Cutting the cord is easy. Choosing a cordless battery platform, however can be much more difficult. From 12-volt to 18-volt and prosumer to professional, here's a handy guide for selecting the battery platform that's right for you.
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Let's start by narrowing down the battery voltage categories. We will ignore the 14.4V, 24V and 36V battery platforms. The 14.4V is on the way out, as there's not much need for an in-between size with current 12V being so powerful. The 24V and 36V batteries only power professional grade tools with limited opportunities to expand beyond those tools.
That leaves us with 12V and 18V battery platforms which are the most popular and widely available cordless tools. Don't be scared off by 18V and 19.2V tools as being less powerful than the 20V tools. 20V is a marketing term, as the manufacturers who use it are listing the maximum voltage (with no load) instead of the nominal voltage of 18V. This DeWalt 20V MAX is a good example&#;note the asterisk and read the fine print.
We can limit the battery selection even further by removing nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries from the list and focus on lithium-ion (Li-ion). Unless you are looking for something cheap, lithium-ion batteries make the most sense as they are lighter and offer more runtime. Nickel battery powered tools are becoming more scarce, and the last thing you want to do when investing in a cordless tool platform is limit your options.
Pro users make a living with their tools and can't afford to have them break on the job, which is why they pay a premium for better tool construction and battery technology.
Everyone else is a DIYer, whether your skill is zero or very advanced. A 12V tool will fit the needs of most handy types who can install a screen door or put up hooks in the garage. 12 volts won't drive many deck screws but they are small and lightweight enough for most users to handle. 12V batteries have the most expandable options, as they can be used in vacuums, lights, radios and heated gear, as well as drills, circular saws and impact drivers.
Weekend warriors who plan on building sheds or cutting sheets of plywood, though, will need to step up to 18V power. If it's just a few weekends per year, you can save money by going corded for bigger jobs. No need to spend the money on an 18V tool that sits on the charger most of the time. If you can handle the heft and the cost, 18V tools give you the most flexibility as they can handle all of the smaller jobs with ease but can also be used to power recip saws, hammer drills and grinders.
Invest in a tool platform that you can afford to expand on. Don't blow everything on one tool that is so expensive you have to switch manufacturers to round out your tool collection. Cordless power tool batteries are not cross compatible among manufacturers. If you go Craftsman then you are stuck with them unless you start over with another company.
If you've already got a cadre of NiCd tools, it makes the most sense to stick with that manufacturer if their chargers are backwards compatible and can charge both NiCd and lithium-ion. Bosch has taken battery technology a step further with their wireless charging systems, while remaining backward compatible with their current lithium-ion lineup.
Premium tool companies sell their tools sans battery so you can just expand on the tools without paying for expensive batteries each time.
The highest rated tools aren't always the best fit. Go to a big box home center or hardware store and get your hands on as many power tools as you can. Twist them with your wrist, squeeze the grip and handle it as you would if you were using it. Take note of the tools balance, weight (with a battery in it), trigger pull and other features such as belt clips, LED placement and battery style (flat bottom so the tool stands upright or cartridge style that requires the tool lay on its side).
Comfort trumps almost everything. If a tool is awkward to use, then it will sit.
The brushed vs. brushless tool debate applies to the pros more than DIYers. You can pay a premium for the technology but the return on investment is negligible when working on smaller projects.
Bundled power tool sets are a great way to start your collection. Buying a combo of two or more tools is less expensive than one at a time. This grouping of three 18V RYOBI One+ tools and one flashlight is $180. And this DeWalt 12V MAX combo kit is $245. These are very reasonable prices for expandable platforms that include three solid power tools (and a flashlight).
Photos courtesy of Charles & Hudson.
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In today's world, there are so many different brands of cordless power tools, which are incredibly useful for DIY and construction projects, as they allow you to work with greater efficiency and precision. These battery-powered tools can make your life easier and less stressful, providing you with the ability to tackle tasks with ease. The downside is that owning multiple power tools with different batteries and chargers can be costly and messy.
I believe some tool users are eager for a gadget that enables the same battery pack to be used across different brands&#; cordless platforms. Fortunately, here is the magical solution to your frustrating situation, it will make it easier to switch between tools without having to buy a lot of batteries and without spending a lot. Throughout this guide, we are going to elaborate on the solution for the interchangeability of cross-brand power tool batteries.
The answer is that cordless tool batteries are only compatible with the same brand (brand compatibility exists) provided they have the same voltage, amps, chemistry, and size/shape. Cross-brand compatibility DOESN&#;T exist between these power tools as each brand has its own unique design which fits well in its own tools (brand).
So, Can a Dewalt battery fit a Milwaukee Tool? Not directly. But only by the use of a cross-brand battery adapter.
Using a brand&#;s battery for another brand&#;s tool was considered impossible, but with the latest technological progress, it&#;s now possible.
The quick solution to cross-brand cordless tool battery compatibility: The cross-brand-battery adapter!
The cross-brand battery adapter allows you to use the battery of a brand&#;s tool with another brand&#;s tool or device. These cross-brand adapters eliminate the need to purchase the specific model or brand&#;s battery. Not only does it save you money, but you also avoid the hassles of managing multiple batteries and chargers.
