Buying guide
DeWalt 18V XR drills compared
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
DeWalt DCD996P2: three speed, 95 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit
The listing states 95 Nm of torque, enough headroom for large augers, hole saws and long screws in timber.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
DeWalt DCK276P2: DCD996 drill with DCF887 impact driver
The DCD996 drill is listed at 95 Nm, enough for large augers and hole saws.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
DeWalt DCD805NT: compact 90 Nm hammer drill, bare
90 Nm from an ultra compact body, according to the listing, is the strongest figure in this guide.
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DeWalt sells many 18 V XR drills with similar names, and the model code tells you a lot. The three digit number is the tool, while the suffix says what is in the box: N or NT is a bare unit (T means a TSTAK case), P2 means two 5 Ah batteries and a charger, and K means a kit case. This guide lines up the XR drills currently listed so you can see what each step buys in torque, gears and features. Older models such as the DCD778, DCD796 and DCD999 were not available as UK listings that met our checks, so we compare the current alternatives instead. All of these run on the same DeWalt 18 V XR batteries, so a bare unit makes sense if you already own packs. Follow the manual, wear eye protection and use the side handle where one is supplied.
All products compared
- DeWalt DCD996P2: three speed, 95 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit
- Type
- Combi drill
- Max torque
- 95 Nm
- Speeds
- 3
- Supplied as
- Kit: 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, TSTAK
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCD805NT: compact 90 Nm hammer drill, bare
- Type
- Hammer drill driver
- Max torque
- 90 Nm
- Speeds
- 2
- Supplied as
- Bare unit in TSTAK
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCK276P2: DCD996 drill with DCF887 impact driver
- Type
- Combi drill and impact driver
- Max torque
- 95 Nm (drill)
- Speeds
- 3 (drill)
- Supplied as
- Kit: 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, TOUGHSYSTEM
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCD800NT: 90 Nm XR hammer drill driver, bare
- Type
- Hammer drill driver
- Max torque
- 90 Nm
- Speeds
- 2
- Supplied as
- Bare unit (no battery)
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCD803KN: multi-head drill driver, four heads
- Type
- Multi-head drill driver
- Max torque
- 73 Nm
- Speeds
- 2
- Supplied as
- Bare unit with 4 heads
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - DeWalt DCD799P2T: compact 74 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit
- Type
- Hammer drill driver
- Max torque
- 74 Nm
- Speeds
- 2
- Supplied as
- Kit: 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, TSTAK
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Type | Max torque | Speeds | Supplied as | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCD996P2: three speed, 95 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit | Combi drill | 95 Nm | 3 | Kit: 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, TSTAK | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| DeWalt DCD805NT: compact 90 Nm hammer drill, bare | Hammer drill driver | 90 Nm | 2 | Bare unit in TSTAK | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| DeWalt DCK276P2: DCD996 drill with DCF887 impact driver | Combi drill and impact driver | 95 Nm (drill) | 3 (drill) | Kit: 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, TOUGHSYSTEM | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| DeWalt DCD800NT: 90 Nm XR hammer drill driver, bare | Hammer drill driver | 90 Nm | 2 | Bare unit (no battery) | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| DeWalt DCD803KN: multi-head drill driver, four heads | Multi-head drill driver | 73 Nm | 2 | Bare unit with 4 heads | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| DeWalt DCD799P2T: compact 74 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit | Hammer drill driver | 74 Nm | 2 | Kit: 2 x 5.0 Ah, charger, TSTAK | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCD996P2: three speed, 95 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit
A full size 18 V XR brushless combi drill with two 5 Ah batteries, a multi-voltage charger, side handle and TSTAK case. It suits trades and keen DIYers who want one drill for most jobs.
In its favour
- The listing states 95 Nm of torque, enough headroom for large augers, hole saws and long screws in timber.
- Three mechanical speeds give a slow gear for driving and a fast one for small bits in metal and masonry.
- Two 5.0 Ah packs with charge indicators and a TSTAK case are in the box, so nothing extra is needed to start.
Good to know
- The listing gives a weight of 1 kg, which looks like the bare body only; expect a heavier tool with a 5 Ah pack fitted.
- Chuck size is listed as 12.7 mm and the bullet points are very short, so check the full DeWalt spec sheet.
Listing title: DeWALT | DCD996P2 XR Brushless Combi Drill | 18V 2 x 5.0Ah Li-Ion
No. 2 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCD805NT: compact 90 Nm hammer drill, bare
A compact DeWalt 18 V XR brushless hammer drill driver supplied as a bare unit in a TSTAK box. Strong for its size and ideal if you already run XR batteries.
