Dewalt Quietly Launched a New Brushless Reciprocating Saw – DCS382

Dewalt has quietly launched a new 20V Max cordless reciprocating saw, model DCS382. The new reciprocating saw arrived at stores in late 2021.

From the product images and specifications, it looks like the DCS382 is smaller and lighter than Dewalt’s other 20V Max cordless reciprocating saws, except maybe their compact XR model and Atomic series saw.

The Dewalt DCS382 reciprocating saw is an XR model, meaning it’s part of their core line of higher-performance tools, and features a brushless motor.

Features include a 2-finger variable speed trigger switch, twist-style keyless blade clamp, pivoting shoe, and LED light.

Dewalt says that their saw has pro-grade compatibility and works with all FlexVolt and 20V max batteries.

At this time, the Dewalt DCS382 reciprocating saw is available as a bare tool (DCS382B), and as part of several 20V Max cordless power tool combo kits that launched for the 2021 holiday shopping season.

Price: $169-$179 for the bare tool, DCS382B

Discussion

I am of two thoughts here. First, the DCS382 does not look to be a flagship model, as it’s included in several value-focused tool kits that came out for the recent holiday shopping season. Additionally, Dewalt tends to be a lot more vocal about their major cordless power tool releases.

However, this is an XR tool. Another new 20V Max combo kit includes a mix of XR and non-XR (value-focused) tools, and also a PowerStack battery.

On paper, the speed and stroke length specs are great, matching the stroke length of Dewalt’s top-of-the-line 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage and 20V Max Power Detect reciprocating saws. This saw has a slightly higher [no-load?] speed.

The DCS382 appears much smaller than Dewalt’s leading saws, and is appreciably lighter too. The DCS382 weighs 5.1 lbs, compared to 7.63 lbs for the FlexVolt Advantage model.

One somewhat common complaint about Dewalt’s older DCS367 compact reciprocating saw was that it vibrated a bit too much. That model came out 5 years ago, and so I’m optimistic that Dewalt kept this in mind when developing the DCS382.

I am a fan of Dewalt’s larger high-performance reciprocating saws, but there are plenty of cutting tasks where a smaller and lighter saw could deliver enough power and with less fatigue.

I’m not sure why Dewalt has been so quiet about this model, but it looks to be suited for users that need more power than their one-handed Atomic saw can deliver, but less power, bulk, and weight than their highest performing FlexVolt Advantage, Power Detect, or FlexVolt 60V Max saws.

At least so far, there doesn’t seem to be a catch.