All the kings of the cordless category now offer much more compact 18-volt cordless batteries, based on lithium-ion technology, but according to DeWalt, the new compact DeWalt 18v battery is the first of the new batteries that fits older tools, without compromising performance in any way.

The new, smaller 18-volt power packs fit all DeWalt 18-volt tools, from impact drivers to jigsaws, going back more than 10 years. Rather than buy the individual batteries, though, at $99 apiece, DeWalt expects most people to buy new DeWalt compact 18-volt tools, knowing the smaller batteries will fit their other tools. And they expect their new DCK265L combo kit, which includes a 1/2 drill-driver, an impact driver, two batteries, and a charger for $279 to be the most popular package.

Bear in mind that DeWalt also offers its 18-volt tools with full-size lithium-ion batteries, but even those are smaller and lighter than the old NiCad models. By the way, the compact 18-volt batteries offer all the power of their full-size 18-volt brothers, but less run time. This should be attractive to woodworkers, who want better control and ergonomics in the shop but don’t need to drive scores of screws non-stop.

More from FineWoodworking.com:

• Tool Test: Compact 18v Cordless Drills
• Tool Test: 18v Brushless Impact Drivers
• Best Practices for Drilling
• All About Impact Drivers