DeWalt 20V Max Atomic Tools Resolve to Slim Down Your Core Tools
DeWalt 20V Max Atomic Compact Tools bring a slimmer profile without completely sacrificing power. The company has created a line of Atomic tools that bring 18V size and compactness without forcing you won’t their 12V battery platform. Use these DeWalt Atomic tools as a compact supplement to your heavy-duty 18V tools when you don’t need all that raw muscle.
Be sure to also check out our article on the Best DeWalt Drill
DeWalt 20V Atomic Compact Drill
The DeWalt Atomic line began with its drill and impact driver. The DeWalt DCD708 drill/driver has a pretty basic feature set highlighted by its 2-speed brushless motor and 1/2″ chuck. Its 340 and 1650 max RPM are very similar to the DCD777 compact brushless drill. The big difference between the two is that DeWalt shaves off more than an inch from front to back on the 708.
DeWalt’s more recent compact brushless DCD791 (and its 792 Tool Connect version) are a bit more capable with up to 460 UWO of power and 2000 RPM. It’s about 1/2″ longer and $40 more for the kit
DeWalt DCD708 Drill Specs
- Power: 340 UWO
- Speed: 0 – 1650 RPM
- Length: 6.3″
- Height: 7.9″
- Weight: 2.4 pounds (2.8 pounds with battery)
- $119 bare, $159 kit with two 1.3 Ah batteries
DeWalt DCF809 Atomic Compact Brushless Impact Driver
The DeWalt DCF809 compact brushless impact driver is the same price as the drill driver. It pushes a solid 1700 in-lbs of fastening torque that creeps up on the DCF887’s 1825 in-lbs. Makita’s shootout-winning XDT16 only claims 1600 in-lbs, so this power level isn’t making many compromises.
Its 2800 RPM is down a bit from the 887’s 3250, so expect it to drive slower, especially on thicker screws and small lags. The length is down 0.2″ to 5.1″, so you can get into marginally smaller spaces.
This single-speed brushless impact driver is pretty basic in the feature department (are you sensing a theme yet?) but it does have that fantastic 3-LED light ring around the chuck.
DeWalt DCF809 Specs
- Torque: 1700 in-lbs
- Speed: 0 – 2800 RPM
- Impacts: 0 – 3200 IPM
- Length: 5.1″
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- $119 bare, $159 kit with two 1.3 Ah batteries
DeWalt DCD709 Atomic Hammer Drill
Fall of 2019 saw the arrival of the DeWalt DCD709 hammer drill. This adds a hammer drill mechanism to the DCD708 with only a slight bump ($129 bare or $179 kit) in pricing. It adds 28,050 BPM with its hammer drill mechanism for light-duty concrete and masonry drilling.
DeWalt 20V Max Compact Circular Saw
The DeWalt 20V Max Compact Circular Saw has the power and depth of cut to get through 2×4 lumber at 90°. I’ve only seen a silhouette of the tool, but it takes the general design of a grinder and turns the wheel for a circular saw blade. This is complete speculation, but it looks like it will take a 5-3/8″ or possibly smaller blade.
DeWalt has engineered it specifically for ripping through sheet goods, like 3/4″OSB. It also has a removable auxiliary handle, dust port, electronic blade brake, and onboard blade key storage. As a bare tool, expect to pay $149 or $269 for a kit with one 5.0 Ah battery.
The DeWalt 20V Max Compact Oscillating Multi-Tool includes a Quick-Change blade holder, variable speed trigger, and an LED light. It appears to keep the general trigger design and shape of their corded and 20V Max versions – we just expect that it will shrink in length a bit. This one is a bare tool only with a retail price at $129.
DeWalt 20V Max Compact Reciprocating Saw
Finally, the DeWalt 20V Max Compact Reciprocating Saw sits on the Atomic platform as well. It has an LED light, Quick Change blade holder, variable speed trigger, and pivoting shoe. Unlike some of DeWalt’s other compact reciprocating saws, this one falls in line with the one-hand design that we’re very fond of. In addition to lighter demo, it’s a fantastic pruning tool when you pair it with a Diablo carbide pruning blade.
All of the DeWalt Atomic Compact tools come with the brand’s 3-year limited warranty, as well as a 1-year free service contract and 90-day money-back guarantee.
Additional Thoughts
It’s curious that DeWalt is packing many of the kits with 1.3 Ah batteries. They’re still lithium-ion, but even 1.5Ah packs are better if they can’t justify the cost of using 2.0’s. But it does put the DeWalt 20V Max Atomic Compact Tool line in the same price range as Craftsman, Ryobi, and Skil’s 18V/20V Max brushless lines. That’s going to be awfully attractive to serious DIYers and Pros who use those tools.
This is a pretty standard group of core tools. We expect multiple combo kits to come out to mix and match the tools for various trades.
As it stands, the Makita Sub-Compact line has been a big hit by throwing 18V power into a 12V frame. Those tools are really helpful when space is limited, or when we’re working overhead. Lacking a brushless 12V line to compete against Milwaukee’s M12 system, this route makes a lot of sense for DeWalt and brings more people onto their deep 20V Max line of tools.
DeWalt Atomic Compact Tool Pricing and Availability
- DCD708 20V Max Drill/Driver: $119 bare, $159 kit with two 1.3 Ah batteries
- DCF809 20V Max Compact Impact Driver: $119 bare, $159 kit with two 1.3 Ah batteries
- DCD709 20V Max Compact Hammer Drill/Driver: $129 (bare), or $179 (kit)
- DCS571 20V Max Compact Circular Saw: $149 (bare), or $269 (kit)
- DCS354 20V Max Compact Oscillating Multi-Tool: $129 (bare)
- DCS369 20V Max Compact Reciprocating Saw: $149 (bare), $269 (kit)
