Most DIY homeowners and handymen immediately recognize the name DEWALT as a major manufacturer of power tools and batteries to go with them.
When you need batteries for a power tool or another item, you may not expect to see the heft price tag that comes with it.
Even if you hesitate at first, we all know that a good battery will last longer and power the product better than a cheap one, so you probably buy the battery.
Was it a good purchase?
We cover the top 10 reasons DEWALT batteries are so expensive.
Why Are DEWALT Batteries So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)
1. Variety
DEWALT offers a wide range of battery options at 12V, 18V, 20V, 40V, and 60V, but the two most common voltages are 20V and 60V.
(There’s also a 120V DEWALT tool, but it uses two 60V batteries.)
Always use the appropriate voltage for the tool in question.
If you don’t provide enough power, it may not operate the tool at full power
If you use too much power, it will waste energy.
To prevent the problem from happening, DEWALT puts a small plastic tab on their 60V and 120V products so that the 20V battery won’t even fit.
On top of the voltage, you’ll also need to consider the amp hour, which indicates how many amps the battery can produce in exactly one hour.
Longer jobs may require a higher amp hour.
The three main types of DEWALT lithium-ion batteries are:
- DEWALT XR: extended runtime batteries that last longer than typical batteries of the same voltage.
- DEWALT Atomic: a battery designed specifically for the DEWALT Atomic. Compact Series, which provides customers with a multi-purpose power tool that is 25% more compact yet 13% more powerful (thanks to the atomic battery).
- DEWALT FlexVolt: a battery that can switch between 20V and 60V in one battery.
While you can switch one battery to another DEWALT product in most cases as long as it uses the same voltage, the different types of batteries may only fit products from one specific line.
Always check that your new product accepts your battery or your new battery fits in your existing product.
DEWALT Battery Products
Interested in getting a 20V or 60V battery from DEWALT?
Try the following batteries are available for sale individually or in packs of two or more:
- 20V MAX 1.5Ah Compact battery
- 20V MAX Compact 3Ah battery
- 20V MAX Compact 4Ah battery
- 20V MAX XRA 5Ah battery
- 20V MAX XR 6Ah battery
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 6Ah battery
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 9Ah battery
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 9Ah oil-resistant battery
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 12Ah
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 15Ah
While you can’t buy the products directly from the website, the website leads you to different retailers that do sell the product you want.
Prices may vary based on where you buy the battery.
2. Brushless Tools
DEWALT has a line of tools with a brushless motor, which plays a significant role in the effectiveness of the battery.
Traditionally, motors contain small brushes that cause the motor to spin.
In a brushless motor, an electric controller establishes a connection between the windings as opposed to a mechanical method.
Brushless motors get more life out of a battery since the electricity requires less energy than the brushes.
Furthermore, brushless tools don’t require as much maintenance, and they don’t produce as much heat and odor.
With that being said, you can use the appropriate voltage DEWALT battery on either a brushless or brushed motor.
The brushless motor will last longer, though.
DEWALT offers more than 100 different models of brushless power tools.
Be careful that you verify if the tool you buy is the “tool only” or the tool kit with the battery.
3. Charging Station
Most, if not all, DEWALT batteries require a charger for regular use.
Naturally, you need to pay for a charging station on top of the battery itself.
You can find products that include a charging station, or the batteries themselves (always be careful that you get everything you need without paying for unnecessary extras when shopping on the DEWALT website).
Chargers also come with a rating based on voltage, similar to the batteries themselves.
Some of the chargers are “fast chargers” that charge batteries more quickly.
However, those will naturally cost more.
You will also find chargers with different features, such as the ability to switch between different voltages, multiple ports, and even radios.
Some chargers are designed for easy portability while others are designed to stay in one place.
Finally, some options even allow you to charge your tools in your truck’s charger.
