You’ve standardised on DeWalt 20V MAX for your site work and DIY projects — solid batteries, professional chargers, and a tool range that covers everything from drills to table saws. But Ryobi ONE+ 18V tools offer something DeWalt simply doesn’t: an enormous, affordable ecosystem of garden equipment, fastening tools, and specialist one-job items. A DeWalt to Ryobi adapter bridges this gap elegantly. Your DeWalt 20V batteries work fine in 18V Ryobi tools (the slight voltage differential isn’t an issue), and an adapter means you can tap into Ryobi’s 100+ tool catalogue without buying a new battery system.
This is a genuinely practical strategy for contractors and serious DIYers who need occasional access to tools that only Ryobi makes (staplers, nailers, garden equipment, pressure washers) but don’t want to maintain multiple battery platforms. An adapter costs £16–25; a complete Ryobi battery set costs £80–150. This guide covers the adapters available in the UK and explains when borrowing from Ryobi’s ecosystem makes real financial sense.
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How DeWalt-to-Ryobi Adapters Work
DEWALT gives 18V as the nominal voltage of its 20V MAX batteries (20V is the maximum initial voltage), matching the 18V of Ryobi ONE+. We have no maker source on how Ryobi tools run on DeWalt batteries through an adapter. An adapter accepts a DeWalt battery on one side and presents a Ryobi ONE+-style connector on the other; we have not verified what circuitry a given adapter contains.
DeWalt 20V MAX batteries are not a higher voltage than Ryobi ONE+: both are 18V nominal. We have not verified tool- and battery-maker approval for these adapters, or that a battery’s protection functions still work through one. Use adapters for tool use only: do not charge a battery through one, and charge DeWalt batteries in a DeWalt charger. Adapters also add height to the battery, so check the fit on your tool.
Best DeWalt to Ryobi Adapters
Badaptor DEW-RYO — 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 the Badaptor models as delisted and no longer available.
Badaptor DEW-RYO was sold for the DeWalt-to-Ryobi direction; the range is now discontinued.
It was priced at £23–29; we could not check its warranty terms.
Buy Badaptor DEW-RYO on Amazon
DM18RL Multi-Adapter — Best Versatility
The DM18RL is sold as an adapter that takes either a DeWalt 20V MAX or a Milwaukee M18 battery and presents a Ryobi ONE+-style connector. If your workshop has mixed platforms, one adapter covers both battery brands, so you don’t need a separate adapter for each.
Listings also show a USB port for topping up phones or small devices from the battery. At £18–24, it sits between budget and premium options.
Buy DM18RL Multi-Adapter on Amazon
Generic DeWalt-to-Ryobi Listings — Budget Choice
Several generic DeWalt-to-Ryobi adapters are sold under various listing names at £16–20 (“TPDL” is a keyword in some listing titles, not a brand). We have not tested them and found no warranty terms we could check.
The budget variant is sensible if you’re adapting a DeWalt battery into a single Ryobi tool for infrequent use. You’ve inherited an old Ryobi pressure washer and want to test it once a season? The budget adapter works fine. You’re running daily landscaping work and need constant tool availability? We have not tested any adapter’s durability, and Badaptor is discontinued.
Check generic DeWalt-to-Ryobi adapter listings on Amazon
Adapter Comparison Table
| Adapter | Input Battery | Price Range | USB Port | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badaptor DEW-RYO | DeWalt 20V MAX | £23–29 | No | Not confirmed | Discontinued; remaining stock only |
| DM18RL | DeWalt 20V MAX + Milwaukee M18 | £18–24 | Yes (per listings) | Not stated | Mixed-platform shops, field work, portable charging needs |
| Generic listings (“TPDL” in some titles) | DeWalt 20V MAX | £16–20 | No | None stated | Casual use, single tool, budget-focused |
Recommended Batteries
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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, the largest of these packs
- DCB205 — 5.0Ah
- DCB204 — 4.0Ah
- 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, so we make no performance claim. FLEXVOLT packs are also larger and heavier, so check the fit first.
We have no data comparing DeWalt and Ryobi battery runtimes in the same tool, and we have not tested one, so we make no runtime claim.
When This Strategy Works Best
Scenario 1: Garden and Outdoor Tools. Ryobi’s ONE+ 18V range includes garden tools, such as the RY18CS20A chainsaw. If you need seasonal garden equipment and already own DeWalt batteries, an adapter could let you use Ryobi garden tools without buying Ryobi batteries, provided the adapter listing names your battery and tool.
Scenario 2: Fastening Tools. If you already own a Ryobi ONE+ nailer or stapler, an adapter could let you run it on your DeWalt batteries, provided the adapter listing names your battery and tool.
Scenario 3: Specialist One-Job Tools. If you need a tool for a one-off project, buying a £40–60 Ryobi tool and using an adapter can cost less than buying a £150+ DeWalt equivalent you’ll never use again.
Scenario 4: Inherited or Hand-Me-Down Equipment. If you’ve acquired Ryobi tools second-hand or inherited them from a family member, adapters let you instantly use them without buying Ryobi batteries.
Scenario 5: Property Maintenance on a Budget. If you own rental properties or manage a small estate and need regular access to diverse tools, Ryobi’s breadth (especially garden tools) makes adapting your DeWalt batteries a practical solution.
Important Limitations
No charging through the adapter. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Always charge DeWalt batteries in a DeWalt charger, so if a site only has Ryobi chargers you cannot top up there.
There is no 20V–18V difference. DEWALT’s “20V MAX” is the maximum initial voltage; the nominal voltage is 18V, the same as Ryobi ONE+. Similar voltage still does not establish compatibility, and we have not verified how any Ryobi tool runs on an adapted DeWalt battery.
Connector wear is cumulative. Every insertion and removal wears the contacts. We have no tested data on how fast adapters wear. Inspect the adapter regularly for cracks, loose clips or damaged contacts, and replace it if you find any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will running a Ryobi tool on 20V power damage the tool?
There is no overvoltage: DEWALT’s 20V MAX batteries are 18V nominal, the same as Ryobi ONE+ (20V is the maximum initial voltage). That does not make it risk-free: similar voltage does not establish compatibility or that the protection functions between battery and tool still work through an adapter, and we have not verified tool- and battery-maker approval for these adapters.
Can I use a Ryobi charger to charge a DeWalt battery in a Ryobi tool?
No. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Remove the battery from the adapter and charge it in a DeWalt charger.
What happens if I mix DeWalt and Ryobi batteries in my workshop?
That’s actually practical. Many professionals and serious DIYers maintain multiple battery platforms. You can use DeWalt batteries for primary work (site jobs, heavy-duty tasks) and adapt them into Ryobi tools for light or specialised tasks. Having a mix gives you maximum flexibility and access to the broadest tool range.
How does a DeWalt FLEXVOLT battery perform in a Ryobi 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, so we make no performance claim. FLEXVOLT packs are also larger and heavier, so check the fit first.
Related Guides
For a complete reference on DeWalt 20V MAX tools and batteries, see our DeWalt 20V MAX Battery Compatibility guide. For other cross-brand adapter options and scenarios, visit our power tool battery adapter hub. If you’re exploring battery compatibility more broadly, check our power tool battery compatibility FAQ.
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 →
