Dewalt 20V Max Brushless 1/2 in. Cordless Compact Drill Driver DCD793B Review

Drilling

The Max drilled a large hole saw to its full depth in about 22 seconds, cutting through the solid door without any signs of slowing down or struggling, and delivered one of the best performances to date.

This tool continued to perform fantastically during our steel drilling tests. It drilled through the metal with both the small and large twist bits with absolutely no trouble at all, taking just 1.1 seconds with the smaller bit and 5.1 seconds with the larger one.

It finished this metric with another excellent showing in our last test — spade bit. This drill made it through the wood easily, but it didn't drill the holes quite as fast as the top drills. It occasionally gets slightly hung up at the end of the hole. This is generally standard through most drills.

Driving

The Max had no problem with typical fasteners, driving the screws in with ease and speed. Tuning the torque setting on this model is remarkably simple, allowing for precise engagement of each screw head with the surface, thereby avoiding over- or under-driving a screw.

The next test upped the ante a bit — the lag bolt test. With the pilot hole ready, we took the Max to our 2X4 and 4X4. We started on speed two and were able to make it about ¼ of the way down the 5" bolt.

After switching to first gear, we made slow and steady progress until the last inch or so, but we managed to drive the lag all the way home after a few short bursts.

Battery Life

This drill's battery charges in an impressive 47 minutes using the standard charger, and when we subjected it to our battery-draining testing cycle, it was able to complete seven rounds.

We loved that once we drained the entire battery, we were able to top it off during our lunch break — it takes about an hour to recharge.

Convenience

The DeWalt Max features a belt clip, ½" chuck, and one of the brightest integrated work lights we came across. The light is located below the handle and remains on for approximately 20 seconds after the button is released.

It features two different gearing ratios to optimize speed or torque for your specific project, but it is one of the heavier drills in the group, weighing just over 3 pounds. It is extremely easy to install or remove the battery, and it comes with a battery level indicator, further enhancing its score.

Should You Buy the DeWalt 20V Max?

Undeniably, the DeWalt 20V Max Compact Brushless Drill/Driver DCD793B is an excellent cordless drill. It handled our most challenging drilling and driving tasks with relative ease, often surpassing the overall performance of any other top competitor. It's not overly expensive and is quite convenient with very few downsides. It does lack the super high speeds that can be useful in specific scenarios, but despite not quite ripping through RPMs, it accomplished every job put in its path. The Max is a decent value, holding its own against the best drills while having a slightly lower list price. It is still expensive for the casual homeowner, but could be a good pick for someone who wants the exceptional drilling and driving performance of a higher-end tool.

What Other Drill Should You Consider?

If you are loyal to the yellow and black, this drill or any other DeWalt Atomic series or Max XR series of drills is a good option for you. Choosing tools from the same brand often means having compatible batteries within the manufacturer's lineup, which is something to consider when making a new purchase. However, if you aren't already married to the DeWalt brand name, then it might be worth considering our top-performing drill, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Drill Driver. The M18 offers slightly better driving ability. If neither DeWalt nor Milwaukee appeals to you, and you are just starting out buying tools, then you should consider the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03. This all-in-one kit includes a tool, battery, and charger, offering exceptional performance overall.