Dewalt has officially announced their new 20V Max POWER DETECT cordless power tools, which feature tech that allows them to deliver a power boost when paired with an 8.0Ah battery.
The Power Detect tech will be featured “exclusively on four new 20V Max XR brushless tools,” three of which we posted about earlier:
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- DCS574W1 Brushless Circular Saw Kit
- DCS368W1 Brushless Reciprocating Saw Kit
- DCD998W1 Brushless Hammer Drill Kit
- DCG415W1 Brushless Angle Grinder Kit
Who are Dewalt’s new Power Detect-featuring cordless power tools aimed at? Dewalt says they are:
ideal for commercial contractor applications where premium power, performance, runtime, and productivity are required.
Dewalt also says that the new cordless tools feature “upgraded motors and components compared to their predecessors and durable housings,” although they don’t specify what types of components have been upgraded in any of the new tools.
Power Detect is described as being able to perform battery pack identification, and performance upgrades are provided for when the tools are paired with an 8.0Ah battery (DCB208).
- Brushless circular saw (DCS574): Up to 54% more power than its predecessor
- Brushless reciprocating saw (DCS368): Up to 44% more power than when in use with a 5.0Ah (DCB205) battery
- Brushless hammer drill (DCD998): Up to 29% more power than its predecessor (DCD996)
- Brushless angle grinder (DCG415): Up to 40% more power than its predecessor (DCG413)
The marketing language, where these new tools are being compared to predecessor models, suggests that these tools might be replacing existing offerings, but this has not yet been confirmed with Dewalt. We have not seen any indication that there will be bare tool offerings, and the kits are all bundled with a single 8.0Ah battery. Because of this, I don’t expect for these Power Detect models to replace (or at least not fully replace) existing SKUs of predecessor models.
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Additionally, with Dewalt Power Detect tools being aimed at commercial contractor applications, perhaps current versions of the tools will continue to be offered for a broader audience of end users.
Dewalt says that the tools are available now where Dewalt products are sold. It appears that Lowe’s was a launching partner, as they were the only retailer to list or sell these 20V Max Power Detect cordless power tools prior to this initial product announcement.
However, I’m having trouble locating any online retailers that list the current tools, aside from Lowe’s. We’ll check back later in the month, in case it’s taking them time to catch up with online listings or warehouse inventory.
Buy Now: Circular Saw Kit via Lowe’s
Buy Now: Reciprocating Saw Kit via Lowe’s
Buy Now: Hammer Drill Kit via Lowe’s
Buy Now: Angle Grinder Kit via Lowe’s
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Nathan
SO wait is it only more power when paired with the 8AH battery or is is any larger cell battery. Like the flexvolt or the 5AH, 6AH, etc?
I figured it would be any battery that wasn’t the compact ones?
Big Richard
Per DeWalt: “Maximize Performance with High-Capacity XR Batteries Versus 5.0Ah Batteries or Less”
So, it sounds like any high capacity battery that utilizes the 21700 sized cells, i.e. 6Ah XR DCB206, 8Ah XR DCB208, 9Ah FlexVolt DCB609, and 12Ah FlexVolt DCB612. I don’t believe it includes the new slim 3Ah DCB230 or 4Ah DCB240, despite the fact they also utilize 21700 sized cells because they are not branded as “high capacity XR”. Furthermore, it does not include the 6Ah FlexVolt DCB606, because that utilizes 18650 cells.
My question to DeWalt, which I’m still waiting on a response, is what about the early release DCB206 and DCB609 (pre 2019) that used slightly smaller 20700 cells?
Stuart
There’s zero mention of Flexvolt batteries.
Since the FlexVolt 6.0Ah battery isn’t an XR, perhaps not.
I’m following up with some questions.
Nathan
Thanks guys I was confused since one of those tools says packaged with a 5AH battery. Glad to see the marked them XR – I missed that the first go around.
Stuart
Sorry, I think I see what happened. Is this the part that threw you off?
They intend for it to mean that you get more power than compared to when the tool is used with a 5Ah battery. This design doesn’t have a “predecessor,” and so the comparison is between the recip saw being used with an 8.0Ah battery and a 5.0Ah battery.
Steve Goodman
Do we know what date the FlexVolt circ saw update comes out?
Big Richard
“Spring 2020”, so I would suspect in the next month or so.
Ken
I have the same question about FlexVolt batteries. I have a pretty big investment in them and would like to see at least my 9ah (@20V) packs work. Otherwise this will be a pretty big disappointment.
Shawn
The flex dcb609 and dcb612 enable tool detect according to paid Dewalt partner Travis Collins of the ToolsByDesign insta account. Also the 20v dcb206, which is the 6ah 20v works. The smaller dcb230 and 240 don’t because they have too few cells despite having the upgraded cells. Hope this helps
Ken
Good news if it turns out to be true. Might get me to update some of my old 20V tools.
