DEWALT DCD796N 18v XR Li-Ion Brushless Compact Combi Hammer, 18 W, 18 V, Yellow/Black

Product Information

The speed selector can be a little tight to control, slowing down the work that you are completing, but this does stop accidental switches between the two!

The Dewalt DCD796N comes with a 3-year warranty for the body of the tool. With certain companies this warranty can be extended providing the product is registered online so this is worth watching out for!

DCD796: Price UK

It is also worth looking for newer models that have a 5.0 XR lithium-ion battery, as this is longer lasting and will increase the power that is offered with the tools. Older models come with the standard smaller battery – which will be sufficient if completing small to average-sized jobs around the home, but for anything more, you are going to want the larger battery size! The new DeWalt DCD796 compact combi hammer drill featuring brushless technology is up to 30% more powerful than the DCD795 with 460 Units Watts Out (UWO). There were no big surprises when it came to putting a hole in 3 mm of steel plate. The DCD796 made it through in no less than 45 seconds! An incredible performance compared with some of the more budget cordless drills that I’ve tested. It was comfortable, not too noisy, and simply ate through the steel.

The DeWalt DCD796N is a top-of-the-line cordless hammer drill that is perfect for both DIY enthusiasts and Tradespeople. With its powerful motor, compact design, and advanced features, this drill is perfect for drilling through wood, metal, and masonry. The drill comes equipped with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 30% more runtime than its predecessor, the DCD795. It is also lightweight, compact, and easy to use, making it the ideal tool for anyone who needs a reliable and powerful drill for their work. The powerful little LED work light is good for lighting up tight spaces. I personally prefer this type of light. It’s above the trigger rather than on the base of the drill. If you’re poking the drill into a tight space, you can still light it up. It stays on for 20 seconds after you let go of the trigger too, which is a pretty useful feature. Two-speed transmission: The drill comes with a two-speed transmission that allows you to adjust the speed to suit your needs, ensuring precision and accuracy in your work. Surprisingly, there are only 13 torque settings on the DCD796. I would expect to have a little more control over the clutch with a premium cordless drill like this, but it’s not a deal-breaker. Unless you’re planning on doing a lot of precision driving into a variety of materials, it’s not a big deal. There are 15 positions if you count drill and hammer mode though.

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For DIYers, this is an ideal place to start if you want to look the part. Professional tradespeople might expect more features and higher build quality from a combi drill though. There are a few too many plastic parts, a rattle that got on my nerves, and no place to store batteries any bigger than little 1.5 Ah ones. Measuring just 195 mm in length, this little cordless drill will fit into tight spaces that other drills just can’t match. Weighing 1.3 kg without the battery, it’s not the lightest cordless drill on my list but it’s certainly one of the most capable. DeWalt have included a belt hanging hook with the DCD796. This is something that I look for in every drill that is simple, but incredibly useful. It comes fully installed, but if you want to switch it to the other side you only need to remove a little Phillips head screw. Compatible with DeWalt 18V XR batteries: The DCD796N is compatible with all DeWalt 18V XR batteries, ensuring you can work for longer without the need for frequent battery replacements. It is VERY similar to the DCD795, so if you already have a Dewalt Hammer Drill then it probably isn’t worth investing in the newer model as there is only a small increase in torque and some small changes to the features offered.