These Are the Best DeWalt Tools We Use and Recommend

Nov 12, 2024

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DeWalt is perhaps one of the most ubiquitous and identifiable tool brands on the market and not just because of its eye-catching black and yellow. DeWalt tools’ premium build quality and reliability give the brand a stellar reputation among people who take on home projects.

The popular brand is perhaps best known for its cordless power tools, which include its 20-volt MAX line for DIYers, XTR line for professionals, and Atomic line of compact cordless power tools. The company also turns out an impressive line of corded power tools highlighted by its compound miter saws and table saws, and the DeWalt socket sets and other hand tools are favorites among home mechanics. Ahead, we review some of the very best DeWalt tools out there.

Best Overall: DeWalt Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill

Best Impact Driver: DeWalt Brushless Cordless Impact Driver

Best Circular Saw: DeWalt Cordless Circular Saw

Best Sander: DeWalt Brushless Cordless Variable Random Orbital Sander

Best Miter Saw: DeWalt Single Bevel Compound Corded Miter Saw

I’ve tested and owned dozens of DeWalt tools over the years, including miter saws, cordless drills, sanders, circular saws, and socket sets. All of DeWalt's tools offer great performance and excellent build quality. The list I’ve assembled below includes a mix of corded power tools, cordless power tools, and hand tools—all of which are designed and priced to meet the needs of the average DIYer's workshop.

While DeWalt offers many great tools, I limited my search to the types of tools that see the most action, including cordless drills, miter saws, sanders, mechanics tool sets, and oscillating tools. If you’re looking for the best DeWalt tools to outfit your home workshop, you’ll find the essentials below.

DeWalt’s 20-volt Max drill is by no means the brand’s most powerful cordless drill, but it packs enough punch to handle pretty much any home project you throw at it, and it costs a lot less than the brand’s more professional-focused cordless drills.

It reaches a max speed of 1,750 RPM and comes equipped with a two-speed transmission, which improves its torque output. While its head is on the long side at 7.5 inches, it’s still lightweight with a bare tool weight of about 2.5 pounds.

This kit comes with two batteries and a charger, but it’s also available as a bare tool if you already own a few DeWalt 20-volt batteries.

$159.00 at lowes.com

DeWalt’s 20-volt Max impact driver combines power and a compact design better than perhaps any other power tool out there. On the power front, it produces 1,500 inch-pounds of torque and max speed of 2,800 RPM, quite a lot for an impact driver at this price point. That’s enough power to drive three-inch lag bolts into a couple of 2x4s.

It’s compact enough to fit into tight spots with a head that measures just 5.4 inches from the chuck to the back of the head. It also comes with a metal gear case cover, an over-molded handle with plenty of rubberized grip, and a bright LED work light.

$84.99 at amazon.com

Upgrade to this cordless 20-volt circular saw, and say goodbye to annoying extension cords for good. Its 6-1/2-inch blade cuts through two-inch thick lumber, and the saw produces blade speeds of 5,150 RPM—darn close to what you’ll get out of a corded circular saw. Plus, it makes bevel cuts with 0-to-50-degree bevel capacity using an easily adjustable gauge.

With this saw, you also get certain high-quality touches that no other brand does quite like DeWalt, including a magnesium shoe that’s durable but keeps the tool’s total weight at a very manageable seven pounds and an over-molded grip that's comfortable to grip for long stretches.

$139.00 at lowes.com

The dreaded sanding step to any woodworking project. It’s the part so many of us dread, but this DeWalt 20-volt cordless random orbital sander makes it infinitely less annoying. There’s no cord to work around with this tool, so it’s less awkward to use and easier to take to locations outside your workshop.

With its ability to produce 12,000 orbits per minute (OPM), it removes a lot more material than other sanders (not to mention sandpaper and your arm). Plus, it only weighs about two pounds. At a price this low, the DeWalt cordless orbital sander is a no-brainer if you have a lot of woodworking projects on your to-do list.

$135.99 at amazon.com

The miter saw is a home workshop workhorse, making short work of decks, fences, and other carpentry projects that require dozens of cuts through dimensional lumber. This DeWalt model offers tremendous versatility.

It comes with a large 12-inch blade that makes 90-degree cuts through 4x4 posts and 2x8 boards. We also like the durable build quality of this miter saw, which includes a machined steel base and sliding fence.

While this saw only bevels in one direction, 48 degrees to the left, it offers more than enough cutting versatility for most home projects at a budget-friendly price.

$299.95 at amazon.com

If you spend a few weekends a month wrenching bolts on a car or truck, then consider adding this cordless impact wrench to your arsenal. This 20-volt cordless tool puts out a whopping 600 foot-pounds of max fastening torque and 800 foot-pounds of breakaway torque. That’s ample power for removing even larger stuck lug nuts.

This wrench also has four speed options, including a setting that pauses the tool for a fraction of a second before impacting to prevent over-tightening and reduces speed once fasteners break loose to prevent nuts from flying off. It also comes with a built-in LED work light that’s handy when using the tool in poorly lit areas.

$183.45 at amazon.com

With its 1-1/8-inch stroke length and max blade speed of 2,900 SPM, this DeWalt reciprocating saw cuts through studs, pipes, rebar, and other materials with ease. Yet, it measures just 14.5 inches long, so it’s far easier to fit into tight spots than other reciprocating saws we’ve used.

Plus, the blade installs in four different positions, so finding the correct angle to cut in awkward spots a lot easier. And since it weighs just five pounds, wield it one-handed if you need. It’s pricier than DeWalt’s standard 20-volt MAX reciprocating saw, but this tool is definitely worth the splurge.

$149.89 at amazon.com

DeWalt’s 20-volt MAX oscillating tool comes equipped with a brushless motor and top oscillating speed of 18,000 OPM. Its over-molded grip, generous use of rubberized covering, and large, paddle-style trigger all make it easier to use the tool at odd angles.

The oscillating tool is part of DeWalt’s Atomic line, which means it’s more compact than most oscillating tools. It measures less than a foot long and weighs just 2-1/3 pounds without a battery. It’s a powerful versatile tool that will see a lot of use in any workshop.

$117.27 at amazon.com

While DeWalt’s cordless power tools may get the bulk of the brand’s attention, don’t sleep on its mechanics tool sets, which offer excellent quality at a reasonable price.

With this 168-piece set, you get a well-curated mix of SAE and metric socket sizes, along with 1/4-, 3/8-, and 1/2-inch ratchets. It also comes with a nice collection of box wrenches and hex wrenches, as well as a bit driver with assorted bits, all of which fit in a pleasantly compact carrying case.

The included socket adapters and bits for a cordless drill or impact driver, which come in their own small carrying case that fits inside the larger case, make this one of the most complete sets from any brand.

$145.34 at amazon.com

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