Travis - Toolsbydesign
Thank you for sharing the information I have put out there on my Toolsbydesign page. The large Flexvolt batteries operate at 20v in 20v tools and will enable maximum power out of the Power Detect tools.
I would like to clarify on my relationship with DeWalt as I am not a paid partner. I purchased all 4 of these Power Detect tools from Lowes to show everyone what these new tools are about. DeWalt has paid me nothing for the past 4 years of postings except for 6 posts from the recent World of Concrete event which helped cover the trip costs and time off of work. DeWalt does send me tools to showcase and review on my channel.
John
The only thing that is the slightest new is the hammer drill. The rest of the tools are pretty much flexvolt tools. They did the same thing with the atomic and 12v platform. You said on another thread that the new 12v tools are pretty much the atomic tools. I wanna know what uwo’s are for the drill with the 8amp battery. I wish dewalt would invest in new tools and not old tools.
Big Richard
DCD996 – 820 UWO
DCD998 – 1050 UWO
And the rest of the tools are still not FlexVolt level power. They are not even as powerful as the gen I FlexVolt versions. Now that all three have a gen II FlexVolt version debuting this spring, it is even more of a gap.
Kingsley
I’ve done a test using the new DCD998 with a 5ah battery, the 8ah battery and a FLEXVOLT 9ah battery
https://youtu.be/WI3u-y_Gbhs
Wayne R.
I’ve got an excellent Metabo hammer drill that detects a path to ground at the bit and then shuts down, to help avoid drilling through pipes and electrical stuff.
That’s what I thought you might be getting at with this “Power Detect”.
Crappy name on this.
Jim Felt
That’s an impressive feature. Though if it’s with a battery powered half “plastic” bodied tool I’m not sure of the actual utility.
Or is it corded?
Graham Howe
Perhaps it’s to avoid damage to the wires/pipes rather than the user/tool.
fred
Underground feeder cables – some enclosed in pipe with surrounding dielectric fluid are not just 110/208 V. If you drilled into a 13.8kV , 69kV, 138kV or even higher voltage feeder – the plastic tool case would not help much. Even if you were not electrocuted – an arc flash might do some real damage. By design these sorts of feeders are usually buried deeper than any jackhammer bit will reach from street level. But contractor incidents have happened – usually with backhoes or other excavators and poor adherence to (or lack of) code markout
Wayne R.
We caught one with a Ditch Witch. Pow!
Always call your One-Call…
Daryl Pearson
Many years ago I was trenching a communications trench between two buildings and ended up contacting a massive electrical feed (I’m guessing 440V). While I was wearing protective gloves, ear protection and heavy boots, I could hear what sounded like a muffled explosion going on and soon saw the smoke rising from the open trench. I saw all the occupants looking out at me through the window, as I had cut their power and they were in the dark. One-call had clearly marked lines and I was several feet away from their marks. It wasn’t long and the utility gurus showed up and started taking pictures to show how far off their locators were. I’ve trenched many times since then and have never even had a close call. It still sticks in my mind though. You all be safe out there!
Wayne R.
Corded, gotta have a ground. But it’s one of those “good” cords that’s 3m long (I think).
Yeah, it’s saved a few ugly oops moments.
Shawn
As an owner of quite a few FlexVolt tools, I am confused as to why they would sell these upgrades. Why would I (the contractor they claim to aim these tools at) want an upgraded circ saw that still underperforms compared to my three year old dcs575? Especially when that model is set for upgrade as well at the same price point?
These are sold at Lowe’s. Very few contractors use Lowe’s. They are a homeowner store. These are for diy guys that want to still be able to use their 20v batteries. The only thing these tools have going for them is compatibility with 20v batteries. Otherwise it’s all noise compared to 60v
Graham Howe
The strange thing is, I assume many ‘diy guys’ like me who have an investment in 20v batteries, may well not have any of the 8Ah batteries anyway. So why wouldn’t I buy FlexVolt as well if I wanted the power boost. It really does seem quite confusing unless this really is just an upgrade to a current line and they will directly replace the equivalent non-Power Detect versions.
Big Richard
“So why wouldn’t I buy FlexVolt as well if I wanted the power boost.”
Because you already said you have an investment in 20v. This new tech will deliver max power with the new batteries, but will still work with your existing 20v batteries just fine. FlexVolt will not offer you that option.
Gordon
His point is, both this and flexvolt require a unique tool and unique battery to take advantage of the increased power. So if you’re buying new tools and batteries, why not FlexVolt? Yes they don’t work with 20v, but they perform much better than the “power detect” tools. And it’s not like you’re going to replace all of your 20v tools with “power detect” tools just for the slight bump in power.
