Intro
Whether you are building a deck, mounting shelves, assembling flat-pack furniture, or drilling into masonry for the first time, a reliable cordless drill is the one tool you will reach for more than any other. The days of dragging extension cables across a worksite or being tethered to the nearest socket are long gone — modern battery technology has made cordless tools genuinely capable of matching their corded counterparts in power and runtime. But not all cordless drills are created equal. Brushless motors, high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, and smart electronics that protect both the tool and the workpiece have raised the bar considerably. Today's best combi drills combine drilling, screwdriving, and hammer action into a single compact body, letting you switch from driving 150 mm timber screws to boring through concrete with nothing more than a mode change. For the serious DIY enthusiast or trade professional, the right drill is not just a purchase — it is the foundation of an entire cordless ecosystem that grows with every new bare tool you add to your collection.
Generalities
When you start shopping for a cordless combi drill, there are a few things that separate a tool you will love using for years from one that ends up gathering dust in the shed. The motor is the heart of the machine: brushless motors are more efficient, last longer, and deliver more power from the same battery compared to brushed equivalents. Battery capacity is measured in amp-hours (Ah) and determines how long you can work between charges — 5 Ah is the current sweet spot for serious use. Torque, measured in Newton-metres (Nm), tells you how much twisting force the drill can apply, and matters enormously for driving large screws or boring through tough materials. A good combi drill also gives you a hammer mode for masonry, variable speed control, and a clutch with enough positions to avoid over-driving delicate screws. DEWALT's XR range has built a strong reputation in this space, offering brushless motors, all-metal gearboxes, and compatibility across a huge range of 18V tools that share the same battery platform.
In this review we put the DEWALT DCD796P2-QW through its paces — a brushless 18V combi drill that comes as a complete kit with two 5 Ah batteries, a charger, and a TSTAK carry case. We look at power delivery, battery life, ergonomics, and how it handles everything from delicate screwdriving to heavy masonry drilling. By the end you will know whether this drill deserves a spot in your tool collection — and whether the XR platform is the right ecosystem for you.
Description
The heart of the DCD796P2-QW is a brushless motor that delivers 420 watts of working power and generates up to 70 Nm of hard-joint torque — enough to drive chunky timber screws, bore 40 mm holes through wood, and punch 13 mm holes into both steel and concrete. A 2-speed gearbox gives you 0 to 550 RPM in low gear for high-torque screwdriving and 0 to 2,000 RPM in high gear for fast drilling, with impact rates reaching 34,000 blows per minute in hammer mode. The 15-position torque clutch lets you dial in exactly the right amount of force for each job, from gently sinking a small screw into softwood to full lock-on for maximum drilling power. Power comes from the two included 18V 5 Ah XR lithium-ion batteries, giving you effectively unlimited runtime — one charges while the other works. This is a serious professional-grade tool that punches well above the weight class its compact dimensions suggest.
Physically, the DCD796 is remarkably compact at just 20.3 cm long and 19 cm tall, with a slim 6.7 cm body width that lets it squeeze into tight spaces where bulkier drills simply cannot go. The black and yellow DEWALT colour scheme is instantly recognisable on any worksite. The all-metal 13 mm keyless chuck bites down hard on bits and provides positive, slip-free transmission — all-metal gearing throughout the drive train backs this up with genuine durability for years of daily use. At 1.9 kg with a 5 Ah battery fitted, it has enough heft to feel substantial and stable in the hand without becoming tiring during overhead work. The rubber overmould grip is comfortable even during long sessions, and the balance point sits naturally just behind the chuck, making single-handed operation surprisingly easy for a drill of this power class.
Day-to-day usability is where thoughtful design details really shine. The 3-position LED work light is genuinely outstanding — rated at 777 lumens, it is bright enough to illuminate a dark corner or under-cabinet workspace without casting harsh shadows, and it stays on for a useful 20-second delay after you release the trigger so you can inspect your work. The variable-speed trigger gives silky-smooth control from a gentle crawl to full speed, which matters enormously when starting a hole precisely or driving a screw without camming out. Swapping between drill, hammer drill, and screwdriver modes is a simple collar twist that you can do one-handed, and the belt clip is positioned so the drill hangs naturally at your side without digging into your leg. The magnetic bit holder on the base of the tool is a small but brilliant touch — your most-used bit is always right there when you need it.
The kit comes properly equipped for professional use straight out of the box. You get two 5 Ah XR batteries — DEWALT's top-tier 18V packs with fuel-gauge charge indicators — along with a multi-voltage fast charger that tops up a depleted 5 Ah pack in around 75 minutes. The TSTAK carry case is stackable with other TSTAK modules, so your growing DEWALT collection stays organised and portable. A magnetic bit holder and belt clip come fitted as standard. The included components list is refreshingly complete — you are not left needing to buy a battery or charger separately, which is a common frustration with bare-tool listings. The hammer function makes this a true 3-in-1 tool: drill driver, hammer drill, and screwdriver in a single body, eliminating the need for a separate SDS drill for occasional masonry work.
