Cordless Power Tools

Types of Cordless Tools

The Battery - The Power Source of Your Tools

The battery is one of the most important components of a cordless tool for one simple reason - it's impossible to use the battery-powered tool without it. For that reason, you should give some consideration to the type of battery you choose for your tools. The most important factors to keep in mind are:

• Battery capacity - is written in ampere-hours (Ah or mAh). The higher the capacity of the battery, the longer it will last to power the tool on a single charge
• Battery voltage - is given in volts (V). As a rule, the higher the voltage the battery has, the more power it can deliver.

The Most Common Types of Batteries

• Li-Ion - this is the most common type of battery. Li-Ion batteries have a high capacity and are light-weight at the same time. They do not suffer from the memory effect and are found in some of the more expensive models of tools.
• NiCd - these batteries are found in powerful drills because they have an excellent current carrying capacity. However, they suffer significantly from the memory effect.
• NiMH - this type represents a certain compromise between Li-Ion and NiCd batteries. Compared to NiCd, NiMh batteries are less affected by the memory effect, but their current capacity is not so high. The price of NiMH batteries is significantly lower than their Li-Ion counterparts.

If you don't use your battery-powered tools very often, you should consider purchasing a classic power tool. A battery that is used only sporadically loses its capacity significantly faster than a battery that is used regularly. Basic maintenance of your rechargeable battery will keep it functioning at its max capacity for much longer. Get tips on how to take care of your tools and their batteries here: How to Use NiCd and NiMh Batteries.