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DEWALT 20V MAX XR Oscillating Multi-Tool

By DEWALT · Oscillating Multi Tools · Power Tools · More from DEWALT

  • 20V MAX XR battery platform
  • Brushless motor delivers up to 57% more runtime over brushed
  • 3-speed selector
  • Quick-Change accessory system (tool-free)
  • LED worklight

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Summary

A lightweight 2.33 lb bare-tool cordless oscillating multi-tool on the DEWALT 20V MAX battery platform, with a brushless motor and a tool-free blade change. It ships without a battery or charger, so check that you already own the 20V MAX packs before you buy.

Strengths

  • Tool-free Quick-Change blade swaps are the feature owners single out most.
  • Brushless motor gives strong cutting power and long runtime on larger batteries.
  • 2.33 lb bare weight is light for the class, so overhead and detail work stay comfortable.
  • Runs on DEWALT 20V MAX packs many owners already have, so no new platform.
  • Variable-speed trigger gives control from delicate sanding to fast cuts.
  • LED worklight helps line up cuts in dark spaces.

Weaknesses

  • Sold as a bare tool: the battery and charger are extra if you do not already own them.
  • The spring-loaded Quick-Change lever needs real hand strength, and Consumer Reports flags it for people with limited grip.
  • The 1.6-degree oscillation angle is smaller than the 4.2-degree arc on newer rivals, which can mean slower cutting.
  • No TOOL CONNECT chip; asset tracking is only on the newer DCS359.
  • Kit pricing only earns its keep if you actually need the battery and charger.
  • Some listings do not mention the oscillation angle at all, so buyers can be surprised when comparing tools.

Verified specifications

ModelDCS356B (tool only); DCS356C1 (kit with a 1.5 Ah battery and charger); DCS356D1 (kit with a 2.0 Ah battery, charger and accessories).
PlatformDEWALT 20V MAX XR lithium-ion (nominal 18 V, 20 V max).
Motorbrushless.
Speed3-speed selector, 0–13,000 / 0–17,000 / 0–20,000 OPM (no load).
Oscillation angle1.6 degrees.
Triggervariable speed, Dual-Grip design, with a lock-on/off switch.
Accessory changetool-free Quick-Change clamp with a spring-loaded lever.
Universal accessory adapterincluded; fits most oscillating-tool accessory brands.
WorklightLED.
Claimed runtimeup to 57% more than a comparable brushed motor (manufacturer claim, not independently measured).
Weight2.33 lb (bare tool); Consumer Reports measured 1,373 g (about 3.03 lb) with a battery.
Length11.2 in tool body; 12 in overall per DEWALT’s Canada page.
Dimensions12 × 6.6 × 3.1 in (DEWALT Canada).
In the box (DCS356B)the tool, a wood-with-nails blade, a fast-cut wood blade and the universal accessory adapter.
Warranty3-year limited, 1-year free service, 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Full research notes and sources

Oscillation angle and cutting speed

The DCS356 oscillates 1.6 degrees, against 4.2 degrees on Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL 2836 and DEWALT’s own newer DCS359. A larger arc generally cuts faster, so the DCS356 leans on its high 20,000 OPM top speed to keep up and may cut more slowly in some materials. No owner complaints about this exact point turned up, so treat it as a spec-level gap rather than a reported problem.

Blades and the Quick-Change system

The tool-free Quick-Change clamp uses a spring-loaded lever to release and lock blades. Owners praise the fast swaps; Consumer Reports flags the lever effort for people with limited hand strength. The bundled universal accessory adapter accepts most brands’ oscillating-tool blades, so you are not locked to DEWALT. The DCS356B ships with a wood-with-nails blade and a fast-cut wood blade; the DCS356D1 kit adds three 1-1/4 inch PLUNGEPOINT blades, five sandpaper sheets, a sanding pad and a depth guide. A tool guide system for repeatable depth is a separate purchase on this model.

Battery platform and upkeep

The DCS356B is the bare tool, so budget for a 20V MAX battery and charger unless you already own them; the kits bundle a 1.5 Ah or 2.0 Ah pack. No maintenance schedule is published beyond normal tool care. DEWALT sells individual replacement parts, including blades, sanding pads, universal adapters and clamp levers, through its parts channel, and an exploded diagram is available for the DCS356.

Is it worth it?

Store prices for the bare tool vary: Coastal Tool lists it at $149.00, Northern Tool at $169.00, Toolmarts at $206.51 and SupplyHouse at $226.00. A DCS356B bundled with a 5 Ah battery was on sale at Authorized Tool Outlet for $202.92, and Home Depot lists the DCS356C1 kit at $219.00. For the tool alone at $149–170 it is a fair buy if you already run DEWALT 20V MAX batteries; above roughly $170 the newer DCS359 or Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL 2836, both with a 4.2-degree angle, are worth comparing.

Which model this is

This page covers the DCS356, DEWALT’s 3-speed 20V MAX XR oscillating multi-tool, sold as the bare-tool DCS356B and as the DCS356C1 and DCS356D1 kits. It is not the 4-speed DCS359, the compact ATOMIC DCS354, the 12V DCS353 or the corded DWE315. Some listings still print the legacy “DCS355” name, the international version, in their parts list. The Amazon listing for this tool is ASIN B0H61Q28F4.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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