Dewalt launched a new premium 20V Max cordless impact driver, model DCF845.
The new Dewalt DCF845 impact driver features a brushless motor, 3 speed and torque settings, 3-LED worklight, and is Tool Connect Chip-Ready (sold separately) for tracking and management.
It delivers up to 1825 in-lbs max torque, 3400 RPM max speed, and 4200 max IPM.
Dewalt advertises that the DCF845 impact driver delivers 30% more torque than their DCF885 brushed motor impact driver, and that it offers “pro-level control” with the variable speed trigger and 3 speed settings.
Key Features & Specs
- 1/4″ hex chuck
- Brushless motor
- 1825 in-lbs max torque
- 3400 RPM max
- 4200 IPM max
- 3 speed settings
- Weighs 2 lbs
- 5.1″ length
- Removable belt clip
At the time of this posting, their are listings for the bare tool (DCF845B), and a 2-battery kit with 2Ah and PowerStack 1.7Ah batteries (DCF845D1E1). Dewalt has also revealed a 5Ah battery kit, DCF845P1, for which pricing is not yet available.
Price: $149 for the bare tool, $230 for the 2Ah and PowerStack kit
Discussion
The DCF845 looks like a compact and powerful impact, and it will be interesting to see how or where it falls into Dewalt’s 20V Max cordless power tool lineup.
The DCF845 is given XR branding, designating it as a more premium option.
At this time it is unclear as to whether the new impact driver is a successor to the Dewalt DCF887, an XR brushless model that delivers 1825 in-lbs max torque, 3250 RPM, 3800 IPM, and 3 speed settings. The DCF887 measures 5.3″ long.
The DCF887 first appeared in late 2015 and was officially announced in February 2016.
Dewalt has launched 3 new 20V Max impact drivers since then – DCF809 single speed Atomic-series, DCF850 3-speed Atomic-series, and DCF840 single speed impact drivers – but none of these were positioned as a direct replacement to the DCF887.
Single Speed Alternative – DCF840
The new DCF845 has been widely anticipated for some time, and it was presumed to be a 3-speed version of the DCF840 – shown above – that debuted in late 2021.
The DCF840 delivers 1700 in-lbs max torque and operates at 3200 RPM and 4200 IPM. It also features 3 LED lights.
Shown above is the DCF840C2 kit, which has been seasonally priced at $99. There’s also a PowerStack kit with 1x 1.7Ah battery, charger, and tool bag, for $169.
Dewalt DCF845 vs DCF850 Impact Drivers
The Dewalt DCF850 Atomic series impact driver is a 3-speed model with 1825 in-lbs max torque, 3250 RPM, 3800 IPM, and 3.97″ length. The DCF850 is available in different kits and combos, including with the PowerStack 1.7Ah battery.
Compared to the DCF850, the new DCF845 has a different form factor.
Shown above, in approximate scale, the DCF845 is a little longer in nose length, but shorter in height. The DCF850 has a slightly angled battery mount. The DCF850 has a wider motor housing due to its stubby-style design.
The DCF845 is an XR-series impact, whereas the DCF850 is an Atomic-series impact.
Both impact drivers deliver comparable torque specs, but with different rotational and impact speeds.
It will be interesting to see how the two tools compare against each other. Given that both impact drivers offer identical toque specs and very close rotational speed specs, I would expect comparable performance from the two.
DCF845 or DCF850 – which would you pick? Would anyone choose the older DCF887 over either?
