I'm considering buying off-brand 60V batteries for my DeWalt chainsaw because I can get two for the price of one. While I know they might not hold a charge as well, I'm wondering if there are bigger reasons to avoid the off-brand option. What are your thoughts on this?
4 Answers
I've tried multiple off-brand batteries, and while some worked okay at first, they often just didn’t hold up. I once had a knock-off that wouldn't work after getting slightly wet, and it cost me a lot of time. It’s better to invest in the real deal, trust me. Being careful with power tools should be your top priority!
Yeah, I echo what others are saying. Those off-brands can be a gamble. They might function fine initially but degrade quickly over time. I’ve seen friends who went cheap; the batteries ended up only lasting a few months before they wouldn't charge at all. Plus, the chance of ruining your charger or even causing a fire isn't something to just shrug off. If you're looking to save money, maybe keep an eye out for deals on genuine batteries instead.
For sure! I recently got a good deal on 9Ah Flexvolt batteries that were relatively affordable, and they're definitely worth it compared to any knock-offs.
Going for those off-brand batteries sounds tempting because of the price, but you have to consider the potential downsides. For one, they often don't last as long as they claim – one user mentioned that their 8Ah off-brand barely lasted as long as a 3Ah DeWalt battery. And there's a real fire risk with these cheaper options; they're not built to the same safety standards as OEM ones. Your chainsaw runs high current, and a cheap battery could overheat and damage your tools. It's just not worth risking your safety and equipment for a slight savings.
Exactly! The heat generated can be pretty intense. I had a similar experience where my off-brand battery got so hot I had to stop using it.
There’s a huge risk with off-brand batteries, especially with high-voltage tools like a chainsaw. If they don't have proper overcharge or discharge protection, they can cause some serious problems. Think about it this way: would you want a battery that could potentially catch fire? With all the horror stories out there, going for quality may save you from future headaches. Just my two cents!

Exactly! I’ve seen too many instances where people went for off-brands and ended up nearly damaging their tools or experiencing safety issues.