What's The Average Lifespan Of A Makita Battery, And Are There Ways To Extend It?

While there are some strong and highly-rated corded power tools still available from Makita, the brand, on the whole, has embraced battery power. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Makita catalog is full of not just cordless power tools, but an assortment of batteries capable of powering them. They come in various sizes, weights, voltages, and amp hours, giving you a decent amount of choice as you build out your Makita collection. Even the best batteries will need to be replaced after sustained use, though, and Makita ones are no exception.

Therefore, Makita users should be aware of just how much use they can expect to get from the average battery. According to Makita's battery warranty information, the company covers its batteries for three years, indicating that this is roughly how long the company anticipates them to last with regular use. It's also often said that these batteries are good for between 300 and 500 charge cycles, meaning being run to 0% and recharged fully, with some estimates putting the high end at around 1,000 cycles. Of course, none of this is exactly set in stone, as several factors can affect a battery's lifespan. So, while there's no way to know when exactly your Makita battery will fail, there are multiple things you can do to ensure that it lasts as long as possible.

There's a lot one can do to make a Makita battery last longer. If it's a new battery, the first thing is to give it a full charge right out of the box. This should be done with all new Makita batteries. You also want to ensure you're using the battery properly and not pushing it beyond its limits. If the tool it's powering starts to struggle, stop, or otherwise not function as intended, it's a clear sign that the battery should be removed and recharged. Don't continue pushing the battery until the tool dies completely, as completely discharging a battery can reduce its lifespan.

There are more guidelines to be aware of, even after you remove the battery. If the battery is too hot or cold, let it reach room temperature before charging it to avoid damage. If the battery in question is already fully charged, don't attempt to charge it any further. Proper storage is also important, and Makita batteries should be kept away from moisture and temperature extremes. You also shouldn't store them in a container with metal objects, as the latter can cause short circuits if they contact the battery terminals.

Makita currently offers several types of batteries, and these tips apply to all of them. Safe use, charging, and storage are undeniably important, no matter the battery. So long as you keep track of these elements of battery care, there's basically no reason why you shouldn't be able to get multiple years of use from a Makita battery before the time comes to replace it.