Earlier this month I posted a few thoughts about whether or not I thought Dewalt was soon coming out with a new 20V Max XR brushless premium hammer drill or drill/driver. It’s a question I have been asked numerous times via email, and so I wanted to address the question in a post that I could point to when responding to similar emails moving forward.
Given Dewalt’s past marketing approach, I really didn’t think a brushless version of their cordless premium drill and hammer drill were scheduled for release in the near future. It looks like I was wrong.
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In a comment to that predictions post, a reader mentioned to expect Dewalt’s premium brushless drill driver/hammer drill to be out around October. While a Fall 2013 ETA has not yet been officially confirmed, I was able to track down some early information about the new brushless hammer drill.
Most noticeably, it looks like Dewalt was able to engineer the brushless premium hammer drill to be slightly more compact and shorter in length than the brushed motor premium drill. The hammer drill still looks a bit long, but any improvements in length are well worth it.
As Javier pointed out his comment below, unlike the brushed motor premium cordless hammer drill, DCD985, the new DCD995 brushless premium drill does not have a separate mode-selector switch. Instead, the rotary and hammer mode settings can only be toggled by rotating the adjustable clutch wheel.
If accurate, the 80 Nm peak torque rating (~708 in-lbs), means that the new Dewalt premium brushless hammer drill is less powerful than Milwaukee’s brushless Fuel hammer drill, as well as Bosch and Makita’s brushed motor hammer drills, according to those brands’ torque ratings.
Update: Dewalt rates their drill as having 650 UWO of power.
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The new brushless hammer drill also received similar styling and design tweaks as Dewalt’s compact brushless hammer drill, and drill/driver. It has a new bottom base-mounted LED worklight, a design decision that seems to have been borrowed from other brands, a the new dual-color pistol grip styling to differentiate this as a brushless XR drill.
In terms of general technical specs, our sources say that the XR brushless premium drill will have the same 3 speed ranges as the brushed version, the same weight, and the same maximum torque rating. I cannot confirm this just yet, but official details and specs should be available closer to the tool’s launch.
- Speed: 0-575, 0-1350, 0-2000 RPM; 0-34,000 BPM
- Length: 8.4″
- Weight: 4.7 lbs
- Peak Torque: ~708 in-lbs, 650 UWO
- Chuck: 1/2″
- Clutch positions: 11
The brushless XR premium hammer drill (DCD995M2) will be bundled in a kit with 2x 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery packs, and an impact driver combo kit seems probable.
A non-hammer brushless premium drill/driver, DCD990, is also available.
Buy Now(DCD995B Bare Tool via Amazon)
Buy Now(DCD990M2 Non-Hammer Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Premium Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo via Amazon)
Dewalt Premium Brushless vs. Milwaukee Fuel
Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel brushless hammer drill is currently one of the most popular cordless drills on the market, and stands to be the top competitor for Dewalt’s new brushless premium drill. A lot of the readers that have asked about a possible Dewalt premium brushless drill release have also asked about whether they should just skip the wait and buy into Milwaukee’s M18 lineup for their Fuel brushless model.
In terms of size and weight, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel drills bested Dewalt’s brushed motor premium drills. In terms of sheer power, both tools came close. In terms of runtime, it seems that the Milwaukee had the upper hand with its brushless motor, but I don’t recall seeing any recent head-to-head tests. One of the main selling points for the Dewalt over the Milwaukee was its 3 speed settings.
Milwaukee’s brushless hammer drill has a higher torque rating than the Dewalt – 725 in-lbs vs. ~708 in-lbs, when paired with a high capacity 4.0Ah battery pack. But that’s on paper.
In practice, there are other factors – such as battery over-current protection – that could contribute in determining which tool is really more powerful than the other when it comes to real-world applications. If you are pushing either tool to their limits, a few inch-pounds of on-paper torque rating won’t make a difference.
If you ask me, I would go with the Milwaukee Fuel over Dewalt, but that’s because I prefer its lighter weight and smaller size, and its 2- speed ranges would suit me just fine. I also prefer how Milwaukee’s auxiliary handle fits to the tool, compared to Dewalt’s method.
