How does the new Dewalt 20V Max PowerStack 5Ah compare against other Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tool batteries?
This is Dewalt’s second PowerStack battery, also engineered with Li-ion pouch cells. Here, I’ll go over what you can expect from it.
As a reminder, the new PowerStack 5Ah battery delivers 50% more power, 50% more work per charge, and 2X the lifespan (with respect to charge cycles) compared to the Dewalt DCB205 cylindrical cell 5Ah battery.
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I was surprised to find that it paired well with every Dewalt 20V Max cordless power tool I used it with. It seemed to have power to spare, and didn’t throw off the handheld balance of any of the tools I tested it with, from small to large.
In the image above, from left to right, are the following Dewalt 20V Max batteries: PowerStack 1.7Ah, XR 5Ah, PowerStack 5Ah, XR 6Ah, FlexVolt 9Ah batteries.
Size-wise, the PowerStack 5Ah battery has a completely different form factor, similar to how the compact PowerStack 1.7Ah battery also “broke the mold.”
The XR 5Ah battery has 18650-sized cylindrical cells, while the XR 6Ah and FlexVolt 9Ah batteries have 21700-sized cylindrical cells.
Here is how much they weigh:
- PowerStack 1.7Ah: 0.68 lbs
- XR 5Ah: 1.36 lbs
- PowerStack 5Ah: 1.62 lbs
- XR 6Ah: 1.88 lbs
- FlexVolt 9Ah: 2.86 lbs
The PowerStack 5Ah battery is shorter than both 20V Max 5Ah and 6Ah batteries. It has a larger footprint than the XR 5Ah battery.
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One thing to remember is that the PowerStack 5Ah battery is engineered with 5 Li-ion pouch cells, compared to 10 Li-ion cylindrical cells in the XR 5Ah and 6Ah batteries.
The PowerStack 5Ah battery (left) has a slightly larger footprint compared to the XR 6Ah battery (right).
There are very slight differences in length and width. Again, the PowerStack 5Ah is on the left, and XR 6Ah on the right.
However, the differences in height are apparent, with the PowerStack 5Ah battery (left) being noticeably shorter than the XR 6Ah battery (right).
Performance-wise, the PowerStack 5Ah seems to keep up with Dewalt’s 20V Max 6Ah and 8Ah batteries.
I try not to push my XR 5Ah batteries to their limits. When I know I’ll be pushing a tool hard, I generally switch to 20/60V Max FlexVolt batteries, despite their larger size and heavier weight compared to 20V Max 6Ah batteries.
The PowerStack 5Ah battery is smaller and lighter than FlexVolt batteries, and offers some size and weigh benefits compared to 20V Max 6Ah and 8Ah batteries.
At the time of this posting, a 2-pack of 20V Max 6Ah batteries has an MSRP of $269.
The PowerStack 5Ah battery 2-pack is available for preorder at $379.
With the PowerStack 5Ah battery delivering 2X the cycle lifespan compared to the DCB205 battery, we can assume there will be longevity benefits compared to the cylindrical cell 6Ah battery as well.
The PowerStack 5Ah carries a higher cost per amp hour, but it should last longer, whereas a cylindrical-cell battery might need to be replaced sooner.
I am hoping to see bundle promotions – similar to what we’ve seen for the compact battery – that could potentially help to lower the cost of ownership.
At present, Dewalt has 20V Max battery sizes for different user needs and wants:
- 5-cell 18650: 1.3Ah, 1.5Ah. 2.0Ah
- 5-cell 21700: 3Ah, 4Ah
- 10-cell 18650: 3Ah, 4Ah, 5Ah
- 10-cell 21700: 6Ah, 8Ah, 10Ah
- PowerStack 1.7Ah, 5Ah
This doesn’t include FlexVolt 6Ah, 9Ah, 12Ah, 15Ah batteries which can be used in 20V Max tools.
The PowerStack 1.7Ah battery is a great choice when smaller size and lighter weight are a high priority, and the PowerStack 5Ah battery is a great choice when power and efficiency are a high priority.
Compared to the XR 5Ah DCB205 battery, the PowerStack 5Ah operates cooler. Thus, in high demand usage, that’s where it will fulfill Dewalt’s claim of delivering 50% more work per charge. It stays cooler and can work for longer whereas an 18650-based 5Ah battery might tap out early.
