DeWalt’s outgoing 20V MAX XR oscillating multi-tool, the DCS356, is selling for $99 in a starter kit at both Home Depot and Lowe’s right now. ToolGuyd flagged the deal on Nov. 4 and called the Home Depot version the better buy. A fair call, and it comes down to which battery is in the box.
Both chains have new Black Friday promotions on the DCS356. They are not identical, though, and the difference is not obvious from the price tag.
Two kits, side by side
| Kit | What’s in the box | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS356M1 | XR OMT, 4.0Ah battery, charger | $99 | Home Depot |
| DCS356D1 (updated) | XR OMT, 2.0Ah battery, charger, depth guide, starter accessories | $99 | Lowe’s |
| DCS356 tool-only | Bare tool | $98 | Amazon |
ToolGuyd’s point is simple. DeWalt’s usual promo kit for this tool ships a 1.5Ah battery. Home Depot’s M1 kit doubles that to 4.0Ah at the same $99. A 4Ah pack is worth roughly $60 to $80 on its own, so the kit is close to a free tool once you count the battery.
Lowe’s version is the better-equipped kit on paper. You get a depth guide and some starter blades, which matters if you are starting from zero. But it carries a 2.0Ah pack instead of 4.0Ah. On a tool that runs at 20,000 OPM under load, the bigger battery buys you longer cutting time.
ToolGuyd also noted that Home Depot listed the Lowe’s-style kit at the same price but did not have it in stock. If you are shopping today, check stock at your local store before ordering.
One more thing worth knowing before you buy. Both $99 kits are the older XR model, and DeWalt has already moved to a universal blade mount on its replacement. If you plan to keep the tool for years and buy blades from multiple brands, that mount change is the single biggest reason to step up.
If you are only cutting the occasional outlet box or flush-cutting a door jamb, the $99 kit does that job well. A 4Ah pack will also run any other DeWalt 20V MAX tool you own, so the battery is not stranded if the tool sits on a shelf.
Why this matters
This is the model DeWalt replaced with the DCS359 this fall. None of that makes it a bad tool. It is a proven XR oscillating multi-tool with a variable speed trigger and three speed settings, and $99 for a kit with a 4Ah battery is a low entry price. One catch is the mount. It requires an adapter for full-ring blades, including older OIS and Starlock accessories, so some third-party blades need one. Newer DCS359 switched to a universal OIS quick-release mount.
If you already own full-ring OIS or Starlock blades from Milwaukee or Bosch, budget for the adapter or stick with DeWalt’s split-ring blades. If you do not own oscillating blades yet, it hardly matters. Our blade guide covers which blades are worth the money once you pick a tool.
How to shop it
Buy the DCS356M1 at Home Depot if you want the most battery for $99. Pick the Lowe’s kit if the depth guide and starter blades are worth more to you than 2Ah of extra capacity. Amazon has no kit deal running right now, only the $98 bare tool, which makes no sense against a $99 kit with a battery and charger.
If you would rather pay for the new model, the DCS359 runs $299 as a kit at Amazon with a 1.7Ah XR compact pack, two blades, a sanding platen, and a depth guide. A bare tool was listed at $249 at Lowe’s. Which leaves a $150 gap between the outgoing kit and the new one, so decide whether the universal mount and lower vibration are worth it before you chase the new model.
For a wider look at the category, our cordless oscillating multi-tool rankings put the DeWalt XR against the Milwaukee and Ryobi competition. Prices move fast during Black Friday week, so check the listing before you buy.
Sources: ToolGuyd, “Home Depot and Lowe’s have Better DeWalt Oscillating Multi-Tool Deals,” Nov. 4, 2026. Availability and pricing vary by store.