A Note About 20V Max “XR”
As with other recent Dewalt 20V Max cordless tools, the new cordless drill features “20V Max XR” branding. 20 V Max XR has been a source of some confusion for USA users, who have been asking if Dewalt’s XR lithium ion batteries provide any improvements in performance, as with Milwaukee’s RedLithium and XC battery packs. According to an answer by Dewalt on their Facebook page, the XR battery packs only provide added runtime, not added performance, compared to Dewalt’s lower capacity non-XR batteries.
20V Max is just Dewalt’s way of marketing their 18V Li-ion tools to North American customers.
Chris
Dewalt’s handle is easily better then Milwaukee’s because it can be put into any position you want, Milwaukee’s is very limited… The dewalt’s handle the way it mounts adds to the length and without it would be shorter but putting the handle in any position possible, I’ll take the little extra length anyday…
Also is your using the compact batteries or with any dewalt battery the drill makes full power either 1.5 or 4.0… The Milwaukee for some reason will only give you full with the 4.0 battery which to me makes no sense
Stuart
I tend to prefer Milwaukee’s style of auxiliary handle over Dewalt’s, and not just because it makes the tool more compact, but because I find its positioning provides for greater ergonomics and better balance.
Another way to look at it: the Milwaukee gives you full power with 1.5Ah and 2.0Ah battery packs, and extra power with the 3.0Ah and 4.0Ah battery packs. Makita’s 1.5Ah and 3.0Ah batteries are similarly different – this is why the teal-colored heavier duty tools can only be used with the higher capacity (and higher power) battery packs. Instead of just increasing runtime, they are built to provide increased runtime and power distribution.
Chris
This is though it’s over 50″ lbs less then the Dewalt and only gives you 17″ lbs more with the big batteries… So they way you look at it, the Dewalt wins out because no matter what you decide to run for batteries, your gonna get your 708 in lbs of torque…
Stuart
Not really. There’s a reason the premium kit only comes bundled with high capacity batteries.
If I needed high power, I’d go with the more compact and lighter Milwaukee Fuel with an XC battery. If I didn’t need high power and wanted even more weight savings, I’d go with the compact and lighter Milwaukee Fuel with compact battery packs.
It’s a very subjective matter. The fact is, performance-wise, the two tools are probably quite close to each other. Speed of application and runtime are likely going to be close.
I wouldn’t be unhappy to use either model on a project. But if I had to choose one over the other, it would be the Milwaukee.
Chris
Depends on which way you look at it, If you bought the Fuel kit with the 2.0ah batteries, you don’t get the power like the high end batteries… Dewalt comes only with 4.0 but can be used at full power with either so it gives the user more choice with the drill because it doesn’t matter what your using it’s going to give you that massive 708 in lbs torque.
The difference in weight between the dewalt and fuel is very minimal and even eric said at TIA both feel close to the same… Only real big difference is the length which is because of the spot added on for the handle… If dewalt added the limited handle placement right up top, it be very close in length… I like my handle angled down at like a 45 or a bit higher and the Dewalt let’s me, The milwaukee is right or left up top so it’s super limited…
Chris
Plus nothing is totally confirmed yet anyway on weight or anything, everything looks exactly the same spec wise as the current drill which is a bit odd
Ken
Ever consider maybe Dewalt batteries were already giving you “extra power”? Maybe Milwaukee was only giving you “full power” so they upgraded their batteries and claimed it gave their tools “extra power” when in fact, they were just catching up to where Dewalt’s were? Now Milwaukee say’s that Dewalt’s 4.0 Ah batteries only give you more run time and not the added power, thus making it seem like their battery system is superior, when in fact they were just catching up to where Dewalt was?
XR = eXtended runtime for those of you who are confused.
Stuart
It was Dewalt’s Facebook/social media rep that said their 4.0Ah batteries only delivered greater runtime and not added power.
I haven’t heard the product managers’ marketing spiel behind XR, nor have I tested any of the latest tools featuring the new battery packs. But from what I can tell, the new XR battery packs are exactly the same as the non-XR battery packs, but packed with higher capacity 3rd party li-ion cells.
