You’ve invested in Makita 18V LXT batteries because they’re genuinely excellent — long runtime, durable cells, and backed by professional-grade chargers. But if you’re a serious DIYer or property owner, Ryobi ONE+ tools fill a specific niche that Makita simply doesn’t: affordable garden tools, specialty fasteners, and one-job tools you’d never justify buying a professional battery for. A Makita to Ryobi adapter solves this elegantly: use your premium Makita batteries in budget Ryobi tools without buying a whole new battery ecosystem.
Ryobi’s ONE+ platform is the world’s largest cordless tool ecosystem — over 100 tools span garden kit, garage kit, and site kit. Many of these are genuinely useful items (staplers, Sanders, nailers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers) that cost £30–80 for the tool alone. With an adapter, you’re tapping into that entire catalogue without the battery investment. This guide covers the adapters available in the UK and explains when this strategy actually makes financial sense.
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How Makita-to-Ryobi Adapters Work
Makita 18V LXT and Ryobi ONE+ are both 18V systems, but their battery shapes and contacts are different. An adapter accepts a Makita battery and presents a Ryobi ONE+-style connector to the tool.
We have not verified what circuitry a given adapter contains, or tool- and battery-maker approval for these adapters. Use adapters for tool use only: do not charge a battery through one, and charge Makita batteries in a Makita charger. Adapters also add height to the battery, so check the fit on your tool.
Best Makita to Ryobi Adapters
Badaptor MAK-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 MAK-RYO was sold for Makita-to-Ryobi conversion; the range is now discontinued. We could not check its construction.
We could not check the MAK-RYO’s warranty terms. At £23–29 it was the most expensive option here, and it is now discontinued.
Buy Badaptor MAK-RYO on Amazon
MT20RNL — Best Value Option
The MT20RNL is a generic Makita-battery-to-Ryobi-ONE+-tool adapter (brand Echoyee on the listing we checked), typically priced at £17–22 on Amazon. We have not tested it, so we can’t say how its fit holds up over time.
It suits light, occasional use. We have no data on how long it lasts.
MT18RL with USB — Practical All-Rounder
The MT18RL (sold under brands such as BLEOSAN; “TPDL” appears in some listing titles) converts a Makita battery to a Ryobi ONE+-style connector, and listings show a USB port for topping up phones and small devices from the battery.
At £18–24, the MT18RL sits between the budget MT20RNL and the discontinued Badaptor. We have not tested its durability. The USB port is the differentiator — if you’re already carrying tools and batteries, having a emergency phone-charging option in the same device adds real value.
Check MT18RL USB adapter listings on Amazon
Adapter Comparison Table
| Adapter | Input Battery | Price Range | Connector Quality | USB Port | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badaptor MAK-RYO | Makita 18V LXT | £23–29 | Not tested | No | Discontinued; remaining stock only |
| MT20RNL | Makita 18V LXT | £17–22 | Not tested | No | Casual use, single tool, budget-focused |
| MT18RL | Makita 18V LXT | £18–24 | Not tested | Yes (per listings) | Field work, portable charging, property maintenance |
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 Makita 18V LXT Batteries
Makita 18V LXT 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:
- BL1860B — 6.0Ah
- BL1850B — 5.0Ah
- BL1840 — 4.0Ah
- BL1830B — 3.0Ah
- BL1820B — 2.0Ah
Do not use: Makita’s 40V max XGT batteries or its G-Series 18V batteries with Makita-to-Ryobi adapters. Both are separate systems from LXT (Makita says G-Series is not compatible with LXT tools or chargers).
We have no data comparing Makita and Ryobi battery runtimes in the same tool, and we have not tested one, so we make no runtime claim.
When This Makes Financial Sense
Scenario 1: Garden Tools. Ryobi’s ONE+ 18V range includes garden tools, such as the RY18CS20A chainsaw. If you already own Makita batteries, one adapter could let you use Ryobi garden tools without buying Ryobi batteries, provided the adapter listing names your battery and tool.
Scenario 2: Specialist Tasks. If you need a tool for one job, buying a £50 Ryobi tool and using an adapter can cost less than buying a £150+ Makita tool you’ll use once.
Scenario 3: Testing a New Tool Type. Want to try a cordless pressure washer before committing to buying a full battery platform? Use an adapter on a Ryobi model first. If you love it, then justify a platform investment. If it’s not for you, you’ve only paid for an adapter, not for a whole system.
Scenario 4: Inherited or Hand-Me-Down Equipment. If you’ve inherited Ryobi tools from a family member or purchase used Ryobi equipment, adapters let you instantly make use of it with batteries you already own.
Important Limitations
No charging through the adapter. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Always charge Makita batteries in a Makita charger, whichever tool the battery is used in.
Performance depends on the tool. We have not verified how any Ryobi ONE+ tool performs on an adapted Makita battery, or tool- and battery-maker approval for these adapters.
Connector wear happens over time. Each insertion and removal wears the contacts. Inspect the adapter regularly for cracks, loose clips or damaged contacts, and replace it if you find any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Ryobi charger to charge a Makita battery that’s 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 Makita charger.
Will my premium Makita battery damage in a budget Ryobi tool?
We can’t say it is risk-free. Both are 18V systems, 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, and we have no data comparing runtime with a Ryobi battery.
How often can I swap the adapter between different Ryobi tools?
We have no data on how many insertions an adapter lasts, and we have not tested one. Inspect it regularly and replace it if the fit loosens, the clip cracks or the contacts look damaged.
What if I want to buy actual Ryobi batteries later?
You can do both. Some users adapt Makita batteries into Ryobi tools and separately own a few Ryobi batteries for tools that need them. Ryobi chargers charge Ryobi batteries normally. Having a mix of adapted Makita batteries and native Ryobi batteries gives you maximum flexibility on a varied job.
Related Tools & Guides
For a complete breakdown of Makita’s 18V LXT ecosystem, see our Makita 18V LXT Battery Compatibility guide. For other cross-brand adapter options, visit our power tool battery adapter hub. If you’re exploring which tools work best with which batteries, browse our full 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 →
