DEWALT DCF850B: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-17

Summary

Owner nitpicks center on chuck lateral play, an aggressive spring-loaded bit ejection, recoil that demands two hands, and noise; independent testing also found it slightly slower than the larger DCF887 on big screws. There is no subscription or consumable lock-in, and the real cost depends on the 20V MAX batteries and charger you already own. At the lower tool-only prices it is strong value for an existing DeWalt owner; near $169 bare it competes with DeWalt’s own XR models.

Common problems and fixes

Lateral play in the chuck — a recurring nitpick; ToolGuyd’s editor said he had not noticed slop on this tool but that some chuck play is normal across impact drivers. [11]
Spring-loaded bit ejection jumps out of screws — one owner disliked it, though he added it jumped out less than his Milwaukee. [12]
Recoil and two-handed use — the same owner reported it “requires two hands,” “will straight up give you tennis elbow,” and “punches out the back end twice as much” as Milwaukee. [12]
2021 kit shipped with a 2-amp charger — one owner considered it a weak point for the era. [12]

Parts and consumables

No replaceable parts or consumables reported. DeWalt publishes an instruction manual and exploded diagrams for DCF850 Type 1, which helps with parts identification.

Yearly running cost

No subscription or consumable lock-in. A bare-tool buyer pays only for the driver and belt hook, so the running cost is the 20V MAX batteries and charger already owned; kit variants DCF850P1 and DCF850E1 bundle those. No source gives a per-year total, so the exact yearly figure is not enough data.

When it is a good buy

Northern Tool and The Power Tool Store listed the bare tool at $169.00, while Walmart listing text showed about $95.73-$97.17 and one owner paid $129 CAD in 2023.
Pro Tool Reviews quoted $149 bare tool and $199 as a kit with a 5.0Ah battery in 2022.
At the lower tool-only prices it is strong value for an existing DeWalt owner; near $169 bare, compare kit pricing and DeWalt’s XR models before buying.
Promotions: a 2021 Black Friday kit at $199 with a free bonus 5Ah battery, and a 2023 Labor Day Home Depot bundle with a POWERSTACK battery for $149.
Alternatives: the XR DCF845 or DCF860, or the larger DCF887, when maximum fastening power matters more than compactness.