DEWALT DCK277D2 Review: a no‑nonsense cordless kit that just works for DIY and jobsite use

I’ve been using this DEWALT 20V MAX drill and impact driver kit (DCK277D2) for a few weeks on small renovation jobs and random house projects. Nothing crazy like full-time framing, but enough drilling into studs, metal brackets, and driving lag screws to see what it can actually do. I already had a couple of cheaper 18V tools from another brand, so I wasn’t coming in blind. I wanted to see if this set really felt like a step up or just more yellow plastic hype.

Out of the box, it feels like a proper contractor kit, not a toy set from a big-box promo. Two tools, two 2.0Ah batteries, charger, and a soft bag. No bits, no fancy accessories, just the basics. I actually prefer that – I already have bits, I just need tools that don’t bog down or die halfway through a project. DEWALT clearly leaned on the brushless motors and the 20V platform as the selling points here.

In practice, I used the drill mostly for pilot holes in wood, a couple of 1/2" holes with spade bits, and some metal brackets. The impact driver handled deck screws, Tapcons into concrete, and a few lag screws into ledger boards. I swapped batteries between the two to see how they behaved under similar loads. I also paid attention to heat, noise, and how my wrist felt after longer use, because that’s usually where cheap tools show their limits.

Overall, it’s a pretty solid combo kit. Not perfect, and I can already see a few things DEWALT could have done better for the price, especially on the batteries and the bag. But in terms of raw usability – power, control, and how often I reached for it instead of my older tools – it gets the job done and feels like a reliable daily kit for most people who do more than hang one picture a year.

Price-wise, this combo usually sits in the mid-range: not bargain-bin cheap, but not at the top of the pro lineup either. For that money, you get two brushless tools, two batteries, a charger, and a bag. Compared to some entry-level kits from other brands that still use brushed motors and only give you one battery, this feels like a step up in terms of tech and long-term potential, especially if you plan to stay in the DEWALT ecosystem.

Where the value is strongest is for people who are serious DIYers or tradespeople who need a reliable backup/secondary kit. You get real performance – enough torque, decent runtime, and respectable build – without jumping into the more expensive flagship models. The impact driver alone justifies a big chunk of the price if you drive a lot of screws. The drill is more "good all-rounder" than powerhouse, but paired together, the set covers 90% of typical tasks: drilling, fastening, light construction, furniture, and renovation work.

On the flip side, if you already own several 20V MAX DEWALT batteries and a charger, the value of this specific kit drops a bit. In that case, you might be better off buying bare tools and choosing larger-capacity batteries. Also, the 2.0Ah batteries are clearly a compromise: they keep the headline price decent and the weight low, but heavier users will want to upgrade pretty quickly. The bag is another area where DEWALT didn’t overdeliver – it’s usable, but nothing more.

So in terms of value, I’d say: good, not mind-blowing. You’re paying for a reliable brand, brushless motors, and a platform you can grow into. If you’re just hanging a few pictures a year, it’s probably overkill. But if you’re regularly tackling projects and want tools that feel a notch above the cheap stuff without going all-out on premium, this kit hits a pretty sensible middle ground.

The first thing I noticed is how compact both tools are. The drill is about 7.5" front-to-back, and the impact driver is even shorter. Compared to my older non-brushless 18V drill, these feel noticeably slimmer and easier to get between studs or under cabinets. For overhead work, the lighter weight is a real plus – my shoulders didn’t hate me after driving a bunch of screws into ceiling joists.

Both tools have integrated LEDs near the trigger that stay on for about 20 seconds after you release it. That delay is actually useful; you can line up your screw or pilot hole without holding the trigger. The light isn’t some high-end flashlight, but in dark corners under sinks or in basements, it’s enough to see what you’re doing. I’ve used cheaper tools where the LED is badly placed and casts a shadow right where you need to see – DEWALT did a decent job here.

The grip shape is pretty standard DEWALT: rubber overmold, slightly chunky handle, and a good trigger feel. The variable-speed trigger on both tools is smooth enough that you can feather it for slow starts, which matters when you’re trying not to strip screw heads or crack thin material. I had decent control even when driving long screws, and I didn’t feel like the tools were trying to twist out of my hand.

On the downside, the bag design is just okay. It’s soft-sided, no internal dividers, and if you just toss everything in, it becomes a bit of a tangle of cords, tools, and batteries. It protects the tools, sure, but it’s not really organized. Also, there’s no built-in bit storage on the tools themselves beyond a simple holder, so you’ll want a separate bit case. None of this is a deal-breaker, but for a kit that sells well and is ranked highly, a slightly better bag and storage layout would have been nice.

The kit includes two 2.0Ah 20V MAX batteries, which are on the smaller side but keep the tools light. For typical home projects – hanging shelves, assembling furniture, putting up a TV mount, building a small deck section – one battery lasted me a good part of the day with normal breaks. I’d say roughly 1–2 hours of actual trigger time per battery when mixing drilling and driving, which is decent for this size.

The charger is basic but does the job. From empty to full, it took me around 45–60 minutes per 2.0Ah pack. Since there are two batteries, I just swapped them and never really had to stop working completely. If you’re doing continuous work (like running screws nonstop on a framing job), you’ll hit the limits of 2.0Ah pretty fast, though. That’s when stepping up to a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery makes a big difference, especially with the impact driver.

