Dewalt DCD996

The DCD996 20V MAX XR FLEXVOLT 1/2 in. cordless drill/driver kit from DEWALT is a cordless drill and driver combo kit that comes with three batteries and a charger. The drill/driver features three speed settings as well as a 1/4 in. hex chuck. The drill can rotate at 0-350 RPM while the variable speed driver can spin at a speed of 0-500 RPM. The kit also includes three lithium-ion batteries and a charger.


In testing, the drill/driver delivered strong torque, but lacked speed. We also tested its battery life, which tests how long a battery lasts before it needs to be recharged. In our tests, the battery lasted 11 minutes before it ran out of power. The kit also includes a battery charger that hooks up to an AC outlet, making it easy to recharge the battery.


The drill/driver's 20V MAX XR battery delivers power for longer runtimes, but at a higher price. The batteries cost $40 each, which is $10 more than 18V battery. In our tests, the drill/driver's 20V MAX battery lasted 43 minutes, which is 9 minutes longer than its 18V MAX battery counterpart.


The DCD996 is a powerful drill/driver kit with 20V MAX XR battery, but customers may find the 18V MAX

Here is my full Dewalt DCD996 review on my main website.

DEWALT-built high power, high efficiency brushless motor of DEWALT 20V hammer drill delivers up to 75% more runtime vs. 18V NiCad brushed motors The cordless hammer drill features heavy-duty 1/2-inch ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide inserts for superior bit gripping strength 3-Mode LED provides lighting in dark or confined spaces up to 20X brighter than previous model LED Spotlight Mode features 20 minute shutoff function allowing for extended work time in dark or confined spaces

Pros

  • 3 modes for different light conditions and work applications

  • Powerful and high energy

  • Long runtime

  • Easy and intuitive to use

  • Low noise

  • Comfortable

  • Lightweight

  • Easy to disassemble

  • Durable

  • 3 year manufacturer warranty

  • Good value for money

Cons (For DcD996B bare tool)

  • No battery

  • No charger

  • No case

  • No bits

Features We Like

  • Only 20V MAX XR Battery

  • 3-Speed Hammer Drill

  • LED Lights

  • Fuel Gauge

  • 4-Mode LED

  • High Speed Transmission

  • Compact, Lightweight Design

  • 2 Year Warranty

Research shows the average homeowner spends 40-90 minutes per week on home maintenance.


When shopping for a drill, most consumers want to know whether the drill is powerful enough, lightweight, or has a long battery life.


The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill Kit is a well-built, powerful little drill that works great as a drill driver or as a power tool. It has plenty of muscle under the hood, and the XR battery lasts much longer than most cordless models. However, it doesn't quite have the runtime of premium options, and it's a bit heavy for drilling overhead. It's a solid midrange option, but it's also worth considering the DEWALT DCD996C2 20V MAX XR Li-Ion Brushless 3-Speed Hammer Drill Kit, which costs a little more, but includes a 360-degree side handle, a third battery, and 2 batteries and charger.


Overall, the DCD996 20V MAX XR FLEXVOLT 1/2 in. cordless drill/driver kit from DEWALT offers a lightweight drill/driver with convenient features at an affordable price. However, the drill/driver's lack of speed and battery life limit its appeal.

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