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The DCK590L2 5-tool kit is one of the best values in cordless tools: hammer drill, impact driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, and LED work light, with two batteries and a fast charger. Not the newest kit DEWALT makes, but hard to beat.
Buying your first real set of power tools is one of those purchases people overthink. Scroll through Amazon's tool aisle and you will drown in combo kits that all look the same. I put the DCK590L2 through the work most homeowners actually do — building shelves, hanging drywall, cutting lumber for a fence repair — and here is the honest breakdown: what is great, what is merely fine, and who should look elsewhere.
DEWALT 20V MAX Review: What Is Actually in the Box
Five tools, all running on DEWALT's 20V MAX battery platform, so one battery fits every tool:
- DCD985 1/2-inch hammer drill — 3-speed all-metal transmission, 535 units watts out, self-tightening chuck
- DCF885 1/4-inch impact driver — 3,200 impacts per minute, 117 foot-pounds of torque, three LED lights
- DCS393 6-1/2-inch circular saw — 3,700 rpm, bevel capacity from 0 to 50 degrees
- DCS381 reciprocating saw — tool-free blade changes, up to 3,000 strokes per minute
- DCL040 LED work light — 110 lumens, rotating head, built-in hook
You also get two 20V MAX 3.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, a fast charger, a side handle, a belt hook, a carbide-tipped blade, and a contractor bag that fits everything. DEWALT backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, which is generous at this price.
Tool by Tool: How the Five Tools Perform
The hammer drill does the heavy lifting
The DCD985 is the star. Its 3-speed all-metal transmission is the detail that matters — low speed for driving big lag bolts, high speed for drilling pilot holes. It handled 3/8-inch masonry anchors in my garage wall without complaint, which is more than most homeowner-grade drills manage.
The impact driver is the one you will reach for daily
The DCF885 is compact — about 5.5 inches front to back and under 3 pounds — and that is exactly why it is useful. Driving 3-inch deck screws overhead is so much easier when the tool does not fight you.
The saws are capable, with honest limits
The circular saw cuts 2x lumber at 90 and 45 degrees in a single pass, and it did it cleanly on pressure-treated pine. But a 6-1/2-inch blade means this is a trim-and-deck saw, not a framing saw. The reciprocating saw is the demolition tool — pruning branches, cutting out old plumbing — and its blade change genuinely works one-handed, which matters on a ladder.
The work light is a bonus, not a selling point
At 110 lumens, the LED work light is modest. Handy for engine bays and under-sink work, with a rotating head and hook for aiming. Just do not buy this kit for the light.
The Good and the Bad: DEWALT 20V MAX Pros and Cons
Pros
- One battery platform for five tools. Two 3.0Ah batteries and a fast charger cover a full afternoon of work, and the 20V MAX line has hundreds of compatible bare tools.
- Pro-brand build quality. The drill's all-metal transmission and overall fit and finish feel a level above budget kits.
- The drill and impact driver are outstanding. These two alone justify the kit — they are the tools you will use most.
- 3-year limited warranty. Strong coverage at this price point.
- Proven track record. Years on the market and thousands of reviews mean no surprises.
Cons
- Not the newest tech. DEWALT's newer XR brushless line (DCK594P2) runs more efficiently. These brushed motors drain batteries a bit faster.
- 3.0Ah batteries, not 5.0Ah. Fine for most work, but heavy cutting sessions will have you swapping batteries.
- The circular saw is mid-size. Handles 2x lumber but not deep rips.
- The work light is basic. 110 lumens is dim next to modern LED work lights.
DEWALT 20V MAX Review: Price, Value, and the Newer XR Kit
This is where the DCK590L2 earns its keep. The newer XR 5-tool kit (DCK594P2) is better on paper — brushless motors, more runtime — but costs noticeably more. For most homeowners, that gap will never show up in real work. You would be paying extra for runtime you only notice on a job site.
At typical prices around the mid-$200s, the DCK590L2 lands in the sweet spot: better than the $150 budget kits, hundreds less than the XR setup. Five tools, two batteries, a charger, and a bag.
One honest tip: buy from Amazon directly or a clearly authorized seller. Tool kits attract gray-market listings, and a too-good-to-be-true price usually is.
Who Should Buy It (and Who Shouldn't)
Buy it if: you are setting up a home workshop or replacing a tired corded set. Woodworkers starting out will pair it well with solid project plans — our Ted's Woodworking review covers 16,000 plans that give these tools plenty to do.
Skip it if: you are a working contractor running tools all day — step up to the XR brushless line with 5.0Ah batteries. Also skip it if you only need a drill and driver; a smaller 2-tool DEWALT kit costs less. And if you already own into another battery platform, stay in your ecosystem.
If you like the save-money-at-home mindset, our EZ Battery Reconditioning review and Power Efficiency Guide review are worth a look too.
FAQs About the DEWALT 20V MAX 5-Tool Combo Kit
Is the DEWALT DCK590L2 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for most homeowners. The newer XR kit is technically better, but the DCK590L2 costs less and handles real projects just as well.
Are the tools brushless?
No. Brushed motors are part of why it costs less than the XR line. Slightly less efficient, but durable for home use.
How long do the 3.0Ah batteries last?
A few hours of intermittent drilling and driving. Heavy cutting drains them faster — expect 30 to 60 minutes of continuous sawing. The fast charger refills a dead battery in about an hour.
Can I use 20V MAX batteries from other DEWALT tools?
Yes. Every 20V MAX battery works with every 20V MAX tool, regardless of amp-hour rating.
What is the warranty?
3-year limited warranty, plus a 1-year free service contract and 90-day money-back guarantee on most tools in the line.
Final Verdict
The DEWALT 20V MAX 5-Tool Combo Kit is the safe, smart buy in cordless tools. Not the flashiest, not the most powerful — but the kit that shows up, does the work, and lasts. The drill and impact driver are genuinely excellent, the saws handle everything a homeowner throws at them, and the shared battery platform means this kit grows with you.
If you want the best value in a full-featured cordless set without paying the brushless premium, this is it. Four and a third stars — docked because the batteries and saws have honest limits you should know about.
