Choosing a battery-powered tool platform is complex. If you’re like me, you accidentally have multiple incompatible battery platforms. While doing some outdoor landscaping (a favorite way to get outdoor exercise), I decided to take a more analytical approach to selecting a battery-powered chainsaw in hopes that I can use the same battery for a future battery-powered tool. I’m sharing what I learned in hopes that it will help you.
Tool Batteries are Almost Exclusively Proprietary
AA batteries work across electronic devices. It doesn’t matter whether the battery is Energizer or Duracell. It doesn’t matter whether your electronic device is a Samsung remote control, a Maglite flashlight, or an Xbox gaming controller. AA batteries are interchangeable.
Unfortunately, there’s very little interchangeability in battery-powered tools. Surely an 18V Ryobi battery would work with an 18V Milwaukee impact driver, right? Wrong. 18V Ryobi batteries work with 18V Ryobi tools, and 18V Milwaukee batteries work with 18V Milwaukee tools. Disappointing, right?
But the issue isn’t even just across manufacturers. Some tools within the same manufacturers use different and incompatible battery platforms. For example, the 60V Greenworks battery that powers your 60V Greenworks leaf blower will not power your 24V Greenworks impact driver. Or your 80V Greenworks chainsaw. Or your 40V Greenworks power shovel. Maddening, right?
Battery Platforms With Broad Variety and High Quality
The good news is that many battery platforms power a broad range of power tools and get good reviews in Consumer Reports. I’m sure that there are plenty of great products or even product categories that aren’t rated by Consumer Reports. However, I once bought a major appliance from a manufacturer not listed in Consumer Reports for that particular category of appliance. The salesperson asked if I owned any products from the manufacturer. “Two TVs,” I responded. When I confirmed that I was satisfied with my TVs, the salesperson convinced me that their dishwashers would be equally good. Worst decision ever. So I stick to Consumer Reports recommended models whenever possible. Here are a few battery platforms that meet my expectation of powering highly-rated tools across several categories:
Best Overall Battery-Powered Tool Platform – Ego 56V
With 28 Consumer Reports-recommended battery-powered tools spanning 10 categories, Ego’s 56V battery platform is a clear standout. Below are recommended Ego products from each of the 10 categories:
- Ego 56V Leaf Blower LB6151
- Ego 56V Backpack Blower LBPX8004-2
- Ego 56V String Trimmer ST1502SA
- Ego 56V Lawn Mower LM2114
- Ego 56V Riding Mower ZT4205S
- Ego 56V Chainsaw CS1611
- Ego 56V Hedge Trimmer HT2411
- Ego 56V Snow Blower SNT2807
- Ego 56V Power Snow Shovel MSS1203
- Ego 56V Pressure Washer HPW3204-2
Most Versatile Cordless Drill Platform – DeWalt 20V
DeWalt’s 20V battery-powered tool platform offers 10 Consumer Reports-recommended tools spanning 7 categories. DeWalt’s offerings in cordless tools, impact drivers, and oscillating multi-tools fill a notable gap in Ego’s portfolio. 20V batteries are substantially lighter in weight than 56V batteries, making smaller tools practical. DeWalt’s lawn mower runs on 40V by using two 20V batteries. Below are samples of DeWalt’s highly rated products in each segment:
- DeWalt 20V Cordless Drill DCD991P2
- DeWalt 20V Impact Driver DCF840E1
- DeWalt 20V Oscillating Multi-tool DCS356B
- DeWalt 20V Leaf Blower DCBL722P1
- DeWalt 20V String Trimmer DCST922BWCB240C
- DeWalt 20V Lawn Mower DCMWSP244U2
- DeWalt 20V Hedge Trimmer DCHT820P1
Best 18V Battery-Powered Tool Platform – Milwaukee 18V
Milwaukee’s 18V battery-powered tool portfolio is very similar to DeWalt’s 20V offering. However, instead of a DeWalt’s cordless drill, Milwaukee sports an 18V chainsaw recommended by Consumer Reports. (Milwaukee’s 12V drill carries Consumer Reports’ recommendation, but that’s a different platform). The following products represent Milwaukee’s 9 Consumer Reports-recommended battery-powered tools spanning 7 categories:
- Milwaukee 18V Impact Driver 3650-22CT
- Milwaukee 18V Oscillating Multi-tool 2626-20
- Milwaukee 18V Leaf Blower 2724-21HD
- Milwaukee 18V String Trimmer 2825-21ST
- Milwaukee 18V Lawn Mower 2823-22HD
- Milwaukee 18V Chainsaw 2727-21HD
- Milwaukee 18V Hedge Trimmer 2726-21HD
Best 40V Battery-Powered Tool Platform – Ryobi 40V
40V is a competitive segment, with the following brands earning Consumer Reports’ recommendation in at least 3 different battery-powered tool categories: Ryobi, Kobalt, Makita, Skil, Stihl (36V), Hart, Worx, Husqvarna, and Atlas. Ryobi 40V rose to the top of that competitive segment with 20 models recommended by Consumer Reports across 6 product segments. Samples from each segment are shown below:
- 40V Ryobi Leaf Blower RY421021
- 40V Ryobi String Trimmer RY402110VNM
- 40V Ryobi Lawn Mower RY401170VNM
- 40V Ryobi Chainsaw RY40550
- 40V Ryobi Hedge Trimmer RY40640VNM
- 40V Ryobi Snow Blower RY40870
Honorable Mention Battery-Powered Tool Platforms
- Makita 18V: similar to Milwaukee’s 18V offering, minus a hedge trimmer recommended by Consumer Reports.
- Flex 24V: Flex shares a parent company with top-rated Ego. Flex’s Consumer Reports-recommended products in cordless drills, impact drivers, and oscillating multi-tools fill Ego’s gap in those three categories.
- Kobalt 40V: 8 tools recommended by Consumer Reports, spanning 6 categories. Compared with Ryobi’s 40V offering, Kobalt 40V lacks a recommended string trimmer but adds a recommended power snow shovel.
- Atlas 80V: a tidy package of four high-powered yard tools: leaf blower, and string trimmer, lawn mower, and chainsaw. Warning: Atlas offers a 3 month warranty, whereas most of the other brands on this post offer 3-5 year warranties.
- Greenworks 80V: high-powered string trimmer, lawn mower, chainsaw, and powered snow shovel. Notably absent: a recommended leaf blower.
Conclusion
Choosing the right battery-powered tool platform can save you money and hassle in the long run. By considering platforms with a wide range of high-quality tools, you can ensure compatibility across your tool collection and potentially save on battery costs.
The Ego 56V platform stands out as the best overall choice, offering an impressive array of highly-rated tools across multiple categories.
For those who need more versatility in smaller tools such as cordless drills or impact drivers, the DeWalt 20V and Milwaukee 18V platforms are excellent options.
In the 40V category, Ryobi leads the pack with a comprehensive selection of recommended tools.
Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs, the types of projects you typically undertake, and your budget. Consider starting with one of these recommended platforms and expanding your collection over time to build a cohesive and efficient set of battery-powered tools.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is based on Consumer Reports recommendations and personal research as of August 2024. While we strive for accuracy, tool specifications, availability, and recommendations may change over time. Always consult the most recent product information and safety guidelines before making a purchase.
Remember that proper use of power tools is essential for your safety. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and use tools within their intended purpose. The author and publisher of this blog post are not responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided here.
It’s advisable to personally test tools, when possible, to ensure they meet your specific needs and preferences. Battery-powered tool technology is rapidly evolving, so consider checking for updated models and reviews before making your final decision.
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