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Best Overall
DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver
Most Versatile
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 1/2″ Impact Wrench
Best Outdoor Tool
DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Reciprocating Saw
I got my first DeWalt tool—the 20V Max cordless drill—years ago, and I have now used it more times than I can count. I quickly added a sawzall to my lineup for cutting chores. And when my wife gifted me a Jiffy Torch 8-inch ice auger bit, I added a DeWalt hammer drill to run it.
Outdoor enthusiasts certainly do love our toys and tools. We all have an assortment of tools—including power tools—that we use for fixing things, and for fun stuff like hunting, camping, and fishing. DeWalt is one of the premier tool brands and with good reason. Their stuff works well and has a long-lasting reputation for quality. I know that as an avid outdoorsman, I rely heavily on my DeWalt tools for things like building blinds, assembling tree stands, and going ice fishing. Every outdoor enthusiast needs good power tools, and these are some of the best DeWalt Tools to be had.
Best Overall: DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver
Most Versatile: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 1/2″ Impact Wrench
Best Outdoor Tool: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Best Drill: DeWalt 20V Max 1/2″ Cordless Drill
Best Saw: DeWalt 20V Max 6-1/2″ Circular Saw
How We Picked the Best DeWalt Tools
I live on a small hobby farm, so testing out these various tools was easy—I used them for projects around the farm and in the field. We built a new 10-foot-long chicken coop out of pine boards and sheet metal, which is where the drill, hammer drill, circular saw and sawzall came in handy. Over the several days it took to complete (without any plans, mind you), the following tools never failed me, and none of the batteries needed to be recharged along the way.
I also used the sawzall for trimming branches when I hung tree stands this fall. It made quick work of the maple branches. And I used the impact wrench to swap out tires and wheels on a couple of ATVs.
| I’ve collected my fair share of DeWalt tools over the last few years. Derrek Sigler Derrek Sigler |
The important thing to note is that I had the opportunity to compare each of these tools against a corded counterpart. I used to think that a corded power tool would always have more power than a cordless version. That is definitely no longer the case.
Best DeWalt Tools: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver
Best Overall
Specs
Battery: Lithium-Ion
Speeds: Three
Size: 1/2″
Pros
Versatile
Powerful with three different speeds
Great for ice fishing
Built-in work light
Cons
Easy to accidentally strip screws
When you need more power for drilling tough jobs, the DeWalt Hammer Drill is the way to go. It has three different speed/power settings, with torque control for each. It makes quick work of the hardest drilling tasks, like concrete or metal. I picked up mine to do work in my basement, and for running my Jiffy Torch ice auger bit for ice fishing in Michigan’s winter months. It’ll chew through 12+ inches of ice in no time, and the optional clamp-on handle makes it easy to get extra leverage to steady yourself while drilling.
It has a 1/2-inch keyless chuck that will accept most bits. It also features a three-speed, high-performance (0-2,250 rpm) all-metal transmission.
| The DeWalt hammer drill is perfect for the popular ice auger bits used by many anglers on the hard water. Derrek Sigler |
What I specifically love about this hammer drill is its versatility. It has the power to chew through anything. It came in handy when I mounted my Redfield gun safe to my concrete floor. It also works as a driver to install screws—just be careful to apply enough pressure as the drill has enough torque to strip a screw head rather quickly. Trust me on that.
Most Versatile: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 1/2″ Impact Wrench
Most Versatile
Specs
Battery: Lithium-Ion
Speeds: Four with variable-speed trigger
Size: 1/2″
Pros
Powerful
Versatile
High torque for loosening and tightening bolts and nuts
4 speed settings and torque control helps prevent over tightening
Cons
None – it’s one of my favorite tools
Everyone should have at least one impact wrench. There is no better tool to have when working on a project that requires the taking off or putting on of bolts and nuts—especially if those nuts and bolts are at all rusted. The DeWalt 20V Max impact wrench is all about torque. For taking off nuts and bolts, it has a max torque of 1,400 pounds. For tightening, it has a max torque of 1,050 pounds. Like the rest of the DeWalt tools in our list, it uses the same 20-volt battery packs. When you use the XR batteries, the impact wrench’s Power Detect feature ups the power output by up to 29 percent.
| Having an impact wrench along when you are exploring makes changing flat tires much easier. Derrek Sigler Derrek Sigler |
This is a very handy tool. Whenever I hit the road, I pop in a fresh battery and make sure I have the right impact socket for my truck’s lug nuts in case I get a flat. It sure beats being “that guy” on the side of the road, jumping up and down on a lug wrench, trying to free a stubborn nut.
