Why Buying Off-Brand Power Tool Batteries Is A Risky Choice

Cordless power tool battery’s from major brands like Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, BOSCH, AEG, Hikoki, Festool, Hitachi, Ryobi, Ridgid, Metabo and Ozito all offer their own expensive battery systems. While it can be tempting to save money by buying off-brand battery packs, it’s important to remember that this is a risky choice that could end up costing you more in the long run.

Battery Holder Mounts Made for Makita 40V Power Tool Batteries.

 

Battery Types and Design

Getting the correct power tool battery is easy when it’s from a reputable brand, but when you look elsewhere, it’s risky. There are different battery types, voltages, ratings, designs, and more, and you’ll want to ensure you get the right kind.

The most widely-available battery is lithium-ion (Li-ion). However, older power tools used nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCad), and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries were popular for a while for being more affordable than Li-ion along with solid power output. These days, you’ll want Li-ion.

You know what you’re getting when you buy a battery from a reputable brand. If you find some no name brand from a discount store, eBay, Amazon or other marketplaces that looks like a power tool battery pack from brands such as Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, BOSCH, AEG, Hikoki, Festool, Hitachi, Ryobi, Ridgid, Metabo and Ozito it’s hard to know if it’s lithium-ion, even if the sticker says so. You have no clue what the actual battery type is.

 

Components, Voltage, and Capacity

There are several reasons to avoid third-party or no name power tool battery packs for your power tools, from the internal components, voltage, battery capacity, and more. While getting the correct cell type and design is essential, as mentioned above, ensuring the battery is of the proper quality and voltage is a big deal too.

In case you didn’t know, not all lithium-ion cells are created equal. The components inside an OEM battery from a name brand such as Milwaukee or Makita will be high quality, have strict quality control, and last longer than any cheaper ones you may find. Third-party or no name battery packs are likely using cheaper cells or recycled goods to lower costs and won’t deliver the same experience.

Additionally, those cheaper components have a higher risk of failure. Even if it claims the same 4Ah capacity, it won’t last as long as an official battery during daily use, nor hold its charge as long. Combine lower-quality battery cells with no internal overcharge or overvolt protections as you get on an OEM battery spells trouble. You could even kill a knockoff battery while it’s on the charger.

More importantly, each power tool manufacturer has specific battery voltages for each tool. Some are 12V, 18V, 20V, or even 40V. Those voltage levels are important to the overall experience. Using a third-party battery that doesn’t follow the manufacturer’s guidelines (or matches the voltage rating) can lead to overcharging. One could send too much power to your drill or impact drill, potentially burning up your power tool’s motor if it’s not receiving the proper current.

 48 Tools DeWalt battery holder mount a must for serious tradies a DIY’ers

 

Stick to the Same Brand

When buying a power tool battery, it’s important to stick to the same brand as your tools. This ensures that you are getting the correct battery type, design, ampere rating, and connector for your tools, as well as the best overall experience and proper power output.

Additionally, buying official batteries allows you to use one battery pack across multiple tools of the same brand. 48 Tools loves all products from Ryobi, Makita, Milwaukee, Ozito, Hitachi, AEG, Bosch, DeWalt, Festool and manufacture battery holder mounts constructed of durable ABS injection-molded plastic which allows for easy installation on any flat surface and at any angle with just four screws. You can securely hold 4 of your power tool batteries anywhere you want. Compatible for brands such as Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, BOSCH, AEG, Hikoki, Festool, Hitachi, Ryobi, Ridgid, Metabo and Ozito.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to save money by buying off-brand power tool batteries, it’s important to remember that this is a risky choice that could end up costing you more in the long run. Stick with name-brand batteries to ensure the best performance and longevity for your power tools.

Back to blog

Find Your Nearest Stockist

Find A Stockist