Cordless Tool Voltage

[monkeyplasm]

What benefits/drawbacks are there to lower voltage (say, 12v) versus higher voltage (say, 18v-19v) cordless tools?

I'd like to get several cordless tools (drill, impact driver, circular saw, recip saw, etc.) but I don;t know what to look for in regards to power, battery life, etc.

Is one better for max power, while another is better for long battery life?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[mossyboy6]

As voltage goes up so does storage capacity.

A higher voltage means more power and better battery life.

 

[MattPersman]

battery type is different from different manufactures as well. if you are starting from scratch I think i would look at the Dewalt 20v MAX line. a little pricey but new battery technology, good range of quality spec'd tools.

with recip and circ saws battery voltage and amps will be your friend. the more the better.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

voltage gives you the "power", but battery life / storage capacity depends on the milliamphour rating - labeled "mAh" on most stuff ---explained here: http://www.batteryspecialists.com/mah.htm
Not much of this is really explained by cordless tol mfrs, becuase (IMO) the average consumer won't really "get it" any way...they just see 12v, 18v or whatever and think "the higher the better" (which is mostly true anyway).

So you can arange battery cells to have a high voltage and only get 100 mAh's -- or rearange that same set of cells and you get low voltage for a very high mAh rating.

I have two batteries in my cordless tool package set I recently bought - they are both 18v lithium, but on is the "standard" battery while the other is the "long life" -- nothing more than more mAh's so the tool runs longer.

You need to have enough voltage to do the work - a 12V driver would be great for a bunch of screws in the dash of a car, but would **** for trying to drive deck screws through preassure treated 2x10's to build a deck.....and I have found even 18V is still kinda weak for saws (either circular or reciprocating).....

To sum it up - "size" the voltage to the work you will do and get the highest mAh rated batteries you can reasonably afford.

 

[IndyGarage]

As voltage goes up so does storage capacity.

A higher voltage means more power and better battery life.

Not really accurate. As the doctor says above. Higher voltage gives more punch, but not necessarily better battery life, or more storage capacity.

In my experience 12V is plenty for a drill/driver or impactor, however it is not enough for a sawsall or circular saw. I disagree with the poster who says a 12V can't drill deck screws - I've done thousands of them with a 12V tool.

18V is a good compromise, which is why the 18V kits sell so well - it's really overkill for a drill, but it can run a sawsall and circular saw, however their capability is limited.

My 28V tools have equivalent power to a corded tool. 28V for a drill is way overkill and the batteries are heavy and very expensive.

So, If I were recommending - drill and impactor only - 12V. Combo kit for a homeowner 18V. Combo kit for a pro - 28V and up.

 

[crewchief888]

seems like a lot of the lower voltage tools are (slightly) smaller, and lighter weight.

since li-ion batteries have become cheaper and more available, overall size and weight have been reduced.

a lot depends on what your intended purpose, and budget is.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

In my experience 12V is plenty for a drill/driver or impactor, however it is not enough for a sawsall or circular saw. I disagree with the poster who says a 12V can't drill deck screws - I've done thousands of them with a 12V tool.

yeah, your'e right 12v is still good for an all purpose driver -- it's been so long since I used anything under 14v I think I was really thinking of the little 7v drivers for dash work in the car.

And like Crewcheif said - lower volt tools are smaller / lighter - so it's best to really get something to fit the work you need to do and not just buy the biggest / most powerful just to give your ego a boost about how big your tool is