The DCD796 measures 20.3 × 6.7 × 19 cm and weighs 1.9 kg with a 5 Ah battery attached, placing it firmly in the compact yet powerful category. DEWALT backs it with their standard manufacturer's warranty, and with a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating from over 2,300 customer reviews, it is clear that real-world users are overwhelmingly satisfied. The product ranks at #36 in Drill Drivers on Amazon and sits within the top 7,000 items across all of DIY & Tools — no small achievement in one of the most competitive categories on the platform. At a price of €210 for the full kit with two 5 Ah batteries, a charger, and a TSTAK case, it represents strong value for a brushless combi drill from a tier-one brand, especially when you factor in that the batteries alone represent a significant portion of the cost and will power dozens of other XR tools.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Brushless motor delivers 70 Nm of hard-joint torque — enough to drive large timber screws and bore through steel and concrete without struggling
- Two included 5 Ah XR batteries with a fast charger provide virtually uninterrupted workflow — one charges in about 75 minutes while you work with the other
- Exceptionally compact at 20.3 cm long and just 1.9 kg — fits into tight spaces that bulkier drills cannot reach, and stays comfortable during overhead work
- The 777-lumen LED work light with 20-second delay is a standout feature — bright enough to illuminate dark workspaces and stays on long enough to inspect your work after releasing the trigger
- All-metal 13 mm chuck and all-metal gearbox provide genuine durability — this is a tool built to survive daily professional use, not occasional weekend DIY
- True 3-in-1 functionality — drill, hammer drill, and screwdriver modes in one body — eliminates the need for separate tools for occasional masonry work
- 15-position torque clutch plus full lock-on gives precise control for everything from delicate screwdriving to maximum-power drilling
- Part of DEWALT's vast XR 18V ecosystem — the batteries and charger work with over 100 other XR tools, making future bare-tool purchases far more affordable
Cons
- At 1.9 kg with a 5 Ah battery, it is heavier than compact 12V drill drivers — prolonged single-handed overhead work will still tire your arm out
- The hammer mode is effective for occasional masonry drilling up to 13 mm but cannot match a dedicated SDS rotary hammer for sustained heavy concrete work
- No electronic clutch or anti-kickback technology — the raw 70 Nm of torque can catch you off guard if a large bit binds suddenly in tough material
- The €210 price point, while fair for what you get, is a significant upfront investment — casual DIY users who drill a few holes a year may find a cheaper brushed drill more than adequate
- TSTAK case, while stackable and practical, is bulky — storing it in a crowded van or small shed can be a challenge if space is tight
Use cases
The DEWALT DCD796P2-QW is the ideal primary drill for trade professionals and serious DIYers who need brushless power, all-day battery life, and true 3-in-1 versatility in a compact body that fits the XR battery ecosystem.
Professional Trade Work
Carpenters, kitchen fitters, and general builders will find the DCD796 handles a full day's drilling and screwdriving without breaking a sweat. The two 5 Ah batteries mean zero downtime — swap and keep working while the other charges. The compact body gets between joists, inside cabinets, and into corners where longer drills simply cannot reach, and the 70 Nm torque drives even the longest timber screws home without pre-drilling.
Serious Home Renovation
If you are renovating a house — fitting kitchens, building stud walls, hanging doors, or mounting radiators — this drill will be your most-used tool. The hammer mode handles brick and block walls for rawl plugs, the screwdriver mode with 15-position clutch prevents over-driving, and the 2,000 RPM top speed makes short work of drilling pilot holes in hardwood. The LED work light is a genuine advantage when working in unlit rooms with the power off.
Decking and Outdoor Projects
Building a deck, fence, or pergola means driving hundreds of long screws into treated timber — exactly the kind of repetitive, high-torque work where a brushless motor and big batteries earn their keep. The DCD796's 70 Nm of torque and all-metal gearbox handle it without overheating, and the belt clip keeps the drill right at your side as you move along the structure. With the hammer mode, you can also drill into concrete footings when anchoring posts.
Flat-Pack Furniture Assembly
The 15-position clutch is the secret weapon for flat-pack assembly — dial it down low and you can drive cam locks and confirmat screws without stripping the particleboard or splitting MDF. The compact body and light weight mean you can work inside a half-built wardrobe without bashing the chuck against the sides. For anyone who assembles furniture regularly — whether at home or as a handyman service — this drill turns a tedious task into a quick and clean job.
Growing Your Cordless Ecosystem
Buying this kit is as much about joining the DEWALT XR platform as it is about the drill itself. The two 5 Ah batteries and charger that come with the DCD796 will also power XR circular saws, angle grinders, impact drivers, jigsaws, and over 100 other tools. Once you own the batteries and charger, adding a bare tool — without batteries — costs significantly less. For anyone planning to build out a full cordless tool collection, starting with this kit is a smart long-term investment.