Buying Makita batteries for your cordless power tools takes some consideration if you are going to get the best value from your battery purchase. But what are the specific factors you should consider when buying your next battery? The factors to consider are the:
- Makita Battery Model and Part Numbers
- Makita Battery Voltage
- Makita Battery Capacity
- Makita Battery Retailer
Makita Battery Part Number and Model
The number of Makita cordless power tools is extensive and being sure you get the right battery for your Makita is essential. Be sure when you are reviewing a particular battery you match the battery part number on your old battery to the battery you are considering to buy. Another aspect to buying your next Makita battery is to match the model of your cordless tool to the battery. An example of both of these would be at the Makita 12V Battery page.
On that page you will see both a compatible model list and a list of compatible part numbers. They both look like:
Compatible with and fits these models: MAK-1222 192598-2 1222 1220 1050D 1050DA 1050DRA 1050DWA 1050DWD 4013D 4191D 4191DWA 4191DZ 4331D 4331DWAE 4331DWD 4331DWDE 4331DZ 5093D 5093DWA 5093DWD 5093DZ 6213D 6213DWAE 6213DWBE 6213DWBLE 6216DWDE 6217D 6217DWDE 6217DWDLE 6223D 6223DE 6223DW 6223DWE 6227D 6227DW 6227DWBE 6227DWE 6227DWLE 6270DWAE 6270DWALE 6313D 6313DA 6313DWAE 6313DWBE 6314DWBE 6316D 6316DWA 6316DWAE 6316DWB 6316DWBE 6317D 6317DWAE 6317DWDE 6317DWDRE 6317DWFE 6319D 6319DWFE 6327DWE 6835D 6835DA 6835DWA 6835DWAE 6835DWB 6835DWD 6914D 6914DWDE 6916D 6916DWDE 6916FDWDE 6916FDWDE1 6917D 6917DWDE 6917FDWDE 6918D 6918DWA 6918DWAE 6918DWD 6918DWDE 6918DWF 6918DWFE 6918FDWDE 6980FD 6980FDWD8270DWAE 8270DWALE 8413D 8413DWAE 8413DWDE 8413DWFE 8414DWFE DA312D DA312DWA DA312DWD DA312DWF DA312DZ ML120 ML121 ML122 ML123 ML124 UB120D UB120DWA UB120DWB UB121D UC120D UC120DA UC120DR UC120DRA UC120DW UC120DWA UC120DWAE UC120DWD UC170D UC170DWD VR250D VR250DA VR250DWAE VR251D VR251DWDE
Compatible Part Numbers: MAK-1222, 192598-2, 1222, 1220
As you may discover, though, the compatible model list and a list of compatible part numbers are extensive they may not cover all of the available Makita 12V tools. If your part number or model is not on the list be sure to ask the retailer. Chances are it probably fits and the retailer can cross reference your model with Makita to confirm.
Makita Battery Voltage
When buying your Makita batteries it is essential to buy the right voltage. An incorrect battery voltage will damage your battery, charger, power tool or all three. The voltage will be listed on your battery. The various voltage examples are: 7.2V, 9.6V, 12V, 14.4V, 18V, 24V. To see examples of the various voltages go to this page Makita Power Tool Batteries and scroll down to see the various voltages. The voltage of the Makita battery is an electrical measurement of energy potential. Mathematically voltage is commonly measured by V= I x R; where V=Voltage, I=Current, R=Resistance. Voltage can also be defined as Electrical Potential difference – a quantity in physics related to the amount of energy that would be required to move an object from one place to another against various types of force. In the fields of electronics the electrical potential difference is the amount of work per charge needed to move electric charge from the second point to the first, or equivalently, the amount of work that unit charge flowing from the first point to the second can perform. A battery contains four unique types of voltage measurements (float, nominal, charge, and discharge). Each voltage measurement type residing in a battery effects battery life.
Makita Battery Capacity
The battery capacity of your Makita battery is also a very important factor. In a nutshell the higher the capacity the longer the battery will last in between charges. For big jobs this longer runtime is critical and worth the extra money it will cost. To see an example go back to the Makita 12V Battery page and you will see that this Makita 12V Battery has a capacity of 2000 mAh (this is the same as 2.0 Ah). This high capacity battery is 54% greater than the original 1300 mAh battery. Therefore expect longer runtime with this 2000 mAh Makita battery than the lower capacity version. Again the higher the capacity the greater the runtime (time between charges).
Makita Battery Retailer
Finally when choosing your Makita batteries, be sure to consider from whom you are buying. Factors to bear in mind when selecting the retailer is: price, ship costs, where they ship from, how long shipping takes, battery availability, customer service, return policy, warranty, and the testimonials about the retailer from previous customers. All these factors will help you come to a decision about where to buy your Makita batteries.