One thing I noticed: under heavier loads (driving long structural screws, drilling larger holes), the smaller batteries drop faster, as expected. The tools don’t suddenly die, but you do feel the power taper slightly as the pack gets low. This isn’t unique to DEWALT; it’s just how compact packs behave. Still, for someone planning to do heavier work regularly, I’d consider these batteries more as a starter set rather than a full solution.

Overall, for DIYers and light pros, the included batteries are fine and keep the kit more affordable and lighter. For a contractor doing full days on site, I’d call these the backup or "finishing" batteries and get at least one bigger pack. The good part is you’re on the 20V MAX system, so upgrading batteries later is easy. The downside is you’ll likely feel that urge to upgrade once you start pushing the tools harder and longer.

In terms of build quality, both tools feel solid in the hand. The housings are hard plastic with rubber overmold in the right spots. They don’t creak or flex when you squeeze them, and the chucks and collets feel tight. I had one accidental drop from about 5 feet off a ladder onto a wood subfloor – the impact driver bounced, got a small scuff, and kept working like nothing happened. That’s a decent sign for real-world jobsite abuse.

The brushless motors should, in theory, last longer and run cooler than brushed versions. After longer sessions of driving screws, the tools were warm but not burning hot. No weird smells, no rattling, and no sudden power loss. That’s reassuring, especially if you’ve used cheap drills that start whining or smoking when pushed. The gear switches and clutch ring on the drill feel firm; they click into place and don’t feel like they’ll strip easily.

DEWALT backs this kit with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day money-back guarantee. I haven’t had to use the warranty, but knowing it’s there adds some confidence. This isn’t a disposable tool set. At the same time, it’s still mostly plastic on the outside, so if you’re throwing it around in the back of a truck every day or dropping it on concrete repeatedly, you’ll eventually see wear and tear. The bag also doesn’t offer much impact protection – it’s more for carrying than for real protection.

Overall, I’d rate durability as good for the price range. It feels like a kit you can rely on for years of normal use and light professional work if you’re not abusing it daily. If you’re in heavy construction or doing demolition and concrete drilling all the time, you’ll probably want one of DEWALT’s higher-end hammer drills and bigger batteries, but for what this set is meant to be, the durability feels honest and solid.

In everyday use, the drill has more than enough power for normal wood and light metal work. I ran a bunch of 1/4" and 3/8" holes into studs with spade bits and it didn’t bog down unless I leaned on it too hard. With a sharp bit and reasonable pressure, it chews through 2x lumber without drama. It’s not a heavy-duty hammer drill, so if you’re thinking about constant masonry work, this isn’t the right tool, but for wood framing, cabinets, and general indoor work, it holds up well.

The impact driver is where the kit really earns its keep. With the 1,500 in-lbs of torque, it drove 3" deck screws and 4" structural screws into treated lumber without stalling. I also used it for Tapcon concrete screws after pre-drilling, and it sank them cleanly. The impacts kick in smoothly, and it doesn’t feel out of control. Noise-wise, like all impacts, it’s loud, but not worse than others I’ve used. Ear protection is still a good idea if you’re doing a lot of repetitive driving.

One thing I liked is the trigger control on both tools. You can start slow and then ramp up, which is handy when you’re trying not to blow out the back of a piece of wood or over-tighten hardware. The clutch on the drill does its job – I used it for cabinet hinges and smaller screws into MDF, and it prevented overdriving most of the time. Is it ultra-precise? No, but it’s good enough for typical DIY and light pro work.

The only performance downside I noticed is when pushing larger bits in tougher material for longer stretches – the tools warm up, and the smaller batteries drain faster than I’d like. That’s normal for compact 2.0Ah packs, but if you’re planning to drill big holes all day, you’ll want higher capacity batteries. For mixed use – some drilling, lots of screw driving, breaks in between – the performance is reliable and predictable, which is what matters most.

This kit is pretty straightforward: you get the DCD777 1/2" drill/driver, the DCF787 1/4" impact driver, two 20V MAX 2.0Ah compact batteries (DCB203), a basic DEWALT charger, and a soft contractor bag. No belt clip extras for both tools, no bit set, no fancy storage system – just a functional starter kit. The bag has enough room for the tools, charger, both batteries, and a small box of bits if you pack it right, but you won’t be fitting your whole shop in there.

The DCD777 is the more general-purpose tool. It has a 1/2" chuck, 2-speed gearbox, and clutch settings for different screw sizes. I used it mostly on speed 2 for drilling and speed 1 with the clutch for screws into drywall and light wood. The DCF787 impact driver is more compact and basically lives with a bit in it for driving screws. The quick-release hex chuck is handy – I could swap between a Phillips and a Torx bit in seconds, which is handy when jumping between deck boards and hardware.

On paper, the impact is rated at around 1,500 in-lbs of torque, which is more than enough for typical home projects and light professional use. In reality, it drove 3" deck screws into treated lumber without complaining, and it handled concrete screws with a proper masonry bit pre-drill. The kit runs on DEWALT’s 20V MAX platform, so if you already have DEWALT batteries or plan to add more tools later (saws, nailers, etc.), this fits into that ecosystem nicely.

Nothing about the presentation screams high-end or cheap; it’s just practical. You open the box, charge a battery, and you’re working in under an hour. If you’re expecting a full all-in-one solution with bits, organizers, and foam inserts, this is not that. But as a simple, ready-to-work combo that gives you two of the most used tools in any kit, it covers the basics very well.