DeWalt Flexvolt Review
The DeWalt Flexvolt technology encompasses multiple tools that rely solely on the unique convertible battery pack that powers them. As of this writing, there are now numerous batteries that have been released and included in this truly efficient line.
Indeed, the technology has since made great leaps from when it was released in 2016. In this review, we will be looking at the Flexvolt tools available at present.
Reviewing the Best DeWalt Flexvolt Tools
Table of Contents
#1 DEWALT DCB606-2 FLEXVOLT Lithium-Ion Premium Battery
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Provides 3X the power of DC9096 18V battery and 4X the runtime of DCB201 1.5Ah battery
- Durable construction with single piece cell holder
- LED charge display
- Compatible with 20V MAX, 60V MAX, and 120V MAX
How can you possibly go wrong with a battery product that is essentially an upgrade of previous models? The DeWalt DCB606-2 is a prime example of the brand’s relentless drive to better their products and to always be aiming for innovation. It’s also what you want to get if you want to truly experience the wonders of Flexvolt technology.
The battery features tri-platform compatibility for all 20V MAX, 60V MAX, and 120V MAX tools. You can’t ask for more in terms of versatility because practically all Flexvolt tools fall under the three voltage categories. As a user, you’re probably more concerned about the power and runtime it can deliver, though, and with its ability to offer thrice the amount of power as DC9096 and fourfold the runtime of DB201, it’s safe to say that this lithium-ion premium battery occupies its own pedestal.
There is a notable downside, though, in that a couple of users complain of it having a relatively short shelf life. You do have to take keep in mind, though, that plenty of batteries need to be properly taken care of while you’re using or storing them.
With value for money considered, it’s hard to not acknowledge the value that this battery pack brings in terms of power and runtime perks for your cordless tools. As long as you take care of the battery (which we will be providing tips for in the ‘Buyer’s Guide’ section, then you can certainly prolong your DeWalt battery).
If you want at least an additional 20% of operation for 20/60/120V DeWalt tools you have, this battery pack means to do just that, besides, of course, increasing the power of your tools. And for many cordless tool users the added hours that this entails, complemented by efficiency, is enough to finish most jobs.
PROS
- Imparts all the main benefits of Flexvolt technology
- Backward compatible
- Great value for money
CONS
- Some users report a very short shelf life
#2 DEWALT DCK299D1T1 FLEXVOLT Hammer Drill & Impact Driver
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Includes DCD996 20V MAX* 1/2″ hammer drill with 3 speed options and all-metal transmission
- DCF887 20V MAX* 1/4″ impact driver with 1,825 in-lbs of max torque, fast 0-3250 RPMs and 0-3,600 impacts per minute
- DCB203 20V MAX XR 2.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery with no memory, reduced downtime
- DCB606 20V/60V MAX* FLEXVOLT 6.0 Ah/2.0 Ah Lithium-Ion battery for better voltage adaptability
One of the most popular aspects of the Flexvolt line of products is they often come in kits like these. At present, this particular kit has been receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback and patronage because of the solid lineup it has.
The hammer drill and impact driver included in this package is nothing short of what can be readily deemed as high-performance. Thanks to the extra power of Flexvolt tech, the impact driver can achieve 1,825 in-lbs of maximum torque which is way above the average of 1,650 in-lbs. The same can be said for the hammer drill is decent and has a notably manageable weight for the amount of power it can deliver. These facts just highlight how much of a difference Flexvolt-compatible tools can make.
A couple of users, again, reported having battery problems (i.e. batteries that die quickly), which is actually in complete contrast with other users’ claims that the “batteries last forever” (which is, of course, just an overstatement). This goes to show the importance of proper battery handling. One user also reported the issue of the battery fitting very poorly with the tools but this is an isolated case.
Overall, it’s difficult to not recommend this Flexvolt kit for the utter bargain that it is. The price, which falls below $300, makes it a steal since you get to enjoy Flexvolt tech with compatible tools that are considered as mainstays in any builder or DIYer’s tool arsenal.
