Buying Cordless Tool Kits: Buyer Beware

When you buy cordless tool kits, you can save more money than if you buy each tool individually. Imagine walking up to a register carrying a battery-powered reciprocating saw, a circular saw and a drill. Then imagine pulling out your wallet. Yikes! Still, while it may be advantageous to get your tools in sets, be mindful of a few factors before settling on a kit.

Ability to Upgrade Cordless Tool Kits

When buying battery powered tools by sets, make it a point to check if each piece can be upgraded to the latest model. Or, at the very least, find out if each device can be used with accessories that will come later on. For example, would the bare drill piece be still usable even if the manufacturer produces new bit models?

Batteries are a very important aspect where the option to upgrade really matters. Make sure that new models of power chargers work with older batteries or that newer battery types can still power older tools.

Battery Life

Since cordless tools are powered by batteries, you should look for kits that are powered by longer-lasting battery packs. There is no point in buying cheap cordless power tools if their batteries can not last for at least 5 years. Remember: your cordless tools are only as good as their batteries.

If you think you can easily replace dead battery packs, prepare for some sticker shock. Most manufacturers sell batteries at a much higher price compared to the bare tools. Avoid future spending by investing in the set with the best battery life.

Compatibility of Batteries and Other Accessories

When buying several sets of cordless tools, select those that have only one voltage category. This will enable you to use the same type of battery for all the pieces in the sets, and you will also get several battery packs which you can use interchangeably. In short, you will not need to buy spare batteries. More importantly, compatibility issues can be better addressed if you stick to one brand of tools.

Quality of the Cordless Tools

Your tools are an investment. If you are the type of do-it-yourself enthusiast who spends most of his time in the workshop using power tools, go ahead and buy the set that has the highest quality, even if you have to spend a little more. The extra cost will be worth it in the long run. You can usually determine the quality of the tools based on their make and the reputation of the manufacturer.