Does the DeWalt POWERSTACK Need a Special Charger? (Short Answer: No)
No special charger required. The DeWalt POWERSTACK uses the same 20V MAX slide-in connector as every other DeWalt 20V battery. Any current 20V MAX charger you already own will charge it — the pouch-cell design is an internal change, not a connector change. What *does* differ is speed: POWERSTACK's pouch cells can accept higher charge currents than older cylindrical-cell packs. So charger choice determines how long you wait, not whether it charges at all. This post tells you which charger to reach for first.
Why People Ask If POWERSTACK Needs a Different Charger
The cells look different — does that change the connector?
Crack open a POWERSTACK and you'll see flat, rectangular pouch cells stacked together instead of the familiar row of cylindrical cells. That's a real engineering difference — pouch cells are lighter and can handle faster charge rates. But the 20V MAX slide-in connector on the outside is identical to what's on every other DeWalt 20V MAX battery. The charger communicates with the battery management system through that same interface; it never sees the cells directly.
"POWERSTACK starter kits" include a charger — is that a required pair?
No. DeWalt bundles a charger in kit configurations as a convenience, not because the POWERSTACK needs a proprietary unit. If you already have a 20V MAX charger sitting on your bench, plug in and go.
Note the rebranding
DeWalt quietly rebranded POWERSTACK as the XR pouch-cell line in some markets. If your battery says "XR" and has that stacked rectangular-cell build, the same charger compatibility rules apply — same platform, same connector. See learn more about the XR rebranding for the full story on what changed and what didn't.
Which DeWalt Chargers Are Compatible With POWERSTACK?
All current 20V MAX chargers work with POWERSTACK. FLEXVOLT chargers work too — they're designed to handle both 20V MAX and 60V MAX batteries, so a 20V MAX POWERSTACK is no problem. See read the full FLEXVOLT backward-compatibility breakdown for the full FLEXVOLT backward-compatibility breakdown.
| Charger | Type | Speed Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCB107 | Compact | Low | Works — slowest option |
| DCB112 | Standard | Medium | Works — solid everyday charger |
| DCB115 | Standard | Medium | Works — similar to DCB112 |
| DCB118 | Fast / FLEXVOLT | High | Best single-port pairing for POWERSTACK |
| DCB1112 | Fast / FLEXVOLT | High | Same speed tier as DCB118 |
| DCB1404 | 4-port simultaneous | High (per port) | Best for multi-pack job site use |
Exact charge times vary by battery Ah and charger model; check the spec page for your specific charger for precise figures.
For a head-to-head on the fast charger options, see compare DCB118, DCB1112, and DCB1404.
Do Old DeWalt Chargers Work With POWERSTACK?
NiCd-era chargers (pre-2013, single-voltage yellow housings): No. These chargers predate the 20V MAX lithium connector entirely — they won't charge *any* 20V MAX battery, POWERSTACK or otherwise. If you're unsure whether your old charger is the problem, check our battery charging troubleshooting guide before buying anything new.
Any charger already charging your 20V MAX tools: Yes. Simple rule: if it has "20V MAX" or "FLEXVOLT" printed on it and it charges your other DeWalt batteries, it charges POWERSTACK.
Which Charger Should You Pair With POWERSTACK?
If you already own a DCB118 or DCB1112, use it. The POWERSTACK's pouch-cell chemistry is built for higher charge currents — pairing it with a fast charger is where you actually see the benefit. You get a faster turnaround without doing anything to the battery.
If you only have a DCB107 or DCB112, use it. It works fine. You don't need to buy a new charger just because you picked up a POWERSTACK.
The only reason to upgrade your charger is if slow charge times are genuinely holding you up. Running multiple POWERSTACK packs on a job site? A DCB1404 (4-port simultaneous) makes sense — but that's a platform-level decision, not a POWERSTACK-specific one. Deciding which POWERSTACK to buy in the first place? See find the right 20V MAX battery for you.
FAQ
What charger does the DeWalt POWERSTACK use? Any standard 20V MAX charger. There's no proprietary POWERSTACK charger — it uses the same connector as all 20V MAX batteries.
Can I charge a POWERSTACK with my existing DeWalt charger? Yes, as long as it's a current 20V MAX charger. If it already charges your other 20V MAX tools, it charges POWERSTACK.
How long does a POWERSTACK battery take to charge? Depends on the charger. Fast chargers (DCB118 or DCB1112) charge a POWERSTACK pack considerably quicker than compact or standard-tier chargers, and the pouch-cell design is built to take advantage of that higher current. For exact times, check the spec page for your specific charger model.
Does the POWERSTACK charge faster than regular 20V batteries? On a fast charger, yes. The pouch-cell design handles higher charge currents than same-Ah cylindrical-cell packs. On a slow charger, the difference is minimal.
Can I use a FLEXVOLT charger on a POWERSTACK battery? Yes. FLEXVOLT chargers like the DCB118 and DCB1112 are backward-compatible with 20V MAX batteries and charge POWERSTACK without issue.
Will an old DeWalt NiCd charger charge a POWERSTACK? No — NiCd-era chargers aren't compatible with any 20V MAX lithium battery. That's not a POWERSTACK-specific problem.
Is POWERSTACK the same as DeWalt XR? In some markets, yes. DeWalt rebranded the POWERSTACK as the XR pouch-cell line. If your battery has a pouch-cell build and says 20V MAX on it, the same charger compatibility applies.
Your POWERSTACK is good to go on any 20V MAX charger you already own. While it's charging, take a look at our portable USB-C charger for job-site power — it turns that same 20V MAX battery into a portable charger for phones, tablets, and laptops on the job. More DeWalt battery accessories are at DeWalt collection.