TL;DR
Pro Tool Reviews reports that DeWalt’s DCS359 20V Max XR oscillating multi-tool cuts quickly and has lower vibration than its predecessor, the DCS356. The brushless tool adds a wider oscillating arc, four speed settings and tool-free accessory changes, but is heavier and costs $249 as a bare tool, according to the review.
Pro Tool Reviews has reviewed DeWalt’s DCS359, a 20V Max XR oscillating multi-tool, reporting fast cuts and improved vibration control compared with the earlier DCS356. The review describes a 4.2-degree oscillating arc, four speed settings and tool-free accessory changes; DeWalt’s claims about class-leading speed and vibration have not been independently verified in the supplied material.
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The DCS359 uses a brushless motor and runs from 8,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute (OPM) across four speed settings. Its variable-speed trigger lets users adjust speed while working. By comparison, the DCS356 has three settings—13,000, 17,000 and 20,000 OPM—and a 3.2-degree oscillating arc. The DCS359’s arc is 4.2 degrees, which the review says gives the blade a longer stroke and can support more aggressive cutting.
In hands-on tests described in the report, the reviewer worked with wood, mild steel and #5 rebar. The reviewer said the DCS359 made fast, clean cuts and was easier on the hands than the previous model. The tool also has an anti-vibration dampening system intended to isolate its head from the body. DeWalt claims up to 43% less vibration than similar models; the reviewer said that figure was not measured in the shop.
The tool weighs 2.8 pounds bare and measures 11.75 inches long. With the recommended PowerStack battery, the report lists its weight as 3.6 pounds. Its spring-loaded quick-change lever and OIS interface allow accessory swaps without a tool, using a tool-free center retaining pin. Pro Tool Reviews lists the bare-tool price at $249 and the kit price at $299.
What the New Arc Changes
The review suggests the DCS359’s appeal lies in combining faster cutting potential with better control, rather than adding a new kind of task to an oscillating multi-tool. A larger arc and broader speed range may help users match the tool to cuts in different materials, while reduced vibration can matter during longer periods of work or detailed cuts. The reviewer’s tests support those benefits as practical impressions, not as laboratory comparisons.
The trade-off is a heavier, longer tool than the DCS356 and a $249 bare-tool price, according to the review. Buyers weighing an upgrade will need to decide whether the new arc, lower vibration and tool-free pin justify the added size and cost for their work. Battery choice also affects working weight: the report gives 3.6 pounds with the recommended PowerStack battery.
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How It Differs From the DCS356
DeWalt’s DCS356 was an earlier 20V oscillating multi-tool with a 3.2-degree arc and three speed settings. The DCS359 keeps the platform and raises the maximum speed to 20,000 OPM, while adding an 8,000-OPM lower setting and another speed mode. The reviewer identifies the wider arc as the largest change between the models.
The DCS359 also replaces the DCS356’s threaded center retaining pin with a tool-free version for accessory changes. According to the report’s specifications, the newer model is about 16% heavier and half an inch longer than the DCS356. Those dimensions accompany the revised vibration-isolation design, though the review does not quantify how much of the extra weight comes from that system.
“The improved speed range and larger arc helped me produce fast, clean cuts.”
— Pro Tool Reviews reviewer
Limits of the Review Evidence
The supplied review does not provide instrumented measurements for cutting speed or vibration, nor does it establish whether DeWalt’s claims hold across different materials, blades and applications. The 43% vibration figure is attributed to DeWalt, not presented as a result independently measured by the reviewer. The report also says the tool did not surpass the Makita XMT04 or Bosch GOP18V-34 in vibration control, but gives no comparative test data in the supplied material.
The source does not specify the review’s publication date, the exact test procedures or how the quoted prices may vary by retailer or region. It also does not provide details on battery runtime, availability or long-term durability. Those points cannot be settled from the review material provided.
What Buyers Can Check Next
Readers comparing the DCS359 with other tools can look for further hands-on testing that records cut times and vibration under consistent conditions. The review says deeper hands-on feedback would be needed to examine DeWalt’s performance claims. Prospective buyers can also check current retailer listings for bare-tool and kit pricing, confirm which battery and accessories are included, and compare the tool’s weight with the battery they expect to use.
Key Questions
What is the main upgrade over the DeWalt DCS356?
The DCS359 has a 4.2-degree arc, compared with 3.2 degrees on the DCS356, and offers four speed settings instead of three. It also adds a tool-free center retaining pin and a vibration-isolation system.
How fast does the DCS359 run?
The review lists a speed range of 8,000 to 20,000 OPM across four settings. A variable-speed trigger gives the user additional control while cutting.
Did the review verify DeWalt’s vibration claim?
No. DeWalt claims up to 43% less vibration than similar models, but the reviewer said the figure was not measured in the shop. The reviewer did report a noticeable improvement over the DCS356.
How much does the DCS359 cost?
Pro Tool Reviews lists the DCS359 at $249 as a bare tool and $299 as a kit. Prices and package contents may vary, and the supplied source does not give a publication date.
Source: protoolreviews.com