PROS
- Bang-for-your-buck price for two tools and two batteries
- Proven powerful tools thanks to both being powered by lithium-ion and Flexvolt technology
- Does not compromise on quality
- Great value for money
CONS
- The battery needs to be well maintained to make it last
- The switches might be a bit loose for a few users’ liking
#3 DEWALT DCS575T2 FLEXVOLT Circular Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Includes 7 ¼” full-sized blade for corded capacity
- Bevel cut capacity up to 57 degrees with stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees
- Electronic brake for stopping the blade after releasing the trigger
- Brushless motor provides 5,800 RPM cuts
This product is DeWalt’s in-your-face offering to Flexvolt naysayers, as underscored by their use of a 7 ¼” circular blade that is designed for corded capacity. It’s hard to top that if you haven’t got the technology, so if there’s anything that is so thoroughly obvious in Flexvolt-powered tools, it’s that they are the height of efficiency.
The cordless circular saw manages to deliver cuts that can outshine its corded counterparts. It can handle a plethora of lumber sizes with relative ease, and it’s all attributed to the Flexvolt batteries included in this set. We do have to admit that the circular saw falls short in a couple of key aspects in its design. For one, the shoe tends to suffer from off-alignment issues, which can take a toll on accuracy. You can get a work-around to this by following the line at the blade, but that’s just inconvenient for plenty of users.
That said, this battery-powered circular saw is where Flexvolt technology really shines (because what long-time DIYer does not want to finally be able to work with a cordless circular saw they can take anywhere?) What’s equally great is that it can perform on-par with DeWalt’s own corded circular saw models at present. It might not be as powerful, but it’s close.
PROS
- The circular saw has solid durability and outstanding cutting ability
- Blade switches can be done with relative ease
- Batteries are amazing and charge fast
CONS
- The circular saw, though it performs well, is just average in its shoe design and position
#4 DEWALT DCG414T2 FLEXVOLT Grinder
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 9,000 RPM driver with 4-½” to 6” wheels
- Release of trigger engages the brake with 1.5 seconds of stopping speed and standard grinding wheel
- E-clutch activates when pinch or stall is sensed, which automatically shuts down the engine
- Kick brake that activates when pinch, bind-up, or stall event is detected
- DCB606 Flexvolt Lithium-Ion batteries
Another Flexvolt tool that demonstrates the convenience of having the same power as a corded grinder in a cordless variety. Being able to have adequate power and torque while being able to enjoy the benefit of going cordless will always have an edge over power tools that lack this quality. This grinder can accommodate flap wheels, bonded wheels, cut-off wheels, stringer brushes, among other common wheel grinders – and delivers results that can trump corded grinders.
The motor is noticeably less loud than those found in most grinders, especially corded varieties. Balance, when holding the grinder to metal, is just right. Additionally, DeWalt wouldn’t have put the integrated brake in the spotlight if it didn’t bring something new to the table. It definitely did. What made it amazing is the fact that the brake not only actively assists you with binding as you cut but also lends to the safety in operation. The auto wheel break deserves plenty of praise as well because it saves you plenty of time from manually stopping the wheel every time you need to lay it down.
As far as downsides are concerned, the grinder would have been perfect if it only incorporated a rubber grip. The plastic grip is omnipresent in most cheap grinders out there, and we just felt that DeWalt sacrificed it for the sake of keeping the price down. It would have lent a lot to ensure a firm grip. As you are probably already aware, this is nothing less than a very useful perk to have when working with a grinder.
That’s the only major downside really, so we highly recommend this Flexvolt tool to grinder users out there who want to finally experience what’s it like to have corded efficiency in a cordless unit.
PROS
- Comparatively quieter operation but delivers as much power as a corded grinder
- Handles most types of metals easily
- Very lightweight for its size
CONS
- The grinder is a bit power-heavy
Buyers Guide Questions
This buyer’s guide serves as further reference for anything related to the DeWalt Flexvolt technology and other buying concerns you may have regarding it. We hope this will provide you with a better overview of DeWalt’s unique technology and ultimately help you decide whether it fits your various needs.
How does Flexvolt technology work?
The technology immediately set itself apart from the rest with its advent ins 2016. It made waves in the power tools industry because of the sheer innovative improvements it brought about. How did it achieve this? Well, based on its name alone, you should already get an inkling as to how it works.
