Cordless tools are awesome because they allow you to work anywhere, without worrying about where the power outlets are. The downsides are:
- Battery models often become obsolete
- All batteries stop working eventually
- New batteries are expensive
- You have to buy a new set of batteries (and chargers) for every brand of tools you own
But there is a way to save a lot of money on cordless tools, while ensuring that you'll be able to use them for many years.
The secret to getting a lot of cheap cordless tools that you can use for a long time, is to have a backwards compatible buying strategy. This strategy includes finding which batteries are most available, finding battery adapters, then looking for the highest quality tools that fit those adapters.
Many people only focus on buying the highest quality tools…and that's not a bad idea.
But also consider if you'll be able to get replacement batteries in the future, when your current batteries stop working.
If you can't get replacement batteries, then you'll have to buy a new set of power tools.
That will get very expensive.
So it pays to buy tools based on the availability of batteries.
Now let's get into the specific strategy that you can use to buy a lot of cordless power tools for cheap, and make sure that you can use them for many years to come.
Step 1: Select Batteries For Only ONE Tool Brand
Cordless tools from reputable manufacturers are usually very well built and will withstand a lot of abuse. However, the achilles heel of these tools is the batteries.
If the company doesn't continue to make the batteries for their older tools, and there isn't a third party that makes replacements, then your only option is to buy new tools.
I don't blame the companies for not wanting to make batteries for their older models.
It's a diminishing return and their newer models usually perform better anyway.
So before you buy any more cordless tools, take a look at which manufacturers have the most number of replacement batteries available for sale.
This will allow you to save money by only buying one type of batteries and one set of chargers.
The best place to find this information is on eBay. They have a huge marketplace for replacement batteries.
To find out which tool brands have the most batteries available, simply search for:
brand name + battery
For example, if you wanted to find out how many Makita battery listings there are, search for:
makita battery
Don't worry about model numbers or voltages. I'll get into why that doesn't matter too much in step 2.
Just do a search for all the major brands.
Here's a list to get you started, and the number of listings I found for each search.
- dewalt battery: 14,394
- makita battery: 8,478
- black and decker battery: 6,707
- craftsman battery: 5,312
- milwaukee battery: 12,527
- rigid battery: 78
- ryobi battery: 8,086
- porter cable battery: 3,772
- bosch battery: 2,549
- skil battery: 1,215
In general, you can't go wrong if you stick with any of these brands of tools.
Stay way from companies with unknown names. The quality of those products are questionable, at best.
However, as you can see in the list above, the companies that have the most replacement batteries available are Dewalt and Milwaukee.
You should stay away from Rigid tools because they have the least number of battery replacement options…by far.
Since Dewalt has the most battery options available, I've picked that brand as the type of batteries that I'm going to stock up on.
You may want to go with Milwaukee.
Do what works for you.
Step 2: Look for Battery Adapters
Next, find out if there are battery adapters that will fit the batteries you selected in step 1.
For example, is there an adapter that will allow you to use Dewalt 20v batteries on Ryobi 18v tools?
Why, yes there is!
In fact, you can get Dewalt battery adapters that will do the following conversions:
- Dewalt 20v battery to Dewalt 18v tools
- Dewalt 20v battery to Porter Cable 20v tools
- Dewalt 20v battery to Milwaukee 18v tools
- Dewalt 20v battery to Craftsman 20v tools
- Dewalt 20v battery to Rigid 18v tools
Those are just a few examples. Do your own research to find out more about adapters for your favorite brand of battery.
Batteries are generally useable in multiple tools across a brand. But be sure to double check that your adapter fits the specific tool you want to buy.
When you buy the most recent model of battery, then use an adapter to use those batteries with older tools, you get the best of both worlds.
Then you only have to buy one type of battery and one set of chargers for all your tools.
Step 3: Choose Your Tools
Once you understand the battery landscape, then it's time to select the tools you want to buy.
If you want to save a lot of money, buy older model tools that use the old battery type. You can still get those tools new, but they will be cheaper because they are not the latest model.
Then buy a new battery (of the older battery type) from a third party or buy the newest batteries and add an adapter to use them with the older tools.
Many of these older model tools do the same job as the newer ones, but for a fraction of the cost.
It's up to you to research the specific tools that you like best. Everyone has different needs, so find out what works for your situation.
But knowing about battery adapters allows you to choose from a fairly wide range of top brands of tools, while buying just one type of battery and charger.
Since you're using the newest type of battery, you can also buy the newest tools, if you want to splurge a little.
More Tips for Saving Money on Cordless Power Tools
Here are a couple more tips if you want to save even more money.
They will require a little more work, but the money you save will help you buy more tools and batteries.
Buy Used Tools
I've come across a lot of high-quality tools on Craigslist that have only been used a couple of times. As long as they aren't too far away, I'll go and pick them up.
For example, I got this Dewalt circular saw for $15.
It looks almost new.
The guy sold it for cheap because he didn't have a battery for it.
Since it uses the old 18v Dewalt battery, I can either buy a brand new, third party 18v replacement on eBay, or buy an adapter and use the newest Dewalt 20v battery.
You can find these used tools for cheap all the time, so keep an eye on your local trading website, mobile app or swap meet.
Refurbish Old Battery Cases
Another way to save money is to refurbish old battery cases. Most rechargeable batteries, regardless of size, are simply made up of what are basically AA-sized batteries.
Even Tesla cars are powered by a lot of these small batteries strung together.
So if you can learn how to refurbish these battery packs by replacing the individual batteries, you can get an old battery pack working like new again.
However, there is a risk of the batteries catching on fire, if they are not installed correctly.
If you cannot get proper training on how to do it yourself, then see if you can find someone who will do it for a reasonable price.
Final Thoughts
That's how you can build your cordless tool collection, without spending a fortune on different types of batteries and chargers.
When you only have to buy one brand of battery, but can use it across multiple brands of tools, that dramatically reduces your costs and increases the number of tools you can afford to buy.
Buying used tools saves you even more money, especially when it comes to tools where the original batteries are hard to find.
Since you know about battery adapters, you can scoop up these tools for super cheap and use the batteries you already have.
Also find out if there are ways to turn your cordless tools into corded tools. That will allow you to continue to use your favorite tools until they finally break.
Have fun building your battery powered tool collection!
