7-Tool DeWalt Combo Kit: Hands-On Review

There comes a time in every DIYer’s life when they decide they need to upgrade tools. My old 20-volt equipment had served me well over the past decade, and I had grown quite fond of it, but at the same time, I was ready for some newer, more attractive equipment.

After a bit of research on recently released options, I gave in 7-Tool DeWalt Combo Kit A metaphorical right swipe. The kit has almost everything I was looking for in a new DIY partner, and when I first got my hands on it, it felt like true love. A friend who is currently remodeling her house had just asked me to help with some projects, and it was the perfect opportunity to see if this relationship was meant to be long-distance.

All of the tools in this kit are from DeWalt’s brushless XR (Extended Runtime) line, which offers more power and longer runtime than the entry-level Atomic Badge. Most of the tools these DeWalts were replacing were severely underpowered; My old circular saw often jammed when cutting thick hardwood, and you could time the reciprocating saw with a sundial depending on how thick the material was. Not so with these beasts.

Hammer drill and impact driver

The backbone of every tool combo. The drill is a powerful ½-inch hammer drill partnered with a ¼-inch impact driver. They both performed well when I put them through their paces on some scrap hardwood and 2×4 material, as well as real-world applications. I think they will become the workhorses of my collection.

Saw the circular

Every serious DIYer needs a good circular saw, and this kit includes DeWalt’s powerful 6½-inch version. (I would have liked it if it were a standard 7¼ inch, but it does everything I need in a more compact size.) Thanks to its 4,950 RPM motor, it cuts through both 2x4s and hardwood with ease. I was able to make odd-angle cuts freehand with relative accuracy, and if needed, I could easily make tool-free depth (up to 2⅛ inches) and bevel adjustments.

Oscillating multi-tool

The XR Oscillating Multi-Tool has a few upgrades over its Atomic sibling. The slightly heavier and more powerful XR model allows you to switch between three speeds depending on the material you’re cutting, while the Atomic uses a variable speed trigger. The XR also had a slightly brighter light, which helped when using it in shady areas.

Seen reciprocal

Reciprocating saws are another monster. A 1⅛-inch stroke length might not seem like much, but it enables me to rip through hardwood, PVC and other materials with ease. The variable-speed trigger allowed me to go slower when I needed to be more precise, such as when I was cutting excess material before installing new shingles.

Cut-off tool

I’m still on the fence about whether a cut-off tool offers better value than an angle grinder. I’ve only used the cut-off tool on a few small tasks so far. It made quick work of some exposed nails in some scrap 2×4 even though the blade guard prevented me from being flush with the wood. I also used it to cut the hitch pin holding the broken bike rack on the back of my camper van. I have no doubt that the cut-off tool will cut through padlocks and other materials quickly and with few problems.

Random orbital sander

The seven speed random orbital sander was an absolute beast. I was able to take off as much or as little material as needed with ease. The sander comes with a dust bag, but I’ve still noticed a lot of sawdust build up on things I’ve sanded. You’re better off using an adapter for a vacuum or dust extractor.

Comfort and performance

Ergonomically, all the tools feel comfortable in my hand, which is great if you plan on working with them all day, day and night.

Another benefit with this kit is that you are buying into the DeWalt battery lineup. I have used tools from Milwaukee, Rigid, Ryobi, Festool and many other brands in the past; Many of those tools are in heavy rotation in my home shop. When considering the three Ps—power, performance, and price—I find myself choosing the DeWalt more often. They have a diverse 20-volt tool portfolio that will satisfy almost any serious home DIYer.

With an MSRP of $799, you get a great value for both the quality and quantity of tools. If you can stop by for a sale, the value is harder to beat.

For the homeowner who only tackles a couple of projects a year, the Ryobi 8-Tool Combo Kit There is another option to consider, as it is cheaper and offers a similar, but less powerful, collection of tools.

So, what didn’t I like about this DeWalt kit? Actually, not much. I appreciated that the combo came with two batteries, but I would have liked at least one more so I wouldn’t have to swap them out so often. The XR badge means extra runtime, but armed with multiple fully charged batteries, I couldn’t get through a full renovation day without running out of juice. But that may be due to the equipment being used continuously for 8+ hours.

My main gripe was the lack of a jigsaw, which makes it much easier to cut into tight spots or make more complex cuts. There were a few cuts when trimming the shingles where a jigsaw could come in very handy. (Fortunately, I had one—just from a different manufacturer.) I may have swapped the kit’s cut-off tool for a jigsaw, but that’s just me. That said, I’d look for one of the “Buy a DeWalt battery, get one tool free” sales (Lowe’s and The Home Depot offer them frequently throughout the year) to get a jigsaw.

Overall, there’s a lot to love about this DeWalt combo kit.

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