Whether you are a seasoned professional or a novice DIY, the power tools make your work as easy as pie. This pie seems more delicious when your power tool has a high-end battery. As far as the batteries are concerned, DeWalt has revolutionized the industry with its battery that shows stellar performance in the long run.

DeWalt has been launching the batteries frequently to cope with the new trends and modern tool requirements. From the diversified range of DeWalt batteries, it becomes a daunting task to choose the best for your specific DeWalt tool.

So, to make things easier for you, we have explained the DeWalt battery compatibility chart according to their capacity, voltage, and amperage. This ultimate guide walks you through the realm of DeWalt batteries’ entire lineup and sheds light on their compatibility with DeWalt and other brands as well.

Let’s explore the mysteries!

Explanation of Battery Compatibility

When it comes to battery compatibility, some factors need to be crucial, and you should consider them for a detailed analysis. Among these factors are:

1- Design & Build Quality

First of all, the exterior of the battery seems crucial to check the battery compatibility. Of course, it’s a main factor. The information and structure of the battery should be matched with the tool’s cavity and its slots and ports perfectly. The side latches, and railings should be fixed and connected properly for better functionality. Don’t insert the battery into the tool forcefully. Make sure to insert the right battery to the right tool that is compatible with each other.

2- Mechanics

To analyze the battery compatibility, you should have some know-how about the battery’s internal mechanism. The battery is organized with the symmetrical structure of battery cells. Whatever the battery type would be, you should know how many cells a battery has and what’s its capacity and range.

How much currents it sucks and how much heat it produces. Under the mechanics’ umbrella, you should also consider the voltage, current, amperage, charging capacity, and run time.

3- Chemistry

Battery chemistry refers to the specific chemical reaction a battery undergoes while charging or discharging. To know this technical factor, you need to be a bit tech-savvy. In chemistry, you should analyze the chemicals and materials a battery consumes as a current and produce as energy. On the basis of chemistry, the batteries are mainly divided into three categories.

• Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)

NiCd batteries are the oldest type of batteries still used in some power tools. In these batteries,  the cathode has nickel hydroxide, the anode has cadmium, and the electrolyte consists of potassium hydroxide. In addition to high discharge rates, these types of batteries provide a good run time. The downside of these batteries is their toxic material that may cause damage due to heat inflation.

• Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)

There is a bit of difference between NiCd and NiMH. In the NiMH battery cathode and electrolyte contain the same structure, but the anode comprises metal hydride. With higher energy levels and lesser memory effects, NiMH batteries are a step further than NiCd. They are considered an environmentally friendly option as compared to NiCd batteries.

• Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

Li-ion batteries are the latest and updated version containing Li-ion cells. The chemistry of these cells consists of the cathode having lithium cobalt oxide, the anode having carbon-based materials, and the electrolyte having lithium salt.

These batteries are also equipped with a Battery Management System(BMS). The responsibility of BMS is to control and regulate the charging and discharging process and make sure to flow the current equally and properly to all battery cells. With greater energy density, a lesser memory effect, and lightweight, Li-ion batteries are preferred in the latest power tools.

Types of Dewalt batteries are available

DeWalt has been trying to win the marathon of manufacturing the latest batteries by incorporating innovative technology to meet modern emerging trends and tools requirements. To cope With low-end to heavy-duty tasks, DeWalt has something new that fulfills the demands of your tools as well as projects. Let’s have deep insight into the diversified battery catalogs of variable voltage that consist of dozens of batteries with variable amperage.

1- 12V MAX

DeWalt 12V MAX batteries are manufactured to use with the 12V DeWalt power tools. These tools are used for light and small tasks, and 12V batteries are more than enough to meet the requirements of 12V tools. 12V MAX batteries provide a power supply of 12 Voltage.

The 12V batteries come with a variety of amperage hours, such as 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 AH. The more AH means, the more run time.

2- 18V MAX

DeWalt 18V MAX batteries are an upgraded version that is specifically designed to provide better power for tools that require 18V power output. To make sure its products meet the demands of the industry, DeWalt manufactures its power tool lineup as well as batteries.

In 18V batteries, each cell contains a nominal 3.6V and provides proper output current according to the tool’s demand.18V batteries come with different chemistry like NiCd and Li-ion. In NiCd, it comes with 1.3 and 2.4 AH. On the hand, Li-ion comes with a 2.0-5.0 AH rating.

3- 20V Max

20V MAX is a standard lineup of conventional DeWalt batteries that are a step ahead of 18V. In a 20V battery, each cell contains a minimal 4.0V and a maximum of 4.3V. DeWalt 20V batteries are of great strength and provide outstanding torque and speed with maximum run time for your 20V DeWalt cordless tools. These batteries come with 1.5, 3.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 AH rating. These batteries are compatible with 200+ DeWalt cordless tools.

