DEWALT DCK277D2 Review: a no-nonsense 20V drill/impact kit that just works

I’ve been using this DEWALT 20V MAX brushless combo (DCK277D2) for a few weeks on typical homeowner stuff: building shelves, hanging a TV, assembling furniture, a bit of deck repair, plus some car work with the impact driver. I’m not on a jobsite every day, but I’m not just tightening cabinet hinges once a year either. I’d say I’m a fairly heavy DIY user, and my old 12V drill was clearly starting to struggle. That’s why I grabbed this kit.

Out of the box, it feels like what you expect from DEWALT: yellow and black, a bit chunky but not toy‑like, and everything fits in the bag without playing Tetris. The two 2.0Ah batteries came partially charged; I topped them off and got to work. I mainly wanted to see if the brushless motors and 20V platform actually made a difference compared to my older brushed drill and a cheap impact driver I had from a budget brand.

In practice, the difference is pretty clear. The drill has more punch, and the impact driver especially is a big step up in torque. It’s not magic, but tasks that used to feel like a fight are now pretty straightforward. At the same time, it’s not some featherweight miracle kit — it’s still a real power tool, so if you’re used to tiny 12V screwdrivers, you’ll feel the jump in size and noise.

Overall, my first impression was: solid, usable, and geared more toward people who actually plan to build or fix stuff regularly, not just hang a picture once a year. It’s not perfect and there are a few details that could be better, but after a few weeks of use, I’m not babying it and it’s holding up well. The rest of this review is just me breaking down what works, what’s just okay, and what annoyed me a bit.

Price‑wise, this kit usually sits in that middle range: not bargain‑bin cheap, but not at the top of the DEWALT lineup either. For what you get — two brushless tools, two batteries, a charger, and a bag — I’d say the value is pretty good. If you tried to buy a similar setup from some premium brands, you’d likely pay more. If you went with a budget brand, you could definitely save money, but you’d probably lose out on brushless motors, battery compatibility, and long‑term durability.

Compared to a cheaper 18V kit I had before from a no‑name brand, the difference is pretty clear in daily use. The DEWALT tools feel more confident under load, the batteries last longer, and I don’t have that nagging feeling that something might fail mid‑project. On the other hand, if you only do a couple small jobs a year, this might be overkill, and a cheaper kit could be enough for you. The real value shows up if you actually use the tools regularly.

Where the value is less ideal is if you immediately realize you need more capacity. If you add a couple of 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah batteries on top of this kit, the total price climbs fast. At that point, some people might prefer to buy a higher‑end combo from the start that includes bigger batteries. So it really depends on your use case. For me, as a DIYer with weekend projects and some car work, the included 2.0Ah packs are fine, and I can always add a bigger battery later if I find a good deal.

Overall, I’d call the value good but not mind‑blowing. You’re paying for a known brand, brushless motors, and a platform you can grow into. If you want something that just works and you don’t want to gamble on unknown tools, the price makes sense. If every dollar counts and you’re okay with some compromises, there are cheaper options out there, but they probably won’t feel as solid or last as long.

Design‑wise, both tools are on the compact side for 20V, but they’re not tiny. The drill is listed at around 7.6 inches front to back, and in real use, it does fit into cabinets and tighter spots without too much drama. I used it inside a closet to mount a clothes rod and a shelf, and I didn’t feel like I was fighting the size. The impact driver is even shorter and easier to maneuver, especially when you’re working around car engines or under a sink.

The LED lights on both tools are actually useful, not just a gimmick. They stay on for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger, which helped when I was working in a dim basement and under a desk. It’s not like having a dedicated work light, but it’s enough to see screw heads and pilot holes without grabbing a flashlight. The trigger feel is also good: no weird dead zone, and the variable speed is easy to control, especially on the drill when you’re trying not to overdrive screws into soft wood.

Balance is decent with the 2.0Ah batteries. The tools don’t feel nose‑heavy, and I didn’t get wrist fatigue too quickly, even after driving a couple dozen 3" deck screws. That said, if you’re used to very light 12V tools, this will feel like a step up in heft. It’s not heavy for what it is, but it’s not light in absolute terms. The rubber overmold on the handles gives decent grip, even when your hands are a bit sweaty or dusty.

On the downside, the kit is very basic in terms of extra design touches. No bit storage on the drill, no magnetic tray, and the bag doesn’t have great internal organization. You can make it work, but you end up tossing bits, sockets, and small stuff in the bottom. A couple of stitched pockets or elastic loops inside the bag would make life easier. Also, everything screams DEWALT yellow/black, so if you like low‑key tools, this isn’t it. Personally, I care more about how it works than how loud the colors are, so I can live with it.

The kit comes with two 2.0Ah 20V MAX batteries. For homeowner use, that’s usually enough. I did an afternoon project building a small storage shelf plus some random fixes around the house, and I only drained one battery to about halfway on the drill and a bit more on the impact. Swapping batteries is quick, and the charger brings a dead 2.0Ah pack back to full in roughly 30–40 minutes in my experience. I’d start a job with one on the tool and one on the charger and never really ran out.

Where you might feel the limitation is if you plan to do continuous heavy work: lots of lag bolts, deck screws, or repetitive drilling in tough material. In that case, 2.0Ah packs will drain faster, and you’ll probably want at least one 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery in the mix. The upside of the smaller packs is that they keep the tools lighter and less bulky, which is nice when you’re working overhead or in tight spaces.

