Behold, the BEST Dewalt cordless power tool deal of the shopping season. Maybe.
I posted about a great Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tool battery deal the other day, and while I would still argue that’s the best deal on Dewalt Li-ion batteries right now, quite a few people have insisted that another Dewalt deal is a much better buy.
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I took the time to look it over more closely, and I’m starting to agree.
The last time I looked at this deal, most of the best freebie tools were sold out and unavailable. That has now changed.
As part of Home Depot’s Black Friday 2020 tool deals, buy this Dewalt 20V Max starter kit, choose a free tool.
See More Home Depot Black Friday 2020 Tool Deals Here
Also, while there have been 5Ah starter kit promos before, this base kit bundle is different, instead featuring a compact 4Ah battery and higher capacity-style 6Ah battery.
The battery selection here is a big deal. The compact 4.0Ah battery will be a lighter pairing for smaller tools than older 3Ah, 4Ah, or 5Ah batteries, while delivering at least double the runtime compared to Dewalt’s 1.5Ah and 2.0Ah compact batteries. And, it can also be used with Dewalt’s heavier duty tools.
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The 6Ah battery, while larger than the 3Ah, 4ah, and 5Ah 10-cell battery packs, will deliver longer runtime, and potentially stay cooler during heavier output when paired with higher performing tools.
The starter kit is priced at $199.
Now, let’s look at the full list of the freebie tools you could select from. Most of these tools are XR-class, featuring brushless motors.
Dewalt’s cordless router typically sells for $199 by itself, and the same is true for the 3/8″ impact wrench and jig saw, with all 3 tools equipped with brushless motors.
There’s also the new brushless 6-1/2″ circular saw.
This is a great deal for new or existing Dewalt cordless power tool users. You get 2 next-gen batteries – are these even “next-gen” anymore or simply cutting-edge now – for $199, and a FREE bare tool on top of that.
$199 for the starter kit and router, jig saw, or impact wrench is going to be a very good deal. The other tools are also appealing, but you get the maximum savings when you opt for the highest value freebie tools.
Thoughts?
EXTRA Discount Option
In a comment, Alex writes:
If you add the 5ah battery as the free tool the total price actually drops to $159 since the battery is also on sale right now.
So $159 for a 6, a 5 and a compact 4 (plus bag and charger). Based on the math from your previous post that’s $10.60 per ah. Seems like a pretty good deal if you don’t need any of the tools.
I tried it, and it works! Is this a stacking discount, or is the price not supposed to dip below $199? *Shrug* – 15Ah worth of charge capacity for $159 sounds is a superb deal!
If You Want 5Ah Batteries…
Acme Tools has a similar deal, but with the starter kit featuring 2x 5.0Ah batteries.
Philip Proctor
I snagged this up from Acme and got the router.
Big Richard
Acme’s is a littler different. There’s is the DCB205-2CK starter kit, which comes with 2ea DCB205 5Ah batteries. Where as this kit comes with a compact 4Ah DCB240 and high capacity 6Ah DCB206.
Some may argue one is better than the other, both are good deals though. Personally I went with this HD one because the 4Ah is great on compact tools, like my OMT or ROS, and the 6Ah has way more juice with its 21700 cells (, better for high draw tools, including Power Detect models.
Big Richard
*Theirs
John
I’m very tempted. Just bought OMT w/ 1.5 ah battery, and also tool-only 18 g nailer.
As a DIY/homeowner, will I find 6ah battery overkill (and too heavy) around the house, where it’s easy enough to always reach for a smaller/lighter battery?
As for freebie, would maybe go for router (have a Bosch plunge router already), but I gravitate toward cordless tools where being cord-free is a big benefit (so, getting the recip saw for small limb pruning is appealing, even tho I love my Milwaukee corded sawzall, but it’s no good in the small woods behind my house).
Is this battery deal the best option for me, or is there a better deal for me with somewhat smaller batteries? Thanks for any input!
Clay
If you ever think you might get the 20v blower (on sale for $100 right now), the higher capacity battery is a definite plus! I love the blower, but it sucks some power.
If you don’t think you would need the 6AH, the deal with 2 3AH batteries for $99 might be a good one for you.
Stuart
It’s really hard to say.
I tend to use 5Ah batteries because that’s what I have more of, but 6Ah could provide longer runtime for the heavier duty tools.
