Powering Up with Battery-Powered Tools
There’s a buzz around the power tool industry these days, and it’s about batteries. The popularity of battery-powered tools is being fueled by advancements in battery technology, new applications for battery-powered tools and equipment, and the continued adoption of these cordless tools among commercial and residential users. The global power tool market is projected to reach $57.4 billion by 2026, according to a recent forecast by MarketsandMarkets, and the hottest in demand products are battery-powered tools from brands like Ego, Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita.
This shift in power tool preference is destined to continue as advances in battery technology pave the way for extended battery life, incremental power, and increased runtime. And all of that increased power to get the job done is translating into tools previously unheard of, like battery-powered chainsaws, cordless pole saw, 12″ cordless miter saws, cordless table saws and so much more. It’s revolutionizing the jobsite, productivity, and the bottom line.
With the knowledge that battery-powered tools are the future of the power tool industry, let's dive into what’s behind the surge in battery operated tool performance and popularity.
The Battery Revolution Is Underway
Getting the job done right and as efficiently as possible is key on a jobsite or your backyard. When speed is in play, this typically means using longer running gas-powered tools. However, new technological advances have led to higher battery cell capacities and dramatically longer runtimes, which means fewer interruptions and trips to the charger. So, you’re able to get the job done faster, staying on time and budget.
For many brands, the hard limit on battery performance led to a move away from NiCad battery tech to Lithium-ion. That shift alone opened the floodgates on battery innovation. As a result, we now have batteries built with larger Lithium-ion cells. As a result of Lithium-ion tech seeing tremendous strides in the past decade, Lithium-ion cells are able to maintain consistent power. With its fade-free power, the battery doesn't drop off until the last drill or cut, allowing the user to get the job done without having to constantly recharge. Moving battery power beyond what was available even just a few short years ago.
Resulting power increases have also come from some manufacturers adding an extra row of cells to their batteries to create even higher capacity batteries. A physically larger battery cell allows you to have comparable charge capacity with lower charge density, which results in cooler-running batteries that deliver greater current output. A larger battery can also achieve new levels of battery charge capacity. Once again, these modern battery developments have helped brands deliver new levels of power and performance that help get the job done.
Higher Voltage Systems
When it comes to voltage systems, top brands took different approaches to advancements. Some brands doubled up on their batteries to deliver higher voltage tools, while other brands went with higher voltage battery packs that were also backwards compatible with their lower voltage systems. Still, other brands created higher performing voltage platforms that generated better performing battery-powered tools. Add these higher voltage cordless power tool systems to next-level brushless motors, and you’ve got power, and capacity.
Brushless Motors. Increased Power.
As we just mentioned the development of brushless motors also helped change the playing field for battery-powered tools. Since brushless motors offer higher power efficiency, these motors can be more compact due to high torque to weight ratio and more torque per watt. By implementing brushless motors, brands were able to create motors that are more efficient, more powerful, and feature extended runtimes, than brushed motors. No longer reserved for premium brands, brushless motor tech has found its way across tool platforms, making it easily accessible to users.
More Controls and User Settings
Hold onto your angle grinder, the development of brushless motors also resulted in more specialized controls, leading to advances in tool specific features and capabilities. For example, multiple power or speed settings, electronic clutches and more. The possibilities being realized from brushless motor technology are allowing the further development of cordless battery-operated advancements that are benefiting the user on a daily basis. Yet another stride in making battery-operated tools convenient and user-friendly has been the development of anti-kickback technology.
Impacting the Environment.
One reason users choose battery-operated power tools is the impact power tools have on the environment. Take a gas-powered engine for example. Gas-powered tools burn fuels that pollute the environment, emit fumes, leak oil, and generate loud and potentially harmful noise pollution. While battery-operated power tools have no such environmental impact. The lack of emissions, noise and a lower carbon footprint make them much more attractive to eco-conscious users.
The Costs of Maintenance
Time, as you’re aware, is money. And downtime for any business is an inefficient loss of revenue. That’s why maintenance and repairs are a big part of running powered equipment. One major benefit to battery-powered tools is that they are cheaper and easier to maintain than gas-powered ones. There are no fluids or spark plugs to replace, no spills to clean up or gas tanks to refill with gas powered units. For the most part, maintaining a battery-operated power tool simply requires replacing the battery.
Taking Charge
You’ll find many tool brands are continuing to expand their lineup with new product types and upgrades. Even more manufacturers are rolling out comprehensive cordless platforms that allow entire suites of tools to be powered by the same batteries and chargers. Now, are you charged up and ready to learn more?
At Global Industrial, we offer the most reliable, hardest working battery-powered tools on the market, that can handle the toughest jobs, whether commercial or residential. Learn more about how we can help you power through your job and build your business by connecting with one of our Global Industrial sales representatives at 888.978.7759 or contacting us here.