Are Cordless Drill Batteries Interchangeable?

If you own a cordless drill, you know one of the best things about them is obviously there is no cord! So, what replaces the cord? A battery of course!

Every single cordless drill comes with a rechargeable battery to keep the drill working throughout your renovation. One of the main questions we hear the most is: are the batteries interchangeable?

Will you be able to move one battery on a drill to another brand of drill? We are going to answer that question today, plus give you some tips to prolong the life of your cordless drill!

So, Are Cordless Drill Batteries Interchangeable?

Now for the main topic we are discussing today: are the batteries in your cordless drill interchangeable? Well, for the short answer: usually no, but we are going to expand on that.

For example: if you decide that you want to buy a Black and Decker product, you are not going to be able to use another battery from another manufacturer. You cannot use a Dewalt battery with a Black and Decker drill.

The reason these manufacturers have chosen to do it this way, is that they simply make more money. It is common sense on their part. They have decided that if you ever want to replace your battery, you are going to have to go through that company again.

That being said, the drill batteries are interchangeable within that certain manufacturer. We have seen plenty of people put a 12V battery in a 14.4 Volt drill, both of which are manufactured by Dewalt. This happens often, depending on what you have on hand, and usually it will work. So, in this case they are interchangeable.

As you can see, for the most part, the batteries are simply going to have to stay with the product that you have bought.

We always recommend trying to purchase a kit that comes with more than one rechargeable battery. Usually, with the higher end brands, you are going to get a battery that has been made to last a long time.

Unfortunately, as with all batteries, they do lose their juice over time and eventually you are going to have to replace them. In order to do that you will have to either purchase a new drill or purchase batteries through the manufacturer of the drill.

Going Cordless

So, all of this talk about batteries may be deterring you from actually purchasing a cordless drill, but we are here to tell you that it is a great idea to buy one. First of all, they are affordable (for the most part), and they are convenient for a variety of jobs.

They are known to be easier to use than regular drills, and lightweight so you can get into the tiniest of places. While corded drills were considered to be a lot more powerful than all the other options, this is simply not the case anymore.

There are plenty of cordless options that support the same amount of power and torque. Almost everyone is going cordless these days, and it is something that we think you should at least consider!

Saving Your Batteries

So, now that you know the batteries between drills are usually not interchangeable, how should you go about protecting them? Well first off, it is crucial within the first week of purchasing your drill that you set the standard for the battery.

It is common knowledge that you should let the battery fully drain before charging it. After that, allow it to fully charge without interrupting it. Do this for the first few times you charge your battery to allow it to feel that maximum amount of charge.

Next, it is crucial that when not in use, you are leaving your drill battery in a cooler place, as the heat can lead to the battery losing power and juice.

Lastly, always ensure that you have a fully charged battery on hand when the other one is being used. This is going to help you avoid disappointment when your battery dies and you want to continue your work. This is a great tip to keep the work going, even if one battery needs to be charged!