I found a chart listing out most of Dewalt’s current 20V Max cordless power tool battery sizes, and so it seemed like a good idea to sort it all out again.
Here’s a quick guide to Dewalt’s battery sizes.
We’ll also talk about the Li-ion configuration.
Cordless Power Tool Battery Basics
5S means there are (5) Li-ion battery cells connected in series (head-to-tail). Batteries connected in series combine their voltages. 2P means there are (2) sets of cells connected in parallel. Batteries connected in parallel combine their charge capacity.
So if you have (5) battery cells connected in series, 5S, that’s 5 x 3.6V = 18V. If you have (2) batteries or series arrays each with 2Ah capacity connected in parallel, 2P would mean 2Ah x 2 = 4Ah. So if you have a 5S2P battery pack configuration, it’s an 18V 4Ah battery with a total of (10) Li-ion cells.
Battery cell type can be 18650 (cylindrical package, 18mm diameter with 65mm length), 21700 (cylidnrical 21mm x 70mm), 21700 with tabless electrodes, or pouch-style.
21700 cells provided a power and runtime boost compared to 18650 in a physically larger package. 21700 tabless cells provide power and longevity improvements in the same size package. Pouch cells provide high performance in a customizable flat-style form factor.
To simplify things, we’ll describe battery cells with respect to first-gen (18650), second-gen (21700), third-gen (pouch, tabless 21700).
20V Max? That’s just 18V. Dewalt said 20V Max will reduce confusion, but never explained why the same tools are marketed as 18V everywhere else outside of North America. I guess it’s really because Americans like bigger numbers, and many tool users believe 20V Max is better than 18V.
Dewalt First-Gen 20V Max Li-ion Batteries
Entry-Level Batteries
- 1.5Ah (DCB201) – 18650 5S1P- still included in some tool kits
- 3Ah (DCB200) – 18650 5S2P
Former XR Batteries
- 2Ah (DCB203) – 18650 5SP1
- 4Ah (DCB204) – 18650 5S2P
- 5Ah (DCB205) – 18650 5S2P
I thought the DCB204 battery was going to be discontinued, but it’s still an active SKU at Dewalt retailers, and they gave it the same non-XR rebranding as the other batteries.
FlexVolt
- 6Ah (DCB606) – 18650 5S3P
- 15Ah (DCB615) – 18650 5S6P
FlexVolt batteries can switch their configurations. In 20V Max mode, a 15-cell battery operates with a 5S3P configuration. In 60V Max mode (with FlexVolt tools), the same 15-cell battery operates in a 15S1P configuration. The 15Ah battery – as I understand it – switches from 5S6P to 15S2P.
Since we’re talking about 20V Max batteries, FlexVolt batteries will be described in their 20V Max configuration.
Dewalt Second-Gen 20V Max Li-ion Batteries
Former XR Batteries
- 3Ah (DCB230) – 21700 5S1P
- 4Ah (DCB240) – 21700 5S1P
- 6Ah (DCB206) – 21700 5S2P
- 8Ah (DCB208) – 21700 5S2P
I assumed the 6Ah and 8Ah batteries would be discontinued, but they’re still active SKUs at retailers, and were given a redesign from their former XR labeling.
FlexVolt
- 9Ah (DCB609) – 21700 5S3P
- 12Ah (DCB612) – 21700 5S3P
Dewalt Third-Gen 20V Max Li-ion Batteries
XR PowerStack Pouch Batteries
- 1.7Ah (DCBP034) – Pouch 5S1P
- 3.5Ah (DCBP320) – Pouch 5S1P
- 5Ah (DCBP530) – Pouch 5S1P
XR PowerPack Batteries
- 4Ah (DCB2104) – Tabless 21700 5S1P
- 8Ah (DCB2108) – Tabless 21700 5S2P
- 12Ah FlexVolt (DCB6112) – Tabless 21700 5S3P
Advanced Selection Tips
Let’s say you have 2 batteries with the same Li-ion technology. For example, FlexVolt batteries with 21700 cells in 5S3P configuration, one with 9Ah charge capacity and the other with 12Ah charge capacity.
Here’s how they break down. One will have 15x Li-ion cells, each with 3Ah charge capacity, and the other will have 15x cells each with 4Ah charge capacity. In lab tests, and typically in real-world applications, you will typically see different performance and runtime curves. The higher capacity cell will typically give you longer runtime in low demand applications, but the lower capacity cell will typically give you better performance in high demand applications.
Battery cells with higher charge density often have lower continuous current delivery specs and often operate hotter. This is why most brands stopped their first-generation 18650 battery packs at 2A or 2.5Ah for compact 5-cell batteries and 5Ah for 10-cell batteries. 18650 3Ah (5S1P) and 6Ah batteries (5S2P) delivered longer runtime, but their performance lagged behind lower capacity battery packs. In some cases, runtime specs dropped, with 5Ah batteries delivering longer runtime than 6Ah batteries in demanding applications.
Oil Resistance?
Only special versions of Dewalt batteries have enhanced oil resistance.
Which Dewalt 20V Batteries Should You Buy?
Yes, there are so many to choose from!
In my opinion, I’d look at these:
Cost is Most Important: 3Ah (DCB200) or 5Ah (DCB205) 5S2P – both go on sale frequently.
Performance at Any Price: 4Ah (DCB2104, 5S1P) or 8Ah (DCB2108, 5S2P) tabless cell PowerPack batteries.
Performance is Important, but Size Matters Too: Any of the PowerStack pouch cell batteries, depending on capacity.
FlexVolt: 9Ah (5S3P) if you need it now or wait for the upcoming tabless cell 12Ah battery, 15Ah if you need max charge capacity.
Dewalt’s older batteries are often heavily discounted or included in different freebie promos.
If price is a consideration, their first and second generation tech batteries can still be good buys. But still with their pouch and tabless cell batteries if you can’t compromise on performance.
Where to Buy Dewalt Power Tool Batteries?
Just be sure it’s an authorized dealer. If shopping at online marketplaces, buy direct from the retailer, such as shipped and sold by Amazon.
