DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX Brushless 3/8-in Drill/Driver (Tool Only) review

Research-based assessment · DEWALT US product page and DCD701/DCD706 Type 10 manual checked 28 October 2026

The DCD701B is a compact 12V MAX brushless drill/driver sold as a tool-only package. This assessment examines the exact US SKU, its manufacturer's instructions and the distinct DCD701F2 kit. It is not based on ownership, hands-on use, testing or independent measurement.

The B suffix means the power system is not in the box

DEWALT's DCD701B page lists one drill and a belt clip, says battery and charger are sold separately, and labels the package tool-only. It does not list a bag. That makes this exact suffix most relevant if you already have a compatible DEWALT 12V MAX battery and charger, or have deliberately budgeted for them. DEWALT's system statement says its XTREME 12V MAX tools are compatible with 12V MAX batteries and chargers; check the manual and the label on the equipment rather than assuming that another brand's pack, an adapter or DEWALT's separate 20V MAX family will fit.

The DCD701F2 is a different purchase configuration built around the same DCD701B drill: its page adds two DCB122 2.0Ah packs, a charger, belt clip and tool bag. Those items are not included with DCD701B. A retailer photo or shortened listing title should not override the full model suffix and the package list.

Drill/driver modes, not hammer action

The product page identifies a brushless motor, 3/8-in ratcheting chuck, two-speed transmission, 15 clutch settings and an LED foot light. The DCD701/DCD706 Type 10 manual separates the family's functions: its mode table gives DCD701 drilling and screwdriving settings 1–15, while the hammer-drilling symbol is explicitly marked “DCD706 only.” The DCD701 is therefore not the hammer-drill alternative, even though it shares a manual and battery platform with DCD706. For masonry work that requires a documented hammer mode, compare a specific hammer-drill model such as DCD706 rather than carrying the other model's mode across.

For DCD701, the manual describes speed 1 as the higher-torque range and speed 2 as the faster range. It lists no-load ranges of 0–425 and 0–1,500 rpm and says to let the tool stop completely before changing gears. The numbered collar adjusts screwdriving torque; a higher number corresponds to greater torque, but the manual does not prescribe one setting for every screw/material pairing. Try the chosen bit and a cautious setting on scrap where appropriate. In drill mode the clutch will not release: DEWALT warns that an overloaded drill can stall and twist suddenly, so work support and a controlled grip matter more than treating a clutch number as protection while drilling.

Chuck opening and material capacity are different questions

A 3/8-in chuck describes the bit-shank opening, not the diameter of every hole this drill can safely make. The shared manual's maximum-recommended-capacities table lists metal drilling at 1/4 in in low range and 1/8 in in high range; flat boring in wood at 3/4 in and 1/2 in; and hole saws at 3/4 in and 5/8 in. These are DEWALT's recommendations in the DCD701/DCD706 manual family, not independently tested limits. The table does not give a masonry-hole capacity. Match the exact bit and material to the manual, and don't infer a hole-size rating from the chuck label or from the fact that another model has hammer mode.

Compactness claims need a real-space check

DEWALT states a 5.97-in front-to-back dimension and 1.9-lb tool-only weight. Those are manufacturer figures, not our measurements; the stated weight excludes a battery. Front-to-back length is not a complete work-area clearance measurement: a bit projects from the chuck, a battery extends below the grip, and the operator needs space to hold the drill steadily and keep the bit aligned. Check the cavity, approach angle, bit length and battery arrangement together instead of assuming a compact body fits every recess.

The maker also claims 32% more power when comparing DCD701 with a 2.0Ah DCB122 against DCD710 with a 1.3Ah DCB120, and says DCD701 is 20% shorter. The stated battery pairing is part of that power comparison; it is not a universal, independently reproduced result. DEWALT's 12V MAX footnote says the maximum initial voltage is measured without workload and the nominal voltage is 10.8V. None of these claims establishes runtime, drilling speed in a particular material, balance, heat, noise or durability.

Who may prefer DCD701B—and who should pass?

The tool-only DCD701B is a candidate for an existing DEWALT 12V MAX owner seeking a drill/driver with a small 3/8-in chuck, adjustable screwdriving collar and no need for hammer action. It is a poor fit if you need a battery and charger in the exact box, need bit shanks beyond 3/8 in, or require documented hammer-drilling mode. Its 1.9-lb statement is tool-only, so it should not be compared directly with a fully equipped package's weight.

No runtime, loaded torque, hole-making rate, battery-attached weight or durability has been independently measured here. The captured DEWALT US safety-notice index did not show a DCD701 entry on the review date; an index observation is not a safety certification or a guarantee against later notices. Before buying, confirm the full DCD701B suffix, the seller's exact inclusions, the battery/charger model and the task limits in the current manual.

DEWALT DCD701B product page · DCD701/DCD706 Type 10 manual