Cordless tool replacement battery, $240 or $38 knock-off?

[atikovi]

After 5 or 6 years, this battery won't charge anymore. I do have a good spare so not urgent, but want to keep a backup. Which one would you buy? This original for $240,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335146731425?

Or a knock-off for $38,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386190058589?

 

[skyactiv]

In this rare instance, I'd get the knock off.

 

[UncleDave]

After 5 or 6 years, this battery won't charge anymore. I do have a good spare so not urgent, but want to keep a backup. Which one would you buy? This original for $240,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335146731425?

Or a knock-off for $38,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386190058589?

Depends entirely on how I use the tool. I have about 25 batt tools on the Makita 18 & 18X2 system many of these get used every week and rotate batts.

Here are two example of when and why yes or no.

YES - If it's a tool getting intermittent and light to medium duty use like a drill on a solo guy deck build project I can get by with 3rd party stuff, but the decent tested or multiple reviewed 3rd party stuff not the " sort by cost" junk.

YES - running a string trimmer on low or medium for a 1.5 acre yard.

NO- Something like helping a 2-4 guy deck build you are trying to bang out over a three day weekend you are heating up the batt and tool significantly with continuous charger to tool rotation then I'll use factory stuff with better thermal and cycle protection.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I’ll go to bat for one knock off company and that is Waitley. The one I have replaces a Dewalt 5 AHr 20 v and has lasted a few years now. No problems.

 

[Donald]

I have yet to have a Milwaukee branded M18 battery pack go bad. Ryobi branded yes. Aftermarket for Milwaukee M18 and Ryobi yes, several.

 

[Donald]

Look for the OEM batteries on Amazon or Home Depot or Lowe's on sale. Sometimes two packs of batteries on sale are close in price to one not on sale.

 

[SHOZ]

I just got a cheap 4AH battery for my Bosch saw. It's a piece of crap and only last 15 minutes of use compared to almost an hour for the 2AH OE. Inquiring about warranty now.

 

[The_Jeff]

If this is for an impact you won't get the ugga duggas. Most cordless impacts need the "bigger" name brand batteries for full oomph.

I ordered a "5 Ah" off-brand for Dewalt, but got a "six" at the same price. Whatever my 2.0 Ah factory one weighs, the math doesn't extrapolate... the six doesn't weigh three times as much.

It is, however, fine for drilling.

 

[Lubener]

Knock off. You can buy several for under $240. I have bought knock offs. They still are holding up after five years.

 

[Pablo]

I’ll go to bat for one knock off company and that is Waitley. The one I have replaces a Dewalt 5 AHr 20 v and has lasted a few years now. No problems.

1000% agree. Bullet proof knockoffs plus they make + Ah versions. I almost use them exclusively now

 

[Pablo]

After 5 or 6 years, this battery won't charge anymore. I do have a good spare so not urgent, but want to keep a backup. Which one would you buy? This original for $240,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335146731425?

Or a knock-off for $38,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386190058589?

I’m not convinced about this knockoff frankly. Does Waitly make one?

 

[spackard]

Look to see how easy it is to open up the original.
I’ve had packs rebuilt either by a place near me or by online rebuilders.
If it’s hard for you to get one apart it will be hard for the rebuilders too.

 

[JWC86]

When it come to knock off battery packs is a buyer beware situation.

Pretty good chance you wont get the capacity that is advertised.

Pretty good chance it wont have as much peak output if being used in a high output tool.

Of coarse there are exceptions but I would keep your expectations low.

Myself I only get the brand name battery packs.

 

[atikovi]

Look to see how easy it is to open up the original.
I’ve had packs rebuilt either by a place near me or by online rebuilders.
If it’s hard for you to get one apart it will be hard for the rebuilders too.

Just a few screws to remove. I was going to do that and see what kind of cells it has.

 

[Sumboodie]

With hiw many fires are started by batteries, no way I'm buying the ling long version

 

[Pablo]

With hiw many fires are started by batteries, no way I'm buying the ling long version

How many fires are started with tool batteries?

Oh and here we go

 

[slacktide_bitog]

For $38 it's worth trying. If it doesn't work, you can always get an OEM battery.

 

[Sumboodie]

How many fires are started with tool batteries?

Oh and here we go

Yes

 

[gman2304]

I replaced the batteries in my DeWalt combo after a decade, with Chineseum’s . IIRC about $35 and they’ve been doing a good job for 5 years or so. I figured the OEM’s were of the same origin so…….

 

[cptbarkey]

After 5 or 6 years, this battery won't charge anymore. I do have a good spare so not urgent, but want to keep a backup. Which one would you buy? This original for $240,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335146731425?

Or a knock-off for $38,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386190058589?

Since we already know you bought the knockoff, how is it working out?

I have a knockoff ryobi and dewalt going about 4 years and they are still good.