The same is true with Milwaukee’s newer higher capacity 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah XC battery packs. The main difference is in how the XC battery packs are designed to allow for greater current draw.
Imagine you have to hold a 20 pound weight. You can hold it in your right hand and switch to your left hand when your right arm is exhausted, or you can use both hands and arms to support the weight. Dewalt’s batteries are built analogous to the first example, and Milwaukee’s XC batteries are built analogous to the second example.
Both battery designs have their merits. But at the end of the day, given the torque specs I believe to be accurate, Milwaukee’s Fuel brushless hammer drill paired with an XC 4.0Ah battery is more powerful than Dewalt’s brushless premium hammer drill paired with an XR 4.0Ah battery.
With Milwaukee, XC means something. With Dewalt, XR is just to differentiate the new from the old.
Outside the USA and North America, ALL of Dewalt’s new Li-ion tools have been branded “18V XR” since the 20V Max/18V XR platform was launched a few years ago.
Chris
This figures. I purchased the DeWalt compact brushless hammer drill two weeks ago when this is the one that I really wanted. Honestly the compact one will probably suit me just fine.
Stuart
It’s really apples vs. oranges. This model is larger, heavier, much more powerful, but also pricier than the compact model. Plus, there’s no telling when it will hit the market.
Chris
Plus nothing is fully confirmed weight or length wise, .3 lbs isn’t a whole lot, the fuel and the dcd 985 felt close to the same but the 985 is longer, this looks a little shorter but still a bit long with a think a lot of the length coming from the handle mount but like I said, i’d take the added length because it allows you to put it anywhere you want which is perfect for me
Javier
Ha, now they confirm a brushless 3 speed premium hammer drill after I already switched to Milwaukee m18 fuel and sold my dewalt stuff.
My thoughts on the fuel vs premium brushed Hammer drill. I have to say the handle on the dewalt is much better. It’s far easier to install and can be positioned at any angle and has a hole for a depth rod. Sure it’s not bundled with one and you can’t order one either but I was able to put a 1/4 hammer bit and use use that as a depth rod. The 3 speeds are nice to have but for me they were never practical. I only used either speed 1 or 3. Power about the same on both. Runtime fuel is the clear winner. I know the dewalt is heavier but my arm can’t tell the difference between the two. Size the fuel wins but not by too much. the electric brake is better on the fuel, it has a smooth stop unlike the dewalt which sounds like something breaks when it stops. I prefer the textured grip on the dewalt chuck.
Overall I’m happier with Milwaukee in the long run With their tool line up and upcoming tools. Also there are little details nobody ever talks about on any tool site about the Milwaukee m18 tools for example the fuel drills have a nice fade out in the LED lights when they turn off or how the battery packs when charging show you the charging status. They show one bar and slowly the bars increase until charged. Not perfect but it gives you a good idea how far along the battery is being charged.
Now onto my impression of the brushless premium 3 speed hammer drill. It looks nice and considerably shorter in length. Styling is excellent. I really like it except for one serious flaw and makes me glad I switched. Its missing the separate drill mode selector or clutch. Not sure what it’s called. On the premium brushed drill I had clutch settings on one dial and on a separate dial mode selector. You can switch between driving to drilling to hammer drilling without changing clutch settings for driving screws. Seems like you have to go through the entire range of clutch settings before you get to the drill mode or hammer mode on the same dial on the new brushless xr drill. That’s OK on”basic” drills but not in a “premium” drill. seems like that’s the corner they cut in order to achieve a shorter drill.
Stuart
Oh, I see what you mean about the absence of the mode selector switch, and I agree with you – I think that’s a feature that a lot of users are really going to miss.
Although, in practice, this might not be that much of an inconvenience. A lot of users are already accustomed to having to spin the adjustable clutch wheel in order to select the full-torque drilling mode anyways. But then again, it means that premium hammer drill users looking to upgrade to the brushless version will have to adapt to this or change the way they work to minimize settings swaps.
