New DeWalt Drills and the Milwaukee M12 M-SPECTOR 360: Four Tools Worth a Look

Introduction

Tool makers rarely sit still, and this latest round of announcements proves it. DeWalt is refreshing its compact drill lineup with a new hammer drill and two drill drivers, while Milwaukee is pushing further into the trades with an updated inspection camera aimed squarely at plumbing and HVAC work. Here is how the specs stack up and who each tool makes sense for.

DeWalt DCD796 Hammer Drill

The DCD796 has been around for a while, but it remains the benchmark for comparing DeWalt’s newer compact hammer drills. It delivers 2,000 RPM no-load speed, half-inch chuck capacity, 3.4 lbs of weight, and a respectable impact rate for drilling into concrete and masonry. Tool-only pricing sits around $149.

It is a well-rounded performer, but the newer models below shrink the footprint while improving specs, so it is worth weighing whether the older platform still fits your needs.

New DeWalt Hammer Drill: Smaller and Lighter

DeWalt’s newest hammer drill is over one inch shorter than the previous models, coming in at roughly 6.93 inches in length. It is also lighter, at just 2.49 lbs, which makes it noticeably more manageable for overhead or extended work.

The spec sheet is solid: 2,850 blows per minute, 0-450 RPM on low, 0-1,650 RPM on high, and 404 UWO (unit watts out). DeWalt highlights high bit retention, addressing a common frustration where bits work loose while drilling down through concrete. The half-inch ratcheting chuck is a welcome touch at this size.

Compared with the DCD796, the new model is smaller, lighter, and by most measures a bit stronger across the spec sheet, so if pricing comes in lower tool-only, it looks like a strong upgrade path.

DeWalt DCD793 Drill Driver

The new DCD793 drill driver is positioned as a direct upgrade over the long-serving DCD771. DeWalt claims it is 16% more powerful, which is a meaningful jump in a compact form factor. You get 0-1,650 RPM no-load speed, high bit retention, and a half-inch ratcheting chuck.

Weight is just 2.3 lbs (tool only, without battery), making this one of the lightest compact drivers in the segment. Pricing has not been confirmed yet, but the feature set suggests it will slot in above the older model.

DeWalt DCD771 Drill Driver

The DCD771 is the veteran of this group. It has been on the market for years, and it shows its age in weight and features, but that maturity is exactly why it remains popular. A kit with two batteries and a charger runs about $99, which is hard to argue with for general-purpose drilling and fastening.

If you just need a reliable drill driver for household projects and do not need the newest platform, the DCD771 kit is still one of the most affordable entry points into DeWalt’s 20V line.

Milwaukee M12 M-SPECTOR 360 Inspection Camera

Milwaukee continues to lean hard into the trades, and the M12 M-SPECTER 360 inspection cameras follow that pattern. Two models are available, one with a 4-foot cable and one with a 10-foot cable, priced at $229, $259, and $109 depending on the configuration.

Both cameras balance flexibility and rigidity in the cable, optimized for applications ranging from drains to behind-wall work. A 32GB micro SD card lets you save, transfer, and share photos and videos easily, and the smaller camera head plus 180-degree rotation make it simple to adjust perspective in tight spaces.

The 4.3-inch LCD screen swivels, so you do not have to contort yourself to view the feed, and there is a built-in light you can toggle on and off. Resolution is 720p, which is standard definition but reasonable for a camera head this small. One notable limitation: file transfer relies on the SD card rather than a direct USB connection, so getting images onto a computer means pulling the card or using a card reader.

For plumbing and HVAC professionals who need to inspect behind walls or inside drains, this is a genuinely useful diagnostic tool at a price that undercuts a lot of the competition.

Buying Advice

If you drill into concrete regularly, the new compact hammer drill’s combination of shorter length, lower weight, and high bit retention is worth waiting for, assuming pricing lands favorably against the DCD796. For general drilling and driving, the DCD793 is the clear modern choice if you want the lightest, most feature-rich option, while the DCD771 kit remains the value pick for occasional use. Trade professionals doing inspection work should give the M-SPECTER 360 a serious look, keeping in mind the SD card workflow.

Conclusion

DeWalt is clearly focused on making its compact drills smaller and lighter without giving up power, and Milwaukee is doubling down on trade-specific diagnostics. Whether you are upgrading an aging drill or adding inspection capability to your toolkit, there is something practical in this batch for a wide range of users.