My father-in-law has levels of seriousness when it comes to taking off a bolt or nut. Level one is a wrench, level two is a socket wrench with an extended handle, and level three is an impact wrench, like the DeWalt. The final level is accompanied by some anger, and involves getting out the cutting torches, and some serious repairs afterwards. Since I have got my hands on the DeWalt impact wrench, I have not needed to go to level four again.
Best Outdoor Tool: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Best Outdoor Tool
Specs
Battery: Lithium-Ion
Speeds: Up to 3,000 strokes per minute
Size: 1-1/8″ stroke length
Pros
Powerful
Versatile
Fast cutting speeds
Four-position blade clamp
Cons
Can be a little awkward to hold
A reciprocating saw—better known as a sawzall—is another tool that everyone should have. I added a DeWalt sawzall to my lineup a while ago, and it sure is fast, with a speed of up to 3,000 strokes per minute. The speed is controlled entirely by the trigger, so you have control over how you cut. It has a pivoting shoe on the front that helps control blade depth and a four-position blade clamp that gives you solid contact with the blade, yet makes for fast blade changes should one go dull, break, or you need to change the type of material you’re cutting.
As an outdoor enthusiast, I find I use my sawzall a lot. I have some longer wood blades that come in handy when I’m setting up a tree stand or putting out trail cameras, and I need to trim branches where a chainsaw is too big. Plus, it came into play when my son and I were out scouting for geese in his SUV. He hit a stump that took off his muffler, and we needed to cut the exhaust pipe off to keep it from dragging on the ground. This sawzall is one of the best DeWalt tools you can buy because of its versatility.
Best Drill: DeWalt 20V Max 1/2″ Cordless Drill
Best Drill
Specs
Battery: Lithium-Ion
Speeds: Two 0-450rpm, and 1,550 rpm
Size: 1/2″
Pros
Price
Versatile
Single-sleeve chuck
Comes with two batteries
Great for driving screws
Cons
Not as powerful as a hammer drill
This was the first DeWalt tool I ever owned. My wife picked one up for me as a Christmas gift. It’s a basic drill, capable for many tasks you would want to use a drill for. It is outstanding for any wood project, and I use it often for screws, as the speed control makes it very easy to maneuver without stripping the screw heads. You get two speeds that you can use for a wide variety of tasks and projects, and I’ve found the ergonomic handle to be comfortable to hold and maneuver for hours on end. The drill is heavy-duty and durable, yet lightweight enough that it doesn’t add bulk to your tool belt or get tiresome when you’ve been working for a long time. Thanks to the compact design, you can also use it in smaller spaces—a huge plus.
The basic kit comes with a carry bag, a battery charger, two 20V Max battery packs and the drill. The extra battery pack comes in handy, especially when you buy other tools, like the sawzall.
Best Saw: DeWalt 20V Max 6-1/2″ Circular Saw
Best Saw
Specs
Battery: Lithium-Ion
Speeds: 5,150 rpm
Size: 6-1/2″ blade
Pros
Powerful and fast
Versatile
0-50 degree bevel
Magnesium shoe for light weight
Cons
You won’t want your neighbor borrowing it
Another saw that everyone needs is a circular saw, like this one from DeWalt. There are several size option in circular saws, and I went with the versatility of the 6-1/2″ model. It is lightweight with a rubberized grip, so it is very handy for projects like renovating the bathroom (which I had to do), or repairing a box blind (which I also had to do). Like the rest of the DeWalt tools in this list, it uses the same 20V Max batteries that make up the extensive line of tools DeWalt offers.
