DEWALT’s DCB094K USB charging kit turns a 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT battery into a portable USB-C power source, and it also charges those batteries from a USB power supply. The kit is listed on DEWALT’s Canadian and US product pages, and Yanko Design recently drew attention to it by describing it as a way to charge a laptop without a wall outlet.

What the kit does

DEWALT’s product pages describe a bi-directional USB-C port that handles up to 100 W, either to charge a battery or to charge personal devices. A separate USB-A port is rated up to 12 W for phones and other devices that use standard USB cords. Yanko Design reads the same spec as “up to 100 watts in either direction”, so the maker and the outlet agree on the headline figure.

DCB094K power ratings: USB-C up to 100 W, the included supply at 65 W, USB-A up to 12 W Power ratings on the DCB094K: the USB-C port at up to 100 W, the included power supply at 65 W and the USB-A port at up to 12 W.

DEWALT DCB094K USB charging kit with power supply, cord and belt hook
Photo: DEWALT

What is in the box

DEWALT lists four items: the DCB094 USB charger, a 65 W power supply, a 100 W USB cord and a belt hook. No battery comes with the kit, so it only makes sense if you already own 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT packs. DEWALT’s pages give 20 V as the maximum initial battery voltage with no load and 18 V as the nominal voltage, which is the usual way these packs are labelled.

The charger has a Stage 1 and 2 state-of-charge indicator. According to the manual that Yanko Design cites, the LEDs only report the status of the DEWALT battery and will not light while the kit is charging a personal device.

Price and where to find it

DEWALT’s Canadian and US pages do not list a price. Yanko Design says Runnings currently lists the kit at $119, without naming a country, so treat that as a US retail figure until you see it yourself. RONA has a product page for the kit in Canada, but check the current Canadian price and stock there before you plan a purchase around it.

DEWALT backs the kit with a 3-year limited warranty, 1 year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

DEWALT USB charger cabled to a power supply plugged into a wall outlet
Photo: DEWALT

What to check before you rely on it

Care instructions in the manual, as reported by Yanko Design, say to keep the charger away from rain and snow and to use it in a dry location outdoors. The same source says to detach the battery when the adapter is not in use so it does not drain in storage.

Customer reviews on RONA’s listing are mixed on laptops. One reviewer says they charge a laptop, tablet and phone on job sites with it, while another reports that with a 12Ah battery the USB-C output did not charge some phones and laptops until the battery had been run under load first. Those are individual user reports, not DEWALT claims, but they are worth knowing if your laptop is picky.

Who it suits

  • Tradespeople already on DEWALT batteries: the belt hook and the ability to use batteries you already carry are the draw. Check that you have a spare pack, since none is included.
  • Site leads and estimators with a laptop: the USB-C port rated up to 100 W is the feature that matters. Check your laptop’s charging requirements against that rating and test it before a long day on site.
  • First time DEWALT buyers: you will need to buy a battery separately, so price the whole setup, not just the kit.
  • Crew or fleet buyers: each kit brings its own 65 W power supply and 100 W cord, and the 3-year warranty covers the kit. Remember the LEDs show battery status only.
  • Homeowners on a budget: it is a niche accessory. If you rarely work away from an outlet, a regular charger may do the job.