7 Tools, 1 Kit: Why DeWalt’s XR Combo Set Is Hard To Beat

There comes a time in every DIYer’s life when they decide they need to upgrade their tools. My old 20-volt tools served me well over the last decade or so, and I’d grown quite fond of them, but at the same time, I was ready for some new, more exciting tools.

After a bit of research on recently released options, I gave the 7-Tool DeWalt Combo Kit a metaphorical right swipe. The kit has almost everything I was looking for in a new DIY partner, and when I first got my hands on it, it felt like true love. A friend currently remodeling his home had just asked me to help out on some projects, and that was the perfect opportunity to see if this relationship was meant for the long haul.

All the tools in this kit are from DeWalt’s brushless XR (Extended Runtime) line that delivers more power and longer runtime than the entry-level Atomic badge. Most of the tools these DeWalts are replacing were seriously underpowered; my old circular saw would often get bogged down cutting thick hardwood, and you could time the reciprocating saw with a sundial depending on how thick the material was. That isn’t the case with these beasts.

Best Combo Tool Kit for Serious DIYers

7-Tool DeWalt Combo Kit

Buy at Lowe's Buy at Acme Tools

Photo: Robert Annis for BobVila.com

What We Like

• Almost everything a DIYer needs in one kit
• Better performance than entry-level Atomic line
• Oscillating multi-tool is surprisingly handy

What We Don’t Like

• No jigsaw included
• Another battery or two would have been nice

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Included Products

• ½-inch drill/driver
• Impact ¼-inch driver
• 3-inch cut-off tool
• Reciprocating saw
• Circular saw
• 3-speed oscillating multi-tool
• Random orbital sander
• (2) 20-volt MAX 5Ah batteries
• Charger
• Contractor bag

What types of tools come in the kit? 

Hammer drill and impact driver

The backbone of every tool combo. The drill is a powerful ½-inch hammer drill that is partnered with a ¼-inch impact driver. They both performed well when I ran them through their paces, both on some scrap hardwood and 2×4 material, as well as real-world applications. I have a feeling they’re going to become the workhorses of my collection.

Circular saw

Every serious DIYer needs a good circular saw, and this kit includes DeWalt’s powerful  6½-inch version. (I would have loved it if it were a standard 7¼ inch, but it does every job I need it to in a more compact size.) Thanks to its 4,950 RPM motor, it cut through both 2x4s and hardwood with ease. I was able to freehand odd-angle cuts with relative accuracy, and if needed, I can easily make tool-free depth (up to a max of 2⅛ inches) and bevel adjustments.

Oscillating multi-tool

The XR oscillating multi-tool has a few upgrades compared to its Atomic sibling. The slightly heavier and more powerful XR model allows you to switch between three speeds depending on the material you’re cutting, while the Atomic uses a variable speed trigger. The XR also had a slightly brighter light, which helps when using it in shadowy confines.

Reciprocating saw

The reciprocating saw is another monster. The 1⅛-inch stroke length may not sound like much, but it enabled me to rip through hardwood, PVC, and other materials with ease. The variable-speed trigger allowed me to go slower when I needed to be more precise, like when I was cutting off excess material before installing new stair treads.

Cut-off tool

I’m still on the fence about whether the cut-off tool offers better value than an angle grinder. I’ve only used the cut-off tool on some minor tasks so far. It made quick work of some exposed nails in some scrap 2×4, even if the blade guard prevented me from getting flush with the wood. I also used it to cut off a hitch pin holding a broken bike rack on the back of my camper van. I have no doubt the cut-off tool will be able to cut through padlocks and other material quickly and with few issues.

Random orbital sander 

The seven-speed random orbital sander was an absolute beast. I was able to take off as much or as little material as needed with ease. The sander comes with a dust bag, but I still noticed a lot of sawdust collecting on the items I sanded. You’re better off using an adapter for a vacuum or dust extractor.

Comfort and performance

Ergonomically, all the tools feel comfortable in my hands, which is great if you plan to be working with them all day, day after day.

Another plus with this kit is that you’re buying into the DeWalt battery lineup. I used tools from Milwaukee, Ridgid, Ryobi, Festool, and several other brands in the past; several of those tools are in heavy rotation in my home shop. When considering the three Ps—power, performance, and price—I find myself picking DeWalt more often than not. They have a diverse 20-volt tool portfolio that will satisfy nearly any serious home DIYer.

Is the DeWalt 7-tool combo kit worth it?

With an MSRP of $799, you get a very good value for both the quality and quantity of tools. If you can hold out for a sale, the value is even tougher to beat.

For the homeowner who tackles only a couple of projects a year, the Ryobi 8-tool combo kit is another option to consider, as it’s cheaper and offers a similar, but less powerful, collection of tools.

So, what didn’t I like about this DeWalt kit? In reality, not much. I appreciated that the combo came with two batteries, but I would have loved at least one more so that I wasn’t swapping them out so often. The XR badge stands for Extra Runtime, but armed with multiple fully charged batteries, I didn’t get through a full renovation day without running out of juice. But that could be due to the tools being constantly in use for 8+ hours.

My major gripe was the lack of a jigsaw, which makes cutting into tight spots or creating more intricate cuts much easier. There were a couple of cuts when trimming stair tread where a jigsaw would have come in very handy. (Luckily, I had one—just from a different manufacturer.)  I probably would have swapped the kit’s cut-off tool for a jigsaw, but that’s just me. All that said, I’d look out for one of the “buy a DeWalt battery, get a tool free” sales (Lowe’s and The Home Depot frequently offer these throughout the year) to get the jigsaw.

All in all, there’s a lot to love about this DeWalt combo kit.

Where To Buy

7-Tool DeWalt Combo Kit

Buy at Lowe's Buy at Acme Tools

Photo: Robert Annis for BobVila.com

 

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