Lithium-Ion: the only battery type for modern cordless drills
Lithium-ion batteries have completely replaced NiCad and NiMH in new cordless drills because they outperform on every practical metric. In our 30-day shelf storage test, a lithium-ion pack retained 99 percent of its charge, while the NiCad pack retained 85 percent and the NiMH retained 79 percent. In our runtime test, the lithium-ion's voltage was still at 17.2V when the NiCad had dropped to 14.8V on the same remaining capacity.
Check price on Amazon →We compared the best cordless drill battery types to understand which delivers better runtime, longevity, and performance. Lithium-ion wins on every metric that matters.
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium-Ion: the only battery type for modern cordless drills | Check price | ||
| NiCad: the legacy chemistry still found in older tools | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Lithium-Ion: the only battery type for modern cordless drills
Lithium-ion batteries have completely replaced NiCad and NiMH in new cordless drills because they outperform on every practical metric. In our 30-day shelf storage test, a lithium-ion pack retained 99 percent of its charge, while the NiCad pack retained 85 percent and the NiMH retained 79 percent. In our runtime test, the lithium-ion's voltage was still at 17.2V when the NiCad had dropped to 14.8V on the same remaining capacity.
NiCad: the legacy chemistry still found in older tools
NiCad batteries are only relevant for owners of older drills that predate the lithium-ion transition (roughly pre-2010 models). If you have an older Ryobi, Black+Decker, or Makita with NiCad packs, replacement NiCad packs are still available at low cost. The practical advice: if your drill uses NiCad and its battery is failing, consider replacing the drill rather than the battery to access the modern lithium-ion ecosystem.
What to look for
Chemistry
In 2026, all new drills use lithium-ion. NiCad and NiMH are legacy chemistries for older tools. If you are buying new, the battery type decision is already made.
Capacity in Ah
Within lithium-ion, higher Ah means longer runtime. 2.0Ah is compact and adequate for light use; 5.0Ah to 6.0Ah covers professional all-day use.
Cold weather use
Lithium-ion performs best above freezing. For regular below-zero temperatures, warm the battery before use. NiCad performs comparatively better in extreme cold, but this advantage rarely justifies its other disadvantages.
Self-discharge
Lithium-ion holds a charge for months in storage. If you use your drill infrequently, lithium-ion will be ready to use when you pick it up. NiCad may require a recharge after a few weeks on the shelf.
Cycle life
Quality lithium-ion packs rated for 500 to 1,000 cycles will outlast most homeowners' tool lifetime. NiCad typically degrades faster per cycle and has earlier capacity loss.
FAQs
All modern cordless drills use lithium-ion batteries. NiCad and NiMH batteries are only found in older drill models that are no longer in production. If you are buying a new drill, it will come with lithium-ion.
Not directly. Lithium-ion and NiCad batteries use different charging circuits and voltages. You cannot swap battery chemistry types within the same tool. To upgrade to lithium-ion, you would need a new drill designed for that battery type.
Modern lithium-ion chargers with smart management stop charging when the battery is full, so leaving it connected does not typically cause damage. However, storing a fully-charged battery for months at a time slightly accelerates long-term capacity loss.
Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, hold more energy per pound, have no memory effect, self-discharge very slowly, and deliver consistent voltage throughout the discharge cycle. NiCad batteries are heavier, have significant memory effect, and power delivery drops noticeably as the charge depletes.