Buying a tool can be a tedious task, first, you have to pick a tool from the wide list of tools that are present in the market, and then all the specifications and features whether it is a perfect pick or not.
I have bought a lot of tools in my lifetime, and that is why I am helping people who are confused about whether to buy a particular tool or not, and that is why today we are going to make a detailed review of the Dewalt DCD791 compact drill, I am using this one for now 3 years.
Dewalt DCD791 is a reliable, sturdy, and lightweight drill that uses 20V Lithium-ion battery. It has a powerful brushless motor that gives it increased power, durability, and speed. It can cut through almost any surface just by using different speed settings.
- Chuck Size: 13mm
- Power: 460 watt
- Battery:3.0Ah
- Speed Settings: 2 (0-550 RPM/0-2,000 RPM)
- Speed: 600 RPM
- Clutch Options: 15
- Weight: 3.4 lbs
- Features: Keyless Chuck, LED Light, Variable Speed
- Warranty: 3 Year
And after so much usage and experience I am here to make a Dewalt DCD791 review, so that anyone who wants to know more about this tool, can take advantage of our Dewalt DCD791B review.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links.
Dewalt DCD791 Review
For any upcycling or maintenance enthusiast, it’s a matter of common knowledge that a drill driver kit is one of the most versatile and useful components of your toolkit.
They are multipurpose, powerful, and come with a variety of feature sets from which you can choose the one which suits the type of work you are trying to do the best.
But which one among these overwhelming numbers of equally impressive drill driver kit models available in the market will be suitable for you? This is a tough question to ask. But we may have a solution to that.
3 years ago, when I faced a similar dilemma, upon some rigorous research both online and offline I had decided on purchasing the Dewalt DCD791 which at that time was one of the latest models in the market.
When it came to power dilling kits and being manufactured by Dewalt which is one of the most reputed and established companies in the market when it comes to maintenance tools is a matter of added assurance.
Since then the Dewalt DCD791 has been a constant member of my toolbox.
So I thought putting together a detailed Dewalt DCD791 review highlighting my experience with this device would be a good way to help those who are facing a similar dilemma.
Here we will in detail study every feature of the device and how that enhances your experience with it. We also have a section for some of your most asked questions which we are going to answer at the end of the chapter.
Review
Ever wondered if there is a maintenance power drill that combines both power and convenience, look no further because Dewalt DCD791 does exactly that.
Its small size can be deceiving of its multifaceted feature set that can compete with some of the most high-grade products in the market.
Whether you are a DIY-er looking for a powerful tool to boost their DIYing journey or a professional looking for a reliable and sturdy drill for some heavy-duty work or just a homeowner looking for some handy tools for some small scale house renovation, Dewalt DCD791 can suffice the role of almost anything that you want it to be. And the best part is it’s affordable when compared to its contemporaries with similar functionalities.
This cordless drill driver takes almost all the best features of its predecessors and upgrades them to create a more efficient and durable machine.
For example, its brushless motor engine is an upgraded version of the brushless engines used in most other devices and hence provides greater power, greater battery runtime, a wider range of speeds, smoother transmission between those speeds, and greater torque control.
From drilling concrete to driving screws with its superior torque control you can adjust the speed in a way where it can work with even the toughest of the toughest and the most fragile surfaces. And the best part is with all its surfaces the drilling is clean and without cracks.
Dewalt DCD791 has a design that can be mastered by almost anyone, even novices, and be easily handled across all age groups, even kids but under strict adult supervision.
So if you are new to this whole power tools thing, worry not because Dewalt DCD791 has got you covered. The device is also backed up by a strong online community so in case of any malfunction or know-how problems, you will seldom find yourself hitting a dead end.
If you are further interested in exploring in detail the features of this device, the next section of this Dewalt DCD791 Review does just that.
It will provide you with a better understanding of how its many features work in harmony to make the device as ergonomic and powerful as it is then the next section would be an interesting one for you.