Javier
No doubt users will adjust and conform to the missing separate mode selector switch. I feel that this being dewalts “premium” offering, their high end flagship drill, it shouldn’t be missing a premium feature. One that makes it more convenient. This drill should have all the bells and whistles available. Sure people can live without it but the same can be said about multi tools without the tool less blade change, not too long ago we had to use tools to replace jigsaw blades, I believe reciprocating saws needed tools to replace as well. Sure we could go back to needing tools to replace jigsaw blades and I’m sure plenty of people would adjust but my point is we don’t have to. It seems like dewalt is going backwards by omitting such a feature.
Stuart
They probably had multiple prototypes and design considerations and ultimately had to make a choice. Maybe one of the final two designs was longer but with the familiar style of mode selection switch, and the other was shorter in length and engineered with the new style of combined clutch and mode selection wheel.
If users don’t respond well to the change, the next version will probably go back to the older style, as they did with their newer brushless impact driver.
Chris
It was probably keep it around the same length, omit the spot for the handle maybe and go to a different style like milwaukee or omit the mode switch… I guess they went with one probably a focus group said they were ok with….
Every drill I have ever used was the way on the clutch and had to turn all one way… I’m ok with the loss because I think the shorter length might come in more handy then the second dial for the 3 mode selections…
Getting rid of the handle spot I would of took it a lot worse because Milwaukee’s handle is not good for me… The Dewalt handle is much more useful then just a simple left or right
Chris
Or they could of saved on overall length by quite a bit with a 2 speed transmission over a 3, which no doubt adds to length and weight but I think it’s one huge feature for a lot of people that adds to the appeal of the drill that more people would of missed then the selector dial
Michael Quinlan
I’m glad I made the switch from DeWalt to Milwaukee. I agree that DeWalt’s side handle is more usable, but the number of times I use it, I’ll take Milwaukee’s side handle and compactness any day.
I think it’s interesting that DeWalt refuses to publish torque specs on their US sites, but makes the information readily available on non-US sites.
My understanding is that Milwaukee delivers more torque with the higher capacity batteries because they are more tolerant of the increased power demands of the higher torque. It’s possible to look at DeWalt and say that you get full power regardless of which batteries you use, but you could also say that don’t give you the additional power they could with the higher capacity batteries.
Either way, I’m happy with my switch, but I’d probably be no less happy if I had stuck with DeWalt.
Chris
We all know the big drill sucks on smaller batteries quite a bit but if you need the big power for a small job and don’t see the need for the 4.0 battery you can do that with your Dewalt… Just a different side to every argument. It works great for me because I have 4 of the smaller batteries and being able to get everything with them is a plus
Stuart
It is unclear why Dewalt doesn’t publish torque specs here in the US. Presumably, they do it because they don’t want potential customers switching to other brands who might have better on-paper torque specs.
In Europe, it might be mandatory to disclose peak torque specs, as they do have tougher trade regulations. For instance, Dewalt and other Stanley Black & Decker brands’ tools are labeled as “20V Max” in the USA and North America, but are more accurately labeled as “18V” overseas.
Joe
Is that really any less accurate than Milwaukee’s M12? 3 18650 lithium ion batteries in series is not 12v under load. Just like 5 of them in series is not 20v under load. Thats the only difference between the two batteries, two extra cells.
The bigger batteries have an extra set in parallel.
Stuart
12V Max become a common convention when the compact tool lines first started gaining popularity. 18V is an established and ubiquitous convention. To brand 18V nominal tools as 20V Max is misleading and does confuse users.
Users generally have the perception that 12V<14.4V<18V<36V in terms of power. Toss in numbers like 16V Max and 20V Max, and users will think that 20V Max > 18V and 16V Max > 14.4V.
It’s like saying “up to 40% off” when a product is only discounted by 5%. Sure, it’s accurate, but that doesn’t make it proper.
Joe
12v lithium ion batteries aren’t 12 under load. They are 12v max. They literally use the same cells as the big batteries. Do the math, there are 5 cells in series in an 18v battery and three in a 12v battery.
Unless Milwaukee is using 3.6v nominal 18650 cells in their M18 batteries and 4.0v nominal cells in their M12 batteries which I highly doubt.
My point is that Dewalt saying calling their 18v like 20v max is no more false advertisement than Milwaukee calling their 10.8v line M12. Unless I’m missing something.
