The Front Desk Review

DeWalt · Updated June 2026

20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only): price, specs & release date

20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only), released 2023. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.

Source: protoolreviews.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger

GoldDeskmark65/100#3 of 12 in class

The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is listed at $149 on protoolreviews.com as of 2026-06-27, #4 cheapest of 10 impact drivers (median $149); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Gold Deskmark — 65/100 pay-blind standing, #3 of 12 in class.

Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below

Cheapest impact drivers: 18V Gen5X Lithium-Ion Brushless 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver — $119

See 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) on Amazon Live price at the store — may differ from the dated listed price above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) — DeWalt
Image: dewalt.com (© DeWalt)

Is the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) a good buy?

At $149, the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is #5 cheapest of the 10 impact drivers we track, where the median is $149. On the spec sheet, its voltage of 20 V is the highest of the 12, its max of 3400 rpm is above the median of the 12, and its max ipm of 4200 is above the median of the 12. By release date, it is the newest of the 10 we date.

Evidence of Record

Our data
Independent labsmeasured it
1
Physical metricsrecorded
3
Outlets on recordall tested
1

One independent lab measured this product across 3 physical metrics — 8in x 1/4in, latency and weight. These numbers rest on a single hands-on source so far.

A coverage record, not a rating. How we count

Review consensus · sourced & dated

What reviewers say about the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)

One whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, bench-tested this exact DCF845 (the DCF845B is the bare-tool SKU) and scored it 9.3/10. It beat both the older DCF887 and the compact Atomic DCF850 on every driving and nut-busting test, thanks to higher speed and impact rate. The only caveat: it isn't DeWalt's most compact impact driver.

Based on 1 review · 1 lab-tested · 2023-04-26

Tested by Pro Tool Reviews

Consistently praised

  • Beat both the DCF887 and Atomic DCF850 across all three driving/nut-busting tests
  • Higher top speed (3400 RPM) and impact rate (4200 IPM) drive the performance edge
  • Shaved length and weight versus the DCF887 it replaces

Commonly flagged

  • Not the most compact option; the Atomic DCF850 is smaller for tight spaces

Where reviewers disagree Single-source note: only one whitelisted hands-on review (Pro Tool Reviews) exists for this exact model, so no cross-source comparison is possible; no negative performance findings surfaced in that tested source. Note the retailer/task 'ATOMIC' label is a misnomer—the tested page classifies the DCF845 as the 20V Max XR line (the Atomic is the separate DCF850).

The sources (1)

Pro Tool Reviews lab-tested ·

8in x 1/4in GRK RSS screw drive time into stacked OSB subfloor: 9.1 sec · 10in x 1/2in lag screw left proud in OSB subfloor (lower is better): 3.1 in · Nut-busting time at 150 ft-lbs, total of 5 tests: 5.4 sec

Clearly, the DCF845 produced better results in all three of our tests.
Even though the torque is the same, the higher top speed and impact rate make a difference.
The Atomic model is still the top choice if you need the most compact impact driver available.

Specifications

Price (US)$149 Bare tool MSRP (DCF845B); common street ~$129
BrandDeWalt
Released2023
Voltage (V)20
Max torque in (lb)1825
Max (rpm)3400
Max ipm4200
BrushlessYes
Speed settings3
Weight (lb)2

Source: protoolreviews.com (verified 2026-06-19) · corroborated by dewalt.com. Re-verified 2026-06-19. Pro Tool Reviews (published April 26, 2023) confirms 1825 in-lb, 3-speed 1500/2800/3400 RPM (3400 max), 4200 IPM, 2.0 lb bare, brushless, $149 bare tool. DeWalt official DCF845B page confirms 1825 in-lb / 3400 RPM / 4200 IPM. Release year 2023 confirmed.

Is the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) worth it vs cheaper impact drivers?

20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) against its closest cheaper and pricier impact drivers on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 10 ranked

ProductPriceVoltage (V)Max torque in (lb)Max (rpm)Max ipmBrushless
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) this$14920182534004200Yes
M12 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only)$12912130033004000Yes
18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool)$15918186034004100Yes

Frequently asked questions

What do reviewers say about the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)?

One whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, bench-tested this exact DCF845 (the DCF845B is the bare-tool SKU) and scored it 9.3/10. It beat both the older DCF887 and the compact Atomic DCF850 on every driving and nut-busting test, thanks to higher speed and impact rate. The only caveat: it isn't DeWalt's most compact impact driver. Praised: Beat both the DCF887 and Atomic DCF850 across all three driving/nut-busting tests; Higher top speed (3400 RPM) and impact rate (4200 IPM) drive the performance edge; Shaved length and weight versus the DCF887 it replaces. Flagged: Not the most compact option; the Atomic DCF850 is smaller for tight spaces. (From 1 tester review, 1 lab-tested.)

How much does the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) cost?

The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) has a US price of $149 (Bare tool MSRP (DCF845B); common street ~$129), as of 2026-06-19.

How does the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) compare on price?

At $149, the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is #5 cheapest of the 10 impact drivers we track, where the median is $149.

When was the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) released?

The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) was released 2023.

What are the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)'s key specs?

20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) (DeWalt): voltage v 20, max torque in lb 1825, max rpm 3400, max ipm 4200, brushless Yes. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-19.

Price of record: $149 at protoolreviews.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:

See 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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