DeWalt DCD799B Review: A Contractor’s Honest Take

The DeWalt DCD799B has really changed how I work in tight places on my jobs. As a contractor, I always had trouble with big hammer drills. They just don’t fit in small corners. But this 20V MAX hammer drill is DeWalt’s shortest ever, at just 6.49 inches for the tool head. t is a big help, and that’s the focus of this DeWalt DCD799B review..

Even though it is small, this drill is very strong. The DeWalt ATOMIC compact tools have up to 14% more power than the old ones. When I first used the DeWalt DCD799B 20V MAX, I was very impressed. It has 552 units watts out (UWO), 1650 RPM, and 28,050 blows per minute. These are not just numbers. They mean real power for drilling, and I have tested it on many materials.

For contractors and people who do DIY, it is hard to find a tool that is small but also powerful. The DeWalt DCD799B ATOMIC Compact Series 20V MAX Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill is a good solution for this. In this DeWalt DCD799B review, I will tell you my honest thoughts from using this drill on real jobs. I will help you decide if you should buy it in 2025.

Disclaimer

DEWALT DCD799B 20V MAX* ATOMIC COMPACT SERIES Brushless Lithium-I…

• OUR SHORTEST 20V MAX* HAMMER DRILL** at 6.49 in. (tool head length only) to access hard to reach areas.
• GET UP TO 14% MORE POWER***and up to 1,650 RPMs for a variety of drilling applications.
• HIGH BIT RETENTION with 1/2 in. ratcheting chuck.

$97.79

Buy on Amazon

Compact Power: What Makes the DeWalt DCD799B Stand Out

I have used many hammer drills in my career. The small size of the DeWalt DCD799B was the first thing I noticed. This tool gives you a lot of power, but it is not heavy and bulky like other powerful drills.

Tool Head Length: 6.49 Inches for Tight Spaces

When you work between wall studs or inside a cabinet, you need a tool that can fit. This drill is only 6.49 inches from front to back (just the head). This makes it the shortest 20V MAX hammer drill from DeWalt. This small size is not a small thing. It is a very big deal when you need to work in tight spots where other drills can’t go.

Next to a normal hammer drill, the DCD799B gives me about 1.5 inches more room. This may not sound like a lot, but it helps so much when I am working over my head or in a small corner. The compact design makes it much easier to handle.

Brushless Motor: Up to 14% More Power Than Previous Models

The brushless motor in the DeWalt DCD799B gives it up to 14% more power than the older models. This means it has 552 Units Watts Out (UWO). This is much more power than the 340 UWO from the old Atomic drills.

The motor also gives up to 1,650 RPM for drilling and a very strong 28,050 BPM for drilling in masonry. What is very good is that this DCD799B is smaller than the last Atomic hammer drill, but it has 62% more UWO power.

Build Quality and Ergonomics

The tool weighs only 2.5 pounds without the battery. This is a very good weight. It feels strong, but it is not too heavy to use all day. Because it is lighter, I can control it better and I don’t get as tired after many hours of work.

It has a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck. This holds the drill bits very tight. It can also use many different kinds of bits. For hard things like concrete, this big chuck is very important because it can put more force on the bit.

From my experience, the DCD799B is a very useful tool. The combination of small size, good power, and thoughtful design makes it a strong option in DeWalt’s compact lineup.

Performance Metrics: How the DCD799B Handles Real Jobs

Numbers show the real power of a tool. The DeWalt DCD799B has very good numbers that help me work faster on the job site. Let me explain what these numbers mean for your work.

RPM and BPM: 1650 RPM and 28,050 BPM

The DeWalt DCD799B has a variable speed trigger with two speed settings. The low setting is 0-450 RPM, and the high setting is 0-1650 RPM. This is very useful for different jobs. Slow speeds give more control for putting in screws (250-500 RPM). Fast speeds are good for drilling in soft materials like wood (1500+ RPM).

But what makes this a real hammer drill is the hammering action. It gives 28,050 BPM (blows per minute). This is a lot of impact for drilling into concrete and brick. And it does this without being a big, heavy tool. This makes it good for many different jobs.

UWO Output: 552 Units Watts Out

DeWalt uses UWO (Unit Watts Out) to measure power. It is not just torque; it is a mix of speed and torque to show the total power. The DCD799B has 552 UWO, which is about 14% more power than the old models.

I see some websites say 404 UWO or 520 UWO. This is confusing. But DeWalt’s official information says 552 UWO is the correct number when you use the right battery.

Drilling Through Wood, Metal, and Concrete

On my jobs, the DCD799B works very well on different materials:

For wood, the 1650 RPM speed makes clean holes very fast. It does not get stuck.

For metal, the variable speed trigger lets me control the speed. I can use 500-1000 RPM, which is perfect for harder materials.

