It had been several years since DeWalt last hosted a large media event, so I had high expectations as I walked into the DeWalt Built Black and Yellow Experience held in Baltimore. It offered some deeper insight into where DeWalt is as a brand, and there were tons of new products to check out. Here are the 10 I’m most excited about.
DeWalt 20V Max XR 5.0Ah Battery
DeWalt now has three 5.0Ah batteries available on the 20V Max platform. In addition to the standard and XR pouch cell (formerly Powerstack) versions, a new tabless 5.0Ah battery is coming soon.
With the tabless technology, you get the potential for the highest performance and the fastest charging times. For Pros who want high performance with mid-range runtime and moderate weight, this will be the best battery moving forward.
From a profile perspective, the tabless battery measures shorter from front to back, and a little thicker from top to bottom compared to the pouch cell version.
DeWalt has a new naming system for 20V Max batteries, so be sure you get the right one. For the 5.0Ah packs, here’s the rundown:
- Standard 20V Max 5.0Ah: DCB205
- Pouch Cell 20V Max XR 5.0Ah: DCBP520
- Tabless 20V Max XR 5.0Ah: DCB2105 (new)
Price: TBA
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DeWalt 16-Amp Dual-Port Simultaneous Charger
DeWalt has a new charger coming soon that’s a serious productivity booster. The DCB1216 is capable of simultaneously charging two batteries at a blistering 16 amps and can fully charge the new 20V Max XR tabless 5.0Ah battery in just 22 minutes!
Not every pack can take full advantage, though. Tabless batteries have the lowest electrical resistance, so they’re able to take a much faster charge than standard batteries. That said, tabless 20V Max XR batteries paired with this charger will be able to cycle much faster, reducing the total number of batteries you need to make it through the day.
DeWalt also upgraded this charger with a digital display screen that shows you the level as a percentage in addition to the traditional LED light indicators.
Price: TBA
DeWalt 20V Max Track Saw
DeWalt did much more than just convert the existing 60V Max track saw over to a 20V Max version. Of course, being on the 20V platform is part of the story, and the tabless XR 8.0Ah battery had no problem powering the DCS525 through our test cuts at the event.
There are also three key upgrades, and two are on the saw. First, the plunge pivot has been moved back, so its action feels more natural if you’re coming from any of the high-quality corded models. There’s also a new cover over the arbor that helps improve the dust collection.
The third upgrade is to the rails. They’re now beefier, so they don’t bend as easily when you’re off the edge of your material, and they’ve helped improve the accuracy of the cuts as well. The new tracks are compatible with the 60V Max saw, and the old tracks are compatible with the new one.
Price: $429 bare, $749 kit
DeWalt 20V Max Oscillating Multi-Tool
There’s an updated 20V Max XR oscillating multi-tool on the way, and if my first impressions are on target, it’s going to vault DeWalt into contention with the top players.
On the business end, the DCS359 now has a 4° oscillating arc. That’s much more aggressive than the previous model, and it showed in our test cuts.
Perhaps even more impressive, the product team revamped the vibration control. Using a series of dampening stages between the head and the handle, it now feels like DeWalt is legitimately capable of challenging Fein.
Price: $249 bare, $299 kit
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DeWalt 20V Max Rebar Bender
Typical powered rebar benders are convenient but bulky and awkward. Due out in 2027, DeWalt’s upcoming 20V Max rebar bender reverses that trend.
It’s easy to hold in one hand, and it uses three points of contact to bend up to #5 rebar. Even bending loose rebar put no strain on my hands, and the operation was easier than I thought it would be.
You can bend rebar up to 90°, and there are visual indicators on the top to let you know when you hit 45° and 90°. For angles other than 90°, there are no stops, so you’ll need to release the trigger when you hit your target.
One of the really nice things is that the head rotates. If you have to bend rebar that’s already set vertically or at an odd angle, you can turn the head instead of holding the tool in an uncomfortable position.
Price: TBA
DeWalt Auto-Eject Hole Saw Arbor
I wasn’t expecting any hole saw innovation at this event, but DeWalt’s new auto-ejecting hole saw arbor was a showstopper.
It starts with the pilot bit. It has a self-feeding tip, which helps you get the saw started more easily and evenly. Looking down the shaft, you’ll see shoulders sticking out, and that’s part of where the magic happens.
The other part is a spring-loaded collet below the hole saw. When you pull it back, it launches the pilot bit forward, which uses its shoulders to actively eject the core. It works on wood, metal, cement board, and just about anything you’d bore through with a hole saw.
Price: ~ $69
DeWalt 20V Max Palm Nailer
One tool that earned a lot of attention from the framing crowd was DeWalt’s upcoming 20V Max palm nailer. It’s nice and compact, so you’re able to squeeze it in where those tight space joist hangers prevent you from using a framing nailer or framing hammer. Better still, it’s impressively quick, allowing you to ditch the hose and compressor without sacrificing performance.
As a supplement to your primary framing nailer and framing hammer, it’s a convenient solution for nailing in awkward areas.
Price: TBA
DeWalt x JLG LiftPod
Our Instagram post that drew the most attention during the Built Black and Yellow event was the upcoming DeWalt LiftPod. Partnering with JLG to build this personal lift, it eliminates the need for a ladder while providing a much more comfortable platform to work from.
A bucket-esque pod surrounds you on three sides, and spring-loaded doors on the rear allow you to enter and exit. They only open inward, so there’s little risk of accidentally backing out or stepping off.
Using a hydraulic system, you raise and lower via a manual dial inside the bucket. I hopped in and was impressed with how little effort the hydraulics required.
It’s not for everyone. It’s heavy, which makes transport a challenge, and it’s best for rolling on concrete floors. Unsurprisingly, the price is significantly higher than a traditional ladder. The expected weight limit is 300 pounds, including gear, so that may be a limitation in some situations.
But when you’re working at height for extended periods, it’s much more comfortable than standing on a traditional or platform ladder. Intentionally designed flex stabilizes the unit at its highest reaches, while the hydraulics eliminate the fatigue that builds from climbing up and down.
Future upgrades are already in development. There are plans for a number of purpose-built accessories, and there’s a battery-powered version in the works for 2027.
Price: ~ $9,000
DeWalt PowerShift Screed
Before I even landed in Baltimore, I was looking forward to seeing the concrete tools and anticipating getting a firsthand look at the power screed. Powered by the PowerShift battery, it delivers up to 7800 VPM with a variable speed trigger for more control when you need it. It’s capable of using bars up to 16 feet in length.
One of the excellent design choices DeWalt made was avoiding a proprietary bar. It’s able to support three of the most common L-bars in use, covering roughly 90% of the market, so there’s a good chance the bars you already have will work.
Making it even more convenient, you can mount the controls on the left or right side and rotate them. Plus, there’s an integrated kickstand. It’s part of an expanding system of concrete tools that’s swapping gas engines for battery power, and allowing us to rethink how we approach concrete jobs.
Price: $2,999 kit
Bonus: DeWalt DeWalt Off-Site Apparel
Another surprise launch was a new line of work apparel, dubbed DeWalt Off-Site, or DeWalt OS. DeWalt teamed up with fashion designer Jeff Staple, who was responsible for the famous Nike Pigeon Shoe that took New York City by storm. Incidentally, that shoe now sells for tens of thousands of dollars, with some listings taking it over the $100,000 mark.
The goal of DeWalt Off-Site gear is to give you genuinely stylish casual clothing that represents your connection to the trades and to DeWalt when you’re off the clock. We each took home the first piece, a reversible vest, and the attention to detail is impressive. Keep an eye out – the vest and other pieces will be available in the following months.
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