Fast Charger
Affiliate link — we may earn a commissionA fast charger replenishes a cordless tool battery at an accelerated rate compared to the standard charger included with most kits. Standard chargers take 60 to 90 minutes to charge a 5.0Ah pack. Fast chargers cut that to 30 to 45 minutes by pushing higher amperage into the cells. DeWalt's DCB118 charges a 5.0Ah battery in 35 minutes. Milwaukee's M18 Super Charger does a 5.0Ah in 32 minutes. The tradeoff: fast charging generates more heat, which can reduce long-term cell lifespan if the battery sits on the fast charger all day, every day. Most fast chargers include a fan to manage thermal buildup.
Why It Matters
On a job site with two batteries, a fast charger means one is always ready while you run the other. With a standard charger, you hit a gap where both are dead. For homeowners who charge once a week, the standard charger is fine. For anyone burning through batteries daily, a fast charger pays for itself in productivity.