Hi all,
Do you buy genuine or generic batteries for your power tools? Which do you find to be better value? How much worse are the quality of generic batteries?
I have some Makita 18V tools which I keep running out of power for . Wondering what would be better choice long term : 1 x Genuine 5.0Ah for $130, or 2 x generic ones (ebay) for about $80.
Please share any experiences or thoughts !!
Do you buy genuine or generic batteries for your power tools?
Both
IMO JV's correct.
I have genuine and generic. Genuine is my go to and what I put on the device that needs the most grunt. I have some generic batteries, these go on the "other" tools I'm using to save swapping batteries all the time.
Which do you find to be better value?
Depends on the best deal at the time…
How much worse are the quality of generic batteries?
I varies.
I as in current?
.
If V is constant but I varies then R must be unstable.
Wouldn't 'I alternates' be a better option?
Wondering what would be better choice long term : 1 x Genuine 5.0Ah for $130, or 2 x generic ones (ebay) for about $80.
The 2 generic ones (if they have good reviews)
Just have an extinguisher handy and have your insurance paid up if you're going to use non-genuine.
Can I buy a generic extinguisher?
Makita batteries are of excellent value. I have several and even the ones that are ~7 year old still work perfectly. Besides they keep their second hand value (I have recently sold the aforementioned 3Ah's for $40 each). It might just be false economy to buy generics.
You don't have to pay RRP as you can buy genuine batteries from Gumtree/Facebook market. People sell batteries they don't need that came with kits all the time.
If batteries sold on Gumtree/Facebook are anything like those sold on eBay then 90% of those claimed to be genuine are counterfeit
You can always ask for the receipt. I have personally sold more than 10 genuine batteries that I didn't need.
Thanks . Makes me more inclined to go genuine .
This video might give you some idea of what the differences could be like between generic and genuine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjBiM0GQEe8&t=734s
Many generic batteries are made from surplus or reclaimed cells, not the best quality. I’d want to get reputable brand generics if there is such a thing.
Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a new drill kit (or discounted kit) with batteries then sell the extra skin and charger. You get genuine batteries and a warranty that way.
I'd go genuine. Most of the aftermarket batteries that I've tried have not met their rated capacity or cycle life.
For power tools I always stick with genuine.
if you're tight just buy aldi battery and get a 3d printer to print out an adapter for it, Aldi use genuine samsung 18650 cell and for $40/4ah you can't beat that, even the newer one using 21700 cell which is even better/more compact.
Generic one either use cheap chinese cell or overinflated capacity. I once opened a dyson aftermarket one claiming 4ah but the actual capacity is only 2ah (but they use quality LG cells).
Handy to know. Thank you.
Thanks. Unfortunately I have no idea how to print an adapter.
I saw some Ozito to Makita adapters online for about $75, which seemed expensive just for an adapter.
Only if you have a 3d printer. There's a guy on Gumtree selling those for about $25 last time I checked. He might be around still or in marketplace.
Generic batteries seldom have the true power indicated in the marketing.
Go genuine