DeWalt has released some sweet new batteries over the past few years. They currently run two primary voltage platforms for their large cordless tools: 20-volts and 60-volts.
DeWalt 20v MAX And FlexVolt – What’s The Difference?
For those who haven’t been paying attention, DeWalt revolutionized cordless power tools in 2016 when they released the FlexVolt platform: the first-ever multi-volt battery system. FlexVolt batteries pack 60 volts to power highly demanding tools such as concrete saws and air compressors. As a bonus, FlexVolt batteries actually step down and run at 20 volts when attached to lower-power tools.
Besides the heavy-hitting FlexVolt, DeWalt is still running strong with their tried and true 20-volt MAX platform. This lithium-ion system of slider batteries is compact, rugged, and made for jobs needing moderate power.
How Do I Know Which Battery I Need?
With all these batteries for you to choose from, it might be a little confusing to know which you need for your tool. Worse yet, you especially don’t want to buy a battery only to find it doesn’t even fit in your tool. Since the two power platforms bear a striking resemblance, be certain you are adding the correct size to your cart before clicking on “Place Order”.
How Do I Know Which Batteries I Need?
DeWalt has three primary voltages for their cordless tools: 20 volts, 60 volts, and 120 volts. They are all marked with the battery size they require on the tool. 20-volt tools can use 20v MAX batteries OR 60v MAX batteries. 60 and 120-volt tools can only use 60v MAX batteries.
What Do FlexVolt Batteries Fit?
FlexVolt batteries are compatible with all DeWalt 60 and 20-volt DeWalt tools. A few exceptions exist that we’ll touch on below.
What Do DeWalt 20 Volt Batteries Fit?
Standard DeWalt 20 volt batteries are compatible with all 20-volt tools, as well as all 20-volt chargers. This means that once you join the DeWalt platform, you have access to over 100 products that all use the same battery technology.
DeWalt 20v MAX batteries can’t be used in FlexVolt 60v and 120v MAX tools, however. The lower voltage doesn’t provide enough juice for the high-demand motors.
What If I Put A 20-Volt Battery In A 60-Volt Tool?
FlexVolt receptacles have tabs that only allow 60v batteries
It will not fit. There are plastic tabs on all 60 and 120-volt tools that physically prevent using 20-volt batteries. FlexVolt batteries have special ports that allow their use.
What Are DeWalt XR Batteries?
DeWalt 20v MAX XR batteries are just like standard 20-volt batteries, but they last longer relative to their size. The XR stands for Extended Runtime, so you get extra life out of them before running out of juice.
Do These Batteries Work In Brushless Tools?
Yes, DeWalt batteries will work in all DeWalt tools of the correct voltage whether the tool is brushed or brushless. Brushless refers to the construction of the motor. Brushless tools will use the batteries more efficiently and therefore last longer per charger, however, than brushed tools.
What About DeWalt 12-Volt Tools?
DeWalt also produces a line of ultra-compact 12v MAX batteries and tools. These smaller batteries only fit on tools labeled as 12v MAX, and vice versa. 20v MAX and Flexvolt batteries are not only too powerful, but they are physically too large for the receptacles on these pint-sized devices.
Do 120v MAX Tools Have Their Own Batteries Too?
No. At the time of this writing, there is only one DeWalt cordless tool that uses 120 volts: the 12-Inch Cordless Miter Saw. While it harnesses 120v DC power, it achieves this by having two slots for 60v batteries running in series. As a substitute, DeWalt created an adaptor for the miter saw to swap out batteries for wall power since they have the same voltage.
Are There Exceptions To These Rules?
Yes. While most DeWalt batteries fit on all tools they are marked as compatible with, there are a few that don’t. Due to their size, FlexVolt packs don’t fit all smaller tools and adaptors. A few newer compact 20v MAX packs are slightly longer than others, and so also don’t fit all tools or chargers.
