If you’ve invested heavily in the Milwaukee M18 platform but fancy trying some Makita 18V LXT tools without buying a whole new battery ecosystem, an adapter is your answer. Battery adapters let you use M18 batteries in LXT tools, making them genuinely useful if you’ve got surplus Milwaukee stock or want to test a premium Makita tool before committing to their batteries.
The catch? You’re not gaining anything new — you’re just accessing a different brand’s tool selection with batteries you already own. But for site engineers and contractors with mixed tool collections, that flexibility has real value. This guide covers the best Milwaukee to Makita adapters on the UK market, what they cost, and whether they’re actually worth buying.
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How Battery Adapters Work
Milwaukee M18 and Makita 18V LXT batteries are both 18V nominal, but their battery shapes and contacts are different. An adapter takes a Milwaukee battery on one side and presents a Makita LXT-style interface on the other. We have not verified what circuitry a given adapter contains.
Adapters add height to the battery, which can matter in confined spaces such as ceiling work or between wall studs, so check the fit. Use adapters for tool use only: do not charge a battery through one, and charge Milwaukee batteries in a Milwaukee charger, even when the battery is used in a Makita tool.
Best Milwaukee to Makita Adapters
Badaptor MIL-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 the Badaptor models as delisted and no longer available.
The Badaptor MIL-MAK was sold as a Milwaukee-battery-to-Makita-tool adapter; the range is now discontinued, and we could not check its construction or warranty terms.
It was priced at £23–29.
Buy Badaptor MIL-MAK on Amazon
DM18M — Most Versatile (Multi-Brand)
If you’ve got batteries from more than one brand, the DM18M multi-adapter may suit you: it is sold as taking either a DeWalt 20V MAX or a Milwaukee M18 battery and presenting a Makita LXT-style interface. One adapter covers two battery platforms, which helps if you’ve inherited tools or work on mixed-fleet sites.
The DM18M also features a USB charging port integrated into the housing, so you can top up small devices in the field (phone, site light, etc.). It’s not powerful enough to charge a power tool battery, but it’s a neat bonus for tradespeople. At £18–25 it sits at the upper end of the generic-adapter range, but it is the part that actually converts a Milwaukee battery to a Makita tool.
Buy DM18M Multi-Adapter on Amazon
Adapter Comparison Table
| Adapter | Input Battery | Price Range | Warranty | Extras | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badaptor MIL-MAK | Milwaukee M18 | £23–29 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Discontinued; remaining stock only |
| DM18M | Milwaukee M18 + DeWalt 20V MAX | £18–25 | Not stated | USB port, dual-input | Mixed-brand tool collections, field charging |
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.
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Which batteries fit which tools — cross-brand, adapters & Ah, decoded.
Compatible Milwaukee M18 Batteries
Milwaukee M18 battery models that adapter listings commonly name are listed below (these are US part numbers; UK packs are sold under names such as M18 B4 and M18 B5). Check the listing for the exact models it covers, as we have not verified them:
- 48-11-1860 — 6.0Ah M18 REDLITHIUM XC6.0
- 48-11-1850 — 5.0Ah M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0
- 48-11-1840 — 4.0Ah, mid-range capacity
- 48-11-1830 — note: Milwaukee lists this part as a V18 battery, not an M18 pack
- 48-11-1820 — 2.0Ah compact pack
Larger packs, such as the 48-11-1880 (Milwaukee: M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC8.0) and the 48-11-1812 (HIGH OUTPUT HD12.0), add noticeable weight and depth to the adapted tool. We have not verified them with any adapter. For overhead work such as ceiling drilling, a smaller pack is easier to hold.
What You Need to Know: Limitations
No charging through the adapter. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Always charge Milwaukee batteries in a Milwaukee charger, which is why adapters suit people who already own Milwaukee chargers.
Heavy-duty tools. We have not verified how any high-draw Makita tool, such as a large impact wrench or a rotary hammer, performs on an adapted Milwaukee battery, or tool- and battery-maker approval for these adapters. For professional heavy-duty work, use the tool maker’s own batteries.
Added depth is real in tight spaces. The adapter body can make a genuine difference when working between studs, in ceiling voids or against walls. Test the fit before committing to an adapter on a job.
Connector wear. An adapter adds a connection, so there are more contacts to wear. We have no tested data on how long adapters last. Inspect the adapter regularly for cracks, loose clips or damaged contacts, and replace it if you find any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge a Milwaukee battery inside a Makita tool using a Makita charger?
No. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Remove the battery from the Makita tool, take off the adapter, and charge it in a Milwaukee charger.
Will a Milwaukee-to-Makita adapter damage either battery?
We can’t say it is risk-free. Both are 18V-nominal 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. Repeated insertion also wears the contacts; we have no tested data on how fast.
Can I use a Milwaukee battery in a Makita charger with an adapter?
No. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Always use a Milwaukee charger for Milwaukee batteries, whichever tool the battery is used in.
Why would I want to do this instead of just buying Makita batteries?
You’re already invested in Milwaukee batteries and already own Milwaukee chargers. A single adapter costs £20–29 and lets you use Makita tools without purchasing an entirely new battery system and charger. If you’re buying just one or two Makita tools to fill a gap in your collection, an adapter is vastly cheaper than adopting a new platform. You’re borrowing compatibility, not adopting Makita as your main platform.
Internal Links
For a complete overview of the Milwaukee M18 platform, see our Milwaukee M18 Battery Compatibility guide. If you’re considering adopting Makita LXT as a second platform, read our Makita 18V LXT Battery Compatibility reference. For other cross-brand adapter options, see our main power tool battery adapter hub.
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 →
