Batteries & Chargers for Cordless Tools

Batteries and chargers for cordless tools at MTN Shop UK

Every cordless power tool depends on two things beyond the tool itself: a battery to power it and a charger to keep that battery topped up. This collection brings together replacement and spare Li-ion battery packs, chargers, and battery-and-charger kits across all the major cordless platforms. Whether you need a second battery so one is always charging while the other is in use, a faster charger to cut waiting time, or a replacement pack for a tool whose original battery has worn out, the key is matching the battery to your tool's platform. This guide explains how voltage, capacity, battery types and chargers work so you can choose the right one.

Voltage versus capacity (Ah) - what the numbers mean

Two numbers define a battery. Voltage (V) sets the platform and roughly the power available - 12V for compact tools, 18V for the mainstream of professional cordless, and 36V, 40V or 54V for high-demand tools like chainsaws, breakers and large saws. A tool only accepts batteries of its own voltage platform. Amp-hours (Ah) measure capacity, which is how long the battery runs between charges - a 5.0Ah pack runs longer than a 2.0Ah pack of the same voltage, but is heavier and costs more. As a rule: choose higher voltage for more powerful tools, and higher Ah for longer runtime. For a compact drill you might run 2.0Ah; for a grinder or circular saw used all day, 5.0Ah or more makes sense.

Battery platforms by brand

Batteries are not cross-compatible between brands. Within a brand, packs are generally interchangeable across the whole platform, so an 18V battery runs any 18V tool of that brand. The main systems:

• DeWalt XR (18V) and FlexVolt (18/54V): XR is the 18V range; FlexVolt packs (like the DCB547 and DCB546) automatically switch between 18V and 54V depending on the tool, and are backward compatible with 18V XR tools.
• Makita LXT (18V), CXT (12V) and XGT (40V max): LXT is the huge 18V system; XGT is Makita's separate high-power 40V max platform (not cross-compatible with LXT). Makita packs like the BL1860B (18V 6.0Ah) fit any LXT tool.
• Bosch Professional 18V and ProCORE: standard 18V packs plus higher-density ProCORE batteries for demanding tools; Bosch also runs a 12V Professional system and larger packs such as the GBA 36V.
• Metabo 18V LiHD and the Cordless Alliance System (CAS): Metabo's LiHD packs deliver high sustained output; Metabo also leads CAS, a cross-brand alliance so one battery platform works across many participating tool manufacturers.
• HiKOKI MultiVolt (18V/36V): MultiVolt packs auto-switch between 18V and 36V depending on the tool, and remain backward compatible with existing 18V HiKOKI tools.
• Einhell Power X-Change (18V): a single 18V system shared across Einhell's very broad trade and garden range.
• Evolution (18V) and Black+Decker (18V): value 18V platforms - packs like the Evolution R18BAT-Li8 (18V 8.0Ah) and Black+Decker BL4018 (18V 4.0Ah) power their respective tool ranges.

Types of battery

• Slide / rail packs: the common professional format (DeWalt XR, Makita LXT, Metabo, HiKOKI) that slides onto the foot of the tool.
• Pod / stem packs: used on some 12V and consumer tools, inserting into the handle.
• Standard vs high-output: high-output packs (Metabo LiHD, Bosch ProCORE, DeWalt FlexVolt) use premium cells to deliver more current for power-hungry tools and better performance in the cold, at higher weight and cost.
• Multi-voltage / FlexVolt / MultiVolt: packs that change voltage automatically to suit the tool, giving one battery that serves both standard and high-demand tools on the same brand.

Choosing a charger

The charger matters as much as the battery for keeping downtime low:

• Standard chargers: charge one pack at a time at a moderate rate - fine if you have spare batteries and are not in a rush.
• Fast chargers: higher output to recharge a pack much more quickly, so a battery is ready again within a break. The DeWalt DCB116 FlexVolt fast charger, for example, covers 12V to 54V.
• Multi-voltage chargers: handle a range of voltages on one platform - the DeWalt DCB115 covers 10.8V to 18V, so it charges most XR packs.
• Multi-port chargers: charge several batteries in sequence or together, ideal for a team or a van running many packs - the Makita DC18SF is a 4-port LXT charger.
• Air-cooled chargers: use a fan to cool the pack during charging for faster, cooler cycles and longer battery life - the Metabo ASC 55 air-cooled charger covers 12V to 36V.

Battery and charger kits

If you are starting on a new platform or reviving a bare (body-only) tool, a battery-and-charger kit is usually the most economical way in - it bundles one or two packs with a matching charger at a better price than buying separately. This collection includes starter kits and power source kits alongside individual batteries and chargers.

Genuine batteries and compatibility

We recommend genuine manufacturer batteries and chargers. They are matched to the tool's electronics and the manufacturer's protection systems, hold their rated capacity, and keep your tool warranty intact. Third-party or copy batteries can carry higher fire risk, may not communicate correctly with the tool's control electronics, and can void warranties. Always confirm the exact platform and voltage before buying: an 18V DeWalt XR pack will not fit a Makita LXT tool, and vice versa.

Battery care and safety

• Storage charge: store Li-ion packs at roughly 40 to 60 percent charge, not fully flat or fully charged, in a cool dry place. This extends their working life.
• Temperature: avoid charging or storing in extreme heat or freezing cold; let a hot pack cool before charging. Most chargers will pause until the pack is in range.
• Do not fully discharge repeatedly: Li-ion prefers regular top-ups over deep discharges; recharge before a pack is completely flat.
• Charge safely: charge on a non-combustible surface, away from flammable materials, using the correct charger - never leave a charging pack unattended for long periods, and never charge a visibly damaged, swollen or wet battery.
• Damaged batteries: a dropped, punctured, swollen or overheating Li-ion pack is a fire risk - stop using it, isolate it, and recycle it correctly.
• Recycling (WEEE): never put Li-ion batteries in general or household waste - they can cause fires in bins and trucks. Recycle them through a battery collection point or WEEE scheme.

Related categories

This collection sits within our wider batteries range. For chargers specifically, see our chargers and chargers and accessories collections. For batteries only, see batteries for cordless tools, and for bundled packs see battery kits. Browse by brand at DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Metabo, HiKOKI, Einhell, Evolution and Black+Decker.

For trade orders, fleet battery supply, or help identifying the right pack for your tool, request a quote and our team will get back to you with availability.