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Makita has started promoting a new high output XGT cordless power tool battery, BL4040F, describing it as “the ultimate power solution for your XGT tools.”
The new XGT High Output battery features a 4Ah charge capacity and is designed to deliver more power and run cooler than their existing 4Ah battery, BL4040.
They add:
Elevate your workday with the high-output 40V Max 4.0Ah battery – where power, durability, and innovation meet to redefine excellence in tool performance. Get ready to embark on a new level of efficiency and effectiveness that will reshape the way you work.
Will the new Makita High Output battery “reshape the way you work?” Let’s dig deeper.
Makita says that their new BL4040F XGT 4Ah battery delivers a 35% power increase compared to their standard 4Ah battery, BL4040.
According to their specs chart and claims made elsewhere online, the new battery has the same 144 Wh energy capacity as the existing 4Ah battery, but delivers a maximum power output of 2.1 kW, matching the on-paper output of the 5Ah battery.
When tested with an impact driver, the new High Output 4Ah battery lasted up to 39% longer than the standard 4Ah battery.
Impact drivers are not very demanding tools, and the model used in Makita’s test is paired with a smaller 2.5Ah battery in their kits and combo kits.
Meaning, even though the standard 4Ah battery is not being pushed to its limit, which is also suggested by the matched work speed for all three batteries tested, the High Output battery lasted substantially longer, driving 125 large screws vs 90 for the standard battery.
When powering a wood-cutting circular saw through hardwood at a 50mm (2″) cutting depth, the High Output battery lasted longer an also cut faster. The High Output battery also stayed cooler.
We’re starting to see a pattern here.
When tested with an angle grinder, the High Output battery cut faster, lasted longer, and remained cooler compared to the standard XGT battery.
When tested with a metal cutting saw to cut 12mm (0.47″) steel plate across 100mm (4″), the High Output battery delivered a faster application speed, longer runtime, and also remained cooler.
Makita adds that the standard battery thermal protection kicked in towards the end.
When tested with a chainsaw, the High Output battery had a faster application speed, longer runtime, and also remained cooler. The standard battery overheated here too, and was presumably allowed to cool before making additional cuts until depletion.
There is a small improvement when used with Makita’s XGT cordless vacuum, with just up to 8% longer runtime.
Makita says that their new XGT High Output battery delivers up to 35% more power and operates up to 45% cooler compared to their standard battery.
Both High Output and standard 4Ah batteries can be charged in 45 minutes.
HOW is this achieved?
Advanced electronics within the High Output batteries are designed to have lower internal resistance. This means they can deliver more power with less energy lost as heat.
It looks like Makita is using a new 21700-sized Li-ion cell with lower internal resistance, perhaps similar to the tabless batteries Milwaukee has been talking about using in their next-gen cordless power tool and equipment batteries.
The new battery is now available in overseas markets.
It’s priced higher than the existing standard battery; an Australian retailer has the standard BL4040 4Ah battery priced at $249 AUD, and the new High Output BL4040F 4Ah battery at $299 AUD.
Makita USA has not made any announcements about this new battery, and so there is no indication if or when it might be launching here.