Features
- Design
The Dewalt DCD791 comes in a yellow and black high-grade plastic casing and with metal handles and triggers, all of whose functions we are going to gain a better understanding of as we further move on in this section.
The plastic casing along with the drill gives the drill its signature company look which is similar to the one carried by all the power tools manufactured by Dewalt.
- Smooth and rugged performance
The device works on 20V rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries and has a brushless motor engine. The engine provided in this device is an upgraded version of the one available in the predecessors of the model.
The new and improved brushless motor enhances every feature of its predecessors. Providing the user with increased power and durability.
As brushless motors are mostly resistant to mechanical wear and tears, DCD791 is a highly durable machine.
You can use a battery gauge with your 20V Lithium-ion batteries. These battery gauge allow you to recharge one of your batteries while you are working with the other one, so now you never have to worry about your work being stopped due to insufficient charge in the battery.
DCD719 even uses an intelligent renewable energy technology that conserves the battery to provide longer runtime.
The powerful engine also significantly lessens the recharging time and increases the battery runtime of the device.
Dewalt DCD791 is said to have almost 50% more battery runtime than its contemporaries. Not only with 20V batteries but also with 18V batteries they can run smoothly for a long time
- Speed
Dewalt DCD791 also has two-speed settings ranging from 0-500 rpm to 0-2000 rpm. Thanks to its powerful engine the transition between lower and higher speeds can happen smoothly without any inconvenience.
Greater speed control means a greater torque control which in turn allows the device to work with any kind of surface whether it is metal sheets or concrete or glass, just adjust the speed setting and you will be able to drill through it.
- Torque Control
The intelligent trigger also no longer lets the torque be under the control of something as mechanical as squeezing the trigger instead it’s dependent wholly on the sensor which starts the trigger.
This superior torque control is only further increased by the easy-to-switch gear system where you can switch gears just by clicking on the button available on the top side of the device and selecting option 1 or 2.
The ratcheting chuck has 15 clutch settings all of which only further increase the torque control of the device. The keyless chuck allows the user to tighten and loosen a tool on the chuck collar with minimal effort and is tightly fixed in its place even after several rotations.
- User Convenience
The device weighs only about 5.9 pounds which is light in comparison to some other models in the market. The sturdy and compact design is great for using the drill in cramped spaces.
But the smaller size in no way means that the functionality of the device was sacrificed; on the contrary, it only seems to have been enhanced with the Dewalt DCD791.
The compact and lightweight nature of the device is a small part of the overall ergonomic design of DCD791 which in every way is designed keeping in mind the utmost convenience of the user.
From the soft rubber, overmold applied handle to the low battery indicator all features work in perfect harmony to make your experience using the device a convenient and satisfactory one.
The rubber-mounted anti-slip grip handle along with the lightweight design is perfect for working prolonged hours with the device without tiring your arms.
The side handles included in the design provide greater control and precision over the drill driver and in turn ensure an accurate and clean drill, especially when working with unsteady surfaces where estimation of the amount of force to apply can be very tricky.
And the 360-degree rotating handle lets you do projects in tight spaces.
To further cement my point there are some other additional features. The low battery indicator light informs you whenever the battery is nearing its end.
Now you no longer need to be careful about regularly charging your Dewalt DCD791 batteries because the device will remind you of itself.
The built-in LED is a common feature in most drill driver kits these days but Dewalt even takes that up by a notch. In DCD791 the LED provided is a 3 mode LED light and an instant shut down mechanism.
The LED light is even brighter compared to LED in other drill drivers and is shut down instantly after 20 mins of disuse, significantly saving a lot of battery runtime.
- Compatibility with other tools
Another very unique and useful feature of Dewalt DCD791 is its wireless compatibility with other Dewalt tools. DCD791 is compatible with Dewalt XRP Extended Runtime Battery packs, Dewalt 18 V Lithium-Ion batteries, Dewalt 20V MAX Lithium-ion batteries, etc.
This allows you to have a choice in what kind of impact driver you want to use in your project and allows you to mix and match the best in all these devices.