And for concrete and masonry, the hammer function is amazing. The mix of spinning and hammering makes holes much faster than a normal drill.

Contractor Experience: Using the DCD799B on the Job

The numbers are good, but for this DeWalt DCD799B review, how a tool feels in your hand is what really matters. The DeWalt DCD799B has some very useful features that I like when I am working.

LED Light in Low Visibility Areas

When I work inside walls or under sinks, it is often dark. The LED light on the DCD799B turns on when I pull the trigger. This little light has helped me so many times in dark basements or crawlspaces.

One thing I really like is the light stays on for 20 seconds after I let go of the trigger. This is a smart idea. It lets me see where to put the next screw or make my next mark. I don’t need to grab a flashlight. DeWalt says it is for lighting up your work area, not for lighting up a whole room.

Ratcheting Chuck Grip During High Torque Tasks

The keyless chuck on the DCD799B holds bits very strong. I don’t need a key. When I am drilling into hard wood with a lot of force, the bit does not slip. This is a big problem with cheap drills, so I am happy with this one.

Sometimes keyless chucks are not as strong as keyed chucks with very big bits. But for my work, the DCD799B’s chuck has been very reliable, even when I drill hard.

Clutch Settings and Trigger Control

The drill has 15 clutch settings. This gives me very good control. For small jobs like putting on cabinet handles, I use a low setting like 1-3 so I don’t damage the screw. For big screws, I use a high setting like 10-15 to get enough power.

The variable speed trigger is also very good. The more I press, the faster it goes. This gives me very fine control over the speed. When I let go of the trigger, the brake stops the chuck right away. This is good for safety and for being precise.

The forward and reverse button also works as a lock. This stops the drill from turning on by accident when I carry it. This is a small safety feature, but very important when you move between jobs.

Pricing and Battery Compatibility: What You Need to Know

When you buy a tool, you must think about more than just its power. You need to know the price options and if the batteries will work with your other tools.

Bare Tool vs Kit Options

You can buy the DeWalt DCD799B as a “bare tool.” This means you only get the drill, with no battery or charger. It costs about $149.00. If you already have DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, this is the cheapest way to buy it. The kit version is called the DCD799L1. It comes with the drill, a small 3.0Ah battery, a charger, and a bag. It costs about $189.00.

No matter which one you buy, you get DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. So you are protected if something is wrong with the tool.

Battery Ecosystem: 20V MAX Compatibility

The DCD799B works with all DeWalt 20V MAX batteries. This is a very big system with over 250 tools. So if you have other DeWalt tools, you can share the batteries.

You can also use the bigger FlexVolt batteries with this drill. They change from 60V to 20V automatically. To get the full 552 UWO power, DeWalt says you should use it with their compact 3.0Ah battery (the DCB230).

Is It Worth the Price for DIYers and Pros?

So, is the DeWalt DCD799B a good deal? That’s a key question for this DeWalt DCD799B review.. For a professional who uses tools every day, I think so. The combination of power, warranty, and durability justifies the cost for me. The hammer drill function saves a lot of time on masonry jobs.

For a DIY person, maybe there are cheaper options like Ryobi or Metabo HPT. The DCD799B is a good value for a DIYer if you already have other DeWalt 20V MAX tools. Then you can just buy the bare tool and save money.

As I have explained, the DCD799B Atomic Compact Series puts professional features in a small tool. It is a solid choice for anyone who needs both power and a compact size.

DeWalt DCD799B Review: Final Thoughts

I have used the DeWalt DCD799B for many months on many different jobs. I can say for sure, this little hammer drill has earned its place in my toolbox, and it’s been a pleasure to write this DeWalt DCD799B review. For me, the best features are its very small 6.49-inch head and its strong 552 UWO power. This combination is very effective for small spaces and also for hard jobs.

The brushless motor works very well. The battery lasts longer than my old drills. And the 15 clutch settings give me very good control, whether I am doing a delicate job or drilling into something very hard.

Even though it is small, the tool feels good to use for a long time. The chuck holds bits tight, and the LED light is a feature I use all the time in dark places.

The price is for a professional tool. I was not sure about spending $149 for just the tool at first. But now I think it was very good money spent. It is strong and works well every time. If you are new to DeWalt, the kit for $189 is a good choice because you get the battery and charger.

So who should buy this drill in 2025? If you are a professional contractor, I think you will find its small size and power very useful. If you are a DIY person and you already have DeWalt 20V MAX tools, buying the bare tool is a practical choice. For homeowners who only do small projects sometimes, maybe a cheaper drill is okay. Unless you really need a small drill for a special job.

In the end, my DeWalt DCD799B review finds that this is a very well-made tool that has helped me with real problems on job sites. From what I have seen, this hammer drill should be a reliable tool for many years. For anyone who is serious about their work, it seems like a solid long-term purchase.