Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Third-Party DeWalt Battery Chargers

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Across major power tool brands, DeWalt lands at or near the top spot in many brand rankings. You'll often find its yellow-and-black power tools being used across different sectors — including electrical, woodworking, and more. Now, given that DeWalt has a robust catalogue of battery-powered power tools, it wouldn't be surprising if you have at least one or two battery chargers lying around your workshop. But (unfortunately), after a few seasons, these chargers will gradually diminish over time. And since DeWalt tools are quite expensive, you may be looking for bargains by going for a third-party DeWalt charger instead of a genuine replacement. But is it really safe?

To put it simply, you should always think twice about purchasing third-party DeWalt products. Of course, third-party products might be quite appealing for cost-saving purposes. But if you're not careful, you could run into a lot of serious issues. For instance, most third-party companies are not affiliated with DeWalt. This means that even if you get a great deal, there's no way to tell if a third-party charger meets DeWalt's quality standards. As a result, they could have a shorter lifespan or even worse, damage your battery and tool, leading to costly expenses. With that said, here are other reasons why you should avoid buying third-party DeWalt chargers.

Upon searching online, you might have discovered useful third-party accessories for your DeWalt, like the DCB104 4-Port Fast Charger available on Amazon for $78. But before you try to buy it because it has a 4.1 out of 5-star rating average from 116 buyers, it's worth noting that using it with your DeWalt cordless tool will void your warranty. Additionally, if you're not careful, it can be easy to purchase chargers that are not compatible with your DeWalt batteries. As such, they could open the door for fire hazards, shock, or common problems that affect DeWalt batteries.

Aside from safety risk, if you buy third-party chargers from untrusted sellers, chances are that you may end up with a counterfeit product. Not to mention that the quality of universal batteries always varies between manufacturers. Sure, some companies might use high-quality products and perform diagnostic checks to verify voltage and current. Other unscrupulous manufacturers, however, will produce subpar power tool battery chargers that don't deliver on their promises.

With that said, if you want to replace your battery charger, a better and safer choice is to purchase genuine DeWalt chargers. They've built-in systems that'll protect your batteries and won't void your warranty.