and a torque wrench for critical fasteners.
• Match socket sizes carefully—impact-rated sockets fit tighter and keep rounding at bay.
• Keep the hog ring lightly lubricated over time to make socket swaps consistent.

Following that pattern, I got fast work without snapped or stretched hardware.

Noise, vibration, and wear

It’s still an impact wrench; ear and eye protection are smart. Noise levels are on par with other compact impacts I’ve used. Vibration is typical during hammering, but the grip absorbs enough that fatigue is more about time-on-task than hand sting. The brushless motor should help with overall durability and efficiency—less maintenance, fewer brushes to wear, and better runtime per charge.

Durability and warranty

Fit and finish are solid: minimal wobble at the anvil, clean molding, and tight panel seams. The anvil retention feels robust and the selector action is positive. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s standard for their pro-grade tools and gives a reasonable safety net if something shows up out of spec.

What I’d change

• No dedicated precision modes: There aren’t separate “precision” or “auto stop” modes you see on some competitors. The variable-speed trigger covers most of that need, but dedicated reverse auto-stop can be nice when you’re backing out small fasteners.
• 3/8-in ceiling: While it will pop lug nuts, I still prefer a 1/2-in impact for routine wheel and heavy chassis work—for both torque ceiling and long-term durability of the anvil.
• Size with 5.0 Ah battery: The compact head is great, but a 5.0 Ah pack makes the overall package taller in tight spaces. If you work in very cramped areas, pairing it with a compact 2.0–3.0 Ah pack can make it even more nimble (at the cost of runtime).

Who it’s for

• Automotive techs and DIYers who spend a lot of time in engine bays and interiors.
• Maintenance pros who need a compact impact for equipment and machinery.
• Anyone who appreciates a lighter tool that still has legitimate breakaway torque.

If your work is primarily suspension, heavy truck, or structural fasteners, step up to a 1/2-in drive. If you want one impact to do a bit of everything and you often work in tight quarters, this 3/8-in model is a strong fit.

The bottom line

This DeWalt 3/8-in impact gets the fundamentals right: compact size, real-world torque, predictable trigger control, and fast socket swaps with the hog ring anvil. The LED ring is genuinely helpful, and the kit’s two 5.0 Ah batteries mean you can work long stretches without thinking about power. I would like to see a dedicated precision mode or reverse auto-stop, but I didn’t miss them enough to slow down.

Recommendation: I recommend it. For technicians and serious DIYers who need a compact 3/8-in impact that can reliably break free stubborn fasteners and snug parts quickly without bulk, this kit offers strong performance, excellent runtime, and good value—backed by DeWalt’s standard warranty. If your work leans heavy-duty, pair it with a 1/2-in impact; otherwise, this will cover most day-to-day tasks with ease.