The kit provided with Dewalt comes with two extra Lithium-ion batteries, a compatible charger, and a detachable belt clip which you can use to carry your drill driver around without having to block your hands.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intelligent trigger system which ensures better control over speed and power
- Wireless compatible with other Dewalt tools
- Long battery life with a short recharging time
- LED with three modes and an instant shutdown system on more than 20 mins of disuse
- Low battery indicator
- Superior torque control through various integrated features
Cons
- Chuck is made out of plastic
- Absence of a magnetic bit holder
- Can not function as a hammer drill, especially on rough surfaces
- Battery packs get loose from the charger and need to be checked on regularly when charging
FAQs (Frequently Asked Question)
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What does the XR on Dewalt Drills mean?
Dewalt XR stands for ‘Xtreme Runtime’ and refers to the range of devices that work on 20V Lithium-ion batteries; there are all devices that have engines that work with brushless motor engines.
This gives the devices of this group the advantage of superior power, battery runtime, and higher engine speed as well as the smoother transition between those speeds and working for efficient energy transmission as compared to its other contemporaries.
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What is the difference between Dewalt XR and Atomic?
Both Dewalt XR and Atomic refer to a range of cordless power tools by Dewalt with different sets of varying features. Dewalt XR stands for ‘Xtreme Runtime’ and refers to the range of devices that work on 20V Lithium-ion batteries; there are all devices that have engines that work with brushless motor engines.
This gives the devices of this range superior power, battery runtime and higher engine speed as well as the smoother transition between those speeds and efficient energy transmission as compared to its other contemporaries.Atomic represents the range of power tools by Dewalt which mainly focuses on creating tools with a compact and sturdy design with a reduced size and weight. These tools can be used for prolonged periods of time and can be used to perform more strenuous work.
They prevent causing painful muscle cramps and fatigue for its users, thanks to their portable and handy designs. Another such range is the Dewalt MAX range of power tools which uses Dewalt 18 V Lithium-ion batteries but have brushed motors and are standard-sized power tools.
Both Dewalt XR and Atomic refer to a range of cordless power tools by Dewalt with different sets of varying features. Dewalt XR stands for ‘Xtreme Runtime’ and refers to the range of devices that work on 20V Lithium-ion batteries; there are all devices that have engines that work with brushless motor engines.
This gives the devices of this range superior power, battery runtime and higher engine speed as well as the smoother transition between those speeds and efficient energy transmission as compared to its other contemporaries.
Atomic represents the range of power tools by Dewalt which mainly focuses on creating tools with a compact and sturdy design with a reduced size and weight. These tools can be used for prolonged periods of time and can be used to perform more strenuous work.
They prevent causing painful muscle cramps and fatigue for its users, thanks to their portable and handy designs. Another such range is the Dewalt MAX range of power tools which uses Dewalt 18 V Lithium-ion batteries but have brushed motors and are standard-sized power tools.
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What is the Dewalt Atomic line?
The Atomic line of Dewalt power tools is a relatively newer range of power tools that mainly focus on sleeker and compact designs and consist of power tools that are smaller to look at but pack a punch when it comes to their functionality.
Though not as diverse as the previous XR range, they use the same brushless motor engine and 20V Lithium-ion batteries.
Conclusion
My experience with the Dewalt DCD791 drill driver kit is excellent but that is something entirely subjective and mostly varies from person to person. But if you want a smart, compact, efficient, and durable drill driver kit then this is the device for you.
Though mostly better suited for home settings, Dewalt DCD791 can also be used as a backup drill at construction sites or to do some lightweight commercial work. Dewalt DCD791 I believe is not a device created to be used exclusively at construction sites.
Rather its easy-to-use and attractive design make it a much better option for being used at homes for DIY, maintenance, upcycling, or remodeling purposes or to be used at the personal workshop of a professional.
Where its functionality and power both will have good use and it can be used as a multipurpose tool rather than a single-use tool at heavy-duty construction sites. We hope our detailed Dewalt DCD791 review was able to help you make your decision.