Buying Guide for Powertool Battery Chargers
Battery chargers are devices that are used to charge portable power tools, such as electric drills and impact wrenches. The charger is used to charge the battery of the power tools, but it can also serve as a power source for other devices. Battery chargers are used in numerous applications, such as powering electric fans and power tools in factories and construction sites. A battery charger can be used to power other appliances as well, but the power from the battery charger is generally of lower voltage than from household outlets.
Cordless power tool battery chargers work by using electricity from the mains and filling up a discharged battery with power. The best chargers use what is called a 3-stage charge or multi-stage charge. Both nickel and lithium-based battery chargers use a 3-stage system although they work slightly differently.
Benefits of Powertool Battery Chargers
Convenient
Battery chargers come in a variety of designs that are continually evolving and becoming more convenient, reliable, easy to use, and durable. Some battery chargers will charge a number of different types of batteries - a convenient feature given the many different types of batteries we all use.
Optimum Performance
Some battery chargers provide a 'refresh mode' which will drain your rechargeable batteries before fully charging them again. This mode and function ensure that you always get the optimum performance and life from your batteries.
Saves Time
You won't have to go to the battery section every time you run out of batteries if you have rechargeable batteries and a battery charger in your own home, ready to use at any time. Simply put the fully charged batteries in the device and stick the dead ones on the battery charger
Saves Money
The initial battery charger and rechargeable batteries can be somewhat pricey, but there are some affordable options that will suffice. For as low as $10 you can get a battery charger with a built-in timer that protects your rechargeable batteries and extends their life.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Powertool Battery Charger
Compatibility
Some chargers offer particularly fast charge times (20, 30, or 60 mins). These chargers can be used to charge batteries rated 7–24V and may function with nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), or lithium-ion (L-Ion) technology. Charge time is also dependent on current characteristics; for example, a powerful battery charger will charge a 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery in 30 minutes, a 3 Ah battery in 60 minutes, and a 4 Ah battery in 80 mins.
Voltage & Ampere Hours
You can see how much power your tool can produce in volts (V). The ampere-hour (Ah) rating indicates how much charge (in amps) flows through the battery terminals in one hour. In short, the higher the Ah rating, the longer your battery will last between charges!
Charging Time
It is important to consider the charging time before buying a power tool battery charger. Most tool chargers take between 30 minutes to 3 hours to charge to full capacity.
Brand
It is important to consider the brand before buying. Branded chargers come with a warranty as they offer replacement parts. It is also available easily. It is however advised to do some research before you choose to buy.
Conclusion
Given that power tool batteries tend to vary from brand to brand, your choice of the charger will usually come down to two factors: the brand and the type of power tool you want to charge. Big names such as Bosch, Makita, Metabo, Milwaukee, and Dewalt usually offer battery chargers designed to charge their own power tools which makes it much easier to choose a charger but more annoying to find the right model when your charger breaks down. To know your buying choices, head over to our featured section. We review and recommend leading products based on design, performance, and ease of use.
