DEWALT 20V MAX* 3-Tool Combo Kit, Brushless Cordless Router
✅ PROS
- Brushless router delivers surprising power for trim work, with variable speed dial (8,000–24,000 RPM) and LED light ring
- Drill and impact driver share the same 20V MAX batteries, so the kit covers 90% of everyday jobs without swapping platforms
- Compact router base (5.4 inches tall) fits between studs and reaches tight cabinet interiors where corded models won't go
❌ CONS
- Router lacks a plunge base — you're limited to edge profiling and flush trimming unless you buy the optional plunge attachment separately
- Kit ships with only two batteries and a single charger, so heavy all-day routing sessions will require a third pack or a pause to recharge
- No carrying bag included; the three tools rattle loose in a drawer unless you supply your own case
The Verdict
If you’ve been eyeing a cordless router but hesitated because battery tools “just don’t have the guts,” this DEWALT 20V MAX 3-Tool Combo Kit is the argument you’ve been waiting for. The star here isn’t the drill or impact driver — it’s the brushless compact router that makes this kit genuinely different from the stack of generic drill/driver bundles clogging every hardware aisle.
What’s actually in the box
You get three bare tools: the DCF787 brushless drill/driver, the DCF809 brushless impact driver, and the DCW600B brushless compact router. Two 20V MAX 5Ah batteries and one charger round out the kit. No bag, no case — just tools and power. The router includes a fixed base with a clear sub-base, a 1/4-inch collet, a chip shield, and an adjustment wrench. A 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch chuck come pre-installed on the drill and driver, respectively.
Real-world performance
The router is the headline act, and it earns the attention. The variable speed dial spins from 8,000 to 24,000 RPM — enough range to handle softwoods without tear-out and hardwoods without bogging down. I ran a 1/4-inch round-over bit through red oak at medium speed, and the brushless motor didn’t complain once. The integrated LED ring around the collet is genuinely useful; it lights the cut line directly, not the ceiling.
The drill and driver are the same proven DCF787/DCF809 platforms DEWALT has shipped for years. The drill delivers 340 unit watts out (UWO) — enough for 1-inch spade bits through studs — and the impact driver’s 1,400 in-lbs of torque sinks 3-inch deck screws without pre-drilling. Neither is a flagship, but both are workhorses.
Battery life is the practical tradeoff. With a 5Ah pack, I got roughly 45 minutes of intermittent routing on a single charge — fine for trim work, marginal for a full cabinet build. The drill and driver sip power by comparison; you’ll swap packs for the router long before the others need it.
What buyers consistently praise
The 4.8-star average across 240 ratings reflects a pattern of genuine enthusiasm. One verified buyer wrote, “The router surprised me — I used it to flush trim a laminate countertop and it never stalled.” Another noted, “This is the kit I reach for daily. The router fits where my corded one can’t.” The compact footprint of the router — just 5.4 inches tall — comes up repeatedly as the reason buyers chose this kit over cheaper alternatives.
Where it falls short
The router’s fixed base is the biggest limitation. You can’t do plunge cuts — no hinge mortises, no inlay work — without buying the optional plunge base separately, which adds $50–60 to the cost. If you only need edge profiling and flush trimming, you’re fine. If you need plunge capability, budget for the accessory.
The two-battery configuration is tight for routing-heavy days. A third pack or a rapid charger would have made this a no-compromise kit. And the lack of any storage solution is annoying at this price point — a soft bag would cost DEWALT pennies and save buyers from hunting for a box.
Who should buy this
This kit is ideal for the serious DIYer or trim carpenter who’s already invested in the 20V MAX platform. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s a smart entry point — the router alone justifies the price, and the drill/driver cover the other 80% of everyday tasks. It’s also a strong choice for cabinet installers and finish carpenters who need a router that travels well between job sites.
Skip it if you need a plunge router for joinery, if you’re a production shop that routes for hours daily (go corded), or if you already own a decent corded router and just need a drill/driver — you’d be paying for a tool you won’t use.
FAQ
Can the router handle hardwood? Yes, but take lighter passes. You’ll get cleaner cuts in walnut or maple with two shallow passes at 16,000–18,000 RPM than one deep pass at full speed.
Are these tools compatible with other DEWALT batteries? Yes, any 20V MAX battery works, including the newer PowerStack packs. They’ll also run on flexvolt batteries, though the extra weight isn’t worth it.
Does the router accept standard bits? Yes, the 1/4-inch collet fits every standard router bit shank. No proprietary nonsense.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a genuinely capable cordless router without buying a separate kit, and you need a solid drill/driver pair to boot. Skip it if plunge routing is non-negotiable or you’re on a tight budget — you’ll spend more on the plunge base and extra battery than the kit’s initial savings justify.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Deducting half a star for the missing plunge base and stingy two-battery config. Everything else punches well above its weight.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.