It is crucial to remember that brand cross-battery adapters might not function with all makes and types of power tools and batteries. To ensure a cross-brand adapter will work with your particular power tool and battery, it is crucial to check the compatibility information before making a purchase.
Manufacturers of power tools strive to "enforce" brand loyalty by ensuring that their expensive batteries only work with their tools. However, there are adapters that allow batteries from one brand to be used with tools from another. For example, there is an adapter available online that allows a 20v DeWalt tool to use a 20v Black & Decker battery. This means that you can pick and choose an ideal tool, at the best price, without being locked into a specific brand, providing there is a compatible adapter.
By now, you may have seen the videos running around that show a converted DeWalt or Makita lithium-ion battery running a Snap-On cordless glue gun using a tool battery adapter. If you haven&#;t, take a look below at the video showing off the possibility.
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Note: This is my own research based on the current market. Please follow powuse.com, this chart will be continuously updated to include more brands!
Brand Dewalt Bosch Milwaukee Makita Ryobi Craftsman Worx Metabo Black+Decker AEG & RIDGID Hitachi/Hikoki/Metabo HPT Devon Snap-on Dyson Dewalt X Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Bosch Yes X Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Milwaukee Yes Yes X Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Makita Yes Yes Yes X Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Ryobi Yes Yes Yes Yes X No No No Yes No No No No Yes Craftsman Yes Yes Yes Yes No X Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Worx Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes X Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Metabo Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes X Yes No Yes No No No Black+Decker Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes X Yes Yes No No Yes AEG & RIDGID Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes X No No No No Hitachi/Hikoki/Metabo HPT Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No X No No No Devon Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No No No X No No Snap-on Yes No Yes Yes No No No No No No No No X No Dyson Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No No No XYes: Compatible (Using adapter)
No: Not Compatible (Using adapter)
X: Already Compatible (Same Brand)
These major brands now use the latest technology of Lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are interchangeable within its wide range of tools of the same brands.
To use the battery of a brand with other brand tools, you should use the cross-brand adapter that enables you to connect a battery with multiple brands&#; multiple tools.
Pro Tip: Use the battery with other tools of the same brand according to its voltage and amperage as well. Before purchasing the cross-brand battery adapter, you should go through the manual or instructions for compatibility with your specific brands.
Using the right battery adapter below will allow you to use virtually any cordless tool with any battery. In the DeWALT 20V platform but see a great deal on a Milwaukee M18 item? no problem, get the right adapter and you are good to go! Now check it out to find out which power tool battery adapter you need in our store:
You can also view our Power Tool Battery Adapter Buying Guide. In this guide, I have listed a variety of different detailed brands and models to make it easier for you to find the battery adapter you need!
Didn&#;t find the adapter you need? Or not sure if the adapter is compatible with my battery? Please contact us via , we will be happy to help you solve your problem!
Overall, from the viewpoint of economy and convenience, the use of these power tool battery adapters is a very useful accessory for users of tools, which makes switching brands a snap, you can even keep an eye out for batteries on clearance and save much money. Awesome! Now you just need to find these adapters for your cordless tools. Stay tuned for more updates on this subject and let us know your thoughts in the comments. See ya!&#;
You can also read more guides about cordless power tool battery adapters:
Unfortunately not, the adapters won't allow charging.
Its probably because of their 's plug in style batteries. Every one else has slide on batteries.
Honestly, the big reason they are not interchangeable is companies want to make a lot of money instead of making life easy for us. Here is a link for you: https://powuse.com/products/dewalt-to-craftsman-stanley-v20-battery-adapter
It might work but definitely not recommended, the charger balances the battery but the adapters only have the positive and negative terminals, it might catch fire or decrease the battery life.
Been hearing about low voltage destroying batteries when using adapters. Will this be an issue?
The only ones to worry about is using batteries in Ryobi or in old Nicad tools. All others auto shut off.
The old style Makita batteries work with these adapters. You can also use the old style batteries in newer Makita tools by simply cutting a groove in the top shoe.
True. But it's more of a tool thing. Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, Porter Cable etc all have tools that stop when low voltage is detected. Ryobi and old Nicad/Nihm tools don't have low voltage built into the tools, so you need to be mindful when using batteries in those.
I haven't seen any adapters going from the 19.2v to anything else.
Nope. Inside all the battery packs are the same batteries. That's like saying putting Duracell or Energizer in an item will fry it versus putting dollar store batteries in it.
You just grind off a few nubs on the battery and then either clearance the tool or I cut gouges in the battery where the PC tool bumps it. There are a bunch of videos on it.
In all honesty the Black and Decker batteries are weak and really low end and the Porter Cable tools will suffer in performance. The BD batteries only have 10amp max discharge cells vs the 20-30amp PC batteries will have. This means the tool will stall constantly and can't be used on anything high drain. This limits you to the PC drill or impact.
The BMS is used just for charging. So you can't use a DeWalt battery with Makita adapter in the Makita charger. But it'll work in the Makita tool.
The only battery that does have low voltage cut off is Ryobi. No other brands have low voltage cut off in the battery packs, it's managed by the tool. So if you put it DeWalt or Milwaukee etc in a Ryobi tool you could possibly run it beyond discharged if you didn't occasionally check the battery meter or stop using the tool when it dropped in significant power.
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