Are Cordless Power Tools Worth It?

Written by: Franklyn Liriano

July 22, 2019

Undoubtedly, cordless power tools seem to be a very convenient option for use at home. You don’t have to get extension cords to use the tool at some distance from the power source. You can use it anywhere in the house. The batteries are also usually rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about the power supply either.

But like everything else, cordless power tools also have their own set of pros and cons. So, before buying one of these for your home, it is important to determine whether it is worth buying for the particular use you are going to put it to.

Here are a few things you should consider before buying a cordless power tool to see if it suits your needs and whether it will be a good bargain for you.

The price of cordless power tools

Modern power tools are made to be lightweight and sleek for convenience of use. But this new version of cordless power tools generally uses Li-ion batteries that are long-lasting. Li-ion batteries are expensive, and this is why the power tools are also relatively expensive. It is for you to decide whether you need to buy an expensive Li-ion tool or would be content with the older Ni-Cd tools.

Ni-Cd batteries are cheaper, and the tools are also, consequently, cheaper. If you don’t use your tool very frequently or don’t need for heavy-duty work, you could go for the cheaper Ni-Cd tool or better still, a corded tool that would cost you much less. In case you do plan to use the power tool more often, you should go for a cordless Li-ion power tool, though. It will give you a much better experience and it will be convenient to use for a longer duration.

Portability

Without a doubt, cordless power tools have a much greater advantage in terms of portability when compared to corded tools. As you are not bound by the length of attached cords or have to depend on a secondary power source, a cordless tool offers much more flexibility. It is also convenient to use as you can run it in any direction without tangling cords or having restricted motion. So, these tools are much easier to maneuver.

If you are going to use your power tool all over the house or outside, it is better to go for a cordless one. If you plan to use it only at your workbench in your workshop though, you could rather go for a cheaper corded power tool.

Storage of the tool

Cordless power tools have another big advantage of easy storage. The cords and attachments in corded power tools are usually a big nuisance when you are trying to store them away in a small cabinet. With cordless power tools, this kind of problem does not arise. You can easily store them in drawers, cupboards, or shelves.

Power source

One problem that many users face with cordless power tools is the intermittent power supply. Your cordless power tools will need to be charged after running for a few hours continuously. If you need to use the power tool for long periods, a battery-operated tool may cause a hindrance. After every few hours, you would need to put your tool down for recharging, causing you to lose some valuable time. No matter how robust your tool’s battery is, it will have a limited capacity. Also, if you wait too long to recharge the batteries, the performance of the tool will go down. The speed of the tool is affected when the battery gets discharged.

With corded power tools, though, these problems do not arise. In case of a corded power tool, there is a continuous supply of power to the tool as it is connected to your home or workplace’s power outlet point. So, unless there is a power cut, you can continue to use the tool for long periods of time without any effect on the performance. These tools experience no fluctuations in the power supply, and so the speed of the tool remains consistent.

Which cordless power tools can be useful?

Almost all power tools these days are available in both corded and cordless versions. There are a few common power tools which are available in cordless forms and could be useful for your home tool kit.

Some of these cordless power tools are –

• Drills
• Screwdrivers
• Grinders
• Hammer drills
• Impact wrenches
• Nailers

These are some tools that every household needs for minor repairs and patch-works here and there. For such work, you wouldn’t want every bulky tool with cables and fixtures being dragged along all over the house. That is why it is more convenient to have no-cords-attached, sleek tools for your minor tasks.

Seven of the best brands of cordless power tools

When it comes to cordless power tools, you cannot compromise on quality. These tools are pretty expensive, and only good, reputed brands can provide the best quality and long-lasting equipment. Since power tools are subjected to very high speed and heavy-duty use, it is important to have parts that are durable and reliable.

Some of the best brands that manufacture cordless power tools are

• Bosch
• Dewalt
• Hitachi
• Makita
• Ryobi
• Milwaukee
• Black+Decker

These brands have been manufacturing power tools for decades now. Anyone who is acquainted with power tools surely knows these brands and the reputation they hold. If you are looking to buy a cordless power tool for yourself, any of these best brands would be a great choice.

Caring for cordless power tools

Cordless power tools are more or less robust and do not require any special care. Without any cords attached, there is very little damage that can occur during storage or idle periods. Yet, it is best to maintain the tools with a little care to keep them performing at their best.

Keeping the tools clean, allowing them to cool down after use, keeping the cutting tools sharp, replacing worn-out parts, charging them regularly, and storing them properly can go a long way in maintaining their performance.