Guide
Are power tool batteries interchangeable between brands?
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In short
Generally no: each brand's batteries fit only its own platform, such as DeWalt 18 V XR, Makita LXT or Milwaukee M18. The exceptions are battery alliances, where several brands build tools for one battery, such as Bosch Professional AMPShare, Metabo's CAS and Einhell's Power X-Change. Adapters between brands exist but may bypass protection and void warranties.
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Once you own a couple of batteries, every new tool decision depends on them. Can a Makita battery go in a DeWalt drill? Do old packs fit new tools? Do different voltages mix? This guide explains how battery platforms work, the alliances that share batteries between brands and the risks of using adapters.
Each brand has its own platform
Battery packs use different slide rails, terminals and communication with the tool, so a Makita pack will not fit a DeWalt tool. Within a brand, packs fit the tools of the same platform. Makita LXT 18 V packs fit all LXT tools; DeWalt 18 V XR packs fit 18 V XR tools; Milwaukee M18 packs fit M18 tools.
Some brands run more than one platform. Makita has LXT 18 V, XGT 40 V max and CXT 12 V max. DeWalt has 12 V, 18 V XR and 54 V FlexVolt, and FlexVolt packs also run 18 V tools. Milwaukee has M12 and M18.
| Brand | Platforms | Cross fit |
|---|---|---|
| Makita | LXT 18 V, XGT 40 V max, CXT 12 V max | Separate packs |
| DeWalt | 12 V, 18 V XR, 54 V FlexVolt | FlexVolt packs run 18 V tools |
| Milwaukee | M12, M18 | Separate packs |
| Ryobi | ONE+ 18 V | ONE+ packs fit ONE+ tools |
| Bosch Professional | 12 V, 18 V AMPShare | Shared with partner brands |
Battery alliances
Some brands share one battery system with partners. AMPShare is built around Bosch Professional 18 V packs, and Bosch listings state compatibility with many partner tools. CAS, the Cordless Alliance System, is built around Metabo 18 V packs. Power X-Change is Einhell's 18 V system used across its home and garden range.
Alliances widen the range of tools you can run on the same packs, particularly for specialist trades. Check the partner list on the alliance website for the tool you want.
10-cell packs: two strings of five in parallel, still 18 V, double the Ah. Wh = V x Ah.
What about third party adapters?
Adapters that let one brand's battery run another brand's tool are widely sold online. They may not pass the tool's temperature and current signals correctly, can bypass protection features and may overload packs. Makers generally say they void the warranty.
If you are tempted by an adapter because you have two platforms, it is usually safer to sell tools from one platform and consolidate.
Note:Using non approved batteries or adapters can cause overheating and fires. Use only genuine or maker approved batteries and chargers, and stop using any pack that gets unusually hot.
Old packs and new tools
Within a platform, makers usually keep the same battery fitting for many years, so older packs often fit newer tools. Ryobi is well known for keeping ONE+ compatible across generations. Older packs may not deliver the peak power newer brushless tools are designed for, so performance can be lower. Check the maker's compatibility notes.
Chargers also change over time. A newer charger usually charges older packs on the same platform, but confirm in the manual.
Mixing voltages and pack sizes
Within one platform, any amp hour size fits any tool of the same voltage. A small 2 Ah pack keeps a drill light, while a 5 Ah or larger pack gives a saw or SDS drill more runtime and often more sustained power. You do not need to match the pack that came in the kit.
Voltages do not mix across platforms in the same brand unless the maker says so. A Makita 40 V max XGT pack will not fit an 18 V LXT tool, and a Milwaukee M12 pack will not fit an M18 tool. Some brands make twin battery tools, such as Makita 18 V x2 models, that take two standard 18 V packs at once to run larger tools without a new battery type.
Choosing with batteries in mind
Pick a platform for the tools you will want over the next few years, not just the first drill. List the tools you need and check each is available. See how to choose a battery platform, DeWalt vs Makita and Bosch Professional vs Makita.
Once you have batteries, bare tools are the cheapest way to add more; see what body only means.
Frequently asked questions
Do Makita batteries fit DeWalt tools? No. Adapters exist but are not approved and may void warranties.
Are Bosch blue and green batteries the same? They are separate ranges. Check Bosch's own compatibility information before mixing them.
Do DeWalt FlexVolt batteries fit 18 V tools? Yes. FlexVolt packs run both 18 V XR and 54 V tools.
Do Ryobi batteries fit all Ryobi tools? ONE+ 18 V packs fit ONE+ tools. Ryobi's other voltage ranges use different packs.
What you need
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Bosch GSB 18V-45 plus GBH 18V-22 kit, 2 x 4 Ah
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