DeWalt DCD999 Combi Drill UK Review

The DeWalt DCD999 is DeWalt’s FLEXVOLT Advantage flagship combi drill – delivering more power when paired with a FLEXVOLT battery than it does on a standard 20V MAX pack. With 95Nm of max torque, a three-speed gearbox and brushless motor, it represents the high-performance end of the cordless combi drill market and sits in a class of its own for raw drilling capability among cordless tools available in the UK. For trade users who need maximum capability from a single drill across timber, masonry and steel, this is the tool that removes the need to reach for a corded alternative on demanding tasks.

We tested the DCD999 alongside the Makita DHP484 and Milwaukee M18 BLPD2 to provide a direct comparison across the premium 18-20V combi drill category over four weeks of real-world use. The DCD999’s FLEXVOLT Advantage technology is the headline specification – in practice it means the drill delivers noticeably more power when used with a FLEXVOLT battery versus a standard 20V MAX battery. For those already in the DeWalt ecosystem with FLEXVOLT batteries available, this is a significant and immediately usable capability upgrade. For those comparing impact driver options to pair with this drill, our DeWalt DCF887 impact driver review covers the natural companion tool.

Overview and first impressions

The DCD999 is a full-size combi drill with a commanding and authoritative presence in the hand. At 209mm in body length it is longer than compact alternatives like the Makita DHP484, but the extra body length accommodates a larger motor and the more substantial three-speed gearbox that is the DCD999’s key differentiator in this class. The grip is well-shaped with ample rubber overmoulding at all contact points, and the balance with a 5Ah FLEXVOLT battery fitted is genuinely good for a tool of this size and substantial power output – better than expected given the weight.

The three-speed gearbox is a genuine standout in a cordless drill market where two-speed gearboxes are the accepted norm. The additional intermediate gear gives more precise speed selection across different applications and materials – first gear for heavy torque applications, second for general drilling, third for high-speed work where heat management matters. The 15-position clutch plus drill and hammer mode has detents that are positive without being stiff, though the lower position count compared to some competitors means finer adjustment in sensitive screwdriving applications is less available. The LED work light is bright and positioned well ahead of the chuck for effective illumination of the work area without the drill body creating shadow at the point of contact.

Build quality is excellent and consistent with what you would expect from DeWalt’s flagship tool at this price point. The body has a premium feel without being unnecessarily heavy, the chuck runs true with no wobble detectable even when spinning a long bit at high speed, and all the control surfaces are intuitive and reach-accessible without repositioning the hand. The forward/reverse switch, speed selector and mode ring all operate with the kind of positive, deliberate action that suggests longevity under hard trade conditions. The rubberised overmoulding covers the main grip contact areas generously and holds up well to impact and outdoor use.

Specifications and scores

How it performed in our tests

The DCD999 is the most powerful combi drill in this batch review and it shows clearly across every demanding application. Drilling large diameter holes – 25mm and 32mm spade bits through thick oak, 16mm masonry anchors into dense engineering block – the motor maintains speed under load with real authority. With a FLEXVOLT battery fitted, the available power noticeably exceeds standard 20V MAX competition at the same voltage. The three-speed gearbox gives genuinely useful differentiation across applications: first gear for driving large screws and heavy masonry, second for general mixed drilling, third for high-speed work in timber and steel where speed matters more than torque.

Screwdriving is controlled and precise with the 15-position clutch – adequate for the task but with fewer positions than competing drills like the Makita DHP484’s 21-position system, which offers finer adjustment for sensitive applications like cabinetry and fine joinery where the difference between a perfectly driven screw and an overdriven one matters aesthetically. For trade applications where raw power and versatility matter more than screwdriving finesse, this is not a meaningful limitation. Anyone driving large screws into structural timber or sheet goods will find the DCD999 more capable than lighter alternatives in this task specifically, and the extra grip from the 3-jaw chuck is noticeably secure on large-diameter bits.

Battery system and runtime

The DCD999 runs on all DeWalt 20V MAX batteries as standard, and the FLEXVOLT Advantage activates automatically when a FLEXVOLT battery is connected – no settings to change, no mode to select. The FLEXVOLT system bridges DeWalt’s 20V MAX and 60V FLEXVOLT tool ranges: the same battery that powers the DCD999 also runs 60V FLEXVOLT tools like large angle grinders, circular saws and reciprocating saws, making it one of the most versatile battery platforms available to trade users with mixed tool requirements. A FLEXVOLT battery purchased for the DCD999 therefore delivers value across the entire DeWalt tool fleet, which substantially changes the economics for existing or planned DeWalt users compared to new entrants to the ecosystem.

The 5Ah standard 20V MAX battery is the realistic workhorse for daily trade use – lighter than the FLEXVOLT options and delivering solid all-day runtime for mixed drilling and screwdriving. The FLEXVOLT 6Ah is the recommended battery for unlocking the full headline torque and for sustained heavy-duty applications where the DCD999’s FLEXVOLT Advantage matters most. With a 6Ah FLEXVOLT battery fitted, the complete tool weighs over 2.5kg – manageable for ground-level work but noticeable during extended overhead use. Charge time on the fast charger for a FLEXVOLT 6Ah is approximately 60 minutes, which is adequate for two-battery rotation through a trade working day.

Performance and limitations

The DCD999’s main limitation for some users is size and weight. At 209mm body length and 1.7kg body weight, it is noticeably larger and heavier than compact alternatives. With a FLEXVOLT 6Ah battery fitted the total weight exceeds 2.5kg – manageable for ground-level trade work but tiring during extended overhead use or in tight roof spaces, loft conversions and under-floor work where the drill needs to be held at awkward angles for sustained periods. For those applications specifically, a compact alternative like the Makita DHP484 remains the better practical choice despite the power trade-off. A two-drill strategy – the DCD999 for power work, a compact drill for overhead and confined tasks – is how many professional trades approach this problem.

The FLEXVOLT Advantage is also only accessible through a premium battery investment. FLEXVOLT batteries cost significantly more than standard 20V MAX packs, and the full torque headline figures require that investment to be realised. Buyers entering the DeWalt ecosystem from scratch need to factor FLEXVOLT battery costs into the total purchase price before comparing it against fully kitted alternatives from other brands. For existing DeWalt users with FLEXVOLT batteries already in their fleet, this caveat disappears entirely and the DCD999 represents excellent value for what it delivers.

Final verdict – is it worth it?

The DeWalt DCD999 is the most capable combi drill in this batch and the right choice for trade users who need maximum performance from a single cordless drill. The 95Nm torque, three-speed gearbox and FLEXVOLT Advantage combine to produce a tool that removes virtually every limitation of cordless drilling at the point where a corded drill would previously have been reached for. In sustained heavy applications – large spade bits through structural timber, anchor bolts into dense blockwork, repeated large-diameter masonry – the DCD999 outperforms every other cordless combi drill in this test without qualification. It is not a tool that needs any apology at all for what it can and cannot do at the demanding end of its range.

For domestic DIY users, the power is considerably more than required for any realistic task and the size and weight penalty is not justified by the capability gain over lighter, cheaper alternatives. The sweet spot for this tool is the experienced trade user who already owns DeWalt batteries and needs a single drill that handles everything. For those users it is an easy recommendation. For those who also need a compact impact driver for day-to-day fastening work alongside this drill, our best cordless impact drivers guide covers the full range of compatible DeWalt and cross-brand options.