The world would be an easier place if you could use any power tool with any brand’s battery, but things aren’t that simple. That may not be a bad thing, though.
The DeWalt hardware brand utilizes its own series of rechargeable battery packs for its various power tools. These batteries are meant to provide the optimal delivery of power to the tools you plug them into, which helps ensure the tool’s longevity and effectiveness. Of course, as with any other name-brand product, these battery packs can be on the expensive side. Even the simplest 20V battery pack from DeWalt’s MAX system will run you at least $100 at Home Depot.
By contrast, the battery packs used by the in-house brands of hardware retailer Harbor Freight, like Bauer and Hercules, are far cheaper. For instance, a 20V pack from Harbor Freight’s Bauer brand of comparable power to that DeWalt pack would only cost $67.99. The obvious solution would be to just buy a Bauer battery and use that on your DeWalt tool, but unfortunately, that won’t work. DeWalt’s batteries and power tools are specifically built for one another, using connecting rails to facilitate a flush connection; no other battery would fit properly. Technically, this limit could be circumvented through the use of third-party battery adapters, but using adapters presents risks to both your personal safety and the health of your DeWalt tools.Batteries from Harbor Freight’s brands are not natively compatible with DeWalt tools
As nice as it would be to just slap whatever rechargeable battery packs you want onto your DeWalt tools, life is rarely so accommodating.
