DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (DCD801B, bare tool)

By DeWalt · Cordless Drills · Power Tools

  • 20V MAX XR brushless motor delivers up to 1050 MWO
  • 2-speed transmission: 0-650 / 0-2,000 RPM
  • 1/2 in. metal ratcheting chuck
  • 3-position LED worklight, 70 lumens
  • Anti-Rotation System with automatic shutoff

Lowest price seen
~$120.00 (approx.)
from $120.00 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

DeWalt’s compact 20V MAX XR brushless drill/driver, rated at 1050 MWO in a 2.8 lb body with a 1/2-in metal ratcheting chuck and the Perform & Protect Anti-Rotation System. It is a drill/driver only, with no hammer function, so check whether you need masonry drilling before you buy.

Strengths

  • 1050 MWO outpowers the previous-generation DCD996, which was rated at 820 MWO.
  • Compact at 2.8 lbs bare and 6.5 in long, about an inch shorter than the flagship DCD1007.
  • 1/2-in metal ratcheting chuck holds bits firmly.
  • Three-position 70-lumen LED light with auto-shutoff.
  • Anti-Rotation System shuts the tool down when the bit binds.
  • 3-year limited warranty with 1-year free service.

Weaknesses

  • No hammer function; the DCD806 is the hammer-drill sibling.
  • No side handle is included, which is a caution for high-torque work.
  • The Anti-Rotation System shuts the tool down outright rather than slipping like a clutch.
  • Battery and charger are sold separately, so the bare-tool price is not the full cost.
  • The 1050 MWO figure is not a torque rating, and DeWalt publishes no in-lbs value.
  • TOOL CONNECT needs a separate DCE042 chip and may involve app subscription fees.

Verified specifications

ModelDCD801B, bare tool.
PlatformDeWalt 20V MAX XR; battery and charger sold separately.
Motorbrushless, rated at 1050 MWO (max watts out).
Speed2-speed transmission, no-load 0-650 / 0-2,000 RPM.
Chuck1/2-in metal ratcheting.
LED worklight3-position, 70 lumens, auto-shutoff.
Anti-Rotation SystemPerform & Protect; senses excessive rotational motion and shuts the tool down, with a red LED indicator when it engages.
TOOL CONNECTchip-ready; needs a separately sold DCE042 chip and the DeWalt Site Manager app.
Claimed runtimeup to 175 holes per charge with the DCB2104 battery (7/8-in auger in 1-1/2-in SPF).
Power comparisonup to 109% more powerful than the DCD777 and up to 25% more powerful than the Milwaukee M18 2903-20 (MWO-based, using the DCB2104 battery).
Warranty3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Dimensionsbare weight 2.8 lbs; working weight 4.1 lbs with a 4.0Ah PowerPack battery; head length 6.5 in.
In the boxDCD801 drill/driver and one belt hook.
Full research notes and sources

Power and performance

The DCD801B runs a brushless motor rated at 1050 MWO through a 2-speed transmission (0-650 / 0-2,000 RPM) and a 1/2-in metal ratcheting chuck. Pro Tool Reviews, the one independent hands-on review available, named it their “Best Compact” DeWalt drill in a December 2025 guide and found its performance exceeds the previous-generation DCD996, which led the lineup for several years. DeWalt does not publish torque in in-lbs, so MWO is the only power figure to compare across brands, and the two-speed gearbox has no middle gear, which is the trade-off for the smaller size.

Anti-Rotation and safety

The Perform & Protect Anti-Rotation System senses excessive rotational motion and shuts the tool down, lighting a red LED when it engages. It is a safety cutout, not a torque-limiting clutch, so the stop can feel abrupt if you expect the bit to slip. The tool ships without a side handle, which Pro Tool Reviews flags as a caution on high-torque jobs. Northern Tool Q&A confirms the drill can take a carbide-tipped masonry bit up to 1/4-in diameter, but it is not a hammer drill.

Battery, runtime and the 20V platform

The bare tool ships without a battery or charger. DeWalt claims up to 175 holes per charge using the DCB2104 battery, measured as a 7/8-in auger in 1-1/2-in SPF lumber, and real results depend on bit size, material and technique. The DCD801B uses the 20V MAX platform, so any DeWalt 20V battery you already own will fit, and battery and charger are sold separately.

Is it worth it?

Pro Tool Reviews lists the bare tool at $179 and the two-battery DCD801QQ2 kit at $269, a Home Depot price owners also cite in r/Dewalt. The DCD806 hammer-drill sibling is $199 and the flagship DCD1007 is $249 bare (Pro Tool Reviews, 2025). For someone already in the DeWalt 20V ecosystem, the DCD801B is a compact drill/driver; without existing batteries, add the cost of a battery and charger.

Which model this is

This page covers the DCD801B, the drill/driver variant in DeWalt’s 20V MAX XR line. The DCD806 is the hammer-drill sibling that shares the motor and platform. Do not confuse the DCD801B with the lower-powered brushed DCD777, the compact Atomic DCD794, the previous-generation DCD805, or the flagship DCD1007. The US listing is ASIN B0F94FMBYW.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

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