The DCF887 and DCF887B are the same physical cordless impact driver. DeWalt stamps "DCF887" on the tool housing; the "B" is their SKU for the retail-box version. Buy the bare tool (DCF887) and you save the shelf markup — same drill, same 3-year manufacturer warranty, same performance. Every time.
The short answer
Go to Home Depot's website and search DCF887. You'll see two listings: "DCF887" (bare tool) and "DCF887B" (still just the bare tool, in a different box). Both are the exact same DeWalt 20V MAX XR 3-speed brushless impact driver. The only difference is packaging.
The "B" at the end of DeWalt's SKU is their internal code for the retail-shelf version — the yellow clamshell box that goes on a peg. The "DCF887" stamped on the motor housing? That's the actual model number DeWalt's engineering team assigned to the tool.
Why we sell DCF887 for less
We buy these tools from authorized US distributors in bulk pallets. Those pallets contain bare tools in manufacturer-sealed inner packaging — not the retail clamshell. That packaging is there to catch your eye on a shelf, not to protect the tool in transit.
We pass the savings on: typical Charged Tools DCF887 price is $145.99 vs. $175-180 at Home Depot / Lowe's for DCF887B. Same tool, $30-35 less.
What you give up (spoiler: almost nothing)
The retail box (DCF887B) includes the yellow clamshell, a belt hook already screwed in, and some documentation. That's it. No battery, no charger, no case — it's a bare tool either way.
The one thing missing from our DCF887 vs. the retail version: the retail clamshell itself. Most contractors open the box, peel out the tool, and throw the box in the trash. So the "savings" on buying retail is literally the cardboard you were going to recycle.
When to pay retail anyway
One case: if you're buying the tool as a gift and want the recipient to feel the full unboxing experience, the retail version has better theater. For working contractors, save the $30 and put it toward a 5.0Ah battery.
Joshua runs Charged Tools out of St. Louis. Background spans e-commerce operations, software engineering, and hands-on tool use in the auto trades. Every editorial piece on this site is written or reviewed by Joshua before it ships.
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FAQ
Do I need the retail box for warranty?+
No. DeWalt's warranty covers the tool itself — register the serial number at dewalt.com/register or call 1-800-433-9258. The retail packaging is irrelevant.
Is this the same quality as Home Depot's?+
Identical. It's the same tool from the same factory with the same serial format. We source from authorized US distributors.
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