Consumer Reports Ranks Cordless Power Tool Batteries: From Black+Decker to Ego Power+
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Consumer Reports’ latest rankings offer crucial insights for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts navigating the increasingly complex world of cordless power tools, revealing significant disparities in battery performance across major brands. With each manufacturer employing proprietary battery platforms, choosing the right system is a critical investment that impacts compatibility, power, and runtime.
The proliferation of cordless tools has been hampered by a lack of standardization. As one analyst noted, “Consumers are essentially locked into ecosystems, forcing them to purchase batteries and chargers for each brand they use.” While a universal standard seems unlikely, the competition between brands is driving innovation in battery technology, resulting in more powerful and efficient options. Consumer Reports’ decade-long testing process provides a valuable, data-driven guide to these evolving systems. Here’s a breakdown of six major tool battery platforms, ranked from worst to best.
Black+Decker Falls to the Bottom
At the lower end of the spectrum, Consumer Reports places Black+Decker’s 20V PowerConnect line at the very bottom of its rankings. The brand’s 40V Max line fares only slightly better, earning Black+Decker the distinction of having two of the lowest-scoring systems overall. This result may surprise some, given Black+Decker’s pioneering role in cordless technology, having introduced the first cordless electric drill to the market. However, the brand is owned by the same parent company as higher-ranking brands like DeWalt and Craftsman.
A key factor in the low scores is the limited range of battery capacities offered by Black+Decker. While power output is consistent within a voltage class, longer runtimes require higher amp-hour (Ah) ratings. Black+Decker’s 20V line offers only 1.5 Ah, 2 Ah, and 4 Ah options, significantly fewer than competitors. The 40V Max line tops out at 2.5 Ah. Despite these limitations, the Black+Decker 20V cordless leaf blower performed well in Consumer Reports’ tests, demonstrating that even with a less-capable platform, certain tools can excel. The brand’s cordless product line includes drills, saws, sanders, and oscillating multi-tools, while its 40V Max line features outdoor equipment like lawn mowers, chainsaws, and hedge trimmers.
Craftsman V20: A Mixed Bag
The Craftsman V20 line would be the lowest-ranked platform if not for Black+Decker’s underperformance. While not a complete failure, it scores inconsistently, with its lawn mower and chainsaw dragging down the overall average. Consumer Reports suggests careful research is needed when selecting Craftsman yard tools.
Craftsman, historically a Sears house brand, offers a broad range of cordless tools, including drill/drivers, drywall screw guns, impact wrenches, saws, and nailers. The “V20” designation indicates compatibility with the 20V systems of other brands. Brushless models are available for certain tools, like the V20 belt sander and leaf blower. Currently, over 100 products are within the line, with battery capacity options ranging from 1.5 Ah to 9 Ah. Despite not reaching professional-grade quality, the Craftsman V20 platform remains a popular and reliable choice for many DIYers and homeowners, reflecting its mid-range position in the power tool market.
DeWalt 20V Max: Versatility in the Middle
The DeWalt 20V Max system occupies a middle ground in Consumer Reports’ rankings, scoring slightly above Skil and Bauer but below Ryobi’s 18V One+ line. Many DeWalt 20V Max tools performed well in testing, though the cordless chainsaw still has room for improvement. A significant advantage of the DeWalt system is its vast versatility, with over 300 compatible products, ranging from cordless drills to lawn equipment and specialized tools.
The DeWalt 20V Max platform incorporates sub-platforms like the Atomic and XR lines, both compatible with the same batteries. The Atomic line prioritizes compact design, while the XR line focuses on power and durability. DeWalt also offers XR PowerStack batteries, which utilize stacked pouch cells to deliver the same voltage in a smaller package. PowerStack batteries are currently available in 3.5 Ah, 5 Ah, and 8 Ah capacities, while the overall platform ranges from 1.3 Ah to 10 Ah. Notably, the DeWalt FlexVolt system, compatible with both 20V and 60V tools, ranks higher in Consumer Reports’ assessments.
Greenworks 80V: Power with a Trade-off
The Greenworks 80V line is positioned just below the top-tier brands, representing the best of the “good” platforms or the worst of the best. The company’s 60V system performs even better, tying with Hart and Ryobi’s 40V systems near the top of the list. Greenworks appears to struggle with lower-power tools, as its 24V platform ranks near the bottom.
Greenworks 80V is tied with Kobalt 80V as the highest-ranked 80-volt platform. This is particularly relevant for consumers seeking cordless electric alternatives to gas-powered or corded equipment, as 80V batteries deliver significantly more power. The Greenworks 80V line includes zero-turn mowers, pressure washers, snow blowers, and even recreational vehicles like go-karts. However, the Greenworks 80V Snow Blower scored poorly in Consumer Reports’ tests, despite the strong performance of other products like its string trimmer and leaf blower. Greenworks excels in runtime, with its Pro 80V 21-inch Push Mower offering the best battery life. A drawback of the platform is the weight of the 80V batteries, which can make handheld tools more cumbersome to use, with larger capacities being particularly heavy. The system offers five battery sizes: 2 Ah, 2.5 Ah, 4 Ah, 5 Ah, and 8 Ah.
Ego Power+: The Top Performer
Makita boasts two platforms near the top of Consumer Reports’ rankings, but Ego Power+ takes the number one spot. Consumer Reports notes that while snow blowers and pressure washers weren’t factored into overall scores due to the limitations of current battery technology, Ego+ produces high-quality models that tested exceptionally well. This success is likely due to Ego’s focused approach, concentrating on battery technology and outdoor equipment.
Ego utilizes a single battery platform, unlike many competitors, and doesn’t even include voltage in its name (Ego Power+ is a 56V system). This focus allows for a wider range of capacities, including 2.5 Ah, 4 Ah, 5 Ah, 6 Ah, 7.5 Ah, 10 Ah, and 12 Ah units with impressive recharge times. Ego primarily offers outdoor equipment, such as mowers, blowers, and trimmers, and does not include tools like cordless drills or impact drivers. The company claims its products deliver the power of gas engines without sacrificing runtime. However, some owners have reported issues with the company’s customer service, and Consumer Reports notes that Ego’s 56V tools are heavier than many competing models.
Ultimately, choosing the right power tool battery platform requires careful consideration of individual needs and priorities. Consumer Reports’ rankings provide a valuable starting point, but factors like tool selection, budget, and desired runtime should all play a role in the decision-making process.
