Interchangeable Power Tool Batteries
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I recently learned of the awesome new reality that power tool batteries are now somewhat interchangeable via cheap adapters. Here’s a partial compatibility table for a few brands’ 20V lines and affiliate links that answers: Can X (1st col) be mounted on Y (top row)
| DeWalt | B&D | Ryobi | |
| DeWalt | X | Yes | Yes |
| Black & Decker | Yes | X | Yes |
| Ryobi | No | No | X |
| Milwaukee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: if you know of a better table or find an issue, send me a note.
The DeWalt drill I got a decade ago is an awesome tool that always exceeds my requirements, but recently one of the batteries got weak and since I’m so cheap I fretted for months about what to do. The drill uses 18V NiMH batteries which are inferior to Li-ion and there is a newer 20V Li-ion product line, so was I really going to dig myself deeper hole of old technology? And what about the other tools I want? I really didn’t want multiple batteries and chargers and such. This prompted me to begin Googling which lead me to four amazing discoveries:
- Lithium-ion batteries that are compatible with 18V DeWalt tools exist, and
- 20V to 18V battery adapters exist, and
- Ryobi to DeWalt battery adapters exist, and
- There’s a buyers market for used 18V DeWalt tools
Li-ion batteries for my existing tools means I don’t need to upgrade to the 20V Li-ion right away to get the benefits of Li-ion. Battery adapters means that I can piecemeal upgrade my tools, and that I can mix-and-match brands. And the buyers’ market means that I can get tools at a heavy discount!
So here I am in tool nirvana. I went from a drill I liked with only 1 battery, and now $230 later I have:
- Pair of 5Ah 18V Li-ion batteries ($40)
- 18V cordless circular saw
- 18V cordless metal-cutting circular saw
- 18V cordless reciprocating saw
- 18V cordless jigsaw
- 18V cordless grinder
- 18V cordless shopvac
- 18V cordless flashlight
I think I got a great deal, but I am most pleased by the fact that if and when I want to get a 20V tool all I need to do is plunk down $15 for a battery adapter and then my entire 18V toolset can share the new battery. Then once I do, I could plunk down another $15 and be fully compatible with the Ryobi 20V line.
The interchangeability seems like a huge step forward.