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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →DEWALT FLEXVOLT batteries switch operating mode to match compatible tools: in a 20V MAX* tool, the pack operates as 20V MAX*; in a 60V MAX* tool, it operates as 60V MAX*. The battery does not gain energy when moved—the tool platform determines how the pack’s cells are connected.
How can one battery work at two voltages?
DEWALT’s explanation for its international XR FLEXVOLT platform is that the cells connect in parallel in an 18V XR tool and in series in an XR FLEXVOLT tool, producing 54V. In the U.S., DEWALT markets the corresponding platforms as 20V MAX* and 60V MAX*. The basic idea is a change in cell configuration to suit the tool, not a battery creating extra energy simply because it has been moved.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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DEWALT FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX Lithium-Ion 9.0Ah Battery DCB609 | $159.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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DEWALT FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX Lithium Ion Battery, 6.0-Ah (DCB606) | $131.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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DEWALT 60V MAX* FLEXVOLT Lithium Battery with Charger, 9-Ah (DCB118X1) | $225.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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DEWALT describes this as an automatic change when the user switches tools. Its June 21, 2016 launch announcement called FLEXVOLT the “world’s first” batteries to do this; that wording is DEWALT’s historical launch claim, not an independently established industry-first finding. DEWALT’s FLEXVOLT system page describes the current platform, while DEWALT Support explains the 18V/54V XR arrangement.
What do 20V MAX* and 60V MAX* mean?
In the U.S., DEWALT’s MAX* figures refer to maximum initial voltage measured without a workload. DEWALT gives the corresponding nominal ratings as 18V and 54V. For its 120V MAX* platform, the company says two 60V MAX* batteries are used together; the combined nominal rating is 108V.
#1 Best Overall
- DEWALT FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX Lithium-Ion 9.0Ah Battery DCB609
| DEWALT U.S. platform label | DEWALT-stated nominal rating | How the platform is described |
|---|---|---|
| 20V MAX* | 18V | One FLEXVOLT battery in a compatible 20V MAX* tool |
| 60V MAX* | 54V | One FLEXVOLT battery in a compatible 60V MAX* tool |
| 120V MAX* | 108V | Two 60V MAX* batteries used together in a specified product |
These are DEWALT platform labels and ratings, not a claim that every tool accepts every battery. The 120V MAX* arrangement is specifically based on two 60V MAX* packs, not one pack switching to 120V. See DEWALT’s DCB606 product specifications and its June 21, 2016 launch announcement.
Which tools can a FLEXVOLT battery power?
DEWALT says FLEXVOLT batteries work in compatible 20V MAX* and 60V MAX* tools. Its product materials also describe compatibility across 20V MAX*, FLEXVOLT 60V MAX*, and 120V MAX* systems, with the latter using two 60V batteries together.
Rank #2
- DEWALT 20V/60V Battery provides the power of corded and the freedom of cordless
- DEWALT battery has 4 times runtime compared to DCB201 1.5Ah Battery Pack
- 3 times power compared to DC9096 18V Battery
- Tri-Platform Compatability 20V MAX*, 60V MAX* and 120V MAX*
- LED State of Charge Display
Do not reverse that compatibility statement: the cited materials do not establish that a standard 20V MAX* battery can power a 60V MAX* tool. Compatibility depends on the exact battery and tool models. Before using or buying a pack, check the tool manual and DEWALT’s battery-and-charger compatibility chart; use designated DEWALT chargers. The DCB606/609/612/615 manual covers battery modes and directs users to compatibility documentation.
The Tool Desk
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The manual distinguishes normal “Use Mode” from “Shipping Mode.” In Use Mode, the battery operates at 20V MAX* in a 20V MAX* product and at 60V MAX* in a 60V MAX* or 120V MAX* product. When the shipping cap is attached, Shipping Mode electrically disconnects strings of cells. The manual says this changes how the watt-hour rating is counted for shipping; it is not the mode used to power a tool.
Rank #3
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
What did DEWALT claim when FLEXVOLT launched?
DEWALT announced FLEXVOLT on June 21, 2016. Its launch announcement identified the DCB606 6Ah battery as planned for fall 2016 and the DCB609 9Ah model for early 2017; those were plans at the time, not current availability information.
The same announcement said the DCB606 offered “up to 4X runtime” in 20V MAX* tools compared with DEWALT’s DCB201 1.5Ah battery, and “more than 3X battery power” versus DEWALT 18V NiCad. These are manufacturer claims from 2016, not independent comparative test results. The company’s current DCB606 page also compares runtime with the DCB201 1.5Ah pack. In the launch announcement, Frank Mannarino, then President of DEWALT’s Professional Products Group, said: “The impact of the FLEXVOLT™ system will be felt throughout the construction industry on each and every jobsite.”
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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