Anyone else confused by cordless battery compatibility?

diynovice887 · 2026-03-28T12:31:50+0000

Bit of a random one but I've been going down a rabbit hole with cordless tool batteries lately and thought I'd share in case anyone else has had the same headache.

I've got a mix of Makita and DeWalt cordless stuff that's built up over the years — some from Screwfix deals, a couple of hand-me-downs from my dad, that sort of thing. Never really paid attention to which batteries worked with what until I tried to use a DeWalt battery in a tool that turned out to need FLEXVOLT. Cue 20 minutes of googling on site in the rain.

Anyway I ended up putting together a spreadsheet for myself mapping out what fits what across the different brands and platforms. It got a bit out of hand and turned into a proper reference site — toolcompatibility.com. It covers Makita LXT/XGT, DeWalt 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT, Milwaukee M18/M12, Ryobi ONE+ and a few others.

Not trying to sell anything, it's just tables and compatibility info. But it's saved me a few quid already from nearly buying the wrong batteries off eBay.

Curious whether anyone else runs multiple brands or if you're all sensible enough to stick to one platform?

Highway Man · 2026-03-28T12:42:32+0000

Adapters are available to run one make of tool to another manufacturers battery.

noseall · 2026-03-28T12:49:31+0000

diynovice887 said:
Bit of a random one but I've been going down a rabbit hole with cordless tool batteries lately and thought I'd share in case anyone else has had the same headache.

I've got a mix of Makita and DeWalt cordless stuff that's built up over the years — some from Screwfix deals, a couple of hand-me-downs from my dad, that sort of thing. Never really paid attention to which batteries worked with what until I tried to use a DeWalt battery in a tool that turned out to need FLEXVOLT. Cue 20 minutes of googling on site in the rain.

Anyway I ended up putting together a spreadsheet for myself mapping out what fits what across the different brands and platforms. It got a bit out of hand and turned into a proper reference site — toolcompatibility.com. It covers Makita LXT/XGT, DeWalt 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT, Milwaukee M18/M12, Ryobi ONE+ and a few others.

Not trying to sell anything, it's just tables and compatibility info. But it's saved me a few quid already from nearly buying the wrong batteries off eBay.

Curious whether anyone else runs multiple brands or if you're all sensible enough to stick to one platform?

All our cordless stuff is Dewalt now. So no issues for me.

transam · 2026-03-28T13:23:20+0000

Most of our kit is makita

Or miliwauki

One of our blokes started his transit van with a makita battery when he had a flat battery on a job
Afai recall he linked two together ??? Started it any way

SPLINE · 2026-03-28T15:58:26+0000

I gave up with cordless tools after not being able to get a new battery for my DeWalt drill. The drill was perfectly good, although old, they had just stopped selling batteries for it, so now I'm back to my trusty mains drill.

If you go around the markets and car boots, you will see any number of used cordless tools for sale - without batteries, and for which one cannot buy a battery.

The move away from mains-powered equipment was another of modern life's great con tricks.

blup · 2026-03-28T18:44:27+0000

Be aware that battery adapters can drain the battery very quickly. My Milwaukee battery torch discharges a lot lot quicker when not in use, down from 4 bars to one in a couple of days. That said as if they are useful if you are desperate for a spare.

Dec27 · 2026-03-28T18:49:27+0000

diynovice887 said:
Bit of a random one but I've been going down a rabbit hole with cordless tool batteries lately and thought I'd share in case anyone else has had the same headache.

I've got a mix of Makita and DeWalt cordless stuff that's built up over the years — some from Screwfix deals, a couple of hand-me-downs from my dad, that sort of thing. Never really paid attention to which batteries worked with what until I tried to use a DeWalt battery in a tool that turned out to need FLEXVOLT. Cue 20 minutes of googling on site in the rain.

Anyway I ended up putting together a spreadsheet for myself mapping out what fits what across the different brands and platforms. It got a bit out of hand and turned into a proper reference site — toolcompatibility.com. It covers Makita LXT/XGT, DeWalt 20V MAX/FLEXVOLT, Milwaukee M18/M12, Ryobi ONE+ and a few others.

Not trying to sell anything, it's just tables and compatibility info. But it's saved me a few quid already from nearly buying the wrong batteries off eBay.

Curious whether anyone else runs multiple brands or if you're all sensible enough to stick to one platform?

See @Highway Man reply.

Dec27 · 2026-03-28T18:52:18+0000

Tbh Milwaukee are the best “affordable” option now.

I’ve got an adaptor for my Bosch sds drill, it a far superior tool with a Milwaukee 6.ah battery

Anyone else confused by cordless battery compatibility?

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