DeWalt 18V Drill Batteries: Replace or Upgrade to 20V?

Boetpcr

2 Pack 4500mAh DC9096 Replacement for Dewalt 18V Battery and DC9310 Charger

8.4/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

2 Pack 4500mAh DC9096 Replacement

Best for: Reviving an old 18V drill with spares

Pros

• Two 4500mAh NiMH packs
• DC9310-style charger included
• Long list of fitting model numbers

Cons

• Third-party, not made by DeWalt
• Listing’s 20V compatibility claim is doubtful

The 2 Pack 4500mAh DC9096 Replacement is made by Boetpcr, not DeWalt. It bundles two 18V nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries with a charger labeled DC9310. A quick term check: mAh stands for milliamp-hours, a measure of how much energy a battery holds, so 4500mAh is the same as 4.5Ah. More capacity generally means more drilling between charges. The listing names a long line of batteries it replaces, including DC9096, DC9098, DC9099, DW9096 and DE9096, and says the charger works with DeWalt 7.2V to 18V NiCd and NiMH packs.

The listing also says NiMH has no memory effect and recommends using the batteries every two to three weeks rather than leaving them idle. One claim needs caution: it states the kit is compatible with DeWalt 20V tools and charger, and elsewhere mentions “20-Volt XRP tools.” DeWalt’s 20V MAX tools use a different slide-on battery shape from the 18V stick-style packs, so do not buy this expecting it to fit a 20V MAX drill. The spec sheet also oddly lists the voltage as alternating current, which is clearly a listing error for a battery.

This kit suits someone with a working 18V drill and no functioning charger, since it replaces both at once. If you still have a good charger and want lighter, longer-running packs, the lithium Powilling below is the alternative.

Best for: Genuine spare for 20V MAX tools

Pros

• Genuine DeWalt battery
• Light at 0.77 lb
• About 30 minute charge

Cons

• Does not fit 18V tools
• Small 1.5Ah capacity

Dewalt

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set, Electric Drill, Brushless 1/2 In 2 Speed, 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included, LED Light (DCD777D1)

9.0/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver

Best for: Beginners ready to move to 20V MAX

Pros

• Brushless motor
• Compact 7.6 in. length
• 2-speed, 1/2 in. chuck
• 3 year limited warranty

Cons

• Only one 2.0Ah battery
• Won’t use old 18V packs

The DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver (DCD777D1) is a genuine DeWalt kit and the upgrade path in this guide. It includes a compact brushless drill, a 2.0Ah battery and a charger. “Brushless” describes a motor design without carbon brushes; the listing says it gives more run time than a brushed motor, and it is generally associated with less wear over time.

The drill measures 7.6 inches front to back, has a 1/2 inch single-sleeve ratcheting chuck (the part that grips the bit), a 2-speed transmission, up to 1500 rpm, 53.1 Nm of torque as listed, an LED work light with a 20-second delay after you release the trigger, and a 3 year limited warranty. Because it runs on the 20V MAX platform, the same battery will fit other DeWalt 20V MAX tools, which matters if you plan to grow a tool collection. Our roundup of DeWalt battery operated power tools shows how wide that family is.

Choose this if your old 18V drill is worn out too, or if you are a first-time buyer with no existing batteries. It will not use your old 18V packs, so it gives way to the replacement batteries above if you simply want to keep an old drill running.

High score Our score: 9.6/10

Powilling

Powilling 18V Li-ion Battery Comaptible with Dewalt 18V Battery XRP 6.5Ah

9.6/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Powilling 18V Li-ion Battery Comaptible

Best for: One longer-running lithium pack for 18V tools

Pros

• 6500mAh lithium-ion
• Built-in charge level LEDs
• 12 months seller warranty

Cons

• Third-party pack
• May not suit DW9226 charger

The Powilling 18V Li-ion Battery Comaptible pack is a single third-party replacement for the DC9096 style battery, and it differs from the other 18V options by using lithium-ion cells instead of NiMH. The listing gives a capacity of 6500mAh, the highest here, and lists compatibility with DC9096, DC9098, DE9039, DE9095, DE9096, DE9098, DW9095, DW9096 and DW9098 packs.

It has a built-in LED charge indicator so you can check remaining power at a glance, plus a microchip the listing says protects against overcharging, over-discharging, over-current and short circuits. The seller recommends the DC9310 charger and warns it may not work with the DW9226 charger, so check your charger model before ordering. It is sold with 45-day money back and a 12 month warranty from the seller. No charger is included.

This suits owners who already have a compatible charger and want one lighter, longer-running pack. If you need a charger too, the two-pack kits in this list are the more complete choice.

High score Our score: 9.4/10

Ibanti

2 Packs 4.5Ah Replacement for Dewalt 18V Battery DC9096 and Charger(Yellow)

9.4/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

2 Packs 4.5Ah Replacement for Dewalt

Best for: Two spares plus a charger kit

Pros

• Two 4.5Ah NiMH packs
• Charger with status LED
• 1 year manufacturer warranty

Cons

• Third-party, not DeWalt
• NiMH heavier than lithium

The 2 Packs 4.5Ah Replacement for Dewalt is an Ibanti kit containing two 18V NiMH batteries rated at 4.5Ah and one charger labeled DC9310. The listing says the charger has a smart LED indicator that shows charging status, and it lists the batteries as fitting DC9096, DC9098, DC9099, DW9095 through DW9099, DE9095 through DE9099, DE9503 and DE9039 packs.

Built-in protection covers overcharging, over-discharging, over-current and overheating, according to the listing, and it carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty. The charger output line reads “7.2V-18V 4.0Ah,” which is an unusual way to describe a charger, so treat that figure as unclear. On paper, this kit and the Boetpcr kit are very similar; the Ibanti offers a stated one-year warranty and a charging status light, while the Boetpcr listing gives a battery weight and storage advice.

Pick this if you want two spares and a new charger with a written warranty period. As with every 18V option here, it will not fit 20V MAX tools.

The DEWALT 20V MAX Battery (DCB201) is a genuine DeWalt compact 1.5Ah lithium-ion pack. The description says it has no memory, virtually no self-discharge, a charge time of about 30 minutes and a weight of 0.77 pounds. The listing’s warranty line says only that it is covered by Amazon’s 30 day return, so the listing does not specify a manufacturer warranty.

This battery belongs to the 20V MAX system, so it will not fit an 18V XRP drill. It makes sense as a second battery for the 20V MAX drill kit above, or for anyone who already owns 20V MAX tools and wants a light spare. For bigger jobs, you may want more capacity; our guide to the DeWalt 20V drill and impact driver combo kit covers kits that come with two batteries.