DeWalt offers this tool in the more standardized 7-1/4″ blade size, and that is definitely a good option, especially if you already have a good supply of that size blade. However, I chose the 6-1/2″ saw because it allows a shallower cut and a little better control for working in more delicate areas, like the aforementioned bathroom remodel. When you’re making cuts and you’re not exactly sure how deep you should cut, the added control from the slightly smaller saw is a big plus. Then factor in that it’s cordless, so you don’t have to fool with cords getting in the way—and you understand why it’s a winner.
What to Consider When Choosing DeWalt Tools
Battery Power
As I said from the start, it makes sense to buy cordless power tools that are all from the same brand. DeWalt has over 300 variations of power tools that all use the same battery system. The tools I listed above are what I consider to be the must-have tools everyone should own, but I own even more DeWalt products, simply because of the battery systems. I grabbed a 1/4″ impact wrench, which is great for smaller jobs with smaller bolts. I also picked up a cordless DeWalt weed whacker for the yard.
The DeWalt 20-volt system gives all of the tools enough power to handle as much as you would care to do with that tool. I remember the first cordless drill I ever bought. It was not DeWalt, and had a fraction of the power as the DeWalt tools. It was heavy and awkward to use—it was basically a big cordless screwdriver. If you’re out in a remote site, and you start to run out of power, you can do what I do and take along a gas generator and a DeWalt Rapid charger. I am enough of a redneck to always be prepared.
Use
How you would use these DeWalt tools is up to you. They are professional grade, so they can handle just about anything you throw at them. They make jobs easier to tackle, especially when that job requires more force than you can muster from a hand tool, like the impact wrench, hammer drill, or sawzall. I had used my father-in-law’s air-powered socket wrench and was happily surprised recently when my wife bought me the DeWalt cordless power socket wrench. (Look for an update down the road when I have some chances to really use it.)
Now, can you do some tasks with tools other than the DeWalt ones I tested? Sure, you can. Not every job requires a professional tool to get things done. However, having a quality tool that has the power to do what you need, where you need it done, and has a line of tools that use the same battery makes things easier. How does the old saying go? Work smarter, not harder. Let the DeWalt tool do that hard work.
Accessories
DeWalt has a complete range of accessories like sockets, impact sockets, blades, drill bits, and hand tools that will all match up with your DeWalt power tools. They’re mostly standardized, so you can use accessories from other brands, too. This is not always the case with power tools. Since DeWalt is owned by the Stanley Black & Decker company, this expands the number of accessories that are compatible with DeWalt as well.
FAQs
Q: Do DeWalt tools have interchangeable batteries?
To an extent, DeWalt tools have interchangeable batteries. You can often use the same batteries with different DeWalt tools or even tools from other parent company brands. As long as the volt matches up, you should be good to go. There are also adapters available to use battery systems from other manufacturers, like Milwaukee or Bosch.
Q: Where are DeWalt tools made?
DeWalt’s parent company—Stanley Black + Decker—runs seven production facilities in the United States, and sources materials from around the globe. Many tools are made in the U.S.A, and will have a label that tells you so right up front. Some tools are made overseas under strict licensing agreements and guidelines.
Q: How long do DeWalt power tools last?
As long as you take care of it and put it away properly when you’re done using it, a DeWalt tool will last a long time. The batteries have shown great life, taking on an average of 1,000 charging cycles before they wear out. I haven’t gotten that far with mine yet, but so far, so good.
Best DeWalt Tools: Final Thoughts
Best Overall: DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver
Most Versatile: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless 1/2″ Impact Wrench
Best Outdoor Tool: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Best Drill: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill
Best Saw: DeWalt 20V Max 6-1/2″ Circular Saw
You really can’t go wrong with any of the best DeWalt tools. My grandfather was a farmer and I spent a lot of my childhood helping out around the farm. He was a firm believer in buying something once. In other words, he would spend a little extra and buy higher quality stuff, because if it failed, then he lost time and money—two things farmers don’t have to spare. I use the same philosophy when it comes to certain things, like trucks, guns, and tools. That is why after doing my research, I buy DeWalt tools. The tools listed here will cover many of your power tool needs, and because they’re all quality tools that use the same basic power source, you’ll be set for years of use.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