I haven’t noticed any weird behavior like sudden cut‑offs or batteries dropping from “seems fine” to dead instantly. The runtime feels consistent with other 20V 2.0Ah packs I’ve used. Being brushless, both tools squeeze a bit more runtime out of these small batteries than older brushed models I’ve tried. I spent about an hour driving screws on and off while rebuilding a raised bed frame, and the impact driver still had juice left on the same battery.

If you’re already on the DEWALT 20V system, the nice part is you can mix and match. I borrowed a friend’s 5Ah pack and slapped it on the drill for a longer project; it made the tool a bit back‑heavy but basically solved any range anxiety. For a first kit, I’d say the included batteries are good enough for most people, but if you know you’re going to be doing big weekend projects regularly, plan on adding at least one higher‑capacity pack later. It’s not a dealbreaker, just something to keep in mind when you look at the overall cost.

Build quality is what you’d expect from mid‑tier DEWALT. The housings feel solid, the rubber overmold doesn’t feel thin or cheap, and there’s no weird flex or rattling when you grab the tools and twist them a bit. I’ve already knocked the drill off a workbench onto concrete once (about waist height), and it came out with just a small scuff on the plastic, no cracks, no functional issues. That’s not a torture test, but it gives some confidence that it’s not super fragile.

The chucks and mechanisms also feel decent. The drill’s 1/2" chuck grips bits firmly; I haven’t had a bit slip yet, even when drilling into metal. The impact driver’s quick‑release hex chuck works smoothly — I can swap bits one‑handed easily, and it hasn’t stuck or felt gritty. On some cheaper impacts I’ve used, that mechanism gets sloppy or starts to jam after a while; so far, no sign of that here.

Dust and dirt resistance seem okay. I used the tools outside cutting and screwing treated lumber, with sawdust everywhere. I just blew them off with compressed air and wiped them down, and everything still feels good. I wouldn’t dunk them in mud or leave them in the rain, but for normal garage and jobsite mess, they seem fine. The bag offers basic protection, but it’s not padded, so don’t expect it to save your tools from serious drops or heavy stuff falling on them.

DEWALT backs this kit with a 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day money‑back guarantee. That’s pretty standard for them and better than some cheap brands that offer almost nothing. Of course, how easy warranty service is will depend on where you live and if you have a service center nearby. I haven’t had to use it yet, so I can’t comment on that part. Overall, I’d say durability feels solid for homeowner and light pro use. If you’re a full‑time contractor beating on your tools every day, you might eventually step up to their higher‑end lines, but for most people this should hold up well if you don’t abuse it.

In terms of raw performance, the combo does what I expected from a 20V brushless kit, and in some cases a bit more. The impact driver is rated at 1,500 in‑lbs of torque, and you can feel it. I used it to drive 3" and 3.5" construction screws into treated lumber for a small deck repair. With proper pilot holes, it sunk them without bogging down, even when the wood was still slightly damp. Compared to my old budget impact, this one feels stronger and doesn’t complain as much when the screw hits a knot.

The drill has enough power for typical wood drilling and some light metal work. I drilled 1/2" holes in pine and 3/8" holes in mild steel angle with decent bits, and it powered through fine. The clutch settings are useful for smaller screws; I used lower settings when assembling Ikea‑style furniture to avoid stripping out the particle board. The variable speed trigger gives good control, so you can start slow and ramp up instead of instantly jumping to full speed.

One thing I noticed: under very heavy load, like trying to drill large holes with a dull bit, the drill will bog down a bit, which is normal for this class. If you’re expecting it to behave like a corded hammer drill for masonry or a high‑end SDS, you’ll be disappointed. This is more for wood, light metal, and general construction, not for serious concrete work. I used it with a small masonry bit for a couple of wall anchors in brick, and it managed, but it’s not the ideal tool for that.

Noise level is also worth mentioning. The impact driver is loud, as all impacts are. Definitely not something you want to use late at night in an apartment with thin walls. The drill is quieter and more pleasant to use for longer sessions. Overall, the performance is pretty solid for the price and size. It’s not a monster, but for 90% of homeowner tasks and a fair chunk of pro‑level light work, it gets the job done without feeling like it’s constantly at its limit.

This kit is pretty straightforward: you get the DCD777 1/2" drill/driver, the DCF787 1/4" impact driver, two 20V MAX 2.0Ah batteries (DCB203), a basic charger, and a soft contractor bag. No bits, no belt clip overload, no fancy organizers. Just the basics. If you’re already on the DEWALT 20V platform, these batteries will work with your other tools, which is handy. If you’re starting from zero, this is a decent entry point, but you’ll need to budget for a bit set and maybe some extra batteries later.

The drill is your general workhorse: drilling into wood, light metal, and driving screws where you want more control. The impact driver is for tougher screws, lag bolts, automotive stuff, or when you don’t want to strip screw heads. Both are brushless, which is a plus for efficiency and lifespan. Compared to older brushed DEWALT kits, you should get better runtime from the same 2.0Ah batteries, even if the batteries themselves aren’t huge.

One thing to be clear about: this is not the top-of-the-line heavy contractor kit with massive 5Ah batteries and all the bells and whistles. It’s more like the mid‑range sweet spot: enough power for most household and light professional work, but sized and priced so a normal person doesn’t feel like they’re overbuying. If you’re building decks for a living every day, you’ll probably want extra batteries at least, maybe higher‑capacity ones.

In short, the package is pretty no‑nonsense: two tools, two batteries, a charger, and a bag. Nothing feels cheap, but nothing feels luxurious either. It’s clearly built to be used and thrown back in the bag, not displayed on a wall. For me, that’s fine. I just wish DEWALT included at least a basic starter bit set or a better way to organize accessories in the bag, because right now, everything just ends up in a pile at the bottom.