4- 20V XR

20V XR is an upgraded version of 20V MAX batteries. To fulfill the requirements of heavy-duty applications, some high-end 20V tools need more power and torque. When the 20V seems not enough to meet these needs, DeWalt has introduced the 20V XR. Although these batteries have the same output current as standard 20V MAX batteries, they are more powerful and provide optimal performance compared to 20V MAX. 2oV XR batteries come with 8.0 and 10 AH capacity.

5- 20V PowerStack Batteries

DeWalt goes head to head with the advancement of technology and is proud to hold a crown to be a leading legend in the tech industry. 20V PowerStack batteries are another milestone DeWalt achieved to boost the performance of 20V power tools. DeWalt incorporates innovative technology to manufacture these fabulous batteries that consist of higher capacity and power to fulfill heavy-duty tasks.

6- 20v/60V Flexvolt Batteries

On top of all that, the fantastic trademark DeWalt has owned is the launch of FlexVolt batteries. These rechargeable multi-volt batteries have the capability to convert the voltage according to the tools’ preference.

This FlexVolt platform has revolutionized the whole realm of power tools. This intelligent guy works smoothly with 20V power tools that need light power for small and lower-end tasks. Contrarily, this multi-volt superpower donates its whole strength to give optimal performance in heavy-duty applications with 60V.

Source: https://www.dewalt.com/products/accessories/batteries-chargers/batteries.

Dewalt – Dewalt Battery Compatibility Chart

Regarding brand-specific compatibility, deWalt has designed and structured its batteries according to its power tools lineup. For optimal advantages and safety, you should know the interchanging capability of DeWalt batteries within its own power tool catalog. Have a look at the following table to understand it well.

Tools / Batteries	12V	18V MAX	20V MAX	20V XR	20V Power Stack	40V MAX XR	20V/60V FlexVolt
12V	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
18V MAX	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
20V MAX	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
20V XR	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
20V Power Stack	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
40V MAX XR	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
20V/60V FlexVolt	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

You can use the batteries for specific tools according to their voltage output.

• DeWalt 12V batteries can only be used with the whole lineup of deWalt 12V power tools.
• The 18V batteries are only interchangeable within the limited range of DeWalt 18V cordless tools.
• 20V Max batteries can be applicable within the diversified range of 20V MAX, 20V MAX XR, 20V PowerStock, and 20V Atomic power tools.
• Similarly, the 2oV XR and 20V PowerStack also use with standard 20V, 20V XR, 20V Power Stack, and 20V Atomic power tools.
• The 40V MAX premium XR batteries are compatible with the entire 40V DeWalt cordless tools catalog.
• Above all, the FlexVolt 20V/60V batteries have flexible and dual variables. These batteries are interchangeable within the whole class of 20V MAX to 20/60V Flexvolt tools. These premium quality batteries have the ability to convert to the voltage mechanism according to the tools’ requirements.

Dewalt – Other Brand Compatibility

Every brand designed its batteries in a unique perspective that it can be nearly impossible to use the batteries interchangeably with other brands. DeWalt has also uniquely engineered its batteries’ physical structure, design, slote, latches, rails, and ports. DeWalt batteries are not cross-brand interchangeable.

The Solution to Battery Compatibility

(Cross Brand Battery Adapter)

If you have a stock of DeWalt batteries and want to use these batteries with other brand power tools, you would find other ways to solve this issue. Although there is no direct compatibility of DeWalt batteries with other tools brands, there is a fabulous solution, the “cross-brand battery adapter.”

These specific adapters allow you to use DeWalt batteries with any brand power tool. You can use 18V and 20V batteries for other power tools with the same output rating. The Flexvolt batteries have a unique exception. These batteries are not cross-brand interchangeable even with the adapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

1- Are DeWalt 20V batteries interchangeable with other brands?

DeWalt batteries are interchangeable with other brands but only with the cross-brand battery adapter because DeWalt batteries’ physical format is specifically designed to use with DeWalt brand-specific tools

2- Are DeWalt 20V and 20V MAX batteries interchangeable?

Yes, DeWalt 20V and 20V MAX batteries are interchangeable within the entire lineup of 20V DeWalt tools.

3- Are DeWalt 20V batteries interchangeable with Black and Decker?

DeWalt batteries are not interchangeable with Black and Decker. Apparently, both brand batteries seem similar, but their physical structure, connectors, and specifications are also rather different from each other. For interchanging DeWalt batteries with B&D, you can use the cross-brand battery adapter.

Conclusion

DeWalt batteries are manufactured by incorporating innovative technology that can provide you with outstanding power and torque. Whether you are a weekend warrior who works on DIY projects occasionally or you are a pro technician, the diversified range of DeWalt batteries with a variety of voltage capacities would be your go-to choice.

To maximize the potential of your power tools of DeWalt and other brands with powerful and durable DeWalt batteries, you should know the brand-specific or cross-brand compatibility. This ultimate guide walks you through all aspects of the interchanging capability and specs of DeWalt batteries. Read it thoroughly to get the best out of your power tools effectively and safely.