DEWALT Battery Chargers And Starter Kits
If you need a battery charger or a starter kit that includes both the charger and the batteries try these products:
- 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Starter Kit
- FLEXVOLT 20V/60V Max Lithium Ion Starter Kit
- 12V MAX–20V MAX Lithium-Ion Battery Charger
- 24V 1 Hour Fan Cooled Charger
- 36V/28V 1-Hour Charger
- 7.2V–18V NiCd/NiMH/Li-ion 1-Hour Dual Port Charger
- 7.2V–18V NiCd/NiMH/Li-ion 1-Hour Vehicle Charger
- 8V Max Battery Charger
- 6 Amp Charger
- 12 Amp Fast Charger
- Multiport Simultaneous Fast Charger
- 40V Max Mower/Vehicle Charger
- 40V MAX 6-pack Charging Station
- Bluetooth Charger Radio
- 40V MAX Standard Charger
- 20V MAX /60V MAX Fan Cooled Fast Charger
- 12V–20V MAX Jobsite Charging Station
- 12V MAX–20V MAX Lithium-Ion Battery Charger
- 12V MAX–20V MAX Lithium-Ion Vehicle Battery Charger
4. Longevity
Most DEWALT batteries last at least three years or 1,000 running cycles based on the manufacturer’s warranty, assuming that you care for the batteries properly.
If the tool isn’t used very much and stored properly, it could last at least six years on the shelf.
Many people have assumptions on how to care for a battery, but you may find yourself surprised about the truth behind battery myths.
First, don’t let the battery completely die before charging it.
Some people think that letting the battery die completely prolongs its life, but the truth is actually the opposite.
Stop using the battery and start recharging it as soon as you notice a decrease in power.
Wait to charge the battery until it’s at room temperature.
As a general rule of thumb, you should wait about two hours to let the battery cool down.
Place the battery in the charger at room temperature and allow it to fully recharge.
Avoid removing the battery before it’s fully charged.
You can leave the battery in the charger until you need it again.
Leaving it in the charger will not damage it.
Batteries should not exceed temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or fall below 40 degrees, making it important to pay attention to where you store them.
For example, you don’t want to leave the battery in a relatively inefficient garage when temperatures fall below freezing.
Other companies may offer a similar warranty on their lithium-ion batteries, but you won’t get as much time out of the other brands.
Saving Money On DEWALT Batteries
Using smart battery practices ensures that your batteries last for as long as possible, saving your money.
Here are some other ways you can save money on DEWALT batteries:
- Look for batteries on sale (especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday)
- Coupons
- Retail loyalty or rebate programs
- Buy in bulk
It’s not recommended to buy DEWALT batteries from a third party, such as a friend on Facebook unless they have purchase information.
If the battery is too old, it may not work as expected.
It’s best to buy your battery from a legitimate retailer.
If you buy in bulk, only buy an extra battery or maybe a pack of four.
If you buy too many, the batteries may go bad before you get the chance to use them, making the savings pointless.
Securing Your Batteries
Believe it or not, you may find that your tools and their batteries have value to other people.
You may inadvertently leave them vulnerable in an unsecured shed or garage.
DEWALT doesn’t want you to lose your batteries or your tools.
Try the DEWALT DS505K Mobilelock Extended Run-Time Combo Kit that comes with a GPS locator for you to track your item at all times through an app.
The device also comes with an alarm in case anyone tries to access your tools.
However, the heavy-duty materials make it hard to infiltrate, even on a construction site.
You and up to three people can get a notice about the security breach in real time.
It also has an extra-long charge so you don’t need to charge it as much.
For smaller items, add a DEWALT Tool Connect tag to the device so that you can track the device from anywhere through an app.
5. Run Time
We all know that jobs sometimes take longer than normal.
DEWALT batteries ensure that you get a longer runtime out of your tool compared to other batteries.
Remember that the amp hours determine how long the battery will power the power tool in question.
A 1.5 Ah battery will run on 1.5 amps for an hour.
However, if you need to pull three amps from the device, it will only run for 30 minutes.
A 3.0 Ah battery will run on 1.5 amps for two hours.
If you need to pull three amps from the device, it will only run for an hour.
Keep in mind that numerous batteries offer an extended lifespan, so you may be able to add 15% of run time.
