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Rechargeable Li-ion batteries are expensive across most industries. While not as expensive per amp-hour as camera and photo/video equipment batteries, cordless power tool batteries are often painfully pricey.
Using Makita as an example, their 40V Max XGT 4Ah battery is priced at $199 to $219 right now, depending on the retailer.
This particular battery has a nominal voltage of 36V, giving it an energy capacity of 144 watt-hours, which is comparable to that of an 18V 8Ah battery.
At the time of this posting, Makita has a promo on select XGT cordless power tool kits and combo kits, where you save $100 and get a free bonus battery,
The kit shown here is the Makita XGT rear-handle circular saw kit, GSR01M1. If you buy this kit via an authorized dealer, it’s $299 for the saw, charger, tool bag, 1x 4AH battery, and you get a free bonus 4Ah battery.
See Also: Best-Ever Makita XGT Cordless Power Tool Deals Started Today
So that’s $299 for 2x XGT 4Ah batteries, a tool, charger, and bag.
If you were to buy the same batteries separately right now, it would be $398 at one retailer (Home Depot), and $438 at all other Makita dealers I looked at.
$438 for 2 batteries vs $299 for 2 batteries, a cordless circular saw that retails for $264 by itself as a bare tool, a charger, and tool bag.
Makita also has an offer right now where you get a free bonus 4Ah battery with the purchase of 2 select XGT cordless power tools.
Maybe this is why replacement batteries cost so much by themselves? Something has to balance the aggressively low pricing in regular promotions.
A retail contact explained to me a long time ago that the prices you see for replacement or spare cordless power tool batteries are reflective of their true cost to manufacture, package, and place on store shelves.
I used Makita as an example here, but other brands have similar promotional offers and deals on occasion, where it’s more economical for a tool user to buy a kit or special bundle than the batteries separately.
At Lowe’s right now, buy a Dewalt PowerStack 2-pack for $199, and you get a free cordless power tool that’s valued up to $199. Home Depot has a similar promotion. You can buy the batteries for less at retailers that aren’t offering the same deal, but this does give you greater value for dollar if you could use a new tool as well.
Compared to the camera and video industry, we have it easier. If you want to experience sticker shock, take a look at how much batteries for camera equipment costs. Whereas the Makita battery above is premium-priced at $1.48 per watt-hour, video equipment batteries can cost $4 per watt-hour and up.
With respect to cordless power tools, there are often ways to save money on batteries, or a least take advantage of deals to get more for the same money.
