Dewalt 20V Max vs. XR Battery: What’s the difference?

Battery technology is improving all the time and making battery-powered tools more affordable and reliable. Dewalt has introduced the 20V XR battery range to enhance the already good MAX products, and this article looks at the differences. 

After reading this article, you will know which type of battery will suit your needs and why. 

Differences between Dewalt 20V MAX and XR? 

First, it’s good to remember that the MAX and XR batteries and tools are interchangeable, which means whichever battery you buy, it will work with both model ranges.

The main difference is the additional power the new XR batteries offer. The term XR stands for “Extended Runtime”, and the high-capacity lithium-ion XR batteries give a 33% increase in battery life. 

Battery Capacity  

The amp hour rating determines how long a battery will last, and the XR range features 10Ah, 8Ah, 6Ah, 5Ah, 4Ah versions. In comparison, the MAX range only has 4Ah, 3Ah, 2Ah, and 1.5Ah versions. 

In a perfect world, two 4Ah batteries will last the same amount of time. However, thanks to design improvements and increased efficiency in power delivery, the XR batteries will last up to 33% longer than the MAX batteries of the same size. 

A good comparison is between a dollar store battery and an equivalent brand name battery such as Energizer. You know the Energizer will last much longer, and that is because of design efficiencies. 

Buy Dewalt 20V Max XR for 33% longer running time:

Physical size and weight

Surprisingly, considering the 33% extra runtime, the XR version of the battery is only slightly larger than the MAX version. Even more surprising is that the XR version is just 0.1 pounds heavier than the MAX version.  

However, there are 20V MAX Compact versions, which are smaller and lighter than the equivalent XR batteries. The Compact version is two inches smaller in height and length and 0.3 pounds lighter than the XR version. 

The power increase has been achieved through improved technology rather than increasing the capacity of the existing battery. The MAX and XR batteries are compatible by keeping the dimensions similar and retaining the same connection system. The only difference is that the XR version lasts longer. 

Price 

Of course, you would expect this extra performance to come at a cost, but surprisingly not. While the 4.0 Ah MAX Compact battery retails for around $98, the XR 4.0 Ah equivalent can be found for less than $90.  

Who should buy the MAX or XR battery? 

The MAX version of the Dewalt batteries is the older design, which the XR improves on. However, the XR offers power ratings of up to 10 Ah, which for most people is way more than they need.  

For the DIYer, the MAX Compact versions of the Dewalt batteries offer enough power in the smaller and lighter packs than the more powerful XR variants.

If you are using the tools professionally, you will benefit from the longer runtimes the XR technology offers, making the larger Ah batteries a good option.

Are Dewalt 20V Max and 20V Max XR batteries interchangeable?

Are you trying to find answers to the question below:

• Can I use the Dewalt xr battery in 20v tool?
• Are all 20-volt Dewalt batteries interchangeable?
• Are Dewalt 20v and 20v Max batteries interchangeable?
• Are Dewalt XR batteries interchangeable?

All of 20V batteries are interchangeable, so you can use any 20V battery for any 20V Dewalt tools as long as they operate on the same voltage.

List of 20V Dewalt Batteries Compatible with 20V Tools

Below is the list of batteries that will work with all DEWALT 20V MAX tools and chargers.

Dewalt 20V 4Ah Battery: Which should you buy – Max or XR?

Dewalt’s new XR range has improved the already good MAX battery range, but which should you choose? Here, we compare both versions of the 20V 4Ah battery. 

As the name suggests, this is the smaller version of the MAX battery, and it is slightly smaller than the XR equivalent. This version is 5 inches long and 2.1 inches high and crucially weighs just 1.1 pounds.  

The primary way to calculate battery life is the battery power divided by the power drain. So a 4Ah battery providing 1 amp will last for four hours. However, this doesn’t consider an efficiency loss, which will drain the battery more quickly.  

At almost $100, this Compact version is more expensive than the 4 Ah XR battery. In essence, you are paying for the convenience of a lightweight and smaller size battery. 

The Compact is primarily aimed at the DIY market, where it provides enough power but offers a lower weight, which can be important for people not used to using these tools all day. 

The 20V MAX XR is physically larger and heavier than the Compact version. It is 7 inches long and 3 inches high, weighing 1.42 pounds. It doesn’t sound like much, but the extra weight makes a difference if you use the battery tool for long periods. 

As we discussed above, a 4 Ah battery could last 4 hours at a discharge rate of one amp per hour, but inefficiencies reduce this. The XR batteries have improved internal components and give 33% more working time than the equivalent MAX batteries. 

The XR version is cheaper than the Compact despite the longer working life, selling at around $86. There is a compromise here, either longer life and more weight or shorter life and less weight. Which you choose will depend on your intended use of the battery. 

With its longer life, the 20V MAX XR battery is aimed at the professional market, where long battery running time is valued over weight and size.  

Is it worth upgrading from 4Ah to Dewalt XR 5Ah Dewalt 20V?

Dewalt makes a full range of XR batteries, from 4Ah to 10Ah, but is it worth upgrading from the 4Ah to the 5Ah, for example. 

What is the difference between 4Ah and 5Ah XR batteries? 

The only difference between the 4Ah and the 5Ah is the power of the battery. With an extra amp-hour of power, the battery will last longer between charges. 

Which battery is better, the 4Ah or 5Ah? 

In terms of power only, the Dewalt 5Ah is the better battery as it will last longer. However, you will pay more for the battery, and unless you need the extra run time, the Dewalt 4Ah may be perfectly acceptable.

Conclusion 

In this brief article, we have compared the Dewalt Max Compact and Dewalt MAX XR batteries. The XR offers longer running times, which is great for professional users, while the Compact variant is smaller and lighter, perfect for the occasional user. 

FAQs 

1. If I purchased a 20V Max XR battery, could I charge it on a 20V Max non-XR charger? 

Yes, so long as the charger is a Dewalt 20V charger, it will work. Note that the 20V MAX chargers have a lower output, so the battery will take longer to charge than using the MAX XR charger. 

2. What is the longest-lasting Dewalt 20V battery? 

The longest-lasting Dewalt 20V battery available is the MAX XR 10 Ah version.

3. Can I use a 5Ah battery instead of 2Ah Dewalt? 

Yes, so long as it is a 20V version. The Ah rating indicates how long the battery will last, so the higher the Ah value, the longer you can keep working. 

RELATED: 2Ah vs. 4Ah Battery For Cordless Power Tools: Do More Amps Mean More Power?

References:

https://support.dewalt.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058242431-What-is-the-difference-between-MAX-XR-and-ATOMIC-

https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx1TDPY96NKOQAY