Are DeWalt and Black+Decker 20V Batteries Interchangeable?
No. DeWalt 20V MAX and Black+Decker 20V MAX batteries are not interchangeable. They use different battery footprints, so a DeWalt pack won't seat on a Black+Decker tool and a Black+Decker pack won't seat on a DeWalt tool. Same parent company, same "20V MAX" name on the label — but the physical interface and the chargers are different. The short version: match your batteries, chargers, and accessories to the brand of tool you actually own.
The short answer: no, they don't interchange
A DeWalt 20V MAX battery will not run a Black+Decker 20V tool, and a Black+Decker 20V battery will not run a DeWalt tool. The packs are shaped differently where they slide onto the tool, so they physically don't fit across the two brands. There's no setting, no trick — they just don't mount on each other's gear.
They're the same company and both say "20V MAX" — why don't they fit?
This is the part that trips people up. Stanley Black & Decker owns both DeWalt and Black+Decker, and both lines are labeled "20V MAX." So it seems like they should swap. They don't.
"20V MAX" is a voltage label, not a compatibility promise. It tells you the battery's peak voltage — nothing about whether the pack physically fits a given tool. DeWalt and Black+Decker designed their battery feet differently: different rails, different terminal layout. The chargers follow the same split, so a DeWalt charger won't charge a Black+Decker pack either.
Think of it like two phones with the same battery capacity but different charging ports. Same number on the spec sheet, completely different connector.
What about adapters?
You'll find third-party adapters online that claim to bridge a Black+Decker battery to a DeWalt tool or the other way around. Here's the honest take: some of them work mechanically, but they aren't made or supported by either brand. An adapter adds a connection point that can affect how securely the pack seats, and running a battery through unofficial hardware can raise safety questions and may not play nice with your tool's warranty.
For most people, an adapter isn't worth the hassle. It's cheaper and safer in the long run to buy the right battery for the tool you own.
Which is the better platform to commit to?
If you're deciding where to put your money, the two brands aim at different users:
- DeWalt 20V MAX is the pro and prosumer line. It has the deeper tool range and a much bigger accessory ecosystem — chargers, USB adapters, inverters, and more.
- Black+Decker is lighter homeowner gear for around-the-house jobs.
Pick one platform and build on it. Every battery and accessory you buy then works together, instead of splitting your money across two systems that don't share parts. If you're going DeWalt, our DeWalt 20V MAX vs FLEXVOLT guide covers what *does* cross over within DeWalt's own lineup.
Buy batteries and accessories for the brand you own
Because the platforms don't share parts, the accessories don't either. A DeWalt 20V USB charger or inverter snaps onto a DeWalt 20V pack — not a Black+Decker one. So once you know which platform you're on, buy the matching gear.
For DeWalt owners, a DeWalt 20V USB charger turns a spare pack into a phone charger, and a DeWalt power inverter gives you a 120V outlet off the same battery. Our DeWalt 20V USB charger adapter guide goes deeper on the charging side.
FAQ
Can I use a DeWalt battery in a Black+Decker tool? No. The battery footprints differ, so a DeWalt 20V MAX pack won't seat on a Black+Decker 20V tool.
Can I use a Black+Decker battery in a DeWalt tool? No, same reason — the packs aren't physically compatible across the two brands.
They're the same company — why aren't the batteries compatible? Same parent company and same "20V MAX" name, but different battery interfaces and chargers. The voltage label doesn't mean the packs fit.
Do DeWalt and Black+Decker chargers work on each other's batteries? No. The chargers are brand-specific, just like the batteries.
Are battery adapters between the two worth it? Third-party adapters exist but aren't officially supported and can affect fit and safety. For most people it's better to buy the right battery for your tool.
Going DeWalt? Browse the DeWalt collection for chargers, USB adapters, and inverters that fit your 20V MAX packs.