2021 test3 productsPower Tool Batteries
Which Power Tool Batteries Brand Wins?
A head-to-head test of 3 power tool batteries options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
Ranked first
DeWalt
Price shown in test: 2 amp hour about $89; 4 amp hour $129, or $32.25 per amp hour; 12 amp hour Flexvolt $245, or $20.42 per amp hour
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The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.
| Product | Battery Weights | Impact Driver Pressure | Drill No Load RPM | Drill Torque | Reciprocating Saw Cut Times | Air Blower Sustained Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1DeWalt2 amp hour about $89; 4 amp hour $129, or $32.25 per amp hour; 12 amp hour Flexvolt $245, or $20.42 per amp hour | 2 amp hour 350 g, 4 amp hour 613 g, 12 amp hour 1,446 g | 1,525 PSI with 2 amp hour, 1,625 PSI with 4 amp hour, 1,875 PSI with 12 amp hour; bigger batteries steadily improved performance | 1,997 RPM with 2 amp hour, 2,005 RPM with 4 amp hour, 2,012 RPM with 12 amp hour, rated for 2,000 RPM in top gear | 334 in-lb with 2 amp hour, 415 in-lb with 4 amp hour, 617 in-lb with 12 amp hour, nearly double the 2 amp hour result | 2 amp hour struggled at 15.92, 14.95 and 19.92 seconds across three cuts; 4 amp hour was fastest at 8.77, 8.11 and 7.7 seconds; 12 amp hour was slower than the 4 amp hour at 15.36, 16.12 and 14.25 seconds because the blade moved too fast and reduced cutting speed | 2 amp hour started at 77 mph and dropped to 60 mph by the 5 minute mark; 4 amp hour started at 78 mph and dropped to 71 mph by 5 minutes; 12 amp hour held steady at 78 mph for the full 5 minutes |
| 2Makita2 amp hour about $89; 4 amp hour $109, or $27.25 per amp hour; 6 amp hour $159, or $26.50 per amp hour | 2 amp hour 380 g, 4 amp hour 619 g, 6 amp hour about 679 g | 1,625 PSI with 2 amp hour, 1,950 PSI with 4 amp hour, 2,200 PSI with 6 amp hour, the largest gain of the three brands tested at this tool | 2,092 RPM with 2 amp hour, 2,131 RPM with 4 amp hour, 2,165 RPM with 6 amp hour, rated for 2,100 RPM in second gear | 274 in-lb with 2 amp hour, 516 in-lb with 4 amp hour, 542 in-lb with 6 amp hour | 2 amp hour was slow at 18.2, 17.44 and 17.59 seconds; 4 amp hour nearly doubled speed at 7.55, 7.96 and 9.38 seconds; 6 amp hour was fastest and most consistent at 7.4, 7.45 and 7.86 seconds | 2 amp hour started at 74 mph and shut off entirely at 4 minutes 52 seconds; 4 amp hour started at 78 mph and dropped to 69 mph by 5 minutes; 6 amp hour started at 78 mph and dropped to 73 mph by 5 minutes |
| 3Milwaukee2 amp hour about $89; 4 amp hour $125, or $31.25 per amp hour; 12 amp hour $219, or $18.25 per amp hour, marketed as 50 percent more power | 2 amp hour 428 g, 4 amp hour 728 g, 12 amp hour 1,548 g, heaviest battery of all three brands tested | 2,600 PSI with 2 amp hour, described as very impressive though it broke two socket test adapters first; pegged the gauge at about 3,000 PSI in 12 seconds with 4 amp hour; the 12 amp hour battery triggered the tool's overload protection and could not complete the test even after an hour of cooldown and a retry | 1,776 RPM with 2 amp hour, 1,814 RPM with 4 amp hour, 1,869 RPM with 12 amp hour | 289 in-lb with 2 amp hour, 498 in-lb with 4 amp hour, 608 in-lb with 12 amp hour, more than double the 2 amp hour result | 2 amp hour was the best and most consistent of all three brands at this battery size, at 8.31, 8.16 and 8.21 seconds; 4 amp hour was slightly slower despite a faster blade speed, at 8.46, 8.41 and 8.41 seconds; 12 amp hour cut faster overall at 13.07, 12.26 and 11.6 seconds but was still slower than the smaller batteries because the blade over-sped | 2 amp hour started at 77 mph and dropped to 68 mph by 5 minutes; 4 amp hour started at 78 mph and dropped to 69 mph by 5 minutes; 12 amp hour held steady at 78 mph for the full 5 minutes |
How it was tested
- impact driver clutch pressure test using hydraulic rams
- no load drill RPM in top gear
- drill torque test driving a 1/2 in by 10 in lag bolt
- reciprocating saw cut time through nail embedded pressure treated 4x4 lumber, three passes per battery
- air blower air speed sustained over a 5 minute run time test
“A larger tool battery definitely made a huge positive impact in some instances, but too much battery is definitely not a good thing for smaller tools. Matching the right size of battery to the tool makes a huge difference.”