Cordless Tools Buyers Guide

Overview: Buyer's guide for cordless tools

There are a dizzying number of cordless tools, batteries and chargers on the market. Spending a lot of money on them is easy. But getting your money's worth is harder. Knowing the proper way to use and care for your cordless tools can be the difference between a lithium-ion battery that dies after a year and one that's still going strong after three. Read on for tips in this buyer’s guide that will help you get the most out of your cordless tools.

Tip 1: Buy lithium-ion

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Lithium-ion battery

Lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter and can last longer than nicads.

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Nickel cadmium battery

Nicads were the original industry standard for cordless tools.

Lithium-ion batteries are quickly displacing nickel cadmium as the standard batteries on cordless tools. Although lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries can cost twice as much or more, they're worth it. They're small and lightweight, they run at top power longer, they're good for two to three times more charge cycles than nicads, and they can sit for months without losing a charge.

They do have a couple of downsides, however. Besides cost, they perform worse than nicads in extreme temperatures (below zero and above 105 degrees F). But competition among manufacturers is starting to drive down prices of lithium-ion batteries. And the newest “smart” chargers and “extreme weather performance” features help keep lithium-ion batteries cool while charging, and working longer in below-zero temperatures.

From Ron Kruppa Field Editor: I waited until my nicad cordless tools died, weighed the options (literally!), and bought a lithium-ion cordless drill. I only wish the nicad drill had died sooner.

Tip 2: Six ways to make your lithium-ion battery last longer

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Lithium-ion battery and charger

It’s best to keep lithium-ion batteries at full charge, store them in a cool place and use them often.

1 Don’t discharge it completely

Running a lithium-ion battery until it’s fully discharged can lead to an early death. Try not to discharge it lower than 20 percent before recharging it. Recharge it when you notice even the slightest drop in performance. Don’t wait until yourtool has stopped working.

2 Charge it frequently

The optimum temperature range for charging lithium-ion batteries is 40 to 85 degrees F. Charging them at extreme temperatures (below 32 degrees F and above 105 degrees F) disturbs the chemical reaction taking place in the cells and can result in a permanent loss of run-time. Keep your charger indoors or in the shade.

4 Store it partially charged where it’s cool (but not freezing)

Lithium-ion batteries generally last three to five years if stored properly. Extreme temperatures shorten their life span, so don't store them in your truck, garage or freezer. Store them in a cool place, like your basement or refrigerator, at about 40 percent charge. This partial charge keeps the battery and its protection circuit operating during storage.

5 Buy fresh batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have a finite life span. They start to slowly degrade right after they’re manufactured, so it's important to buy the freshest batteries possible. Check the date code on the battery or packaging to make sure you're buying a fresh battery (instead of one that's been sitting on a distributor’s shelf for a year).

6 Use your batteries frequently

From Field Editor Bill Skog:

Read the owner's manual on the care of batteries. I work at an industrial supply company, and I constantly see people bringing tools back because the batteries don't last due to poor care.

Tip 3: Save money with bare tools

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Porter-Cable cordless jigsaw

Once you have the batteries, buy compatible tools without the batteries at lower cost.

Photo courtesy of Porter-Cable

Several manufacturers offer bare tools (the tool only), and what you see at home centers is often just a fraction of what’s available. Check online for the widest selection. Porter- Cable’s Bare-Tool 18V Cordless Jigsaw costs about $60 at online retailers.

Tip 4: Two batteries are better than one

Buy a kit with two batteries. It's almost always cheaper than buying a cordless tool with one battery and buying a second battery separately.

From Field Editor David Hawkins:

An extra battery is a must unless you want your battery to decide when you will be taking breaks.

Tip 5: Shop for a system, not just a tool

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Cordless reciprocating saw

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt cordless system

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Cordless Impact driver

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Inflator/deflator

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Leaf blower

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Chainsaw

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Paint sprayer

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Fan

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Lawn trimmer

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

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Cordless Hedge trimmer

Part of Ryobi’s 18-volt system

You may be drawn to a drill, but think about future tools before you choose. If the batteries and charger from your first tool can power other tools, you can buy “bare” tools in the future and save a lot of money. Most manufacturers offer a wide variety of tools that accommodate the same battery type. Eighteen-volt tools in particular have a broad range of options.

Ryobi's 18 Volt One+ system (shown here) has more than 50 tools that fit its 18-volt battery pack and includes cordless lawn, garden and household products. Sticking with one voltage size from a single brand means you'll always have charged batteries and enough chargers.

Tip 6: Brushless is cutting edge

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Brushless impact driver

A brushless motor works more efficiently and provides run-times that are 50 percent longer or more, compared with brushed motors.

