When all you want to do it purchase a new impact driver, it’s frustrating to have to dig through specs on similar products just to see which one fits your needs. We just did that for you. Let’s take a closer look at these two driver kits from DEWALT to see which one is the best for you.
DEWALT DCF885C2 20-Volt MAX Lithium Ion 1/4-Inch 1.5 Ah Impact Driver Kit
Let’s cut to the chase right now. What’s the difference between the DCF885C2 and the DCF885M2? The batteries. Yes, that’s all. The DCF885C2 has smaller capacity batteries. They only hold 1.5amp-hours. Everything else is the same—the same driver, the 30-minute charger, the hard plastic carrying case, even the belt hook.
What are amp hours? Theoretically, an amp-hour is a measurement based on using 1 ampere of current per hour. Of course, an impact driver uses more than 1A of current when it’s operating, so a 1.5Ah battery will not give you 90 minutes of continuous run time. But the 30-minute charger in the kit can keep it topped up for you when you take breaks. Li-ion batteries don’t have memory effect so you can put them on the charger even when they aren’t empty. It won’t hurt them at all.
In case you wanted more information about the impact driver itself to make your decision, here’s what’s great about the DCF885. First off, it won Editor’s Choice for Best Overall in the Taunton 2014 Tool Guide.
Second, while it doesn’t have a brushless motor, it is designed to be a pro tool. It weighs only 2.8 pounds with the battery onboard (or 2 lbs. without the battery) and measures only 5.5 inches back to front. The slender grip, the balanced feel, and even the bumpers on the motor housing make this a nice tool to use.
The ¼-inch hex chuck accepts bits as small as 1-inch in length. It spring-loads with just one hand. When you’re working, the motor puts out up to 1400 inch-pounds and 2800rpm.
The three LED lights on the chuck collar help illuminate where you’re working without casting shadows. Plus, they have a 20-second delay before they shut off after you release the trigger.
If you have children around, the fact that the driver has a safety lock-off may be a bonus for you. Simply press the forward-reverse button into the middle position.
More features of the DEWALT DCF885C2 impact driver kit:
- Comes with a 30-minute charger, two 1.5Ah lithium-ion batteries, one belt hook, and one hard plastic carrying case
- DEWALT offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
DEWALT DCF885M2 20V MAX Lithium Ion 1/4-Inch Impact Driver Kit
Like we said above, the only difference between these two DEWALT impact driver kits is the batteries included in each one. This DCF885M2 kit contains the larger capacity 4.0Ah batteries, which are well worth the investment if you prefer to work long periods without recharging.
Although 4.0Ah batteries won’t give you 4 hours of continuous runtime, they will last at least three times longer than the batteries in the DCF885C2 kit described above. You can place them on the 30-minute charger when you want to take a break.
Lithium-ion is excellent for power tools because it doesn’t have memory effect so it can be topped up when needed. This can actually extend the life of your batteries because you won’t be deep-cycling them, or running them dry.
Plan on your batteries lasting three to five years, tops. For longest life, keep them away from high heat, don’t leave them in a hot vehicle.
The DCF885 impact driver is compatible with any of the DEWALT MAX XR Lithium-Ion batteries with onboard fuel gauge, no matter the capacity.
More features of the DEWALT DCF885M2 impact driver kit:
- Comes with a 30-minute charger, two4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, one belt hook, and one hard plastic carrying case
- DEWALT offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
Recommendation
If you want maximum battery capacity for the longest runtime, get the DCF885M2 kit.
Otherwise, if you only need to use your driver intermittently, consider getting the DCF885C2 kit with the 1.5Ah batteries.
Click here to purchase DEWALT DCF885C2 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase DEWALT DCF885M2 on Amazon.com!