Cutting the cord is easy.
Choosing a cordless battery platform, however can be much more difficult.
Let’s start by narrowing down the battery voltage categories.
We will ignore the 14.4V, 24V and 36V battery platforms.
The 24V and 36V batteries only power professional grade tools with limited opportunities to expand beyond those tools.
That leaves us with 12V and 18V battery platforms which are the most popular and widely available cordless tools.
Don’t be scared off by 18V and 19.2V tools as being less powerful than the 20V tools.
ThisDeWalt 20V MAXis a good examplenote the asterisk and read the fine print.
Everyone else is a DIYer, whether your skill is zero or very advanced.
No need to spend the money on an 18V tool that sits on the charger most of the time.
Cordless power tool batteries are not cross compatible among manufacturers.
If you go Craftsman then you are stuck with them unless you start over with another company.
Get Hands-On
The highest rated tools aren’t always the best fit.
Comfort trumps almost everything.
If a tool is awkward to use, then it will sit.
Everything Else
Thebrushed vs. brushlesstool debate applies to the pros more than DIYers.
Bundled power tool sets are a great way to start your collection.
Buying a combo of two or more tools is less expensive than one at a time.
This grouping of three18V RYOBI One+ toolsand one flashlight is $180.
And thisDeWalt 12V MAXcombo kit is $245.
These are very reasonable prices for expandable platforms that include three solid power tools (and a flashlight).
Photos courtesy ofCharles & Hudson.