Big Richard
I know, but there’s still reason to buy this over FlexVolt if you are buying new tools:
1. The tools are smaller/lighter
2. The batteries are smaller/lighter
3. Greater compatibility with rest of 20v system
4. Maybe you don’t need FlexVolt level power
5. Lower cost, both upfront and future battery cost
I’m not saying one is better than another, I just think they both have their place. More options for users of different skills and needs is not a nad thing.
Tom
It’s so they can sell FlexVolt as exclusive to Home Depot and Power Detect as exclusive to Lowe’s. My guess is that if you compared these models to the new FlexVolt updates you would find that they have been designed as part of the same platform, and most of the internals are going to be very similar. No benefit to switch from FlexVolt to Power Detect. It all comes down to making sure they lock up shelf space at each of the two major home improvement retailers in North America. Hopefully our friends in Europe and Australia can keep us posted on when the Fatmax versions are released overseas.
Big Richard
Tom, that is not accurate. FlexVolt is not exclusive to Home Depot, I have bought all of my FlexVolt tools at retailers other than Home Depot (namely Northern Tool, Fleet Farm, Farm & Fleet, Ace, and even True Value). There’s also online vendors. I don’t believe these new Power Detect tools will be exclusive to Lowes or anywhere else for that matter. The press release does not indicate such either.
Also, it has been established that these are not a replacement for FlexVolt, they are not as powerful as even the gen I FlexVolt tools. It is far more likely this is just the next generation of 20v XR tools. Kinda like how car manufacturers refresh the lineup every couple years and they always seem to get a power boost.
Tom
Sorry, I should have clarified…exclusive within the home improvement channel. These are common agreements, the same way Milwaukee is exclusive to Home Depot but can also be purchased at many independent supply houses and other specialty retailers. Home Depot and Lowe’s are always competing for supplier exclusivity, which is why many brands can only be found at one store and not the other.
These agreements usually involve minimum stocking requirements that benefit the manufacturer and ensure retailers and distributors have more skin in the game, usually resulting in better marketing support for the lines. But you are right that other outlets not subject to these deals can also sell the line.
Kenneth Stephens
Stuart (or anybody), what would do you think about the future of the kobalt 24v lineup. A friend of mine is looking to expand away from his porter cable since they seem to be phased out and he really likes the kobalt. But it seems like they might also be phased out. I’ve heard talk of a new generation of kobalt 24v tools in some groups but I don’t know of the validity to that
Chris
I believe kobalt is dead…or headed that way. Lowes is now in bed with the Craftsman name. When you walk into a lowes tool section it used to be a sea of blue, now it’s a bright red.
Kenneth Stephens
That’s probably the case. Shame though because they’re tools really were top notch.
Cr8on
Was in Lowe’s today, whole lot of 24v display shelf space, and looked like some new tools too.
Frank D
Having been burned by discontinued Ridgid 24v, and Kobalt now being a side act for Lowes behind Craftsman, I would not spend money on Kobalt.
If you have cash to buy into a new system … I’d go yellow or red, for the selection of tools.
Orange ( ridgid, my primary ) has been good, but still too limited in selection. Lime ( ryobi ) has all the tool options above and beyond anybody and is fine for home owner duty, but frowned upon in the trades. Bosch is very solid, but premium and still a niche … not enough selection in NA.
Stuart
I am under the impression that Kobalt intends to support and even expand the 24V Max cordless power tool lineup.
I will share more when I learn more and am able to.
Toolfreak
Kobalt has already released some of the new 24V tools for 2020 and more are on the way.
They also “accidentally” had the “Next Gen” XTR Kobalt 24V tools up on their site a few days ago. Impressive specs, more expensive, but they will probably be an even bigger shot in the arm to the 24V lineup than some of the new regular 24v tools. You can check out some of the recordings of the new XTR tools on YouTube where some users caught the pics and some of the specs on their phones.
I’d guess that a lot of the “Kobalt is going away” came from the expectation that Lowe’s would discontinue their hand and power tools in favor of all-Craftsman everything. That obviously hasn’t happened and there will still be some basic Kobalt hand tools and the Kobalt 24V line going forward.
I’d guess the 24V stuff will still be around in 4-5 years to honor the warranty with, but if your friend wants more security in long-term tool ownership, Ryobi has stated they are keeping the same battery platform as their earlier tools, and TTi is a biiiig power tool company, so they might be a good affordable DIY option as well.
Roger
Both grinders 9000 RPM
DCG415
1350-max watts out with 8ahr
DCG413
Max Watts Out: 850 with 5ahr
Who knows what this really means, but the only close difference that, I see, math can apply is the battery capacity. As 40% (3.2 rounded) “power” of an 8 results to a 5.
If this “POWER DETECT” is so good; why isn’t there a newer top impact driver?
Though I like the grinder cap color; sticking with FLEXVOLT
Big Richard
The reason the math doesn’t work out is because they are rated at different units.