Photo courtesy of Makita

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Impact driver kit

The Makita 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 3-Speed Brushless Motor Impact Driver Kit (about $300) comes with two batteries, charger, belt clip and case.

Photo courtesy of Makita

Pro-grade manufacturers offer at least a few tools with brushless motors. Brushless motors eliminate the physical connection between parts, which eliminates friction and wasted energy. Manufacturers claim brushless motors increase run-time by 50 percent and more compared with motors with brushes. Early reviews among users are extremely positive.

Initially, brushless tools will cost $30 to $100 more than the brushed versions and will be limited to drills, drivers and impact wrenches. But as this technology gains wider acceptance, prices are bound to come down and you’ll find brushless motors in saws and other tool types. (And then watch for deep discounts on tools with brushed motors!)

Tip 7: Buy battery packs with fuel gauges

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“Fuel gauge” on battery charger

A quick push of a button lights up the “fuel gauge” so you know at a glance how much charge remains in the battery.

Photo courtesy of DeWalt

“Fuel gauges” right on the pack or tool can be a lifesaver for lithium-ion batteries. Not only can you tell at a glance how much charge is left when you're up on a ladder, you'll extend the life of the battery by getting it on the charger before it's fully discharged.

Tip 8: Smart chargers extend battery life

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Makita battery charger

The Makita DC18RA cools a hot battery before charging.

Photo courtesy of Makita

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Craftsman battery charger

The Craftsman NEXTEC Quick Boost 12V Charger delivers a big initial charge.

Photo courtesy of Craftsman

Batteries are the costliest part of your cordless tool, and a bad charger can shorten your battery’s life due to incorrect charging and overheating. “Smart” chargers like the Makita DC18RA Rapid Battery Charger have electronic sensors and temperature and voltage controls that communicate with a chip inside the battery pack for optimal charging. The Makita DC18RA charger (photo) has a fan that blows air through the battery to cool it before charging so the battery can be charged quickly (a 3.0 amp-hour lithium-ion battery in 22 minutes). It costs about $45 and up at home centers and online retailers.

Craftsman's NEXTEC QuickBoost 12V Charger (photo; about $35) achieves a 25 percent charge in three minutes and a full charge in 30 minutes. This means you can get enough juice in a dead battery to finish up that task you're working on without waiting.

Tip 9: Same voltage, different run times

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Run-time comparison

Batteries with longer run times are bigger and heavier.

Batteries of the same voltage often come with different amp-hour ratings. Those with higher amp-hour ratings are larger and heavier, and they cost more and have longer run-times. Some companies list the amp-hours on the battery; others name them (such as DeWalt's compact and XRP versions and Bosch’s Slim Pack and Fat Pack; neither shown). A compact 1.5-Ah battery (vs. a larger 3.0-Ah battery) is usually fine for weekend DIYers, especially with a fast charger.

From Field Editor Stephen Evans:

Cordless batteries are to the tool industry what ink cartridges are to the printer industry.

Tip 10: Don’t write off corded tools

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Corded reciprocating saw

The Ryobi 6.5-amp reciprocating saw costs only about $60.

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Cordless reciprocating saw

The Ryobi one+ Lithium-ion cordless reciprocating saw with battery and charger costs about $155.

You can't argue with the convenience of cordless tools. But in most cases, the batteries will die long before you've worn out the tool. And in the case of tools requiring heavy power, like circular saws and reciprocating saws, using corded tools delivers more. They'll last forever and cost less.

From Field Editor Martin Tipton:

If the task requires a lot of sustained power, I always turn to corded tools.

Photo courtesy of Black & DeckerBlack & Decker lithium-ion screwdriver

Photo courtesy of CraftsmanCraftsman battery with built-in LED flashlight

Photo courtesy of DeWaltDeWalt Worksite Charger/Radio

Photo courtesy of DeWaltThree power outlets on DeWalt Worksite Charger/Radio

Three Cool Tools

Cordless screwdriver

Black & Decker's new Gyro 4-Volt Lithium-Ion screwdriver (about $40) is motion controlled and fits in your tool pouch or kitchen drawer. The palm-control trigger switch turns it on, and you control the speed by twisting the tool to the right or left, depending on your task. It's pretty slick for light- to medium-duty jobs.

Battery with flashlight

Craftsman's NEXTEC High Capacity Battery with a built-in LED flashlight (about $35) has an extra-capacity lithium-ion 1.6-Ah 12-volt battery pack. The flashlight can be operated attached or separate from the tool.

Charger/radio

DeWalt's DC012 Worksite Charger/Radio (about $175) has three power outlets and a weather-resistant casing. It’s MP3 and iPod compatible and has a built-in one-hour charger for DeWalt battery packs. Tunes and remote charging in one package.