The DeWalt DCD791D2 is now a condition-and-price decision, not the default compact XR drill kit to buy new. The drill itself remains useful: it is brushless, two-speed, compact, and compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX batteries. But the D2 package has left DeWalt’s current U.S. catalogue, and the newer DCD800P1 is shorter and materially more powerful by DeWalt’s own comparison.

That makes the verdict simple. Buy a DCD791D2 only when it is complete, healthy, and clearly cheaper than a current kit. If the price is close, buy the DCD800P1 and get a current model, current retail protection, and a 5Ah battery in the package.

Current replacement path: The DCD800P1 contains the current DCD800 XR drill/driver, one DCB205 5Ah battery, a DCB112 charger, belt hook, and kit bag. Do not confuse it with a bare-tool listing.

Verdict at a Glance

Buyer situation Better choice Reason
Complete DCD791D2 at a genuinely low price DCD791D2 The drill remains capable and uses current 20V MAX batteries.
Prices are close DCD800P1 Current support, shorter body, 5Ah kit battery, and higher output win.
You already own batteries and need only a drill Compare bare tools Paying for either kit can duplicate chargers and batteries.
You drill masonry Neither standard drill/driver Choose a hammer-drill model such as the DCD796/DCD806 class.
You need two compact batteries for stop-start work DCD791D2 can still appeal Two 2Ah packs are lighter and allow one to charge while the other works.
You need longer runtime per charge DCD800P1 Its included 5Ah pack has much more capacity than one 2Ah pack.

What DCD791D2 Actually Means

DeWalt suffixes describe the package, not a different motor inside the drill. The DCD791 is the tool model. The D2 package commonly included:

  • one DCD791 20V MAX XR brushless 1/2-inch drill/driver;
  • two DCB203 2Ah batteries;
  • one DCB112 charger; and
  • a contractor bag.

That package identity is essential on the used market. A listing showing a DCD791 body with one generic battery is not a complete DCD791D2 kit. Price the missing battery, charger, belt hook, and bag before calling it a bargain.

DCD791 Specifications That Still Matter

The official DCD791/DCD796 manual establishes the platform and operating boundary. The DCD791 is a compact, brushless, two-speed drill/driver with a 1/2-inch chuck. It is not a hammer drill.

Feature DCD791 Practical meaning
Motor Brushless Good efficiency and no replaceable motor brushes.
Gear ranges Two Low speed for control and larger work; high speed for smaller drilling.
Maximum no-load speed Up to 2,000 rpm Competitive for general drilling, not evidence of hammer action.
Chuck 1/2-inch ratcheting metal chuck Accepts common drill and driver tooling with positive bit retention.
Length About 6.9 to 7 inches in published package specifications Compact, but the current DCD800 is shorter.
D2 batteries Two 2Ah DCB203 packs Light at the tool; less runtime per pack than a 5Ah kit.

DeWalt’s support table gives more useful drilling context than the old 460-UWO headline. For the DCD791, DeWalt lists recommended maxima including a 1-inch paddle bit and a 2-inch hole saw in wood. Those are guidance limits, not a reason to force the drill when feed pressure, bit condition, or material says otherwise.

The Masonry Trap

The DCD791 does not have hammer mode. A masonry bit spinning in a standard drill can make limited progress in some soft material, but that does not turn it into the right tool for concrete or repeated brick work.

The closely named DCD796 adds hammer-drill capability. The same distinction exists in newer DeWalt lines: a drill/driver and its hammer-drill sibling can look similar while serving different jobs. Check the exact model printed on the tool, not the shape or colour.

If anchors in concrete or masonry are part of the purchase plan, choose a current hammer drill or rotary hammer. Do not buy the DCD791D2 and then spend more trying to make it cross categories.

DCD791D2 vs DCD800P1

The current DCD800P1 is the like-for-like kit comparison because it remains an XR drill/driver rather than a hammer drill.

Feature DCD791D2 DCD800P1
Market status Discontinued package Current U.S. kit
Drill DCD791 DCD800
Body length Roughly 6.9 inches 6.37 inches
Maximum no-load speed Up to 2,000 rpm Up to 2,000 rpm
Output comparison Baseline DeWalt claims up to 40% more UWO than DCD791B when both use DCB205
Included batteries Two 2Ah packs in the standard D2 kit One 5Ah DCB205
Charger and bag Yes in complete kit Yes

The battery trade-off deserves attention. Two 2Ah packs keep the drill lighter and let one pack charge while the other is in use. One 5Ah pack offers much more capacity per charge but adds weight. Neither arrangement is universally better; the job pattern decides.

The DCD800’s shorter head matters in cabinets and framing pockets. Its extra output matters when hole size and fastener load rise. For routine flat-pack furniture, pilot holes, shelves, and light fastening, the old DCD791 is already capable enough; price and condition become more important than peak output.

Used-Buy Checklist

Inspect a used DCD791D2 as a system:

  1. Confirm the model and type number. Parts can differ between types even when the DCD791 name stays the same.
  2. Test both gears. The selector should engage cleanly with the trigger released.
  3. Check the chuck. Look for wobble, damaged jaws, or a sleeve that will not hold a bit securely.
  4. Listen under load. Grinding, intermittent power, or a hot electrical smell is not normal wear.
  5. Test the brake and trigger. Speed should respond smoothly and the chuck should stop when the trigger releases.
  6. Inspect both batteries. A pair of tired 2Ah packs can erase the apparent saving.
  7. Verify the charger. DeWalt warns against conductive debris in charger cavities; a dirty workshop charger deserves careful inspection.
  8. Price missing pieces. Replacement batteries are often the largest hidden cost.

Do not assume a battery is healthy because its fuel gauge lights. Runtime under load is the meaningful test.

Who Should Still Buy the DCD791D2

A complete DCD791D2 still makes sense for an existing DeWalt owner who finds a clean kit at a decisive discount. It is particularly attractive for cabinet installation, furniture assembly, maintenance rounds, and other jobs where a compact body and lighter 2Ah pack matter more than maximum output.

It also works for someone who values two batteries over one large pack. Short, repeated jobs can benefit from a light drill and a spare battery ready to swap.

Who Should Choose the Current Kit

Choose the DCD800P1 when you want a straightforward new purchase, expect larger holes or tougher fastening, or cannot verify the health of a used DCD791 package. The shorter head, current model status, and documented output increase justify a modest price gap.

Choose a different category when masonry is routine. The DCD800P1 is also a drill/driver, so its extra output does not add hammer action.

Final Verdict

The DCD791D2 is still a good drill but no longer the easy kit recommendation. Its value lives in a complete, healthy package at a low enough price to compensate for discontinued status and aging batteries.

For most new buyers, the DCD800P1 is the cleaner answer. It is current, shorter, more powerful by DeWalt’s own like-for-like comparison, and sold as a complete kit with a 5Ah battery. Buy the old model for value; buy the current model for certainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DeWalt DCD791D2 discontinued?

Yes. It is absent from DeWalt’s current U.S. drill catalogue, while industrial product records identify the package as discontinued. Manuals and service information remain available.

Is it a hammer drill?

No. The DCD791 is a drill/driver. The DCD796 is the related hammer-drill model.

Does the D2 kit include two batteries?

The standard U.S. DCD791D2 package included two DCB203 2Ah batteries, a DCB112 charger, and a bag. Verify used and new-old-stock listings individually.

Is the DCD800P1 more powerful?

DeWalt claims the DCD800P1 delivers up to 40% more unit watts out than the DCD791B when both use a DCB205 battery. That is a manufacturer comparison under its test conditions, not a universal speed claim.

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