Cordless technology

Cordless technology is constantly evolving and it’s now more than a revolution - it’s a way of life.

We’ve already looked at the evolution of batteries, but by understanding voltage and amp hours, you'll be able to select the best batteries for your tool park.

Check out some of our customers enjoying their cordless tool parks...

The cordless market offers a wide range of tools including screw drivers, saws, grinders, combi hammers and vacuum cleaners. To match the varying demands of different tools, they are offered on a variety of battery platforms which are defined by the voltage (12V, 22V or 36V) and the amp-hour (Ah) capacity (2.6Ah, 5.2Ah or 8.0Ah).

But what do all of these numbers mean and how can you tell what the capability of a battery actually is?

How much energy is stored in the battery is a measure for the amount of work that can be performed with one battery charge. This energy content is expressed in Watt-hours (Wh). A Watt-hour is the voltage (V) that the battery provides multiplied by the amount of charge (Ah) the battery can hold. If a battery holds 5.2Ah, it can deliver 5.2 Amps for 1 hour or 4 x 5.2 = 20.8 Amps for ¼ hour = 15 minutes.

Comparing different voltages is almost like comparing the engines of two cars: a 1.6 litre car is likely to be more powerful than a 1.2 litre. And it’s the same with batteries - the higher the voltage, the higher the power and performance.

In terms of amp hours (usually the smaller number on the battery e.g. 2.6Ah, 5.2Ah or 8.0Ah), think of this as the size of your fuel tank. The more fuel you can store, the more miles you can do with a full tank. Or in construction terms, the more holes you can drill or cuts you can make.

So, you’d think comparing those numbers like for like would enable you to compare the performance of different batteries on the market. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple - but there's a quick and easy calculation you can do to better compare different batteries. As mentioned, the universal way to independently compare battery performance is to multiply the voltage by the amp hours, which gives you the total capacity of the battery. Often this value is written on the label of the battery and named Wh (Watts per Hour). For example:

As you can see, the voltages are different in all of the batteries, but some of them appear to have less energy than others. In fact, it's the capacity which determines how many holes you’ll be able to drill with one charge.

After learning about power capacity and battery safety, next up is the application. Some are more demanding than others, so it really depends on your individual needs.

Considering all three factors, you should begin to have an idea of what cordless system is right for you.  Whether it's weight or reach that's most important, Hilti has a range of tools and batteries to match your applications - with innovative technology that focuses on performance, reliability and health and safety. 

Our Make It Fit Configurator also helps you choose and compare tools, batteries and inserts from our extensive cordless range - providing a tailormade tool park for your specific needs. We know your time is precious, so this option ensures you can quickly order and assemble the kit you need, including the right amount of batteries.

Our 22V batteries work with all new and previous generations of Hilti cordless tools, making your life much easier. This universal battery doesn’t compromise on power and reach either, giving you the best of both worlds.

In particular, our B22 8.0 ultimate battery provides additional runtime and power for demanding applications across all of our 22V tools. Essentially, you’ll get much more out of your cordless saw, drill and driver – increasing productivity and reducing downtime.

We also offer free replacements up to a 2-year repair warranty period (commonly known as a ‘no cost period’), where we’ll collect, repair and return your tools within 3 days - including for wear and tear.

Want to join the cordless revolution? Check out our Hilti batteries and create your cordless tool park today!