Subjectively, I feel that the PowerStack 5Ah delivers the power of the higher output-capable 6Ah and 8Ah batteries, while being shorter and lighter.
It surpasses the power delivery potential of the XR 5Ah battery, but is a little larger and heavier as a tradeoff.
At the same time, it pairs well with more compact tools, which I have never been able to say about batteries with 6Ah and higher charge capacities. I suspect this has to do with its shorter height and mass distribution.
When the PowerStack 1.7Ah battery first launched, I was a bit skeptical, and wondered if users would have been better served by a higher capacity battery.
Now, with a couple of compact PowerStack batteries in my kit, I have all but phased out use of other 20V Max sizes up to 4Ah. I still use 5Ah batteries, and 6Ah batteries less-so, before stepping up to FlexVolt for more demanding 20V Max task or performance needs.
The PowerStack 5Ah battery’s size and weight feels balanced when attached to any of the tools I’ve tested it with so far.
I like the idea of greater longevity.
With respect to power and performance, I don’t quite see this battery as a replacement for Dewalt’s cylindrical cell 5Ah battery. Instead, I see it as a stand-in for the FlexVolt batteries I occasionally use with 20V Max cordless power tools.
I don’t use 6Ah or 8Ah batteries too often, but to me the PowerStack 5Ah seems like a good stand-in for this batteries, too, although with slightly lower on-paper charge capacity.
If you want a balance between power, runtime, size, weight, and longevity, this seems to be the best choice right now.
If smaller size and lower weight are your highest priority, consider the compact PowerStack 1.7Ah battery.
If runtime is your highest priority, consider higher capacity 20V Max or FlexVolt batteries.
If cost per amp-hour is your highest priority, keep an eye out for seasonal promotions. For example, the Dewalt 20V Max 6Ah battery 2-pack was $179 earlier in the holiday season. At the time of this posting, Home Depot has the FlexVolt 6Ah battery 2-pack for $199.
Ignoring cost considerations, the PowerStack 5Ah is the best battery for 20V Max cordless power tools with two exceptions:
The PowerStack 1.7Ah battery is an excellent pairing for compact tools – and even some full-sized tools – and FlexVolt batteries offer the longest runtime, plus a performance boost when paired with 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage cordless power tools.
Whether it’s suited for your needs is a question you will have to answer.
With the compact PowerStack battery, Dewalt offered promotional incentives to foster adoption, and it worked. I really hope they do the same with the new 5Ah.
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Jim Felt
Let me guess. Milwaukee will introduce an entire range of pouch cell battery packs the very minute I have exactly 20 Red packs. And the 12 Ah will be half as big/heavy and twice the “suggested” retail?
Stuart
It’s possible. They haven’t revealed any of their cards yet.
Adam
Off course you know they will, once you’ve invested heavily in one battery system they normally bring something else out, that’s just the way it is, it’s new technology that will always happen, the people who invested heavily in the makita 18 volt tools have the same thing now there’s the 40 volt tools.
OldDominionDIYer
Unlike other MFR’s, Milwaukee will not change form and fit but likely use pouch style Lithium-Ion batteries in the very near future but no worries they will be completely compatible. Can’t wait! smaller form, more power! You gotta love it!
MoogleMan3
Dewalt just needs to release a middle of the road 3.4Ah powerstack that’s a bit bigger than the 1.7.
Default
That’s precisely what I want. Love the 1.7 small size and power, but miss the stamina of my 5ah batteries.
The middle one would be great!
mattd
Torque test channel has done several videos that show the tool performance changes with different batteries including this one. I HIGHLY recommend checking them out if you are curious.
Dean
Was just coming here to say the same thing. Stuart, could you review and then update your post? Perhaps with some real world testing?
MKY
Stuart –
I don’t use 6Ah or 8Ah batteries too often, but to me the PowerStack 5Ah seems like a good stand-in for ***this*** batteries, too, although with slightly lower on-paper charge capacity.
