New DeWalt 20V Tools: Five Releases Worth a Second Look

Introduction

DeWalt has rolled out a refreshed wave of 20V tools, and the backstory matters here. For years, DeWalt made exclusive tool variants for different big-box retailers, which confused everyone, including people who review tools for a living. That approach is done. DeWalt now builds one straight lineup and sells it everywhere, and many of these new releases are updated renditions of previous tools with more power on tap.

After spending time with the new lineup, there is plenty to like, one genuinely disappointing surprise, and a few design decisions that will not please everyone. Here is how each tool shakes out.

Reciprocating Saw: DeWalt DCS384B

The DCS384B is claimed to deliver up to 102 cuts per charge and is billed as DeWalt’s fastest-cutting reciprocating saw to date. Tested with a fully charged 8Ah 20V Max XR PowerPack battery, it felt smooth, powerful, and well built. If your work is metal cutting or fabrication, that smoothness is a real asset.

The big miss, though, is orbital action. In a side-by-side comparison using the exact same blade and a much smaller competitor battery, the DCS384B was convincingly beaten on demolition cuts, precisely because most rival recip saws offer orbital action and this one does not. For construction and demolition work, that oscillation makes demo cuts faster and easier, and its absence here is hard to justify. It is a great saw for what it is, just know where it fits.

Impact Driver: DeWalt DCF860

On paper, the DCF860 looked exciting. It has digital controls that are easy to switch through, and a top-mounted work light you can set to stay on for up to 20 minutes. It arrived promising serious power and a long-awaited upgrade path for DeWalt fans.

Unfortunately, the review unit simply stopped working. It functioned briefly, sat unused in its box in mild weather, and then refused to power on despite swapping batteries and troubleshooting. Whether that is a one-off defect or something more, it is a bummer, because the design and control layout genuinely impress. One caution if you buy one: if it ever fails mid-fastener, the trigger and motor may not save you. We would love to see this one run properly, but as tested, it could not deliver.

Hammer Drill: DeWalt DCD1007

The DCD1007 makes no attempt to be compact. It is big, heavy, and bulky, with a huge over-top handle that screws down securely and a chunky chassis that feels built to be abused. If brute presence matters to you, this thing has it in spades.

On top you get adjustable analog switches, a mode selector for straight drill and hammer drill modes, and adjustable light brightness with the option to keep the light on for up to 20 minutes. Adjusting the clutch with the handle mounted up top is not the easiest maneuver, but it is doable. Overall, it reads as a beastly, no-nonsense hammer drill, and it is one of the tools in this batch most begging for a long-term use-and-abuse test.

Circular Saw: DeWalt DCS590B

DeWalt’s saws have long been a favorite, and the DCS590B keeps that reputation intact. Up top you get positive stops for bevel adjustments, which are always appreciated, plus a handy rafter hook for hanging the saw between cuts. The depth adjustment has no positive stops, but it moves very smoothly, so it is a minor trade-off.

One thing to note before buying: this is a blade-right saw. Right-handed users who prefer a blade-left layout should factor that in. Once running, the saw feels confident and refined, and the overall design is easy to praise. If you already like DeWalt saws, this one should not disappoint.

Plunge Router: DeWalt 20V XR

This is arguably the standout of the entire new batch. The 20V XR plunge router packs everything you need into a heavy-duty build: included guide bushings, depth stops up top, a vacuum attachment that pushes down and slides smoothly to where you need it before locking in, guide holes, speed adjustment, and an automatic lock so you do not have to hold the trigger continuously. It accepts both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets.

The plunge rails deserve special mention. They glide smoothly, lock positively, and the whole mechanism feels thoughtfully engineered, complete with anti-rotation features. Battery mounts on top, and the balance in hand is genuinely comfortable. You do not need to be invested in the DeWalt battery platform to use it, though platform users get an easy attachment for dust extraction hookup. The build quality alone is phenomenal, and for professional woodworkers this is absolutely one to look at seriously.

Overall Buying Advice

Across this new unified lineup, DeWalt’s strategy is simple: more powerful renditions of familiar tools, sold identically everywhere. That cuts through retail confusion, and several of these tools, especially the router, circular saw, and hammer drill, look like strong picks.

Be selective, though. The reciprocating saw is excellent for smooth, powerful cutting but skips orbital action that demolition users may want. And the impact driver, despite a promising design, failed outright during testing, so it is worth watching how reliability shakes out before committing. If you want a full deep dive on any single tool here, the dedicated breakdown is where the real buying decision should happen.

Conclusion

DeWalt’s new wave is a mix of easy recommendations and caution flags. The 20V XR plunge router is the clear star with outstanding build quality, the DCS590B circular saw and DCD1007 hammer drill look like dependable heavy hitters, and the DCS384B recip saw shines for smooth cutting but not for orbital demo work. The DCF860 impact driver has an appealing design, but its real-world reliability needs proving before it earns a spot on your shelf.