Thanks to battery advancements, cordless tools have become more and more popular. Makita continue to improve their battery technology, ensuring Makita batteries offer one of the best user experiences. However, there is now a rise of aftermarket batteries available Makita at affordable prices. Below you will find OEM and aftermarket Makita batteries that fit the LXT range of cordless tools.
Original 18v Makita Battery 3Ah
- Compatible with all Makita 18v Li-ion LXT range
- 18v
- 3.0Ah
- Battery level indicator: Yes
- 22 Minute charge time with fast charger
- Long-time storage – low self-discharge
- Foam cell technology
- Shock absorbing pack
- Long battery life, takes over 2,000 charges
Original 18v Makita Battery 4Ah
- Compatible with all Makita 18v Li-ion LXT range
- 18v
- 4.0Ah
- Battery level indicator: Yes
- 36 Minute charge time with fast charger
- Long-time storage – low self-discharge
- Foam cell technology
- Shock absorbing pack
- Long battery life, takes over 2,000 charges
Original 18v Makita Battery 5Ah
- Compatible with all Makita 18v Li-ion LXT range
- 18v
- 5.0Ah
- Battery level indicator: Yes
- 45 Minute charge time with fast charger
- Long-time storage – low self-discharge
- Foam cell technology
- Shock absorbing pack
- Long battery life, takes over 2,000 charges
Aftermarket Makita Battery 6Ah
- Compatible with all Makita LXT 18v range
- 18v
- 6Ah
- Battery level indicator: Yes
- Cost – £30-£40
Aftermarket Makita Battery 5Ah
- Compatible with all Makita LXT 18v range
- 18v
- 5.5Ah
- Battery level indicator: Yes
- Cost – £30-£40
What’s the difference between OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) batteries and aftermarket batteries?
As aftermarket batteries are cheaper than OEM, this makes them quite an attractive option. However, should you purchase aftermarket over OEM? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons below
OEM Pros
- Better quality control
- The Ah stated will be more accurate
- Perfect fit on tool, no wobble
- Will work perfectly with OEM power tools
OEM Cons
- Cost More
Aftermarket Batteries Pros
- Cheaper than OEM
- Some can have similar features to OEM, such as battery power level indicator
Aftermarket Batteries Cons
- Ah advertised is not what is always supplied, if you buy 5Ah, you may get 4Ah or less
- Manufacturing quality control won’t be as good on aftermarket compared to OEM
- Battery cells may not be as good as the originals, battery may not last as long
Depending on the type of user you are, Aftermarket batteries have a place in your tool box. If your job requires you to go through multiple batteries, having a few cheap batteries to hand may be beneficial. If you are into DIY as a hobby or don’t use the tool as much on jobs, it is best to get OEM battery as they will be more reliable.