Collin
Milwaukee will release pouch cell batteries in 2023 with the main innovation being red colored pouches in the blow-up diagrams rather than the pedestrian silver colored pouches. Don’t forget the claims of 50% cooler and 50% longer runtime, which, when taken in conjunction with all their previous % cooler and % longer runtime claims, implies that their pouch batteries will have basically unlimited runtime and run at 0 degrees Kelvin.
Robert
Poor Lord William Kelvin, blamed for so much. When it’s really his evil twin Lord Kalvan.
TomD
Milwaukee has used the Wisconsin outdoor temperatures to develop a battery pack that runs at -40 kelvin.
Physics is no limit.
XRH07
your battery weight comparisons are basically wrong/misleading, because you’re probably weighing the older 20700 packs which people can’t actually get anymore. If someone were making a purchasing decision today between say a 6.0 XR vs 5.0 PS you’d need the correct weight of a 21700 pack to be better informed.
9.0 with 21700s should be around ~3.2 lbs. 6.0s should be around ~2.09 lbs. Have a 9.0 on my desk right now and it was 3 lbs 3.5 ounces on the kitchen scale. Weight for the 6.0 XR was pulled off a list made on Reddit since Dewalt’s own website is clearly wrong on the weight (.873 lbs) as well.
physical size of 20700 vs 21700 6/9 packs is the same fwiw. The old 6.0 XRs with 20700s were actually put into a cell cage that was meant for 21700s, meaning Dewalt was intending to switch over without changing their injection molds as soon as the 21700s were ready to go to mass market back in 2018 or 2019, whenever all that happened.
Stuart
Nothing came “off a list.” I weighed what I have.
I don’t have any recent 6Ah’s, but I think you’re right. I pulled a 2021 9Ah, and it weighs 3.2 lbs.
Joe H
The larger and shorter footprint in definitely nice for adding stability to tools you set down standing upright
alex
I hope they will come up with a Power Stack 12v battery. Would make some really compact tools 🙂
xu lu
Stuart, you make some objective claims above like cost per amp and size and weight. There are others that you make that read like you are merely restating what the brand has set out in its promtional info eg. the PowerStack 5Ah battery delivering 2X the cycle lifespan. In a case like this have you tested the claim and found it to be true?
Your subjective observations are always helpful but for objective claims not tested by you, i would ask you to consider stating Company X asserts that…before detailing the marketing info. Not sure what this one is.
I consider this site to be one of the very few remaining objective sources of truth and i appreciate your consideration.
Bob
I’m excited to try the new power stack batteries but holy sticker shock Batman!
I can get a 2 pack of 9ah flex volts for $100 less than theses new power stacks. That’s just an everyday non sale Amazon price. I also get the advantage of using them in my 60v tools. I get the power stack are lighter and smaller.
I get it there’s R&D, new tooling to pay for and they can charge a premium because it’s new but I won’t buy until the prices drop considerably. Can’t justify it with the amount of original 5ah, 2ah, and various flex volts I already own.
I guess I’ll keep my eyes open for the next seasonal sale? Father’s Day I guess?
Doug Fletcher
It’s slightly odd that these are so expensive in the US. In the UK you can get them for around £115 each ($140) and that includes our 20% VAT tax. At least it’s nice that we now have a high performance 18v battery now in the UK. Still not sure why dewalt refuses to sell the 10 cell 21700 packs here or Europe.
MM
I wonder if this has anything to do with the 5.0ahs hitting the UK market before the US? I have noticed that the price of batteries tends to drop rapidly after they are introduced. For example, when the original 1.7ah Powerstacks hit the US market they were $119 each, however it didn’t take long before they were being steeply discounted in combo deals and for a couple months now it’s been possible to buy one for $59. I suspect the 5.0’s are still quite pricey now because it’s a brand new product but give it a little while and I’m sure they will drop significantly in price like the 1.7s did.
eddie sky
I’ll wait till my current (pun!) packs are no longer viable to replace. I’ve too many, and dates written on them, plus I’m not a contractor/tradesman/craftsman and put daily use on them.
Priced to much for my needs, at this time.
Jeff
I’m waiting for the flexvolt power stack but they’ll probably be $700 for a two pack.
Jimmie
Do any outdoor power equipment ecosystems use pouch cells or does heat dissipation become a problem when you have to pack enough pouches to achieve the 200-500 watt-hour ratings typical of OPE batteries?