I've been hearing mixed reviews about the reliability of the PowerStack 5Ah batteries, especially complaints about them not lasting more than a year or draining quickly. I'm currently considering my options between a $65 5Ah XR, a 6Ah XR, or an $80 PowerStack 5Ah. I'll mainly be using these batteries for a 20V reciprocating saw and an atomic compact drill/driver. Any insights on which one to choose and the overall reliability of the PowerStack?
3 Answers
We've got a bunch of 5Ah PowerStacks in our fleet, and I have to admit they've been a little more troublesome than the XR batteries. One issue I've noticed is that sometimes the charge indicator stays lit, draining the battery quicker than it should. The battery tech seems decent, but some internal components might have flaws. Dewalt has been pretty good about replacing these under warranty, which suggests they’re aware of the issues.
I’ve been using the 5Ah PowerStack daily since 2023 and it's been fantastic! It’s the ideal size for smaller tools, including my reciprocating saw. If you want more runtime, the 6Ah XR is a good choice, but it’s a bit bulky for a compact drill. Honestly, my advice would be to get the 5Ah XR and save some cash. You could then invest in a smaller battery for your drill, allowing you to work on both tools simultaneously.
It’s natural to see people complain more than those who are satisfied. Thousands of PowerStack batteries are sold, and most folks don’t post about their good experiences—they just expect them to work. Companies wouldn't keep making them if they were losing money on faulty products. Typically, they expect only about 40% of their products to fail in the first year, and it's likely a lot less than that. Overall, I'd say reliability is generally solid with these batteries.