What's Inside Tool Batteries? Milwaukee FLEX DeWalt Makita Snap-On [18650 21700 ??]

Which battery cells does each tool manufacturer use in their tool batteries? We take a look under the hood of the RIDGID, Snap-On, FLEX, Milwaukee, Makita, and DeWalt batteries to find out. Which ones are 18650 cells and which are 21700, and what's the difference? Is Samsung the go-to choice, or is it Sony, Panasonic, or Sanyo?

[MrHowieZ]

We need more videos like this on batteries. There is a lot of confusion out there.

[PhillyFixed]

Thanks, Tim! I wanted to do this but hadn't gotten to it. Now I can just refer to this video 👍

[hidrokoxilas]

i think bosch procore series batteries are 21700, also metabo (not metabo hpt) has new high output batteries with 21700.

[mndog]

Interesting footnote on the DeWalt is how they are using the 21700’s additional output. DeWalt’s PowerDetect line specifically responds to its 8Ah and 10Ah battery packs, that themselves are both 21700 cells. The PowerDetect develops the extra power by way of increasing the amperage of the tool vs the FlexVolt, Kobalt, and FLEX increasing the voltage to develop more power. In my opinion, the DeWalt PowerDetect is the smarter design due purely to battery volume and weight being smaller and having a longer runtime with that smaller weight and volume, they are utilizing the 21700’s in the smartest manner.

[mhack]

Good job, I have been wondering about this for a long time. I wish you could have included a Bosch 18v.

[jasonwiltjer]

The DeWalt is a 18 volt, it's 20 volts max, but it's no different than any of the others.

Edit: I saw later in the video you mentioned this, great video man 👍

[ForgottenGamesAndMods]

21700 will always win vs 18650 when it comes to performance related to brute power (max current). But from a capacity perspective, the manufacturing process has to evolve a little more to catch up with 18650s in regard to capacity per cell volume (energy density). 25Rs are the most used 18650s today in power tools. Batteries of mid-rage tools go for Sony V3s or newer than can also be 10A, not 20 like samsungs. Milwaukee stared with 12AH the use of 21700. Now they have 2x5 and 1x5 batteries with 21700s rated high output.

[TsunauticusIV]

Your favorite belt and box channel sent me lol

[derdude]

Makita uses the 21700 cells in the 40v tools. The 18v line won’t get them.

[johnargumaniz]

That little ridgid palm impact was a pretty random appearance lol. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that

[chrisgeoss]

I really appreciate this video as I know nothing about batteries. All my tools have the 18650 line and I thought I really needed to get the 21700 line up. I don't over do my tools so it seems as though my batteries will do just fine. Thankyou

[baseballdude]

Metabo HPT 36V (Multivolt) are all 21700 cells the 36V batteries are backwards compatible with their 18V line(Unlike Makita 40V😥) and run 5.0 with their 18V tools 2.5 as a 36V-- the larger battery runs 8.0 for 18V and 4.0 for 36V
I haven't seen too much difference in run time between my 18V and 36V Metabo HPT batteries
They run much cooler with the 36V tools and significantly increase power with both 18V/36V tools

[keegankent]

Wow. Very interesting. Id like seeing the in’s and outs if these battery tools some more.

[ajmckay]

Awesome video but not really anything not already available with a small amount of research. Where I think we need more information is in the features of the batteries and how they interact with the tools - not the difference between 18650 and 21700 cells. Obviously a bigger battery will have higher output. I want to know what the features of the battery management system are and how tool makers are interacting with their batteries. Also, while 5 of the 6 batteries had batteries rated at 20A continuous is that really necessary? How many amps does a tool draw under load? With Lithium cells there's always a tradeoff between capacity and max output.

[nolimit]

whats that ridgid tdriver you used to take apart the batteries. Never seen anyting like it before.

[derekbross]

I’d like to see the same video for the 21700 batteries. I know Milwaukee doesn’t use the same cells in all their HO batteries. The 6 AH and 8 AH have difference cells for example. I’d be curious to see the difference and what everyone else is using.
Sort of surprising Flex didn’t go with 21700’s right away.

[minnesotaman]

im disappointed that every flex battery isn't 21700 if i made a new tool company to rival the big 3 brands I'd use all 21700 cells unless its for a brushed tool

[shanew]

Great video! That Ridgid palm driver is slick! Does Milwaukee make one as I'm in their platform? I did just order the Milwaukee 2505-22 M12. 😎😏

[greenmanyyy]

Hello,
What is the name, model number and voltage of the small Ridgid powered screw driver that you used to disassemble and assemble these battery packs?

[emmettturner]

I’ve seen DeWALT DCB205 packs with cells from three different countries. Heck, I bought two from Tractor Supply Co and they both had different origins for cells.