DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless 3-Tool Combo Kit

First impressions

I put the DeWalt 20V combo kit to work over a few weeks of punch-list jobs: setting cabinets, trimming door casings, tightening hardware, and cutting in a couple of outlet boxes. The three tools cover a lot of ground—drilling, driving, and the odd jobs only an oscillating multi-tool can handle—and the kit’s two 20V lithium-ion batteries and charger mean you can keep moving without babysitting a single pack. Right away, the compact drill/driver and impact driver felt familiar and balanced, while the brushless oscillating tool brought noticeably smoother runtime than older brushed models I’ve used.

What’s in the kit

• Drill/driver with a 1/2-inch single-sleeve ratcheting chuck
  
• Impact driver rated up to 1400 in-lbs of torque with a 2-speed transmission
  
• Brushless oscillating multi-tool with a dual-grip variable-speed trigger
  
• Two 20V lithium-ion batteries (listed at 5 Ah)
  
• Charger and a soft carrying bag
  

Mine didn’t include driver or drill bits, so plan to bring your own. The bag holds everything but is light on structure and internal organization; there are no dividers to keep tools from clacking into each other.

Design and ergonomics

DeWalt’s yellow-and-black housings are as durable as ever. Each tool has a comfortable overmold grip, and the compact footprints help in tight spaces—overhead, inside cabinets, and between studs. Balance with the included batteries is good, though the larger-capacity packs add a little heft compared to compact packs. I appreciated the drill’s single-sleeve ratcheting chuck; it grips confidently and doesn’t loosen under vibration.

One nitpick: the forward/reverse selectors on the drill and impact driver have a slightly loose, vague feel. Functionally they worked fine, but the tactile feedback could be crisper.

Drill/driver performance

The drill/driver tops out at 1500 RPM no-load, which puts it in the mid-range for compact 20V drills. In practice, it drilled cleanly through pine and poplar studs with standard twist bits and handled a series of 1-inch spade bit holes without bogging when I kept my pressure steady. Chuck runout was minimal on my sample, and the ratcheting action kept hex-shank accessories secure during repeated start-stop tasks.

For light metalwork, I stepped up to 3/8-inch holes in mild steel using cutting oil, and the drill stayed controllable with good trigger modulation at low speeds. The clutch engaged consistently when driving cabinet screws into hardwood face frames, avoiding overdriving once I dialed in the right setting. If you routinely drill large holes in framing lumber or use high-demand hole saws, a higher-power hammer drill would be faster; for general carpentry and maintenance, this drill hits a sweet spot of size, control, and power.

Impact driver performance

With up to 1400 in-lbs of torque and a 2-speed transmission, the impact driver is the workhorse of the kit. Speed 1 is tame enough for hardware and small fasteners, which helps avoid snapped heads. Speed 2 unleashes real torque for framing screws and structural fasteners. I drove 3-inch deck screws into pressure-treated lumber without pre-drilling and the driver maintained a steady cadence. For 1/4-inch by 3-1/2-inch lags, pre-drilling made life easier, but the driver still seated them confidently.

Sound and vibration are typical for a compact impact—there’s the high-pitched hammering you’d expect under load, but the body doesn’t transfer excessive buzz to the hand. Bit changes are quick with the one-handed collet, and trigger response is linear, making delicate starts easy when you’re working near finished surfaces.

If you’re comparing pure power across the category, there are drivers that exceed this torque figure, but the combination of control, size, and runtime makes this one well-suited to everyday carpentry, assembly, and repair.

Oscillating multi-tool

The oscillating tool is the standout here because it’s brushless. Brushless motors are more efficient and typically run cooler under load, which translates into longer runtime and a slightly calmer feel in the hand. The dual-grip variable-speed trigger is genuinely useful: a finger-on-top grip gave me fine control for plunge cuts in drywall, while a conventional grip felt natural for longer flush cuts along doorjambs.

I made a handful of undercuts on casing to slide new flooring, notched PVC, and trimmed shims flush. With a quality blade, the tool tracked predictably and didn’t chatter. Vibration is present—as it is with every oscillating tool—but the handle design and motor smoothness kept it from numbing my fingers during longer sessions. Dust control will always be about your accessory choice and vacuum setup; the tool itself doesn’t try to be fancy here, and I’m fine with that.

Batteries, runtime, and charging

The kit lists 5 Ah 20V lithium-ion packs, and that’s where the convenience kicks in. I could run the oscillating tool through a string of casing undercuts and still have plenty of charge left to drive a pile of cabinet screws. The drill and driver sip power compared to the multi-tool, so two packs were ample to keep all three tools in rotation all day on lighter tasks.

Charging times will vary with ambient temperature and how depleted the packs are, but topping off during lunch kept me moving without interruption. If you already own other 20V tools, these packs slot right into that ecosystem; if not, this kit is a straightforward way to start one.

One note on ergonomics: 5 Ah packs add stability and runtime, but they do increase overall weight, especially noticeable overhead. If you do a ton of ceiling work, consider picking up a compact pack for those specific tasks.

Build quality and durability

The housings, rubber overmolds, and chucks feel robust, and nothing in my testing suggested premature wear. The oscillating tool’s brushless motor should pay dividends in longevity and efficiency. I did notice the selector switches’ slightly mushy feel, and the soft bag is thin and unstructured. Both are minor annoyances rather than deal-breakers. Still, I’d prefer a bag with internal dividers or at least a stiffer base to keep the tools from banging into each other in transit.

DeWalt backs the kit with a 3-year limited warranty, a year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. That’s reassuring coverage for a kit that’s likely to see daily use.

What could be better

• The forward/reverse selectors could have firmer detents.
  
• The bag is serviceable but flimsy and lacks organization; a stiffer, divided bag would protect the tools better.
  
• No bits are included, so budget for a driver and drill bit set if you’re starting from scratch.
  
• If you frequently tackle heavy drilling (large hole saws or augers), you may want a higher-torque drill than this compact model.

Who it’s for

This kit makes the most sense for homeowners, DIYers, and tradespeople who want a dependable 20V foundation without hauling a full truck’s worth of tools. The drill/driver and impact driver cover 90% of general drilling and fastening, while the oscillating multi-tool saves the day when you hit a task that nothing else can do cleanly. Pros may round it out with specialty tools, but for service calls, installs, punch lists, and remodel odds-and-ends, it’s a tight, efficient trio.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 20V combo kit strikes a practical balance: compact tools with enough power for everyday work, a brushless oscillating tool that runs smoothly and efficiently, and two high-capacity batteries that keep the whole setup moving. The details aren’t perfect—the selector switches feel a touch vague and the bag is forgettable—but the core performance is solid, and the platform compatibility and warranty add real value.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit to anyone looking to start or expand on the 20V platform with a focused, versatile trio. You get reliable drilling and driving, a genuinely useful brushless oscillating tool, long-lasting 5 Ah packs, and straightforward ergonomics. If you need maximum drilling power or premium storage, pair it with a heavy-duty drill and a better bag. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded, work-ready setup.