DeWalt is one of the most popular and bigger tools manufacturing brands in the US, it is never just stopping with innovation, and you get to see some new and enhanced products each day that will make your life even easier.
With that being said, DeWalt likes to stay one step ahead. While the other tools out there are deciding between the cordless and corded options for making it work,
DeWalt is moving forward with trying different technologies for their batteries to ensure better power delivery, efficient storage, and longer battery life.
Not only that, but these batteries that you can get from DeWalt are also pretty great, as each technology holds its own certain benefits and perks that you will be enjoying.
Flexvolt Advantage VS XR: DeWalt Tools Comparison
With that being said, Flexvolt Advantage and XR are two such technology options that you get to choose on their batteries. Both of them are highly powerful and get you the right power delivery.
However, there are some key differences between both technologies that you will need to know about if you are confused and are looking to choose the best one that will not only suit your tools but your needs in the best possible manner as well.
A few such things to know about them both are
Specifics | Flexvolt Advantage | XR |
Charging Time | Minimal | Moderate |
Maintenance | Elementary | Elementary |
Power | Robust | Moderate |
LIfespan | Extensive | Extensive |
Pricing | Premium | Affordable |
There are countless series from DeWalt each more robust and better than the previous one.
The majority of these series are targeted toward different customers, and you can’t say for sure that one option is always better than the other one. Instead, you will have to match them with your project.
Sometimes, going with the XR is better if you’re planning on sticking to a minimal budget. On the other hand, you will have to spend the cash on the Flexvolt advantage in some cases.
It all comes down to the requirements of the project, and you can’t decide without looking at the use cases first.
The specifics above should give you a generalized idea of how Flexvolt Advantage and the XR systems are different. XR is more targeted towards casual owners that don’t have to worry about any demanding project or extended use.
Similarly, the Flexvolt Advantage is more targeted towards owners that are aiming for a more robust setup to get through some demanding projects. So, be sure to keep that in mind and test either one of these options.
You will also find that the majority of experts have both systems in their kit. The versatility of the DeWalt system is great, but you can’t really expect a single unit to keep up with all of the other options available on the market.
For this reason, you should experiment will all of these options. That might not seem like the most pleasant option for your budget, but you will not be able to know for sure otherwise.
It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation with the budget.
Nine out of ten experts will recommend that you test out the Flexvolt Advantage for more power and the XR for more uptime and easier maintenance.
So, you can keep this in mind when thinking about which unit will better bit your requirements. Hopefully, that will give you a better idea.
Here are some more specifics on both of these units if you are still not sure:
DeWalt Flexvolt Advantage
Flexvolt advantage is the technology that allows you to have more power on the tools that support flex-volt batteries.
That is something that you will definitely be looking for as it can increase the power up to 77% on some tools, and that would be just great to get the work done quickly and efficiently without getting into any sort of trouble or downtime at all.
With that in perspective, you will also be enjoying the best possible experience with all your 20- and 60-Volt tools that you might be having.
Yet, the only drawback is that the tool needs to be compatible with the Flexvolt Advantage battery types as well to ensure that you are not going to have any trouble while using the battery.
However, the key factor that makes these batteries better than any other option that you might be getting out there in the market is that you can switch these batteries between 20V and 60V.
That will enable you to use them for multiple tools no matter what voltages they require.
At the same time, you will enjoy a seamless experience with added power on these batteries that will definitely enhance the overall experience that you will get on any of these batteries. You can make them work with these tools pretty easily.
To top it all, you also get to enjoy lesser charging time and better battery health on these batteries over longer periods of usage, and that makes these batteries an investment that you must consider.
On the other hand, if you’re still confused about the purchase, going with the option recommended by the dealer is a good place to start. They will point you in the right direction, and you will not have to struggle as much with the decision.
DeWalt XR
XR is the technology that is offered by DeWalt before the advantage, and not only does it make the perfect use for you for any different needs you might be having, but the best part is that you can also use it for a number of tools.
The battery voltage can also be switched between 20V and 60V, so you don’t have to face any such problems with the batteries at all.
XR might be the earlier technology, but it is highly effective in getting you more working time and for all such tools that you don’t need any excessive power.
If you are looking for more time on these tools, it is the option that you need to choose. The switch allows you to turn the voltages, and that way, you will never have to worry about voltage compatibility with the tool either.
The best thing is that XR batteries will cost you a lot less than the Advantage, and that is definitely a plus for all such hobbyists who don’t need to use these batteries for any sort of commercial applications.
So, if you are not looking for additional power and runtime is the first priority for you to have, you definitely need to choose the XR batteries, and that should get the job done for you.
These batteries are simply perfect for owners with a minimal budget. If you’re not looking to go through any demanding projects and just need a decent unit, going with the XR system is the only real option for you.
So, be sure to test it out, and you will not be disappointed.
Wrapping Up
After going through the details above, you will have a clearer idea of which system to add to your setup.
Most of the time, going with the XR is the better option for first-time owners. You will not have to spend a huge budget here, and the performance is pretty decent.
On the other hand, if you’re an expert and can’t compromise on the power provided by the unit, then going with the Flexvolt advantage is the only real option.
You can’t expect the same performance from the XR, and you will eventually have to upgrade to the Flexvolt Advantage.
So, depending upon the demands of the project and your power tools, you can test out both of these options.
The compatibility, quality, durability, and overall performance are pretty similar. So, in a sense, you can say that there are more similarities than differences here.
The only two things that you need to keep in mind are the output and the budget. Other than that, going with either one will serve you well.
Even the XR system is much better than the ninety percent of other options that you might find on the market. So, keep that in mind if you can’t seem to find the right fit.