{"id":29089,"date":"2023-01-10T20:31:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T20:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/10\/why-you-shouldnt-buy-off-brand-power-tool-batteries-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2023-01-10T20:31:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T20:31:39","slug":"why-you-shouldnt-buy-off-brand-power-tool-batteries-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/10\/why-you-shouldnt-buy-off-brand-power-tool-batteries-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Shouldn\u2019t Buy Off-Brand Power Tool Batteries \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\nOpinion<\/strong> <\/p>\n

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. <\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"Ryobi
Cory Gunther \/ Review Geek<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While buying an off-brand or refurbished power tool battery is tempting, don’t do it. Third-party packs are unreliable, can ruin your tool, and won’t have good battery life.<\/p>\n

Cordless power tools are available from several big-name brands, each using its own expensive battery system.\u00a0Walk down any hardware tool aisle, and take your pick<\/a>. But no matter what power tool brand you use<\/a>, you shouldn\u2019t buy off-brand battery packs.<\/p>\n

Fans of DeWALT, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Snap-On, Makita, and more will quickly realize that batteries are one of the most expensive aspects<\/a> of any power tool collection. If you\u2019re asking yourself, \u201cdo my tools need official batteries?\u201d the answer is yes.<\/p>\n

No one wants to spend $100 or more for a pair of battery packs, myself included. And while I know it can be tempting to snag a no-name power tool battery online or find a refurbished (rebuilt) battery, it\u2019s not worth the risks or wasting your hard-earned money.<\/p>\n

Battery Types and Design<\/h2>\n
\"18V
Nina Unruh\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting the correct power tool battery is easy when it\u2019s from DeWALT or Ryobi, but when you look elsewhere, it\u2019s risky. There are different battery types, voltages, ratings, designs, and more, and you\u2019ll want to ensure you get the right kind.<\/p>\n

The most widely-available battery is lithium-ion (Li-ion). However, older power tools used\u00a0nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCad), and\u00a0Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries were popular for a while for being more affordable than Li-ion along with solid power output. These days, you\u2019ll want Li-ion.<\/p>\n

You know what you\u2019re getting when you buy a battery from a reputable brand. If you find some random no-namer on Amazon that looks<\/em> like a Ryobi battery pack, it\u2019s hard to know if it\u2019s lithium-ion, even if the sticker says so. You have no clue what the actual battery type is.<\/p>\n

Power tool battery packs also have different ampere ratings (like a 4 Ah battery pack) and other specs, which is just as important. And that\u2019s without considering the design and connector, how well it\u2019ll fit not one\u2014but all\u2014of your brand of tools, and how well it\u2019ll communicate with the device to ensure the best experience and proper power output. Plus, once you buy one battery, it\u2019ll work with a slew of tools from that brand, so stick to the same brand for everything.<\/p>\n

Components, Voltage, and Capacity<\/h2>\n
\"Milwaukee
astudio\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are several reasons to avoid third-party power tool battery packs, 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.<\/p>\n

In case you didn\u2019t know, not all lithium-ion cells are created equal. The components inside an OEM battery from a name brand will be high quality, have strict quality control, and last longer than any cheapy one you find online.\u00a0Third-party battery packs are likely using cheaper cells or recycled goods to lower costs and won\u2019t deliver the same experience.<\/p>\n

Additionally, those cheaper components have a higher risk of failure. Even if it claims the same 4 Ah capacity, it won\u2019t 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\u2019s on the charger.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Using a third-party battery that doesn\u2019t follow the manufacturer\u2019s guidelines (or matches the voltage rating) can lead to overcharging. One could send too much power to your drill or impact wrench, potentially burning up a tool\u2019s motor if it\u2019s not getting the proper current.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen a no-name battery start melting, killing itself and the power tool. And the second battery in that \u201caffordable 2-pack\u201d I bought online failed within the first month. I learned that the hard way, so take it from me, get official battery packs.\u00a0You\u2019ve been warned.<\/p>\n

Tips to Improve Power Tool Battery Life<\/h2>\n
\"DeWALT
Gartland\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether you already have multiple cordless power tool batteries or recently bought more, the next thing you\u2019ll want to know is how to preserve the battery\u2019s life. You can take several steps to ensure they last longer and work their best.<\/p>\n

Like lithium-ion batteries in your smartphone, power tool batteries will start to hold less of a charge and degrade over time. This is due to the makeup on the inside, but other factors like charging, storage, and temperate will also affect the life of the battery.<\/p>\n

First off, don\u2019t overcharge your power tool battery pack. Many owners leave a battery on the charger 24\/7 and only take it off when needed. That\u2019s a habit you\u2019ll want to break. Leaving the battery on the charger all the time can lead to overcharging, additional heat, and degradation. But don\u2019t store it on empty, as that\u2019s bad for the battery too.<\/p>\n

Another common mistake is using your power tool until the battery dies, then instantly throwing it on the charger so you can get enough juice to finish the job. All power tool brands recommend letting the battery pack cool between use and charging. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lithium-ion likes to stay in the same temperature range as humans, especially when charging, so letting it cool down first can enhance the life of your battery pack. The same goes for the cold. Charging your power tool battery out in the cold isn\u2019t a good idea, and it\u2019ll recharge slower. Additionally, don\u2019t leave a battery pack (especially on empty) sitting in a cold storage shed over the winter. Bring it in the garage, or better yet, inside the house with a 60-80% charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you ever left your phone in the car during cold winter months or on a hot summer day and noticed the battery depleted? The same happens to power tool batteries, so take care of them.<\/p>\n

Over time and with heavy usage, all battery packs will eventually hold less charge and not be as effective. Follow these steps to prolong the life of your battery, and when the time comes, get an official battery from your brand of choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n