DeWalt DCF809B Atomic Review
Pros: Good amount of torque, decently compact, fairly fast
Cons: Fairly loud, lackluster battery test performance
Manufacturer: DEWALT
Our Verdict
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 This Product
DeWalt DCF809B Atomic | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $120 List $71.99 at Amazon | $135 List $104.00 at Amazon | $129 List $83.00 at Amazon | $110 List $61.79 at Amazon | $120 List $84.94 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Good amount of torque, decently compact, fairly fast | Incredibly fast, phenomenal torque, four speed settings | Exceptional torque, very fast, great battery life | Fast, lots of torque | Convenient, compact, several settings |
| Cons | Fairly loud, lackluster battery test performance | Not the best battery life, noisy | Loud, only one RPM setting | Loud, average battery life | Pricey, battery doesn't last long, loud |
| Bottom Line | Finishing a little below average overall, the ATOMIC struggled to stand out from the rest of the pack | If you're looking for a fast 18V impact driver with excellent torque in a condensed size, we recommend this model | This driver had the most impressive battery life in our test and offers torque performance that is on par with the best | This driver is fast and provides excellent torque at an affordable price | Get this if you're looking for a light, small, 12-volt impact driver with great performance |
| Rating Categories | DeWalt DCF809B Atomic | Milwaukee M18 Fuel... | Makita XDT13 | Ryobi P238 | Milwaukee M12 Fuel... |
| Speed (35%) | |||||
| Torque (25%) | |||||
| Convenience (20%) | |||||
| Battery (15%) | |||||
| Noise (5%) | |||||
| Specs | DeWalt DCF809B Atomic | Milwaukee M18 Fuel... | Makita XDT13 | Ryobi P238 | Milwaukee M12 Fuel... |
| Impact driver model # | DCF809 | 2853-20 | XDT13 | P238 | 2553-20 |
| Average measured fastening torque | 215 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 282 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 143 ft-lb |
| Measured breaking torque | 300 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 300 ft-lb | 275 ft-lb |
| Measured length | 130 mm | 116 mm | 126 mm | 161 mm | 132 mm |
| Average measured sound pressure level | 92 dBa | 99 dBa | 97 dBa | 104 dBa | 97 dBa |
| Quick bit insert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bit holder | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Multiple fastening modes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Atomic DCF809 is one of the most compact impact drivers in terms of front to back length that still packs a decent amount of power. It might be worth considering if you already have compatible batteries and are always working in cramped areas but, otherwise, the Atomic failed to make much of an impact on us.
Performance Comparison
Likes
The Atomic DCF809 did do fairly well in our torque tests, fastening a ¾" nut to an average of 215 foot-pounds over three independent trials, which is a respectable showing for these tools but far from the best. However, this impact did quite a bit better at breaking fasteners free, able to successfully loosen a ¾" nut that had been tightened to 300 foot-pounds in four seconds.
This tool was also a little faster than average in our speed tests, only taking 5-6 seconds to drive a 3.625" ledger screw into stacked sheets of plywood or 2x12s. It also was quite quick at driving in a ½" x3" lag bolt in our tests, only taking 22 seconds to sink it to its full depth and 10 to remove it.
The Atomic DCF809 does provide plenty of light when working in dimly lit areas, with a trio of LEDs around the chuck to prevent any obnoxious shadows covering where you are working. However, you do have to turn on the impact for a brief second to get them to light up, though they will stay lit for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger.
This impact driver has one of the shortest front to back lengths out of all the drills we tested, particularly when you discount the smaller 12-volt models, measuring in at 130
mm.
It has a quick-insert chuck so you can just stick ¼" hex bits in without releasing the locking collar. We also measured an average of 92 decibels for the user when the Atomic was in use, which isn't the loudest impact we have tested to date, but we wouldn't exactly describe this tool as quiet.
Dislikes
Our biggest complaint with this tool was its overall unimpressive result in our battery life test. To compare the battery life of each product, we alternated between setting 14 ledger screws and driving a large lag bolt in and out with each product and awarded points based on the number of cycles completed. The Atomic made it through 2.5 sets before it called it quits, compared to the 5+ cycles the top tools persevered through. This impact also lacks different torque settings and an integrated holder for an extra bit.
Value
The Atomic isn't the most expensive impact we have tested but still costs quite a bit more than a few models that outperformed it, making it a mediocre bargain buy.
Conclusion
It's hard for us to identify an audience that the Atomic is particularly well-suited for. We didn't think it was a bad tool by any means but it struggled to earn recognition compared from the rest of the competition in most of our tests.
— David Wise and Austin Palmer
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