I'm trying to wrap my head around the Dewalt battery and tool lineup, and I'm a bit lost. It seems like Dewalt used to have exclusive products labeled as Power Detect and FlexVolt at Lowe's and Home Depot. Now, I get the impression that these distinctions have disappeared and everything is grouped under the XR brand. Am I right in thinking that? And what about the differences between the 20V tools and the XR models? I've also heard that Power Detect and FlexVolt are no longer relevant. Can someone clarify this for me?
3 Answers
Quick heads up: Lowe's doesn’t stock the 60V FlexVolt tools, but they do have the 12V Xtreme Compact line. Home Depot, on the other hand, has the full FlexVolt offering but lacks the 12V line. Both stores carry the complete set of 20V tools, so there’s plenty to choose from!
You're spot on about Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage being phased out. FlexVolt still exists, but it's mainly the 60V line now. XR branding is generally used for tools with non-traditional batteries or higher amp-hour options. XR tools are usually brushless and packed with features, although that isn’t a hard rule.
So here's the scoop: XR tools are generally brushless, which means they're more powerful, durable, and yes, a bit pricier. You’ll find both 20V and 60V options; the 60V tools are part of the FlexVolt line and are beasts, offering corded power! Just keep in mind that FlexVolt batteries can work in 20V tools, but they can be quite heavy. Also, check out the new PowerStack batteries—they’re compact and pack a punch, being 20V compatible.