The compact 4Ah might be a good fit for the OMT and the nailer, the 6Ah might be noticeably larger and heavier than a 5Ah would be.
If you’re hesitant, I added in the Acme Tools link – they have a 2x 5.0Ah starter set free tool offer. That’s a safer bet if you want in on the deal but aren’t sure you could make good use of the 6Ah battery.
You could also potentially save the 6Ah for use down the line, as with Clay’s blower example, but some of the impact of the deal is lost if you do that.
John
Thank you.
I’m going to get the 4ah and 6ah battery + router deal.
After seeing video/reviews of Dewalt 20v 12” chainsaw (on sale $99), that seems like a good option for my pruning needs, and 6ah battery will be a good fit. 4ah battery will be paired with my OMT and 18g nailer… for now.
Thanks to everyone for the very helpful input.
Clay
The chainsaw is awesome. I love mine.
Thom
John I too try and stay away from the gigantic batteries but the 6AH is not that much heavier than the 5AH. If you are using a circular saw or Jigsaw it is worth it. If you are just using a drill then Yeah stick with the compact 3 and 4AH batteries.
Alex
If you add the 5ah battery as the free tool the total price actually drops to $159 since the battery is also on sale right now.
So $159 for a 6, a 5 and a compact 4 (plus bag and charger). Based on the math from your previous post that’s $10.60 per ah. Seems like a pretty good deal if you don’t need any of the tools.
John
But, since I’m not taking tools away from home, I have no need for lots of batteries. 6,5,4, in addition to 1.5 already serves no purpose for me. 2-3 batteries is all I’ll ever need.
Nathan
task light looks interesting. Batteries and latest gen charger for 199 is nice snag anyway.
John Sanford
Man, I wish their body grip jigsaw was in this deal. Sigh.
Mike McFalls
If only I was on the Dewalt platform. Three batteries for that price is a very good deal, especially with one being a 6ah.
Steve
All good deals but I have enough batteries and the tools I want aren’t in the discount. I’m hoping for the return of $20 or $25 off $100+ at Amazon and not just “select” tools.
Bill Clay
I still don’t understand the difference between a “normal” 4Ah and a XR 6Ah, other than the latter is 2Ah more in capacity. Can someone explain?
Big Richard
to put it simply, XR is DeWalt’s branding for Xtended Runtime tools/batteries. In terms of tools, they are going to be brushless. In terms of batteries they are going to be higher capacity, i.e. longer running.
Here is a nice chart of their battery offerings, that kind of also showcase the difference between “normal”/compact and XR.
https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/6a/6abab695-ac79-4c0c-ab5b-e217258c68e5.pdf
Performance wise, they should all be about the same, except if you are using a newer Powe Detect or FlexVolt Advantage model tool, which allow extra power when paired with an appropriate battery.
Mike McFalls
well stated and thanks for simplifying. As far as I can tell, Dewalts has had too much sugar during the past year and is suffering some kind of episode where by they’re trying to confuse the hell out of consumers in hopes of driving up sales.
Peter
Just got a 15% off coupon via email from HD and that worked on the starter kit but seems all the free tools are gone.
Ed
How did you get a 15% coupon? I need to find one of those.
DHCrocks
The new 4AH is my favorite battery. almost as much capacity as the old 5AH but in a much shorter height, makes all tools more comfortable to use. The bigger footprint of the battery also is more stable for standing the tools up.
The 6AH is a beast in size, its just too big for most tools I use, I do however like it for the blower and fan which can put the extra capacity to good use.
This really is an awesome deal, I chose the jigsaw.
Tom D
I can’t bring myself to buy batteries- the exact same deal but the other way around (buy $200 tool get batteries free) strikes me as much better even though logically they’re the same.
Chris I
Yeah that’s insanely irrational
Tom D
It might have to do with having more batteries than I know what to do with already.
Clay
I struggle with trying to determine how many batteries is too many. For Dewalt 20v, I have (4) 2AH, (1) 4AH, (3) 5AH, and (1) 8 AH.
Can’t decide if that is enough or not.
Stuart
Depends on how many tools you have.
Number of batteries should = the number of tools being used for most of your projects, plus one spare in compact and high capacity sizing.
Let’s say you have a reciprocating saw and circular saw. If you’re not using them at the same time or back and forth, you need one battery. A spare would be nice, but not essential.
