Third-party battery adapters are marketed for particular battery and tool combinations. A listing alone does not establish compatibility, manufacturer approval or retention of the original protection functions. This guide distinguishes documented shared battery systems from third-party combinations that we have not verified.
A third-party adapter listing does not establish compatibility or safety for every tool and battery in those brands. Check exact model identifiers and manufacturer documentation before considering a combination. We have not verified all combinations listed below.
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How Battery Adapters Work
Third-party tool-use adapters connect particular battery and tool interfaces. Their circuitry and supported combinations vary by model; matching the connector or nominal voltage does not establish full compatibility.
An adapter’s electrical and protection features depend on its exact model and the connected tool and battery. We have not verified temperature monitoring, low-voltage cut-off or over-current protection for every listed combination. Do not assume all original system protections are retained. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Use a charger and any charging adapter expressly specified by the battery maker. Approved charging adapters are a separate product category; Makita’s ADP10, for example, adapts compatible XGT chargers for LXT battery charging.
We have not verified tool- and battery-maker approval for the third-party adapter combinations listed here. Manufacturer-supported shared battery platforms, such as CAS and AMPShare, are separate cases.
Quick Compatibility Matrix
| From Battery | To Tool | Adapter Available | Typical Price | Detailed Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita 18V LXT | DeWalt 20V MAX | Yes | £16–25 | Makita to DeWalt Adapter |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | Makita 18V LXT | Yes | £16–25 | DeWalt to Makita Adapter |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | Milwaukee M18 | Yes | £17–25 | DeWalt to Milwaukee Adapter |
| Milwaukee M18 | DeWalt 20V MAX | Yes | £17–25 | Milwaukee to DeWalt Adapter |
| Milwaukee M18 | Makita 18V LXT | Yes | £17–25 | Milwaukee to Makita Adapter |
| Makita 18V LXT | Milwaukee M18 | Yes | £17–25 | Makita to Milwaukee Adapter |
| Makita 18V LXT | Ryobi ONE+ 18V | Yes | £17–25 | Makita to Ryobi Adapter |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | Ryobi ONE+ 18V | Yes | £17–24 | DeWalt to Ryobi Adapter |
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.
Best Battery Adapters by Brand
Makita Battery Adapters
Makita 18V LXT: Makita says this system has over 325 tools powered by the same battery. Check the exact battery, adapter and tool model documentation. We have not verified approval, compatibility or protection functions for every combination discussed here. See our Makita 18V LXT platform page for full compatibility details.
DeWalt Battery Adapters
DeWalt 20V MAX is sold in the UK as 18V XR. Check the exact battery, adapter and tool model documentation. We have not verified approval, compatibility or protection functions for every combination discussed here. Visit our DeWalt 20V MAX compatibility page for details.
Milwaukee Battery Adapters
Milwaukee M18 is Milwaukee’s 18V battery system. Check the exact battery, adapter and tool model documentation. We have not verified approval, compatibility or protection functions for every combination discussed here. Details on our Milwaukee M18 platform page.
Ryobi Battery Adapters
Ryobi ONE+ 18V is Ryobi’s 18V battery system. The adapter types in our table are for using Makita or DeWalt batteries in Ryobi ONE+ tools; we have not verified any combination.
What to Look for in a Battery Adapter
Build Quality: Look for ABS plastic and brass or plated steel contacts. The clip should feel solid with no flex or wobble when a battery is inserted.
Secure Fit: Push the battery in fully. It should seat with a distinct click or friction. If it wiggles, the adapter won’t deliver consistent power.
Current Rating: A current rating printed on an adapter does not show that a battery, adapter and tool combination is safe: the battery and tool may lose the protection they normally share. We have not verified tool- and battery-maker approval for the third-party adapter combinations listed here. Manufacturer-supported shared battery platforms, such as CAS and AMPShare, are separate cases.
