DeWalt's New PowerPack System and Core Tools: 6 Releases Worth a Look

Introduction

DeWalt is rolling out an entirely new suite of core 20V Max tools, and nearly all of them are built around one key piece of hardware: the new PowerPack tabless battery system. Not to be confused with PowerStack, DeWalt’s lithium pouch-cell variant, PowerPack is an 8Ah tabless design optimized to deliver more power in a smaller package with significantly less heat buildup.

Below is a rundown of the new battery and the five core tools launched alongside it, including what is genuinely new, what to watch out for, and current pricing.

The Battery Behind It All: DeWalt PowerPack 8Ah

Unlike pouch cells, PowerPack uses traditional cylindrical cells with an improved jelly roll design. Instead of passing energy through a single tab, the multiple-tab layout distributes power across a larger surface area, which means more energy can flow through with less resistance. The result is increased power output and less heat buildup in a package the same size as DeWalt’s standard 8Ah pack.

The batteries also feature an impact-resistant overmold, and we expect to see many of DeWalt’s flagship tools kitted with these packs going forward. Pricing is $229 for a single battery or $329 for a two-pack.

DeWalt DCD1007 Hammer Drill

Compared to its predecessor, the FlexVolt DCD999, the DCD1007 bumps power from 1,219 to 1,530 max watts out. The hammer rate stays the same at 38,250 blows per minute, and top speed actually drops slightly from 2,250 to 2,000 RPM, but you get noticeably more torque at that speed, which may explain the relatively insignificant trade-off.

You get three speeds, 11 clutch settings, a foot-mounted LED light, and DeWalt’s Perform and Protect anti-rotation system. That feature senses excessive or sudden rotational motion and shuts the drill down to prevent kickback, with a red LED at the foot of the tool indicating shutdown mode; pulling the trigger again resets everything.

It is available now for $249 as a bare tool, or $349 as a kit with an 8Ah PowerPack battery and charger.

DeWalt DCF860 Impact Driver

Where the hammer drill saw incremental gains, the DCF860 looks like a big step up from the DCF845. Upgrading from that model brings more impacts per minute (4,200 to 4,500), more speed (3,400 to 3,800 RPM), and a monster jump in torque from 1,825 to 2,500 in-lbs. It is an upgrade on all fronts and now stands as DeWalt’s flagship impact driver, eclipsing the DCF887, 845, and 850.

The tool uses a standard 1/4-inch hex chuck, with nine built-in LEDs surrounding the hex collet plus a 20-minute work light mode. It is also Tool Connect ready, so you can add the sold-separately chip for asset management and tracking through the Tool Connect app.

Pricing is $319 as a kit with an 8Ah PowerPack battery and charger, or $199 as a bare tool if you already own batteries.

DeWalt DCS590 Circular Saw

The DCS590 is DeWalt’s new flagship 20V Max circular saw, with a claimed up to 368 cuts per charge on the 8Ah PowerPack battery. The brushless motor pushes 1,700 max watts out with a no-load top speed of 5,500 RPM, and maximum cut depth is 2-9/16 inches at 90 degrees and 2 inches at 45 degrees.

The saw is compatible with DeWalt’s AirLock dust extractor or any standard 35mm dust extractor, and you also get a standard blade brake, LED light, integrated rafter hook, and Tool Connect capabilities. It is available now for $350 as a kit and $250 as a bare tool.

DeWalt DCS384 Reciprocating Saw

DeWalt claims the DCS384 is its fastest cutting reciprocating saw, with a 1-1/8-inch stroke length operating at 3,000 strokes per minute. The keyless blade change makes swapping hot blades quick and easy, and you can expect up to 102 cuts per charge on the PowerPack battery.

The most intriguing promise is advanced vibration control, an area where DeWalt has not historically led. The DCS384 uses a new internal counterbalance mechanism designed to limit vibration when cutting through a variety of materials. That said, it still misses orbital action mode and a variable speed switch, features that have become the norm among cordless reciprocating saws.

The 8Ah PowerPack kit runs $349, with the bare tool at $250.

DeWalt DCW620 Plunge Router

Rounding out the wave is the DCW620 plunge router, with a brushless 2-1/4 horsepower motor that easily handles bits up to 2-1/2 inches in diameter. The variable speed dial runs from 11,000 all the way up to 23,000 RPM, and the tool includes an integrated AirLock dust collection port plus an anti-rotation system in case of an accidental bind-up.

The three-position adjustable turret stop enables quick depth adjustments, and the tool-free plunge lock lever lets you engage and disengage the lock without removing your hands from the handle. It is available now for $349 as a bare tool.

Buying Advice

If you are already invested in DeWalt’s 20V Max platform, the bare tool prices are the most attractive entry points, since the PowerPack batteries can be added later or shared. The DCF860 impact driver stands out as the clearest generational leap, while the DCS590 and DCS384 offer flagship performance with a couple of caveats worth knowing about. For anyone starting fresh, the kits that bundle an 8Ah PowerPack battery and charger make the most sense.

Conclusion

DeWalt’s new PowerPack tabless battery is the thread tying these releases together, promising more power and less heat in the same 8Ah footprint. Between the flagship impact driver, refreshed drill and saws, and a capable new plunge router, this is a substantial refresh of the core lineup, and it will be interesting to see how these tools perform in head-to-head comparative testing.