Makita 18V LXT batteries don’t natively fit DeWalt 20V MAX tools — the connector shapes are completely different. However, third-party battery adapters exist that let you use your Makita batteries in DeWalt tools (and vice versa). This guide covers how these adapters work, which ones are available, the safety risks involved, and whether they’re worth buying.
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Short Answer
Third-party adapters are sold that let Makita 18V batteries fit DeWalt 20V MAX tools, but we have not verified any combination. These adapters are widely available on Amazon and eBay for around $15–$30. However, they bypass built-in safety communication between battery and tool, damage linked to one may not be covered by the tool maker’s guarantee, and they are not part of either maker’s battery system.
How Do Makita-to-DeWalt Battery Adapters Work?
A battery adapter has a Makita-style receptacle on one end and a DeWalt-style connector on the other. We have not verified what circuitry a given adapter contains.
On voltage: DEWALT says its “20V MAX” figure is the maximum initial voltage and the nominal voltage is 18V, which matches the 18V in Makita’s LXT name. That does not by itself make the batteries interchangeable: the adapter still bypasses the communication between battery and tool.
Available Adapters
| Direction | What It Does | Typical Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 18V → DeWalt 20V | Use Makita batteries in DeWalt tools | $15–$25 | Amazon, eBay, AliExpress |
| DeWalt 20V → Makita 18V | Use DeWalt batteries in Makita tools | $15–$25 | Amazon, eBay, AliExpress |
Starter packs by platform
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Genuine packs only; check the listing matches your platform before buying (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.
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Which batteries fit which tools — cross-brand, adapters & Ah, decoded.
One adapter on sale for this direction is the Echoyee MT20DL (Makita battery to DeWalt tool). We have not verified what circuitry these adapters contain. Some newer adapters include a USB charging port as a bonus feature.
Safety Risks & Limitations
While these adapters do work, there are real safety and practical concerns to be aware of:
| Risk | Explanation |
|---|---|
| BMS communication bypass | Makita and DeWalt batteries have onboard Battery Management Systems (BMS) that communicate with the tool to manage temperature, discharge rate, and voltage cutoff. An adapter may not pass this communication through, so the tool may not be able to read the battery’s state. |
| No automatic shutoff | If the protection signals do not pass through the adapter, the tool may not shut off when the battery is depleted. Over-discharging damages lithium-ion cells and shortens battery life. |
| Overheating risk | If the protection signals do not pass through, temperature monitoring may not work. High-draw tools (grinders, circular saws) can push a battery into thermal stress without the tool knowing. |
| Warranty cover | Makita’s UK guarantee excludes damage from non-Makita parts or accessories; we could not obtain DEWALT’s UK exclusions. Damage linked to an adapter may not be covered. |
| Physical bulk | The adapter adds length between battery and tool (roughly 40–90mm on the generic adapters whose dimensions are published), making the tool heavier and less balanced. |
| Not for high-draw tools | We have not verified any adapter as safe with any tool. Using them with circular saws, grinders, or SDS hammers significantly increases the risk of overheating. |
When It Makes Sense to Use an Adapter
- You already own one brand and need to use a single tool from another brand occasionally. If you’re a Makita user and bought a DeWalt speciality tool on clearance, an adapter saves buying a whole new battery platform.
- Low-power tools only. LED lights, radios, fans, inflators and compact drills draw less current, but we have not verified any adapter as safe with them. Avoid high-draw tools.
- Temporary or infrequent use. Occasional use limits your exposure, but it does not remove the risks above. Daily professional use is a different story.
When You Should NOT Use an Adapter
- High-draw tools: Circular saws, grinders, SDS rotary hammers, reciprocating saws.
- Professional daily use: The warranty and safety risks outweigh the cost savings.
- If you’re planning to expand into the other brand: It’s cheaper long-term to buy a starter battery and charger kit than to rely on adapters across your whole workshop.
The Bottom Line
Makita-to-DeWalt battery adapters are sold and are affordable. They’re a practical solution for occasional, light-duty cross-brand use. But they come with real trade-offs: bypassed safety systems, possible loss of warranty cover for damage linked to the adapter, and potential battery damage from over-discharge. For anything beyond casual use, buying the right battery for the right tool is the safer and smarter investment.
Related Guides
- Every Makita 18V LXT Battery Compared
- Every Makita 18V LXT Tool and Which Batteries Fit
- Makita 18V LXT Charger Compatibility Guide
- Makita 18V LXT vs 40V XGT
- Every DeWalt 20V MAX Battery Compared
Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
A Smarter Approach to Multi-Brand Tools
If you need tools from both Makita and DeWalt, the safest strategy is maintaining separate battery collections. Keep your Makita 18V LXT batteries for Makita tools and DeWalt 20V MAX batteries for DeWalt tools. While this requires more batteries, it preserves warranties, ensures optimal performance, and eliminates the safety concerns of cross-brand adapters.
Before buying into a second platform, check whether your current brand offers the tool you need. Both Makita and DeWalt have extensive ranges that cover nearly every power tool category. Sometimes the grass just looks greener, and the equivalent tool in your current platform would serve you equally well while keeping your battery ecosystem simple.
Do Makita to DeWalt battery adapters actually work?
Third-party adapters that allow Makita 18V batteries to physically connect to DeWalt 20V tools are sold, but we have not verified any combination. DEWALT says its “20V MAX” figure is the maximum initial voltage and the nominal voltage is 18V, which matches the 18V in Makita’s LXT name. Neither maker includes the other’s batteries in its system.
Will using a Makita-to-DeWalt adapter void my warranty?
Warranty cover depends on each maker’s terms. Makita’s UK consumer guarantee excludes damage from non-Makita parts or accessories, and Milwaukee’s excludes non-approved accessories or parts; neither names battery adapters, and we could not obtain DEWALT’s UK exclusions. Damage linked to a third-party battery or adapter may not be covered, so check your tool’s guarantee terms before using one.
Are there any risks to using cross-brand battery adapters?
Yes. Risks include: potential overheating due to bypassed safety circuits, added bulk and poor connection stability, and no manufacturer support if something goes wrong. Using the tool maker’s own batteries avoids these risks.
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 →