Joe
I do see what you mean though. At least with Milwaukee they’re following the same convention as the rest of the competition.
It is a little misleading to call your tools 20v max when the rest of the competition calls their tools that run at the same voltage 18v.
Stuart
In the case of Milwaukee’s 12V platform, every other power tool brand followed suit right as compact li-ion tools started gaining popularity.
M12 = 12V Max, and so the playing field is even all around. There is no confusion among users regarding this, at least in the US from what I can tell.
Very few brands, if any at all, market their 10.8V tools as such.
My argument is that 20V Max branding artificially elevates the tools in many users’ minds, where they are led to believe 20V Max is not quite the same as 18V. Maybe this was intentional, maybe consequential.
M12 and 12V Max don’t confuse users, “20V Max” does.
Eventually we might see other brands follow suit, but only if or when they make major changes to battery pack form factors, as Dewalt did.
mainewoods
Stuart, Let me start by saying how much I enjoy your website and your reviews. I have been a long time reader and checking your new posts is one of the first things I do when I sit to work on my invoices after work each night.
As for the debate about the differences in the auxiliary handle designs between this drill and the Milwaukee Fuel hammer drill. Let me start by saying that I work as a custom home builder in new england and use both the milwaukee m18 and dewalt 20vmax tools daily. I have nearly the whole line up of both systems in the trailer.
A few weeks ago my crew was roughing in the plumbing on a new house. The plumber was coming behind us connecting pipe and we were trying to speed things along by boring a lot of the holes. Up till this point I almost always found myself reaching for the M18 Fuel hammer drill as it is the newer of my the two systems for my crew. However when you are boring a hole for pipe you are almost always either drilling a plate between two studs or up in a bay above your head between two joists. I found the ability to adjust the position of the handle made the dewalt 20vmax hammer drill so much more useful in that situation. I understand this is not the main role of these tools since we also used a large right angle drill for the larger holes. However I don’t feel it is out of the realm of normal use. I still use the m18 fuel drill everyday but I do grab the dewalt now when I need that extra control in tight spaces that the auxiliary handle can give. Just my two cents from my real world application. Both drills perform outstanding but I find the dewalt handle set up more useful, something I mentioned to the Milwaukee rep last time I saw him at our lumber yard.
Stuart
Thanks for sharing your feedback with both drills’ auxiliary handle styles!
It’s certainly a tough comparison, and at the end of the day, I wish I could pick and choose everything I like from various makes and models of drills and combine them into a single super drill.
I think that Dewalt’s new premium brushless hammer drill has some nice carryover features from the brushed model, and the new styling offers some improvement. Their auxiliary handle position is by no means bad, but I still find myself preferring a shorter drill, even if it means limited handle positions. The fact that the discussion turned towards focusing on the aux handle is a bit surprising, but I suppose I invited that by comparing the Dewalt to Milwaukee’s Fuel hammer drill in the first place.
mnoswad1
Looks like the porter cable design language is creeping over to dewalt’s side of the office.
Stuart
How so?
mnoswad1
Of course non of this matters…….at all. We don’t buy our tools because of how they look……..right?
I dont have the ability , but if you posted the above dewalt drill pic next to a new PC 20 volt max drill (at the same scale, angle, etc)………..they look even more similar now than ever. The segmented rubber on the grip is of the same origin, the clunky-ness of the PC is now shown in the dewalt. The dewalt used to be ergonomic looking, now there getting too “aesthetic”.
BUT, my point is that I believe the PC line up IS just dewalt with a different plastic housing. Most likely designed by the same team. I just begin to wonder if were paying extra for plastic.
joe
For me the 3 speed transmission outperforms a 2 speed transmission. Just to give a few examples that 2 speed transmission users probably never have had the pleasure in really experiencing.
For using self taping screws as an HVAC duct work technician. This application requires zero torque but more speed and clutch setting. You the faster speeds run the screw I quicker and the clutch prevents from striping the struck of galvanize steel.