In its favour
- 90 Nm from an ultra compact body, according to the listing, is the strongest figure in this guide.
- 15 torque settings, a two speed all-metal gearbox and a three mode pivoting LED are listed.
- Fits all DeWalt 18 V XR batteries and chargers, so existing owners pay only for the tool.
Good to know
- Bare unit: no battery or charger is included, so first time buyers must add both.
- The listing does not give the weight with a battery fitted.
Listing title: DEWALT 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill Driver, Tool only in TSTAK Box, D...
No. 3 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCK276P2: DCD996 drill with DCF887 impact driver
DeWalt's popular XR brushless twin pack with the three speed DCD996 combi drill, DCF887 impact driver, two 5 Ah packs, charger and TOUGHSYSTEM box.
In its favour
- The DCD996 drill is listed at 95 Nm, enough for large augers and hole saws.
- Two 5.0 Ah batteries and a multi-voltage XR charger are included.
- Comes in a TOUGHSYSTEM DS150 box that stacks with DeWalt storage.
Good to know
- The listing does not give the impact driver's torque or speeds.
- The boxed kit weighs 7.66 kg according to the listing, so it is bulky to carry.
Listing title: DeWALT | DCK276P2 Brushless Twin Pack | 18V 2 x 5.0Ah Li-Ion | DCK276P...
No. 4 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCD800NT: 90 Nm XR hammer drill driver, bare
The DCD800 is DeWalt's mid size brushless XR hammer drill driver, here as a bare unit. 90 Nm, two gears and a pivoting LED make it a strong all rounder.
In its favour
- 90 Nm of listed torque handles large holes and long screws.
- 15 position torque control and a three mode foot LED with pivot are listed.
- Steel belt hook and magnetic bit holder come with the tool.
Good to know
- Bare unit, so you need DeWalt 18 V batteries and a charger.
- The listing weight of 1.6 kg excludes the battery.
Listing title: DEWALT DCD800NT-XJ 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill Driver - Bare Unit
No. 5 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCD803KN: multi-head drill driver, four heads
The DCD803 is a compact XR brushless drill driver with four quick change heads: chuck, bit holder, offset and right angle. Sold as a bare unit with an organiser.
In its favour
- Four heads, including right angle and offset drivers, reach screws a normal drill cannot.
- 73 Nm and a two speed all-metal transmission are listed.
- Flexible attachment organiser keeps the heads together.
Good to know
- No hammer mode, so it is not for brick or block.
- Bare unit with no battery or charger, so add XR packs if you are new.
Listing title: DEWALT 18V XR Multi-Head Drill Driver, 4 Heads, DCD803KN-XJ - Power So...
No. 6 · DEWALT
DeWalt DCD799P2T: compact 74 Nm, 2 x 5 Ah kit
DeWalt's compact XR brushless hammer drill driver with two large 5 Ah batteries, charger and TSTAK box. More drill than most homes need, but it will not run short.
In its favour
- 74 Nm and two gears handle large holes in timber as well as everyday fixings.
- 15 torque settings and an LED work light are listed.
- Two 5 Ah XR packs and a UK plug charger are included.
Good to know
- The 5 Ah packs add weight compared with 2 Ah kits, and the drill's own weight is not stated.
- More capacity than a typical home user needs, which shows in what you pay.
Listing title: DEWALT 18V XR Brushless Compact Hammer Drill Driver with 2 5Ah Lithium...
Read before you buy
- What does body only, bare or tool only mean?Body only, bare, skin and tool only all mean a power tool without battery or charger. See what Z, N and 0 model codes mean and when bare tools make sense.
- How to spot fake Makita and DeWalt toolsModel codes, battery labels, packaging and seller checks that help separate genuine Makita and DeWalt tools and batteries from copies.
- SDS drill vs combi drill for brick, block and concretePiston hammer against ratchet hammer: how SDS and combi drills differ, typical hole sizes in brick and concrete, and when each is worth buying.
- Drill chuck slipping or bit wobbling: causes and fixesWhy drill bits slip or wobble in a keyless chuck: tightening technique, worn jaws, round bits in hammer mode, and when to replace the chuck.
- Drill bit stuck in the chuck: how to get it outHow to free a drill bit stuck in a keyless chuck on DeWalt, Makita and other cordless drills, plus how to change bits so they grip without jamming.
More buying guides: Battery platforms
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