TL;DR
Pro Tool Reviews reports that DeWalt’s DCS359 20V Max XR oscillating multi-tool cut quickly across several test materials and felt less vibratory than the earlier DCS356. The review highlights a wider 4.2-degree oscillating arc, four speed settings and tool-free accessory changes, but says DeWalt’s comparative performance claims need further verification.
Pro Tool Reviews says DeWalt’s DCS359 20V Max XR oscillating multi-tool delivered fast, clean cuts in its hands-on tests and reduced vibration compared with the earlier DCS356. The review points to a larger 4.2-degree oscillating arc, a wider speed range and easier accessory changes as the main updates, while cautioning that DeWalt’s broader claims about class-leading speed and vibration still require independent verification.
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
The DCS359 uses a brushless motor and offers four speed settings spanning 8,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute (OPM), along with a variable-speed trigger. The DCS356 has three settings—13,000, 17,000 and 20,000 OPM—and a smaller 3.2-degree arc. Pro Tool Reviews says the new tool’s 4.2-degree arc is a 31% increase over the DCS356, giving the blade a longer stroke that can support more aggressive cutting. Actual results still depend on the blade, material, speed and task.
For its hands-on assessment, the publication tested the tool on wood, mild steel and #5 rebar. It reported fast, clean cuts and said the larger arc and expanded speed range helped performance, while vibration felt lower than with the previous model. The tool’s spring-loaded quick-change mechanism remains, but DeWalt has replaced the threaded retaining pin with a tool-free center pin, which the reviewer said made changing blades and accessories easier.
The DCS359 weighs 2.8 pounds bare, or 3.6 pounds with the recommended PowerStack battery, and measures 11.75 inches long. That makes it heavier and longer than the DCS356, which the review lists at 2.46 pounds and 11.25 inches. The reviewer said the rubber overmolding and tool balance made the grip feel good, and also noted a two-finger trigger, trigger lock and lock-on button. The review lists the bare tool at $249 and the kit at $299.
A Larger Arc Changes the Cut
The review’s central finding is that DeWalt has changed more than the control layout: the 4.2-degree arc is a mechanical update that may affect how quickly the tool removes material. For remodelers and installers making plunge cuts, trimming door jambs or cutting openings in drywall, speed and control can shape both the time a task takes and the quality of the finish. The four speed settings also add a lower-speed option for work that calls for more control, while retaining a 20,000-OPM maximum.
Vibration and accessory changes matter for repeated work, too. The reviewer found the DCS359 more comfortable than the DCS356 during testing, and a tool-free retaining pin can reduce friction when switching between blades or other attachments. Those benefits come with a larger, heavier tool and a higher listed bare-tool price than the DCS356. Buyers therefore have a practical trade-off to weigh: added performance features against size, weight and cost.
Products Worth Considering
EGO POWER+ 16-Inch Cordless String Trimmer with 4.0Ah Battery and Charger (ST1623T)
EGO Power+ SNT2420 24-Inch Two-Stage Self-Propelled Snow Blower (Battery and Charger Not Included)
DEWALT 20V MAX Circular Saw Cordless (Battery Not Included) DCS391B
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How It Compares With the DCS356
DeWalt’s earlier DCS356 was itself an upgrade over previous models, but the DCS359 changes the arc, speed controls and accessory-retaining pin. According to the comparison table in the review, the DCS356 reaches 20,000 OPM with three speed modes and a 3.2-degree arc; the DCS359 keeps the same top speed but adds a fourth mode, lowers the stated minimum to 8,000 OPM and widens the arc to 4.2 degrees.
The reviewer also compares the DCS359’s specifications with other cordless models, including Milwaukee’s 2836, and says its arc and speed range are close to that tool’s. Those comparisons are the publication’s assessment, not a standardized test result presented in the supplied material. The review describes the DCS359 as an addition to DeWalt’s 20V tool lineup and assesses it through specifications and hands-on cutting rather than relying only on manufacturer claims.
““The improved speed range and larger arc helped me produce fast, clean cuts.””
— Pro Tool Reviews
Limits of the Performance Claims
The review provides positive observations from hands-on cutting but does not report instrumented measurements of cutting speed or vibration. It says DeWalt’s claims of the fastest cutting speed and lowest vibration in its 20V lineup need further verification. The stated “up to 43% less vibration” figure is attributed to DeWalt; the supplied material does not give enough detail about the test method, exact comparison models or conditions to independently assess it.
The review also does not establish how the DCS359 performs across every blade, material and application, or how its battery runtime compares with other models. Its listed prices are the figures in the review, and the source material does not confirm whether those prices remain current or whether availability varies by retailer or market.
Further Testing Could Clarify Results
Pro Tool Reviews says it plans to examine the tool’s vibration and other performance questions in more depth after the initial assessment. That follow-up could help establish how the DCS359’s results compare under consistent test conditions with other tools in its class. Until then, readers can treat the favorable cutting and comfort comments as the publication’s hands-on findings, while treating the broad speed and vibration rankings as claims not fully verified in the supplied review.
Prospective buyers can compare the DCS359’s specifications, included accessories and current local pricing with the DCS356 and competing models, especially if weight or sustained use is a priority. The source does not give a date for additional testing, so no publication schedule is confirmed.
Key Questions
What are the main changes in the DeWalt DCS359?
The DCS359 adds a 4.2-degree oscillating arc, four speed settings from 8,000 to 20,000 OPM and a tool-free center retaining pin. The DCS356 has a 3.2-degree arc and three speed settings.
How did the DCS359 perform in the review?
Pro Tool Reviews reported fast, clean cuts in tests involving wood, mild steel and #5 rebar. The reviewer also said vibration felt lower than on the DCS356, but the article material does not provide instrumented performance measurements.
Is DeWalt’s 43% vibration reduction independently confirmed?
No independent measurement is included in the supplied review material. The up to 43% figure is attributed to DeWalt, and the review says its own comparison needs more testing.
How much does the DCS359 weigh and cost?
The review lists the bare tool at 2.8 pounds and the tool with a recommended PowerStack battery at 3.6 pounds. It lists prices of $249 for the bare tool and $299 for a kit; current retail prices may differ.
Source: protoolreviews.com
