DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Brushless Compact 1/2 In. Drill/Driver Kit DCD708C2 Review

The DeWalt Atomic might not be the most powerful or best drill we have tested, but it is definitely the most compact of the top-tier tools. It's a great choice if you work on projects in confined areas, especially combined with its solid integrated work light.

Drilling

The Atomic made quick work of drilling through some dimensional lumber with a 1" paddle bit, punching through without much of a struggle. It occasionally got hung up and stalled, but never failed to drill the hole. It also did very well when drilling through the 16-gauge metal sheet; the Atomic only took 1.5 seconds to make it through with the ¼" drill and 3-4 seconds with the ½" one.

Of our three drilling tests, the Atomic showed its weakest performance when attempting to drill through a solid door with a 5" hole saw. It drilled to the full depth but did require a little convincing. Its fastest time was a very respectable 35 seconds, but during other rounds it took more than a minute. It can stall if you push too hard, forcing you to completely let go of the trigger before it restarts.

Driving

We used the Atomic to drive standard 3" wood screws. Again, it did very well, scoring close to the top of the group. It went fast enough that we had to adjust our method a bit in order not to drive the screw head well below the surface of the wood. The clutch has 15 different torque settings, which you can also use to prevent this.

Unfortunately, the Atomic didn't do quite as well when working with a ½" diameter, 5" long lag screw. It didn't seem to be struggling until it stalled out with about 1" remaining to drive in.

We eventually were able to muscle it all the way, but it sure wasn't easy, and you could tell by the smell that the Atomic was working hard.

Battery Life

The Atomic augments its impressive performance with a strong battery life. Starting with a full battery, the Atomic only died after going through 7.5 rounds of continuous drilling and driving. It includes a pair of 1.5 amp-hour batteries that take a little over an hour to recharge when completely dead.

Convenience

The add-ons that the Atomic does have work well, but it is missing a few features compared to the top products. It has a built-in belt clip for quick storage and a work light that provides adequate illumination for your work area and stays on for 20 seconds or so when you hit the button.

It weighs just over three pounds, which is pretty average. The chuck can hold bits up to ½" in diameter, and you have two different speed/torque ratios to choose from. It's also easy to swap the batteries in and out, but we missed having a battery charge level indicator, as the drill sometimes died mid-project without any warning.

Should You Buy the Dewalt Atomic?

Overall, the DeWalt Atomic is an excellent cordless drill that we found very little to cause complaint. It's a good option if you have other DeWalt tools and want to stick with the black and yellow or if you need a pint-sized drill with plenty of power. The Atomic isn't the best value option, as there are much less expensive drills with similar performance results.

What Other Drill Should You Consider?

The DeWalt 20V Max Compact Brushless Drill/Driver DCD777C2 scored slightly higher overall and for drilling in our tests. It could be the better choice with the same price tag as the Atomic unless you want something smaller and lighter weight. The Atomic has a longer battery life, but if you have other Dewalt tools or batteries, it isn't challenging to swap out batteries when you need to. Depending on your goals, one will likely be a standout. Alternatively, if you want a top-performer, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Drill Driver offers impressive, similar performance for drilling and driving to both Dewalts with far better battery life.