Lithium-Ion Power Storage
DEWALT batteries use Lithium-Ion power storage technology, which is one of the reasons that the batteries can power devices for a longer time.
Lithium-ion batteries use active material in the form of a positive electrode and a negative electrode that stores the ions and act as hosts during charge and discharge.
Lithium-ion technology provides the greatest energy density in batteries.
The most powerful battery offered by DEWALT is the FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 15Ah.
6. Recycling Program
We all rely on batteries probably every day of our lives, but most of us don’t honestly know what to do with the batteries after they die.
Some people slyly throw the battery in the garbage with the other garbage they accumulate, unsure of what else to do or too lazy to dispose of them properly.
The main problem with throwing away batteries is that the cobalt and nickel in the batteries can leak and get into the ground, affecting the quality of the soil and water in the area and potentially causing a health hazard.
A more direct hazard occurs when batteries come into contact with fire and flammable products, as the chemicals in the battery can explode.
Standard alkaline batteries aren’t quite as dangerous, but you should still recycle those as well.
DEWALT does its part to help customers recycle their old batteries responsibly by providing a link on the website that allows customers to find the recycling station nearest them through Call 2 Recycle.
Not only does DEWALT offer resources to find a local recycling center, but they also provide monetary incentives to encourage customers to actually do it.
If you make the effort to recycle your batteries at your local DEWALT Service Center, you will get a $10 credit toward your next DEWALT battery purchase.
7. Lightweight Options
DEWALT batteries don’t weigh as much as other lithium batteries, making them easy to transport from location to location.
The tools don’t weigh as much, either.
Lightweight tools and batteries allow homeowners to bring the tool wherever they need it.
Even more important, contractors can transport the tools easily from job to job.
While rare, transporting the tools and batteries can damage your equipment or lead to potentially dangerous situations.
Always keep tools and batteries secured properly in a case and ensure that they don’t move around too much while you drive.
8. Unique Design
Not only are the batteries and tools made by DEWALT lightweight, but they also have a very unique design.
It starts with the attractive yellow and black coloring that helps make the products stand out from other brands.
It’s not just the look of the batteries.
It’s also the design of the battery itself.
They are made to fit into the most efficient location on the tool so that it doesn’t get in the way while the user utilizes the tool.
It’s also designed to attach and detach from the tool easily so that people can focus on using the tool instead of fumbling with the battery.
9. Proprietary
DEWALT batteries generally only work with DEWALT tools (although some nifty online users have found ways to adjust the batteries to make them work with tools from other brands).
DEWALT wants users to get the next experience when using their tools.
What happens if you put the wrong battery in their product and it doesn’t work properly?
You may blame DEWALT, and they don’t want that to happen.
That’s why they make sure that their batteries only fit their design.
10. DEWALT Name
DEWALT has a great reputation in the power tool industry, and they use this reputation to increase the value of their products.
People will pay more to buy tools and batteries from someone they trust as opposed to an unknown brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are DEWALT’s The best batteries?
While there is some decent competition in brands like Bosch and Milwaukee, DEWALT is generally considered to make some of the best batteries and power tools on the market.
2. Which DEWALT Battery Lasts The Longest?
The longest-lasting DEWALT 20V battery for sale is the MAX XR 10 Ah.
3. Can I use My DEWALT Battery In Another DEWALT Product?
As long as the voltage matches and the battery fits into the new tool, you can use your old DEWALT battery for your new DEWALT product.
4. Can I Use My DEWALT Battery In A Product From A Different Brand?
It is not recommended to use DEWALT batteries in other products or to use another battery brand in DEWALT products.
However, it can be done.
Conclusion
If you want a great battery for your DEWALT power tool, you can rest assured that DEWALT batteries will deliver.
Furthermore, you can trust the tool to work properly as well until the battery inevitably dies, at which point you’ll need to purchase another battery.
While the tool and the battery may be a bit of an investment, it’s well worth it for a reliable and long-lasting product that will contribute to the successful completion of your DIY or construction projects.
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