Universal Tool Batteries!

Can you use tool batteries from one power tool brand on another brand's tools?

Yes! But...

Cordless power tools are so much more portable and convenient than their corded counterparts. Old arguments were that cordless tools aren't as powerful or can't run as long compared to corded tools. With vast recent improvements in battery technology, these arguments are becoming less and less accurate. Dragging out an extension cord is enough of a hassle to make me second guess whether I really want to do that task. Yes, I guess that could make me lazy, but the fewer things I have to do to prepare for a task, the faster I can complete what I really want to be doing.

Things have been getting exciting recently. Brands are coming out with tools that were never previously available without a cord. Some companies are even offering cords that let you plug their cordless tools into the wall if you so desire. See the other article for a list of some of the most exciting tools and accessories.

Now for the biggest frustration of cordless tools... the batteries. Every tool brand has their proprietary battery connection that makes it all but impossible to use anything other than their batteries. Just like any battery, rechargeable or otherwise, tool batteries have a limited life span. With tool batteries, at the end of their life, you're locked into buying replacements from that manufacturer.

Even when you're batteries are good, you're limited in your tool selection to that specific line of tools. If a brand or tool family doesn't have the specific tool you need, then you're buying into another battery platform with different chargers, incompatible batteries, etc. Few things are more annoying that grabbing the wrong battery, or needing to walk across the shop to change batteries when there is a fully charged battery of another brand right next to me. We've already established I can be lazy.

DEWALT has taken a step in the right direction with their FLEXVOLT line. FLEXVOLT batteries are 60v Max batteries that run the more powerful line of FLEXVOLT tools, but the batteries are also compatible with DEWALT's more expansive 20v Max line of tools. This option is nice, however, the opposite isn't true; 20v Max batteries are NOT compatible with FLEXVOLT tools.

With its chargers and adapters, DEWALT has made the transition between its battery lines easier by allowing the new and old to coexist somewhat conveniently. Newer FLEXVOLT compatible chargers let you charge either FLEXVOLT, 20v Max, or 12v Max batteries on the same charging ports. And for users with both 18v and 12v Max or 20v Max tools, DEWALT still currently offers their combination charger that can handle both types.

DEWALT also offers an adapter that allows the newer 20v Max batteries to be connected to their older line of 18v tools. (The 18v to 20v Max adapter is NOT compatible with FLEXVOLT batteries.)

Now for the star of this article: METABO!

METABO is taking the first steps in making a truly universal, cross-platform compatible power tool battery. METABO is the company behind the Cordless Alliance System (CAS) which hopes to eliminate compatibility issues between battery and power tool manufacturers. Batteries that meet the standards of the CAS are compatible across different brands of tools and chargers. If the CAS gains traction in the market, it could mean a truly universal power tool battery and never having to find the correct battery again.

HITACHI now owns METABO; they really got my hopes up when they announced that their line of power tools that are widely available through Lowe's, Menard's and other large retailers would be changing their name from HITACHI to METABO HPT. It was only a logical assumption that METABO and METABO HPT would be same tool line, or at least compatible tool lines... That is very much NOT the case. METABO HPT is not following in METABO's footsteps toward the CAS; HPT's batteries aren't even compatible with METABO... This was a very disappointing realization.

If you've been aggravated by power tool batteries, or the need to buy in to different platforms, there may be hope in the future. For now, there are limited options that may prove hard to get here in the U.S. According to the CAS website, the number of tools currently compatible with the system is around 120+; that's still a smaller line than many of the larger brands have in their proprietary arsenals. If you are determined to see something like the CAS succeed and become a widespread standard, consider supporting the brands that make up the alliance.

Cordless Alliance Members:

METABO

EISENBLATTER

HAAGA

COLLOMIX

MAFELL

ROTHENBERGER

STEINEL

STARMIX

EIBENSTOCK ELEKTROWERKZEUGE

ROKAMAT