Get the Right Batteries, Chargers & Adaptors for All Your Power Tools

Lithium-ion batteries (also called Li-Ion batteries) are the industry standard for power tools. They’re lightweight, portable, and pack a lot of power into a small package. There are several factors to consider before purchasing a battery pack. The battery ampere rating (Ah) is a measure of how much charge the battery can provide. The higher the Ah the longer the run time. The battery voltage rating is a measure of how much power the battery can provide. The higher the voltage the more powerful the battery. Some brands have entire product lines based on voltage (12V, 18V and 20V are most common). It’s essential to match the battery voltage to your power tool voltage or you could damage the tool. You can, however, use a battery adapter. For example, an adapter can convert an 18V tool into a 20V tool. Battery chargers allow more leeway: some models are only rated for one particular voltage, while others can charge tools with different voltage ratings.

It’s also important to know that battery packs are not interchangeable outside of the manufacturer’s product line. That said, the same battery will power multiple tools (drills, impact drivers, grinders etc.) within that manufacturer’s product line. So if you’re just starting your power tool collection you might want to choose one brand and stick with it.