Is It Worth Buying Into One Battery Platform? The Real Maths

The Great Battery Debate: Should You Go All-In on DeWalt, Makita, or Milwaukee?

Every tradesman faces this question eventually. You've got a mix of tools from different brands, batteries everywhere, chargers taking up half your van. Is it actually worth the investment to standardise on one platform? Let's do the maths.

The Current Mess (Sound Familiar?)

Typical scenario I see: bloke's got a Makita drill from 5 years ago, a DeWalt impact driver his mate sold him, a cheap Ryobi circular saw, and a Milwaukee grinder. Four chargers, multiple battery sizes, none of them swap between tools.

The hidden costs of this approach:

• Carrying weight of multiple battery systems
• Space taken by different chargers
• Time wasted finding the right battery
• Replacing batteries across multiple systems
• Can't share power between tools when one dies

The Single Platform Advantage

Let's say you go all-in on DeWalt or Makita:

Immediate benefits:

• One charger type (or one dual charger)
• Batteries swap between all tools
• Buy one big battery, use it on everything
• Bulk battery deals become worthwhile
• Tool-only (body only) purchases save money

The Real Cost Comparison

Scenario A - Mixed platforms over 5 years:

• 5 tools from different brands with batteries: ~£1,500
• Replacement batteries (5 different types): ~£600
• 5 chargers: ~£200
• Total: ~£2,300

Scenario B - Single platform over 5 years:

• Initial investment (5 tools, starter kit): ~£1,200
• Additional body-only tools: ~£400
• 4x quality batteries shared across all: ~£400
• 1x dual charger: ~£80
• Total: ~£2,080

Savings: £220 + the convenience factor

Which Platform to Choose?

The honest answer: all the major brands make excellent tools. But here's what matters:

DeWalt (FlexVolt/XR):

• Excellent all-round performance
• FlexVolt gives you cordless power tool options
• Wide range of tools available
• Strong in construction/carpentry

Makita (LXT/XGT):

• Massive tool range (200+ tools on LXT)
• Generally lighter tools
• Excellent dust extraction options
• XGT for heavy-duty cordless

Milwaukee (M18/M12):

• Best-in-class for certain tools
• M12 excellent for compact/access work
• Strong electrical and plumbing focus

Making the Switch - Smart Strategy

Don't bin everything and start fresh. That's expensive and wasteful.

The gradual approach:

1. Decide on your platform based on what tools you use most
2. When a tool needs replacing, replace with your chosen platform
3. Buy body-only once you have batteries
4. Sell old tools while they still have value
5. Within 2-3 years, you're standardised without massive upfront cost

When Mixed Platforms Make Sense

There are exceptions:

• If one brand makes a clearly superior specialist tool
• Corded tools for workshop use (no battery concerns)
• Budget tools for occasional use

The Verdict

For full-time tradesmen: yes, standardising saves money and hassle long-term. For weekend warriors: probably not worth the switch cost. For those just starting out: pick a platform now and stick with it - you'll thank yourself in five years.

Browse our full power tool range to see what's available on each platform.