DeWalt Battery FAQs on Runtime, Charging & Compatibility

Yes, they are 100% interchangeable. You can safely use any XR battery in a standard 20V MAX tool, and a standard 20V MAX battery will work perfectly in an XR tool. This is because “20V MAX” is the name of the entire platform, and “XR” is simply a high-performance series within that same system.

DeWalt 20V MAX: It’s the name for the entire system that includes all of DeWalt’s 20-volt tools and batteries.
DeWalt XR is a premium model series of that 20V MAX system.

Every XR product is part of the 20V MAX system, but not every 20V MAX product is the premium ‘XR’ version. When you buy an XR tool or battery, you are simply getting the better, stronger, and longer-lasting version from the same DeWalt family.

Yes, in practice, XR batteries deliver more power and better performance. While both batteries are rated at 20 volts, an XR battery can sustain that power for much longer, especially under heavy load. They have a higher Amp-hour (Ah) rating, which means they hold more charge. This extra runtime and efficiency makes your tool feel stronger and work on tough jobs without dying quickly.

Yes, you can use a FlexVolt battery in any standard 20V MAX tool.
When you put a FlexVolt battery on a 20V MAX tool, the battery is smart. It knows it is in a 20V tool, so it automatically works at 20 volts. Because FlexVolt batteries are very large, they will give your 20V MAX tool an extremely long runtime.

No, you cannot use a standard 20V MAX battery in a FlexVolt tool (like a 60V or 120V saw).
FlexVolt tools need more power and a higher voltage. Only FlexVolt batteries can provide this higher voltage. A standard 20V MAX battery will not power a 60V or 120V FlexVolt tool.

No, you cannot directly use a DeWalt 18V battery in a 20V MAX tool, or a 20V MAX battery in an 18V tool. They have different shapes and will not fit.
But, DeWalt sells a special adapter (model DCA1820) that lets you use your newer 20V MAX batteries on most of your older 18V tools.
This adapter only works one way: it lets you use new 20V batteries on old 18V tools. It does not let you use old 18V batteries on new 20V MAX tools.
So, without the adapter, they are not compatible.

No, you cannot officially use DeWalt 20V MAX batteries with tools from other brands like Milwaukee, Ryobi, Black & Decker, or Porter Cable. Each brand designs its batteries and tools to work only with each other. They have different shapes and connections.
However, you can find third-party battery adapters sold online. These adapters can make it possible to use a DeWalt battery on another brand’s tool.

Important Warning: Using these adapters is not recommended by the tool companies. It can be risky for your tool and your battery, and it will almost always void your warranty. It is always safest to use the battery brand that matches your tool.

The charging time for a DeWalt 20V MAX battery depends on two things: the battery’s size (measured in Amp-hours or Ah) and the type of charger you are using.
A standard charger usually takes about 60-90 minutes to fully charge a compact 2.0Ah battery. A smaller 1.5Ah battery will charge a little faster. However, if you use a DeWalt Fast Charger, you can charge the same battery in 30 minutes or less.
Bigger batteries (like 5.0Ah or more) will always take longer to charge.

No, you should never try to charge a DeWalt 20V MAX battery without an official DeWalt charger. It is very dangerous and can cause a fire or an explosion.
DeWalt batteries have special electronics inside that communicate with the official charger. This ensures the battery charges safely without overheating or getting damaged. Trying to use other methods, like connecting wires directly, will destroy the battery and is a major safety risk. Always use the charger that is made for your DeWalt batteries.

DeWalt has not announced any plans to stop making the 20V MAX line. It is their most popular and largest battery system, with hundreds of tools that use it. They are still releasing new tools for the 20V MAX platform all the time.
The system has been the standard for over a decade and is trusted by millions of users. While DeWalt has newer technologies like FlexVolt for very high-power tools, the 20V MAX system will likely remain their standard and be supported for many more years.

“20V MAX” is the name of DeWalt’s main cordless tool system. It is called “20V MAX” because the battery has a maximum of 20 volts of power right after it is fully charged. This system includes hundreds of different tools (like drills, saws, and sanders) and many different batteries. All tools and batteries that have the “20V MAX” label are part of this system and are designed to work with each other.

Yes. As long as the tool and the battery both have the “20V MAX” label, they will work together. It does not matter if it is a small 1.5Ah battery or a big 5.0Ah battery, or if it has the “XR” label or not—they are all interchangeable.
The only exceptions are the older 18V tools and the newer high-power 60V/120V FlexVolt tools, which have their own rules as we explained above. But within the 20V MAX world, everything works together.