Cordless power tools: how to choose your battery platform (18V, 20V, Ah)

Drill driver, rotary hammer, grinder, reciprocating saw… Cordless tools have taken over workshops and building sites all over Morocco, from Casablanca to Driouch. But before buying, one question matters more than the choice of your first machine: which battery platform should you adopt? 18V battery or 20V, 2 Ah or 5 Ah, bare tool or cordless tool kit: this guide helps you build a consistent set of equipment without paying twice for the same batteries.

The battery: the real choice in cordless tools

On a cordless tool, the battery and charger make up a significant part of the price. Yet, as a general rule, batteries are not interchangeable from one brand to another: each manufacturer uses its own connector. On the other hand, within the same brand, a battery "platform" powers a whole family of tools.

A concrete example with the TOTAL P20S 20 V platform: the same battery can go from the drill to the rotary hammer, then to the grinder, the reciprocating saw or the work light. At Brico MIM, the TOTAL 20 V 4.0 Ah P20S battery is available from 450 DH, the 20 V 5.0 Ah battery from 600 DH and the 20 V P20S fast charger from 200 DH. Once you are equipped, each new tool can be bought "bare", and therefore cheaper.

The right approach is therefore to first choose a brand whose range covers your future needs, not just today's tool. Our cordless tools collection brings together a wide TOTAL 20 V range: drill drivers, rotary hammers, grinders and polishers, saws, sanders, impact wrenches, nailers and work lighting. For the garden (hedge trimmers, lawn mower, blower), see instead our dedicated guide to cordless garden tools.

12V, 18V, 20V, 40V: what do the volts mean?

The voltage (in volts) indicates the tool's category and, broadly, the power it can deliver. The higher the voltage, the heavier the work the tool can tackle, but the heavier and bulkier it is.

18V or 20V: the same thing?

In most cases, yes: it is the same family of lithium-ion batteries. Some manufacturers display the nominal voltage (about 18 V), others the maximum voltage at full charge (20 V "max"). A 20V tool is therefore not automatically more powerful than an 18V tool. Be careful, however: this does not make batteries compatible between brands.

For most homeowners and tradespeople, the 18V/20V platform is the best starting point: it offers the most tools. For a 40 V or 42 V tool, always check the compatible battery and charger on the product page before ordering.

Ah and Wh: understanding runtime

Amp-hours (Ah) measure the battery's capacity, in other words the size of its "tank". To compare, you can calculate the approximate energy in watt-hours: voltage × Ah. A 20 V 2 Ah battery stores about 40 Wh, a 4 Ah about 80 Wh and a 5 Ah about 100 Wh. For the same use, a 4 Ah therefore lasts roughly twice as long as a 2 Ah.

Remember that a bigger battery mainly makes the tool last longer; power depends above all on the motor and the design of the machine.

Brushless motor: is it worth it?

A brushless motor (without carbon brushes) eliminates the parts that rub and wear out in a conventional motor. The result: less wear, better efficiency and therefore more work per battery charge. It is a real plus on tools that work hard for long periods:

• TOTAL 20 V brushless SDS-Plus 26 mm 2.5 J rotary hammer, supplied with 2 x 4.0 Ah batteries, charger and case: from 1 650 DH.
• Brushless 20 V 66 N.m drill driver with 2 batteries: from 995 DH.
• Brushless 20 V angle grinder, 115 mm disc: from 800 DH.

For occasional use (a few screws a month), a conventional motor is still enough. For regular or professional use, brushless quickly pays for itself.

Bare tool, tool with battery or cordless tool kit

There are three ways to buy a cordless tool, and the right choice depends on the batteries you already own.

The reciprocating saw example says it all: the same machine costs 300 DH less without battery or charger. As soon as you have two or three batteries, buying your next tools "bare" becomes very worthwhile.

Which cordless tool kit for your profile?

• Apartment, small jobs: a 12 V drill driver is often enough, such as the 12 V drill driver with USB-C charging.
• House, regular DIYer: a 20 V drilling + rotary hammer duo, for example the 20 V 2 Ah drill driver + rotary hammer kit, or the 66 Nm hammer drill + 400 Nm impact wrench kit (from 1 500 DH).
• Tradesperson, building site: a multi-tool kit such as the 5-tool brushless 20 V kit with 2 x 5.0 Ah batteries (from 2 800 DH), supplemented over time with bare tools and a second charger.

Also consider more specialised tools from the same platform: the 20 V tile vibrating machine for laying tiles (see our tiling guide), or 20 V work lights. For the full list of basic tools, also read essential tools for the home and building site.

Making your batteries last (especially in summer)

A well-treated lithium-ion battery lasts many years. A few simple rules:

• Use a charger from the same brand and platform, designed for that battery.
• Avoid heat: don't leave your batteries in a car in the sun or on a site in the height of summer. Store them in a cool, dry place.
• Let a very hot battery cool down after intensive use before recharging it.
• For long-term storage, store the battery partially charged rather than completely flat, and recharge it from time to time.
• Stop using it if it is swollen, cracked or has taken a heavy knock: have it replaced.

Frequently asked questions

Does a battery from one brand work on a tool from another brand?

As a general rule, no. Even if both display 18V or 20V, the connectors and electronics differ. Stick to a single platform to share your batteries across all your tools.

2 Ah or 4 Ah: which to choose to get started?

For screwing and light drilling, 2 Ah is enough and makes the tool lighter. For a rotary hammer, a grinder or a saw, choose 4 Ah or 5 Ah. Ideally, have two batteries.

Will the TOTAL 5.0 Ah battery fit my TOTAL 20 V tools?

The TFBLI20531 battery is designed for TOTAL cordless tools on the P20S 20 V platform. If in doubt, send us your tool's reference on WhatsApp and we will check compatibility.

Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?

Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.