Safety features: Verify any claimed protection against documentation for the exact adapter and combination. Price or a premium label is not evidence of over-current protection, temperature sensing or a thermal fuse.
Bonus Features: Some adapters include a USB output port for charging your phone on site.
Safety Warnings & Limitations
Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Use a charger and any charging adapter expressly specified by the battery maker. Approved charging adapters are a separate product category; Makita’s ADP10, for example, adapts compatible XGT chargers for LXT battery charging.
We have not verified the listed third-party combinations for high-power tools. A printed adapter current rating alone does not establish system compatibility or that the original tool/battery protections still operate.
Check seating before use. A loose connection will cause voltage sag and tool shut-off mid-task.
Remove the battery when the adapter is not in use and follow the exact product’s storage and operating instructions. Do not infer a particular thermal-management design without its documentation.
Warranty consequences depend on the product, country and cause of failure; check the applicable terms. Makita UK’s consumer guarantee excludes defects or damage caused by non-Makita parts or accessories or use contrary to instructions, while preserving consumer legal rights.
Badaptor vs Generic Adapters
We have not verified the current support or warranty arrangements for Badaptor adapters. Check with the seller or Power Adhesives before relying on support. A discontinued range does not by itself establish that warranty support has ended.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are battery adapters safe to use?
We have not verified tool- and battery-maker approval for the third-party adapter combinations listed here. Manufacturer-supported shared battery platforms, such as CAS and AMPShare, are separate cases. An adapter’s electrical and protection features depend on its exact model and the connected tool and battery. We have not verified temperature monitoring, low-voltage cut-off or over-current protection for every listed combination. Do not assume all original system protections are retained. We have not tested the listed combinations. Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Use a charger and any charging adapter expressly specified by the battery maker. Approved charging adapters are a separate product category; Makita’s ADP10, for example, adapts compatible XGT chargers for LXT battery charging.
Can I charge batteries through an adapter?
Do not charge a battery through a third-party cross-brand tool-use adapter. Use a charger and any charging adapter expressly specified by the battery maker. Approved charging adapters are a separate product category; Makita’s ADP10, for example, adapts compatible XGT chargers for LXT battery charging.
Do adapters work with high-power tools?
We have not verified the listed third-party combinations for high-power tools. Check exact model documentation; a current rating alone does not establish that the complete battery, adapter and tool system is suitable or retains its original protection functions.
Will using an adapter void my tool warranty?
Warranty consequences depend on the product, country and cause of failure; check the applicable terms. Makita UK’s consumer guarantee excludes defects or damage caused by non-Makita parts or accessories or use contrary to instructions, while preserving consumer legal rights.
What’s the difference between 18V and 20V MAX?
For DEWALT’s 20V MAX system, 20V is the maximum initial no-load voltage and 18V is the nominal voltage. Similar voltage labels do not establish battery interchangeability between brands or platforms; connectors, electronics and the manufacturer’s specified combinations still matter.
Are Badaptor adapters worth the extra cost?
We have not verified the current support or warranty arrangements for Badaptor adapters. Check with the seller or Power Adhesives before relying on support. A discontinued range does not by itself establish that warranty support has ended.
Can I use a Ryobi battery in a Makita tool?
We have not verified approval or compatibility for an exact Ryobi battery, Makita tool and third-party adapter combination. Do not infer a yes from the brand names or nominal voltage; check the exact model documentation. See our Makita 18V LXT compatibility guide for details.
Do battery adapters reduce performance?
We have not tested any adapter, so we cannot quantify a loss. A poor contact can cause voltage sag and cut-outs under load, and the tool may not receive the battery’s temperature and charge signals.
Related Guides
Makita 18V LXT Battery Compatibility | DeWalt 20V MAX Battery Compatibility | Milwaukee M18 Battery Compatibility
This matters most with budget and marketplace tool brands, where official spares often disappear before the tool does — see budget power tool battery compatibility for what each of those brands actually documents.
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 →