Compact for compact drill, and impact driver. If you have a compact impact wrench too, you don’t really need another battery, as there’s little chance you would use a drill, impact driver, and impact wrench all at the same time.
Are you looking to buy more batteries in the next year? Could you use more batteries or different battery sizes in the next year?
How do you like the 8Ah? Would you use more if you had more?
It’s good to buy more batteries when you find yourself wasting time by switching back and forth, or you find yourself waiting for batteries to recharge on the charger.
If there’s the question between buying a bare tool for $90 and a kit for $100, I usually buy the kit. If I don’t need another battery, do I need a newer battery? Maybe yours are 5+ years old, in which case they could serve as backups. If you don’t use the older batteries within a set period of time, usually when it’s time to buy new tools and you have to choose between bare tool or kit promos, you can opt to sell/give away/recycle the older and worn batteries.
Having too many batteries is a better problem to have than too few.
If a bare tool is $90 and a kit is 100, and I pass on spending $10 extra for that battery, how much will a battery cost if I need to buy another one or fresh replacement 6 months from now?
I think too much about some things, and this tends to help me make the decisions I would get hung up on.
Clay
The 8AH is the size and weight of a Volkswagon Beetle, but I love it on the blower.
On the DCD998 it came with, it is a bit of a beast and makes the whole thing pretty heavy.
I have not tried it on any other tools.
The one that bugs me is the 4AH, just that it is as heavy and bulky as the 5AH batteries but with 20% less capacity. But that is just me being picky. Just glad I do not have any 1.3 or 1.5 AH batteries.
Diy Mike
I wish Milwaukee would have better or more deals . Seems like Dewalt gives more for your money. But I have m12 and m18 along with some Rigid. Wife would lose her mind if I got Dewalt too.
Eric
My problem with the wider 4ah is that I can’t use it with my impact or drill because the side clips get in the way. I use the clips all the time so its kind of a bummer that I can’t use the new battery. I bought the HD kit with the blower and now wish I hadn’t as the 4ah battery is not nearly as useful as I’d like it to be.
Mike McFalls
Thats bad, but good information. I’m surprised they overlooked that as they market the interchangability amongst the tools and batteries
Lyle
They do sell newer clips that take this into account. I have a newer hammer drill that came with a compatible clip. I don’t actually like the batteries that use the 21700 cells.
Just to let everybody know, the Home Depot starter battery kit does NOT come with the newer charger. Don’t believe some of the pictures out there. I bought 3 of these kits and they all have the old charger.
Chris I
Sure wish my DCN680 was ever a part of ANYTHING!!! 😕😏😃
Louie Orama
Chris, I was just at Home Depot this morning. Currently, it is $199 as a bare tool. I know the whole kit is usually $300, but if you’re battery-loaded like me, perhaps it’ll do for you?
George
Lowe’s has the two 5ah batteries plus a free tool sale as well.
I picked up the router and got the 10% active, vet, or retired military discount along with it.
Ryan
Getting a 4, 5 and 6ah batteries, charger and case for $159 is a crazy good deal. I just picked up the 20v chainsaw for $100 and already have a circular so the 6ah will be well used.
The way that the deal rings out on ourchase, the starter set is $106.18 and 5ah free battery is $52.82
I wonder if you’d be able to return the 5ah battery and get the 6 and 4ah plus charger and bag for the $106.18
Alex
If you buy it with a tool such as the circ saw which i bought, the starter kit comes out to 96 dollars
Brian Compton
I learned of this deal here and had an awful experience with homedepot.com. I purchased the Starter Kit that including the 4ah and 6ah batteries and charger via homedepot.com for home delivery. I selected the 5” orbital sander as my free tool. However, Home Depot neglected to ship the Starter Kit – you know, the thing that I paid for. They tell me that I *did* receive the Starter Kit thinking that receiving a package means I received my entire order. They are not budging on their mistake. Now I have a $139 sander that I paid $199 for but with a receipt that says I paid $81. I paid using a debit card so I have no recourse.
Stuart
It sounds like the items shipping separately, in which case the starter kit might arrive later. Do you have shipping confirmation for one item or both?
Brian Compton
That was my first thought. HD confirmed that nothing is shipping separately. Three different employees told me that the package I received definitely had both items. It’s been 20 years since I took calculus, but I still remember the difference between one and two. Checking the BBB site, I found more than one other person had exactly the same experience. I suspect that they have poor quality control, employee theft, or both in their packing department.