Best DeWalt Drill Ever? We Put it to the Test to Find Out!
DeWalt’s DCD1007 Hammer Drill is the brand’s latest flagship drill on the 20V Max platform, ranking against previous heavy hitters like the FlexVolt Advantage DCD999 and Power Detect DCD998. While its ratings on paper suggest only minor upgrades, we often discover things the specs don’t reveal. That was the case as we put it through our full set of standardized evaluations to see how it stacks up.
Pros
- Most powerful DeWalt 20V Max drill
- Well-balanced design
- 3-speed gearbox
- Selectable LED light options
- Tool-Connect ready
- Large auxiliary handle
- Kit includes an advanced 8.0Ah PowerPack battery
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
DeWalt 20V Max Hammer Drill Performance
- No-Load Speed: 0-450 / 1,200 / 2,000 RPMs
- Hammer Rate: 0-8,500 / 22,100 / 38,250 BPM
- Power Output: 1,530 MWO
Speed and Power
Looking at the specs, it’s clear that DeWalt isn’t setting any speed records with this drill, but I think there’s more to the story. The DCD1007’s brushless motor churns out up to 2,000 RPMs, 38,250 BPM, and an impressive 1,530 MWO.
While Max Watts Out don’t translate directly to in-lbs of torque, this is DeWalt’s strongest drill to date. With that in mind, we can kindly excuse the slightly lower RPMs in favor of a stronger tool!
Hands-On Testing
So, what does all that power get you? To find out, we put this drill through our standard suite of tests to compare it to its FlexVolt Advantage predecessor.
| PTR Test | DCD1007 | DCD999 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Inch Spade Bit | 2.52 sec. | 2.72 sec. |
| 2 9/16-Inch Self-Feed Bit | 2.00 sec. | 2.64 sec. |
| 8-Inch RSS Screw | 2.51 sec. | 3.1 sec. |
| 3/8-Inch Masonry Bit | 4.51 sec. | 4.75 sec. |
As you can see, the DCD1007 surpassed the DCD999 in every metric we normally test. Another big win for DeWalt was that this drill completed all of our tests at high speed rather than having to drop down to a lower speed for additional torque. This was very impressive and definitely exceeded our expectations!
Let that sink in. This drill plowed through a 2 9/16-inch rough-in test in high speed. There are still two other gears with increasing torque. Aside from perhaps needing the access a Hole Hawg-style right angle drill offers, you can handle most, if not all, of the same tasks with a much lighter drill.
With these results in mind, Pros can rest assured that they’ll have the power they need to get the job done right.
DeWalt 20V Max Hammer Drill Design Notes
- Model: DeWalt DCD1007
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V battery
- Weight: 4.1 lbs. (bare tool), 6.3 lbs (with 8.0Ah PowerPack battery)
- Head Length: 7.5 in.
Size and Weight
As a bare tool, the DCD1007 weighs 4.1 pounds and jumps up to 6.3 pounds with the kitted 8.0Ah battery. This is about half a pound heavier than the FlexVolt Advantage DCD999 hammer drill, despite its overall length being nearly an inch shorter at 7.5 inches.
While the overall length is shorter, the tool body is noticeably wider than previous DeWalt models. This is most likely to accommodate the advanced electronics, an all-metal gearbox, and a shift in the brushless motor. It may be an issue if you’re working in super-tight spaces, but it shouldn’t be an issue for most applications.
Ergonomics
I generally like the feel of DeWalt tools because they contour nicely to my hand and are typically well-balanced. Even with the larger 8.0Ah PowerPack battery, the DCD1007 is easy to maneuver, and the large auxiliary handle gives you much more control when using larger bits.
LED Work Light
One handy feature of this drill is the foot-mounted three-position LED work light, which allows you to direct the beam where you need it most. It has selectable off-and-on modes and a 20-minute runtime. The 20-minute runtime mode comes in handy when you don’t want to carry along an extra work light, especially when working in tight spaces like an attic or crawl space.
Anti-Rotation System
DeWalt made a big stride forward in terms of safety on this drill. The torque-sensing Perform & Protect Anti-Rotation system immediately shuts down the drill when it senses a bind-up, indicated by a red LED on top of the work light. This system will activate in forward and reverse and requires a much smaller swing arc to activate the anti-kickback system than we’ve seen with other drills.
Additional Features
- Tool Connect chip-ready
- Carbide jaws
- Compatible with all DeWalt 20V batteries
DeWalt 20V Max Hammer Drill Price
The DeWalt DCD1007 is available now for $249 as a bare tool, or $349 as a kit with an 8.0Ah PowerPack battery, charger, and a bag. It’s backed by DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
While it doesn’t look revolutionary based on numbers alone, the DCD1007’s performance in our testing speaks volumes. It outperformed its predecessor in nearly every metric and earned its spot as DeWalt’s best flagship hammer drill. For Pros who are looking for top-tier performance in a familiar package, DeWalt has you covered.
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