DCG413 – 850 Max Watts Out (MWO)
DCG415 – 1350 Unit Watts Out (UWO)
MWO is motor power. UWO is the entire tool power, including gearing. Think about a car’s engine ratings, HP/torque at the fly wheel (what manufacturers advertise) is much different than HP/torque at the wheels due to transmissions and gearing ratios of axels. If it’s confusing, my advice is to not think about it, just take DeWalt at their word when they tell you it is 40% more powerful.
Chris
Yes, take Dewalt at their word when they make up their own system of measurement and go against the industry standards…
Big Richard
Watts are a very real measure of power. The problem is they don’t disclose how they measured that number. But it is the same with all brands and torque ratings. They never say how they achieved that number (hard torque, soft torque, peak torque, sustained torque) and independent tests never seem to yield the same number as the mfg specs. And is that motor torque or drill chuck torque?
And at least they give a number. Other brands don’t even give numbers to compare against, some just say “Offers 15amp corded power”. What does that mean? That it produces 1800 watts?
Corey Moore
It’s not an industry standard, though. It’s just a more believable metric, that’s also easily and often misrepresented. Marketing’s job is to impress you as much as is legally allowed, and shouldn’t ever be accepted as gospel.
Nathan
I don’t know about really needed a stronger impact driver but I could see an updated impact wrench with a few more ft lbs of available torque.
Just like that hammer drill.
Reggie
Agreed, an impact wrench is what I’m waiting for (along with the hammer drill that I already have). My driver has more torque than I’ve ever needed.
Cr8on
Ridgid Octane is the same idea, at least they label the batteries as well as the tools so the user knows which ones give the benefit.
Reggie
As does Milwaukee with high output. They’ll need to start labeling the batteries methinks.
Jim
Will we see the same “boost” in performance with a Flexvolt battery instead of the 8Ah battery ?
Corey Moore
Likely the 9’s and 12’s, but I think the original 6’s were still 18650 so I wouldn’t think so.
andy
But the original 6’s had 50% more cells.
dirtydustybear
I own Bosch, Dewalt & Milwaukee cordless tools, so I don’t belong to any team.
That being said I’ve never bought into the 60v platform only 12v & 18v.
What this seems to be is just Next Gen tools, just like Milwaukee did and what Bosch is trying to do at a snails pace.
I believe Milwaukee’s Next Gen HO brushless motor is the same motor in the circular saw, super sawzall, 9″ grinder, table saw & chain saw and when paired with the newer 21700 cells performs very well, while staying in the 18v platform.
So this to me is Dewalt’s version of the same thing and it’s a good thing for those whom have invested in their 20v line. Dewalt could of come up with a better name however.
Big Richard
Sort of. Milwaukee and Bosch are using this tech to push 18v to corded level performance. DeWalt uses their 60v FlexVolt platform to achieve that power. This tech, while similar to Milwaukee’s HO and Bosch’s Core Power, is more or less bridging the gap between “standard 18v cordless” power and “corded” power. For DeWalt it is a bump up from their 20v tools, but still a tier under their top of the line FlexVolt (and Milwaukee HO/Bosch Core/Makita 2x18v, etc.).
Gordon
I started to write about how confusing these new battery technologies have made everything but it started to make my brain hurt thinking about it.
Milwaukee and Bosch are annoying with their naming, but it makes little difference in the end. The old batteries will eventually fade out and it will be clearer. Makita isn’t doing anything yet so they sort of get a pass.
But this from DeWalt, is just confusing and seems like another half developed product line. Its going to be so confusing down the road if they don’t replace the standard skus.
Corey Moore
There’s no new batteries, or battery lines here. And all of those brands’ newer high capacity batteries are the same tech. These are just routine tool upgrades that happen to benefit extra from the modern batteries.
Andrew
Ever any plans for a cordless 3/8” ratchet?
Milwaukee has one, but all my tools are dewalt.
Really hate to invest in another battery type.
Stuart
It’s always possible. They have a 12V Max model under Mac branding, and a quick search hasn’t turned up anything new since that 2014 announcement.
https://toolguyd.com/mac-dewalt-cordless-impact-wrenches-ratchets-drills/
Dwayne R petersen
I wish DeWalt would come out with their 1 inch gun like Milwaukee did for doing semi tires
James Eppich
Dumb and redundant to flexvolt. I have a few flexvolt and several XR. I plan on swapping tools to flexvolt as needed. I’m not buying this new shit.
Javier
So, any special launching offer?
Stuart
Doesn’t look like it.
Laurent Quezada
I have not read all the comments, but my question would be this: what is the difference between two tools with 8ah batteries, where one is powerdetect and the other is not
Stuart
The Power Detect tool will be more powerful – higher max torque/application performance.