You’ve built your toolkit around DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, but a colleague’s Makita 18V LXT drill would be perfect for a specific job. Rather than buying a new battery system, a DeWalt to Makita adapter lets you use your existing DeWalt batteries in any LXT tool. It’s a straightforward, affordable solution for occasional cross-brand tool use.
This guide reviews the best DeWalt to Makita adapters available in the UK, explains how they work, covers battery compatibility, and outlines the practical limitations you should be aware of.
Watch: Video Guide
How DeWalt to Makita Adapters Work
The DeWalt 20V MAX platform and Makita 18V LXT platform deliver the same nominal voltage—both are 18V systems. DEWALT’s “20V MAX” is the maximum initial voltage; the nominal voltage is 18V, the same as Makita LXT. The batteries differ in shape and contacts, and we have no maker source saying they behave identically.
A DeWalt to Makita adapter fits onto your DeWalt battery and presents an LXT-style interface to a Makita 18V LXT tool. We have not verified what circuitry a given adapter contains. Use adapters for tool use only: do not charge a battery through one.
An adapter adds a substantial amount of stack height — published dimensions for the common generic adapters put the added depth at roughly 40–90mm. This rarely causes problems, but always test your fit before committing to overhead work or placement in confined spaces like tool bags with tight compartments.
Best DeWalt to Makita Adapters
Badaptor DEW-MAK (Discontinued)
Update: Badaptor has announced that it is discontinuing the range and taking down its website; it has not said what happens to warranty support for existing units. UK retailer Tooled-Up lists this model as delisted and no longer available.
The Badaptor DEW-MAK was sold as a DeWalt-battery-to-Makita-tool adapter. With the maker’s site closing, we could not check its construction or warranty terms.
Badaptor adapters are priced at £23–29 on Amazon.
Buy Badaptor DEW-MAK on Amazon
“TPDL” Listings (DM18M Adapters)
Adapters listed with “TPDL” in the title are not a separate brand: on the listing we checked, TPDL is a keyword in the title of a DM18M adapter sold under the LIIYIELA name. They are typically priced at £16–20. We have not tested this adapter and cannot verify its safety. It is not approved by DeWalt or Makita and it bypasses the protection and communication between battery and tool; use at your own risk.
We found no warranty terms for these listings that we could check.
Check “TPDL” adapter listings on Amazon
DM18M Multi-Adapter (Covers Multiple Brands)
If you own DeWalt and Milwaukee batteries and Makita tools, the DM18M lets one adapter take either battery: it is sold as a DeWalt 20V MAX or Milwaukee M18 battery to Makita 18V LXT tool adapter, and listings also show a USB port.
It is priced at £18–25. We found no warranty terms we could check. The USB charging port is handy on site, though charging a phone will noticeably reduce your battery’s runtime.
Buy DM18M Multi-Adapter on Amazon
Comparison Table
| Adapter | Design Type | Price Range | USB Port | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badaptor DEW-MAK | Not confirmed (discontinued) | £23–29 | No | Not confirmed | Discontinued; remaining stock only |
| “TPDL” listings (DM18M) | Not confirmed | £16–20 | No | Not stated | Budget-conscious, occasional use |
| DM18M Multi-Adapter | DeWalt or Milwaukee battery to Makita tool | £18–25 | Yes | Not stated | Multi-brand shops, USB charging needed |
Recommended Batteries
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Check fitment & current price on Amazon (affiliate links).
Before you buy: check that the size, fitting/bore and maximum-rated speed marked on the accessory match what your tool’s manual specifies. We have not physically tested these products; listings are compiled from published specifications. These are affiliate links.
Get the free Power-Tool Battery Compatibility Handbook (PDF)
Which batteries fit which tools — cross-brand, adapters & Ah, decoded.
Compatible DeWalt 20V MAX Batteries
DeWalt 20V MAX battery models that adapter listings commonly name are listed below; check the listing for the exact models it covers, as we have not verified them:
- DCB206 — 6.0Ah, standard workhorse battery
- DCB205 — 5.0Ah, a mid-capacity pack
- DCB204 — 4.0Ah, lightweight option
- DCB203 — 2.0Ah, a compact pack
- DCB201 — 1.5Ah, the smallest of these packs
FLEXVOLT: DeWalt says its XR FLEXVOLT batteries are backwards compatible with its own 18V XR (US: 20V MAX) tools, switching voltage automatically. DeWalt says nothing about running them through a third-party adapter in another brand’s tool, and we have not verified it. FLEXVOLT packs are also larger and heavier, so check the fit first.
Important Limitations
No charging through the adapter: do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Always use a DeWalt charger for DeWalt batteries.
Height and fit: The extra height (roughly 40–90mm on the generic adapters whose dimensions are published) can matter, so test fit before overhead work or storage in tight spaces. Some tool trays and older battery charger docks may not accommodate the additional height.
Not for every tool: use adapters only on Makita 18V LXT tools. Makita’s 40V max XGT tools take 40V XGT batteries, so an adapter sold for LXT tools is not for them.
Contact wear: Repeated connection and disconnection gradually wears the adapter’s internal contacts and the battery’s spring terminals. Inspect regularly for visible corrosion, cracks, or loose clips. Replace the adapter if contacts become blackened or corroded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a DeWalt 20V MAX battery damage a Makita 18V LXT tool?
We can’t say it is risk-free. DEWALT gives 18V as the nominal voltage of its 20V MAX batteries, the same as Makita LXT, but similar voltage does not establish compatibility or that the protection functions between battery and tool still work through an adapter. We have not verified tool- and battery-maker approval for these adapters. Inspect the adapter for visible damage before use.
Can I use DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries in Makita tools with an adapter?
DeWalt says its XR FLEXVOLT batteries are backwards compatible with its own 18V XR (US: 20V MAX) tools, switching voltage automatically. DeWalt says nothing about running them through a third-party adapter in another brand’s tool, and we have not verified it. FLEXVOLT packs are also larger and heavier, so check the fit first.
What’s the difference between the Badaptor and the TPDL?
Badaptor was a UK brand whose range is now discontinued, and we could not check its warranty terms. “TPDL” is a keyword in some unbranded DM18M listing titles rather than a brand. We have not tested either, so we can’t say which is more reliable.
Is the DM18M worth it if I only own DeWalt and Makita batteries?
Probably not. The DM18M’s extra value is that it also takes Milwaukee M18 batteries, plus the USB port. If you only need DeWalt batteries in Makita tools, a single-direction DeWalt-to-Makita adapter does the job.
Can I leave the adapter on the battery when I’m not using it?
We have no maker guidance on this. We suggest removing the adapter after use and storing it in a clean, dry place, which keeps dust off the contacts and reduces wear on the clips.
Which adapter is best for occasional use?
We have not tested any adapter, so we can’t call one reliable. Unbranded listings such as “TPDL” (DM18M) adapters typically cost £16–20; Badaptor is discontinued, and we could not confirm its warranty.
Related platform pages: DeWalt 20V MAX Battery Compatibility | Makita 18V LXT Battery Compatibility
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →
