12V vs 18V vs 20V Cordless Batteries Compared
- 12V tools are lighter, compact, and ideal for tight spaces, light drilling, and detail work - the Makita DF033DWAE is a popular starting point.
- 18V tools deliver serious power for drilling masonry, driving screws, and cutting timber - most makers land here as their primary platform.
- 20V Max is DeWalt's label for their 18V lithium-ion system - the actual running voltage is the same as standard 18V.
- Whichever voltage you pick, buy into one battery ecosystem - sharing batteries across tools saves hundreds over time.
- Start with a kit containing two batteries and a charger, then expand with bare tools as your collection grows.
Suggested reading: Best 12V Cordless Drills | Best 18V Drill Kits | Battery Care Guide
Walk into any UK tool shop and you will see the same question on every maker's face: 12V or 18V? And then DeWalt shouts about 20V, which makes it even more confusing. Voltage determines how much power your cordless tools deliver, but it is not the whole story. Weight, size, battery runtime, and what you actually plan to build matter just as much.
This guide breaks down the three main cordless battery platforms in the UK, explains what the numbers actually mean, and helps you pick the right starting point for your workshop.
What Does Voltage Actually Mean on Cordless Tools?
Voltage measures the electrical potential a battery can deliver to a motor. Higher voltage generally means more torque, faster drilling, and the ability to handle tougher materials. But voltage is not the only number that matters. Amperage-hours (Ah) tell you how long a battery lasts between charges - a 5.0Ah pack runs roughly twice as long as a 2.5Ah. Watt-hours (Wh), calculated by multiplying voltage by amp-hours, give you the true energy capacity.
The third factor is the motor. Brushless motors (now standard on mid-range and premium tools) convert battery power more efficiently than brushed motors. A brushless 18V tool can outperform a brushed 20V tool because less energy is wasted as heat.
12V Cordless Tools: Compact Power for Light Work
12V cordless tools use smaller batteries that fit inside the handle, keeping the whole tool compact and light. They are ideal for:
- Drilling pilot holes and driving screws in softwood
- Working in tight spaces - kitchen cabinets, behind radiators, inside cupboards
- Detail sanding, trimming, and light craft work
- Jobs where a heavy 18V tool would cause fatigue over a long session
The trade-off is clear: 12V tools struggle with masonry, large-diameter holes, and anything requiring sustained high torque. If you are only drilling into plasterboard and softwood, 12V covers it. If you need to put fixings into brick, you will want more power.
Recommended starter: The Makita DF033DWAE 12V Drill Driver Kit comes with two 1.5Ah batteries and a charger. Makita's 12V CXT range is one of the widest in the UK, covering drills, impact drivers, multi-tools, and saws - so expanding your collection later is straightforward.
For a step up in the 12V class, the Bosch GSR 12V-15 FC FlexiClick accepts multiple head attachments - drill, impact, right-angle, offset - turning one body into four tools. It is clever engineering for anyone who values versatility over raw power.
And if you want the most compact option, the Milwaukee M12 Subcompact Brushless Drill is genuinely tiny while still delivering enough torque for most DIY tasks. Milwaukee's M12 range is massive in the US and growing fast in the UK.
18V Cordless Tools: The All-Rounder Most Makers Need
18V is the sweet spot for most UK makers. It delivers enough power for drilling into brick, driving long screws into hardwood, and running circular saws and routers without struggling. The battery packs are bigger than 12V but still manageable, and the range of tools available in 18V is enormous - from drills and saws to lawnmowers and pressure washers.
18V handles masonry drilling, powers circular saws and angle grinders without stalling, offers battery options from 2.0Ah to 8.0Ah, and has the largest tool ecosystem across all major brands.
The Makita 18V Cordless Combi Drill with 2 Batteries is a solid all-rounder that handles drilling, screwdriving, and light hammer work. Makita's LXT 18V range spans over 200 tools, making it one of the biggest battery platforms in the world. Once you own a Makita 18V battery, every new bare tool you buy saves the cost of another charger and battery pack.
The Bosch UniversalImpact 18V-60 comes with two 2.0Ah batteries and offers a good balance of power and weight for home workshops. Bosch's 18V system is compatible across their Professional (blue) and DIY (green) ranges, though the blue tools deliver higher performance.
For serious power, the DeWalt DCD778S2T 18V XR Brushless Hammer Drill brings brushless efficiency and a compact head design that fits into awkward spaces. DeWalt's XR range is the professional standard on UK construction sites, and the battery system is reliable and well-proven.
See our full comparison of cordless drills across all voltage classes for more options.
20V Max: What DeWalt Means by the Label
Here is the thing that trips up most buyers: "20V Max" is DeWalt's marketing label for their 18V lithium-ion battery system. The actual nominal voltage under load is 18V - the same as every other brand's 18V system. The "20V" figure comes from measuring the peak voltage of a freshly charged battery with no load. Once you start drilling, the voltage drops to around 18V, which is what the motor actually runs on.
It causes confusion when buyers think 20V is more powerful than 18V from Makita or Bosch. It is not. Real performance differences come from motor efficiency, gear train design, and battery capacity, not the voltage label. DeWalt's 20V Max / 18V XR system is genuinely excellent - just know the "20V" is a labelling choice, not a technical advantage.
How to Pick Your First Battery Platform
Choosing a platform is a long-term decision. Once you own several batteries and bare tools from one brand, switching gets expensive. Go 12V if your work is mostly light DIY - assembling furniture, hanging pictures, drilling into plasterboard. Go 18V if you plan renovation projects, garden builds, or masonry work. The 18V ecosystem covers 90% of UK maker needs.
Consider owning both: Many experienced makers run a 12V system for detail work alongside an 18V system for heavy tasks. The compact 12V drill becomes your go-to for 80% of jobs, while the 18V comes out for the tough ones. This two-platform approach gives you the best of both worlds without breaking the bank.
Battery Care: Making Your Packs Last
Batteries are the most expensive part of your cordless collection. Store them at room temperature (not in a freezing shed or hot car), avoid full discharge, use the brand's charger, and wipe contacts every few months. See our complete battery care guide for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most UK makers starting out, an 18V platform is the right call. It covers the widest range of tasks, has the largest tool ecosystem, and the battery costs make sense once you own more than two or three tools. The Makita 18V Combi Drill Kit is a proven starting point, or the DeWalt DCD778S2T if you prefer a more compact form factor.
If your work is mostly light and compact, a 12V system keeps things lightweight without sacrificing capability for everyday tasks. The Makita 12V Drill Driver Kit is hard to beat for the price.
And do not fall for the 20V Max marketing. It is 18V with a bigger label. Buy into the platform that has the tools you need, not the one with the biggest number on the battery.
James writes about power tools, hand tools and workshop setup for MakerUK, helping makers buy the right thing the first time. He has used and broken enough drills and saws to know which specs matter.
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Last reviewed: August 31, 2026 ยท Evidence-based content ยท Contains affiliate links