The same speed is very much appreciated when installing kitchen vent hoods. Heck, I can drive any screw through the sheet metal in speed three very easy. By any screw I mean any…sheet rock, wood screw, even those small and chubby screws the vent hood comes with. Of course, you have to do this type of work to appreciate the speed and your arms will thank you for it in the long run.
Hell, the 3 speed has driven self taping 6mm screws in ¼ inch steel in less than five seconds. So there are many job sites that the 3 speed transmission comes in handy….
regarding the dewalts handle, it does not compare to milwaukee bar none. The latest handles are more comfortable than the previous…this has been improved over the years. Milwaukees is just something you have to live with and take it as a trade off.
My opinion for this upcoming drill…pretty awesome. Judging from my dcd790, which I have taken apart completely, it will be as long as a 12v max dcd710….moisture proved and with a good chuck, unlike Milwaukee chucks i’ve read in forums that is tend to break a lot…of course they blame in on the drill power but a break is a break 🙂
Joe
Of course I see this the day after I buy an M18 Fuel drill. I love dewalt’s 3 speed transmission. I find it blatantly missing on my Boss’ fuel. There are many times where I find that 1200rpm setting on the DCD980 perfect.
If I’m spinning a hole saw at the top of an extension ladder I not only don’t need wrist breaking torque, I don’t want it. Its great to have that setting between wrist breaking torque and nowhere near enough power.
Matthew Fant
I find the usa unit watt power rating annoying. Every other manufacturer uses inch pounds or newton meters to rate their tools power. For the dcd985 that I bought, I found a way around this. I went to toolstop.co.uk. They have exactly the same tools, just euro’d up a little. The newton meter rating is clearly 80 nm for the 985, While I’ve been unable to find any specs on the new 995, besides the unit watt rating (wtf). 708 inch lbs of torque is still impressive for 985, when you consider that its a brushed tool. Anyone have any experience with the 995 yet? Does it feel like less of an anvil than the 985?
Rob Sivak
Just purchased the DeWalt brushless 20V lithium compact drill — the DCD-790D2 –and it’s a great package, nicely balanced, good price –but I can’t get over the loud clanking noise the brake makes when you release the trigger in the #2 (hi-speed) range setting. I mean, a metallic click would be okay, but this sounds (and feels) like something breaking inside. And the brake noise is slightly different each time, like it’s not engaging precisely. Other brushless drills also emit a bit of noise on trigger release, but the DeWalt’s had me thinking it was defective, but when I went back to Home Depot and tried a few other similar units (the ones whose batteries weren’t dead) they made the same clanking brake noise. Anyone have any thoughts on whether I should just get used to it — as long as it’s not a defect — or wait for the next gen of quieter brushless
joe
That is normal. I have taken a part all of my dewalt drills and the noise is due to 5-6 pins that act as a clutch to stop the chuck from spinning when you release the trigger or when you tighten in a drill bit. The sound you hear is the pins slightly engaging.
Milwaukee uses a different type of clutch to prevent the chuck from spinning. I believe Milwaukee uses 100% electric breaking.
dewalt pins (not showing all pins in picture)
http://i.imgur.com/DLgVU4g.jpg
milwaiukee method (two pins removed in picture)
http://i.imgur.com/TDpLiLV.jpg
In all, it’s normally sound.
Sanjay
Is it normal for my new DCD 995 Hammer Drill to emit a loud grinding noise while braking in speed positions 2 and 3 in fasten mode? It’s noticeably louder at the highest speed setting.
Max
I don’t know if it’s normal, but I have the same noise at speeds 2-3. I suppose it’s okay.
mike v
I own both the fuel with the 4amp and the 995 brushless , I prefer the dewalt but from the impacts, I also own the fuel impact with the 4 amp battery and 3 speeds, and the dewalt impact with 3 speeds brushless and a 4 amp battery… In this case, the milwaukee blow the dewalt away in power.
Kevin critcheloe
Regular settings on the hamer drill are not as powerful as my compact drill driver
Chris
Boy am I annoyed with this drill. If you are drilling at full power and release the switch then quickly restart it doesn’t work. Tried several at the store with the same effect. Also when restarting it goes into a slow start mode. Whats the point of a trigger switch that has variable speed if the drill over rides your imput