A Visual Representation
15 Comments
Joe
December 23, 2018 at 4:29 pmIf I use a 60 volt battery on usb charger does it last longer than the 20 volt
Acme Tools
December 26, 2018 at 8:06 amHi Joe, Thank you for your question. When you use a DeWalt FLEXVOLT battery the tool, or in this case the USB Power Pack, will determine if the battery will be ran in the 60V or 20V connection orientation. At this time DeWalt only offers a 20V USB Power Pack so the determining factor as to what battery will run longer on the power pack will be the Amp Hour rating of your battery. The battery with the higher 20V Amp Hour (Ah) rating will last longer in that specific unit.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
Phillip
January 28, 2019 at 7:33 amIt depends on the amp hr rating on the 20 volt battery your using. I have read that the 6 amp hr 20 volt battery has a longer run time than the 60volt flexvolt 6 amp hr battery when used in a 20 volt platform. But if you have a 60 volt 9amp hr or 12 amp hr . They will run longer than and battery you can get in the 20 volt Max line .
Jay
January 9, 2019 at 7:06 pmWill the 60 volt flex dewalt battery compatible with the 36 volt tools
Acme Tools
January 10, 2019 at 7:50 amHello, Thank you for your question. The DeWalt 60V FLEXVOLT battery is not compatible with the DeWalt 36V Tools, however, they will work with the DeWalt 20V MAX Tools.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
Phil
January 10, 2019 at 5:29 pmCan I use the 20V (non-XR) battery from my drill on the 20V XR hammer drill without it damaging it?
Acme Tools
January 11, 2019 at 8:07 amHi Phil, Thank you for your question. You can use the DeWalt 20V MAX non-XR battery on your 20V XR Hammer Drill, in fact, you can use any DeWalt 20V battery in any DeWalt 20V tool.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
Brian
January 22, 2019 at 4:32 pmCan I charge 20v xr batteries on a regular 20v charger?
Acme Tools
January 23, 2019 at 7:55 amHi Brian, Thank you for your question. You can charge a DeWalt 20V MAX XR Battery on any DeWalt 20V MAX Charger. Depending on the charger you use it might take longer on one than another.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
List
January 24, 2019 at 5:23 pmHello and thanks for the very helpful article. Are the 60V/20V FlexVolt Batteries compatible with the Dewalt DCS331B 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Jigsaw? I understand that the voltage is compatible, but you say in the article that SOME cordless 20V MAX tools will not allow the FlexVolt Batteries to fit in them. You do not mention the DCS331B jigsaw, so it seems the FlexVolt 60V/20V batteries WILL WORK in that tool. Is that right? Thanks very much.
Acme Tools
January 25, 2019 at 8:11 amHello, Thank you for your question. The DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V/20V batteries will work with the DCS331B Jigsaw. The compatibility issue comes into play when the battery is physically too large to fit into the tool. Some older lights and lasers have a compartment for the battery and because of the larger size of the FLEXVOLT batteries they do not fit.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
Kyle
February 3, 2019 at 7:12 amI was told not to use the 20v/60v flex volt battery on any tool that is not brushless or else it will burn the tool up. Is it true that those batteries only should be used on brushless tools?
Acme Tools
February 4, 2019 at 7:38 amHi Kyle, Thank you for your question. The DeWalt 20V/60V FLEXVOLT batteries can be used in any DeWalt 20V or 60V Tool no matter if it is brushless or not.
Thank you,
Acme Tools
Karl Green
February 19, 2019 at 1:48 pmI have a Dewalt DCD777C2 Drill an a DCF880 Impact Wrench the y came with the 20 volt battery 1h. was wondering what size 4h or 5h I can use with these tools. thank u
Acme Tools
February 20, 2019 at 8:00 amHello, Thank you for your question. You can use any DeWalt 20V MAX battery with your DCD777C2 and DCF880. The Ah rating on the battery could affect performance and runtime but it will not determine which tool it will work on (unless the battery is physically too large to fit into a designated area, as in some lights and lasers).
Thank you,
Acme Tools