Most Flexvolt batteries supply you with the volts of power needed by any applicable Flexvolt tool you use them with. Pretty much the majority of DeWalt tools operate in either 20V max, 60V max, or 120V max, and the Flexvolt battery often manages to support all these voltages.
The flexibility as suggested by the technology’s hinges on the ability cells on each kit to provide the right voltage for any specific tool (may it be a 20-volt one, a 60-volt, or a 120-volt). How will this benefit you? Well, for one, you will no longer need to look for a specific battery that will be able to power a certain tool with a specific voltage. However, that barely scratches the surface.
What are the other benefits of choosing Flexvolt tools?
The most compelling advantage is that, with Flexvolt technology, you will now be able to use cordless tools that can compete with (and even outshine) the power of their corded counterparts. It’s not just about adaptability as power as well, after all.
This is precisely the reason why many professionals in the building and construction industries rain praises on 20V MAX* System. It’s because it currently has the most tools that are compatible with the technology (as of this writing, it’s more than 70 tools already).
And as if that’s not a great enough perk to have for any regular power tool user, these other advantages of Flexvolt technology just seal the deal:
- You get longer runtimes in practically any tool supported by Flexvolt technology.
- More money can be saved in the long run, considering the fact that the battery is usually one of the most expensive components of most cordless tools. Admittedly, most Flexvolt battery kits can be very expensive but if we are going to factor in the said fact, it’s safe to say that you will only save more simply because you will only be buying body-only tools.
- With the power of tools boosted, jobs can be done faster as well. In areas like cutting and grinding, plenty of Flexvolt tools shine as a direct result of this. Even though you might think the Ampere-hour(Ah) of these batteries means that certain tools won’t run as long as a result, the almost tenfold power more than makes up for it. Again, it’s all about efficiency.
How do I know which tool (based on voltage) is compatible with any given Flexvolt battery?
Understandably, it can be confusing to know which battery to use if you are a first-time user. Why are 120V tools included, for instance, if most kits only offer 20V MAX and 60V MAX options.
Know that all 120-volt tools can only run with 60V MAX batteries in the same way that 60-volt tools are limited to it alone. How is this possible? The two slots in the battery kit intended for 60V will run in a series every time you use a 120-volt tool with your Flexvolt battery. As of this writing, there’s still not a lot of 120V MAX tools in the first place.
Incidentally, what makes 20-volt tools such a crowd favorite is that they can run in either 20V MAX or 60V MAX batteries – their versatility is just outstanding, and, of course, you get to run them with an added boost. A win-win situation if we’ve ever seen one.
Can I use DeWalt 12-volt tools on Flexvolt batteries?
Presently, this is not possible because most kits only offer support for 20V MAX and 60V MAX Systems. The 12-volt tools are just too compact to be able to be optimally powered by Flexvolt batteries.
Are Flexvolt batteries vulnerable to cold and other common battery use and storage issues?
Batteries are always subject to issues that arise due to exposure to certain temperatures and Flexvolt batteries are no different. Most batteries are vulnerable to them, even the more advanced lithium-ion batteries used by Flexvolt.
You can ensure they are adequately warm by not leaving them in a cold area overnight and by storing them in areas that you can be sure you will be able to keep their cells moist – this applies even while you’re using them in a cold climate. If the cold is always an issue, you can invest in gel warmers to maintain the temperature in the battery’s case.
It also won’t hurt to keep your batteries charged as much as possible. DeWalt batteries, Flexvolt included, often do better if you don’t completely discharge them before charging. Why? Because you’ll only end up damaging the battery in the long run. This is why it’s always best practice to rest your batteries even before they run out of charge as often as possible.
Final Verdict
DeWalt Flexvolt batteries and the tools that are compatible with them virtually outshines the competition because of the utter convenience, efficiency, and practicality that they give. Innovations are valued precisely due to these qualities.
That said, we’re not going to beat around the bush with this truly amazing DeWalt offering. It’s the best technology any homeowner or professional can get for his building and construction needs, and the tools we featured here serve as clear testaments of this.
Our Top Pick
DEWALT DCB606-2 20V MAX 6.0Ah Lithium-Ion Premium Battery
- Imparts all the main benefits of Flexvolt technology
- Backward compatible
- Great value for money
