DeWalt DCD806 Boasts Upgrades and a Compelling Design
When it comes to cordless hammer drills, performance, durability, and smart design are what separate the great from the good. DeWalt’s latest addition to its 20V Max XR lineup promises to push those boundaries even further. Today, I’m taking a closer look at how the DeWalt DCD806 Hammer Drill stacks up and where it fits in their expansive 20V Max lineup.
DeWalt DCD806 Hammer Drill Performance
- No-Load Speed: 0-650/2,000 RPM
- Hammer Rate: 34,000 BPM
- Power Output: 1050 MWO
Speed and Power
At its heart, the DeWalt DCD806 is powered by a brushless motor that churns out up to 2,000 RPMs, 34,000 BPM, and 1,050 MWO.
While the basic size and shape may make you think of the 20V Max Atomic DCD799, that model clocks a top speed of just 1,650 RPMs and can produce 520 UWO. However, this hammer drill is actually an upgrade from the DCD805, which debuted back in 2022 and had 900 MWO of power.
While the DCD806’s power is a far cry from the flagship DCD1007, don’t assume that it should slide into the compact class as more of a light to medium-duty drill. It wasn’t that many years ago we were singing the praises of the DCD996 as DeWalt’s highest-performing drill, and that model had just 820 MWO of power.
As far as comparing to other brands goes, it’s tough. Since DeWalt uses MWO as a measure of power instead of in-lbs of torque, one of the most important metrics is lost.
We ran a few basic tests to get an idea of the performance. During our testing, the DCD806 easily tackled 1 1/2-inch auger bits, large spade bits, 3-inch hole saws, and even a 2 9/16-inch self-feed rough-in bit!
Overall, the DCD806 performed well, but as I expected, we did have to drop down into low gear with the larger bits. Additionally, DeWalt doesn’t include a side handle, so exercise caution in those high-torque applications.
Anti-Rotation System
DeWalt made a big stride forward in terms of safety on this drill. The torque-sensing Perform & Protect Anti-Rotation system immediately shuts down the drill when it senses a bind-up, indicated by the LED work light turning red. This system will activate in forward and reverse and requires a much smaller swing arc to activate the anti-kickback system than we’ve seen with other drills.
Most brands are reserving kickback control for their flagship models only, so it’s encouraging to see DeWalt filtering that technology into other models as well.
DeWalt DCD806 Hammer Drill Design Notes
- Model: DeWalt DCD806
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V battery
- Weight: 2.9 lbs
- Head Length: 7 in.
Size and Weight
The DeWalt DCD806 weighs in at 2.9 pounds as a bare tool and measures 7 inches from tip to tail. If you don’t need the hammer function, the drill driver version (DCD801) is half an inch shorter.
At the moment, this drill is only available as a bare tool, so battery selection is up to you. However, it does weigh 4.6 pounds with a 5.0Ah PowerStack battery, which gives the tool a very nice balance that’s easy to maneuver.
LED Work Light
One handy feature of this drill is the foot-mounted three-position LED work light, which allows you to direct the beam where you need it most.
It has selectable off-and-on modes and a 20-minute runtime. The 20-minute runtime mode comes in handy when you don’t want to carry along an extra work light, especially when working in tight spaces like an attic or crawl space.
Additional Features
- Tool Connect chip-ready
- Removable belt hook
- Compatible with all DeWalt 20V batteries
DeWalt 20V Max Hammer Drill Model Comparison
| DCD805 (old) | DCD806 (new) | DCD1007 (flagship) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-Load Speed | 0-650/2,000 RPM | 0-650/2,000 RPM | 0-450/1,200/2,000 RPM |
| Hammer Rate | 34,000 BPM | 34,000 BPM | 38,250 BPM |
| Power Output | 900 MWO | 1,050 MWO | 1,530 MWO |
| Anti-Kickback | No | Yes | Yes |
| Head Length | 7 in. | 7 in. | 7.5 in. |
| Bare Weight | 2.9 lbs | 2.9 lbs | 4.1 lbs |
DeWalt DCD806 Hammer Drill Price
At the moment, the DeWalt DCD806 is only available as a bare tool and retails for $199. DeWalt backs this drill with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
If you’d like the drill driver version, the DCD801 is $179 as a bare tool or $269 as a kit with two 4.0Ah PowerPack batteries.
As usual, DeWalt backs the tool with a 3-year warranty, 1-year service agreement, and 90-day money-back guarantee.
The Bottom Line
After some hands-on time, the DeWalt DCD806 proved a great all-around workhorse for a variety of projects. It has plenty of drilling and driving power for large bits and fasteners, and its compact, lightweight profile is easy to maneuver in tight spaces. On top of that, the Perform and Protect Anti-Rotation system adds an extra layer of safety to your projects.
Overall, this is a very attractive hammer drill. Lighter and more compact than the DCD1007, its performance and feature set offer an excellent user experience. For many Pros, this might be all the drill you need.
If you already have the DCD805 and are wondering whether the upgrade is worth it, it could go either way. On one hand, you get some new tech and an incremental power boost. On the other, these tools are remarkably similar in design, so you’re not gaining anything in the size and weight departments.
