REASONS TO BUY
Good amount of torque
Decently compact
Fairly fast
REASONS TO AVOID
Fairly loud
Lackluster battery test performance
DeWalt DCF809B Atomic Review
Finishing a little below average overall, the ATOMIC struggled to stand out from the rest of the pack
RELATED: Best Impact Driver of 2024
Our Verdict
We didn't think that the DeWalt Atomic DCF809 is a bad impact driver by any means, but we were overall unimpressed by its performance. We found it to be a fairly uninspiring product that is decently fast with solid amounts of torque but delivered lackluster results in our battery test and is on the louder side compared to the other products. We did like that this tool has a surprising amount of power relative to its size, but this was far from enough to merit giving it an awards.
Editor's Note: We updated this DeWalt review on September 12, 2022, with other new impact drivers that we recommend in our test lineup.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product DeWalt DCF809B Atomic | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Tool-Only Impact Driver | Best 12 Volt Impact Driver | |||
| Price | $120 List $80.03 at Amazon | $135 List $118.00 at Amazon | $129 List $92.90 at Amazon | $140 List $103.49 at Amazon | $120 List $99.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | We found the ATOMIC to be a fairly uninspiring impact with a lack of noteworthy results in our tests | This impact driver offers fantastic speed and torque in a compact package | If you want a high performance impact driver that can hang with the best, this is a good choice | A solid addition for those that already have a bevy of DEWALT tools, but carries a heftier price tag than most | When it comes to 12-volt impact drivers, it's hard to beat the performance of this model |
| Rating Categories | DeWalt DCF809B Atomic | Milwaukee M18 Fuel... | Makita XDT13 | DeWalt MAX XR DCF887B | Milwaukee M12 Fuel... |
| Speed (35%) | |||||
| Torque (25%) | |||||
| Convenience (20%) | |||||
| Battery (15%) | |||||
| Noise (5%) | |||||
| Specs | DeWalt DCF809B Atomic | Milwaukee M18 Fuel... | Makita XDT13 | DeWalt MAX XR DCF887B | Milwaukee M12 Fuel... |
| Average Measured Total Time for Lag Bolt Test | 32 seconds | 16 seconds | 21 seconds | 23 seconds | 37 seconds |
| Average Measured Time: Plywood Ledger Screw Test | 6 seconds | 3 seconds | 4 seconds | 4 seconds | 6 seconds |
| Average Measured Fastening Torque | 215 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 282 ft-lb | 238 ft-lb | 143 ft-lb |
| Average Measured Breaking Torque | 300 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 275 ft-lb |
| Average Measured Time: 3-2'x12' Ledger Screw Test | 5.4 seconds | 2.0 seconds | 2.8 seconds | 2.8 seconds | 3.7 seconds |
| Battery Test Screws Driven | 46 | 68 | 78 | 62 | 44 |
| Measured Length | 130 mm | 116 mm | 126 mm | 136 mm | 132 mm |
| Average Measured Decibels While Using | 92 dBa | 99 dBa | 97 dBa | 100 dBa | 97 dBa |
| Impact Driver Model # | DCF809 | 2853-20 | XDT13 | DCF887 | 2553-20 |
| Quick Bit Insert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bit Holder | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Multiple Fastening Modes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Atomic DCF809 is one of the most compact impact drivers in terms of front-to-back length that still packs a decent amount of power. It might be worth considering if you already have compatible batteries and are always working in cramped areas; otherwise, the Atomic failed to impact us much.
Performance Comparison
Although it doesn't have the same lasting battery life of other impact drivers, the DeWalt DCF809B Atomic still produces capable power for a relatively compact model.
Credit: Laura Casner
Speed
This tool was also a little faster than average in our speed tests, only taking five to six seconds to drive a 3.625" ledger screw into stacked sheets of plywood or 2x12s. It also was quite quick at driving in a ½" x3" lag bolt in our tests, only taking 22 seconds to sink it to its full depth and 10 seconds to remove it.
The Atomic is fast at driving larger diameter lab bolts.
Credit: Laura Casner
Torque
The Atomic DCF809 did do fairly well in our torque tests, fastening a ¾" nut to an average of 215 foot-pounds over three independent trials, which is a respectable showing for these tools but far from the best. However, this impact did quite a bit better at breaking fasteners free, able to successfully loosen a ¾" nut that we had tightened to 300-foot pounds in four seconds.
This compact drill stands up in our torque tests, but isn't the most powerful of all that we tested.
Credit: Laura Casner
Convenience
The Atomic DCF809 does provide plenty of light when working in dimly lit areas, with a trio of LEDs around the chuck to prevent any obnoxious shadows from covering where you are working. However, you have to turn on the impact for a brief second to get them to light up, though they will stay lit for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger.
This model has a fantastic lighting system.
Credit: Laura Casner
This model has one of the shortest front-to-back lengths of all those that we tested in our impact driver review, particularly when you discount the smaller 12-volt models, measuring in at 130
mm. It also has a quick-insert chuck, so you can just stick ¼" hex bits in without releasing the locking collar.
Battery
Our biggest complaint with this tool was its overall unimpressive result in our battery life test. To compare the battery life of each product, we alternated between setting 14 ledger screws and driving a large lag bolt in and out with each product and awarded points based on the number of cycles completed. The Atomic made it through 2.5 sets before it called it quits, compared to the 5+ cycles the top tools persevered through. This impact also lacks different torque settings and an integrated holder for an extra bit.
Noise
We measured an average of 92 decibels for the user when the Atomic was in use, which isn't the loudest impact we have tested to date, but we wouldn't exactly describe this tool as quiet.
There's no way around it, impact drivers are loud.
Credit: Laura Casner
Should You Buy the DeWalt DCF809B Atomic?
It's hard for us to identify an audience for which the Atomic is particularly well-suited. We didn't think it was a bad tool by any means, but it struggled to earn recognition compared with the top-ranked impact drivers we tested.
What Other Impact Drivers Should You Consider?
The DeWalt Atomic isn't the most expensive impact we have tested. But it still costs quite a bit more than a few models that outperformed it, making it a mediocre bargain buy. Alternatively, you could spend a few more dollars to get a top-tier model like the award-winning Milwaukee M18 Fuel.
—
David Wise and Austin Palmer
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