DeWALT 18v Cordless Tools: What Does the XR Stand for?

Posted on 12/09/19

You may remember back in 2011, DeWALT announced a range of cordless power tools which were branded with an “XR” name. It sounds rather fancy and important, but what does it actually stand for? In this article, we’ll take you through it so that you know exactly what advantages come with purchasing a DeWALT XR cordless power tool.

eXtreme Runtime

OK, so that might feel a little underwhelming, but the XR stands for eXtreme Runtime. That said, what could be better than a power tool which has been designed to last a significant amount longer than anything else? It will certainly solve a lot of problems. That said, how does XR translate to performance (besides duration, of course).

XR cordless power tool performance

John, a DeWALT representative explained back in 2011, that the whole purpose of XR, was to provide tradesmen like yourself with a cordless tool that can be tough outside, whilst being intelligent inside. Thus, Dewalt reimagined the switch on their cordless tools, making them a whole lot smarter. But what does that mean? Can they help your kids with their homework? No, not unless they’ve got to hang some shelves or make a jewellery box. What it actually means is that the runtime performance comes from the way in which the power transfer of energy from the XR battery to the tool’s motor is managed. So, a bit of tweaking and they fine tuned the battery and motor, protecting them from overheating, overloading, and over-charging—whilst avoiding deep discharge as well (all of which you can agree, have a detrimental effect on a battery and motor). In addition to that, any of these cordless tools, branded with the XR badge, will monitor the tool’s performance internally including the relationship with the battery itself, and the utilisation of its resources (i.e., how hard you’re pushing the tool). This insight is designed to ensure that the tool is protected when being pushes beyond its supposed capabilities, thus protecting you, the user from unnecessarily damaging your equipment.

How can the DeWALT XR cordless tools benefit me?

Of course, the main benefit is the fact that you can work for longer without having to charge your tools, hence eXtreme Runtime. However, you need to find a balance between duration, and protecting the motor and batteries from burning out. So, it’s important not to over-do it. One of the major benefits of operating DeWALT XR cordless tools is the fact that they can all be powered from one battery source. That’s right! Rather than having to have an individual battery pack for all of your tools, you can instead invest in the one, and power you’re entire 18v XR collection from there, from 3Ah up to 6Ah! The potential runtime is always extending, as DeWALT improve their cordless technology. So, you can imagine how far we have progressed since 2011, and where we can expect to see those numbers in several more years. The power is in your hands!

See Our DeWALT Cordless Products