If you are in the market for new power tools, you may be wondering: are corded or cordless power tools better? In this blog we will highlight the pros and cons of corded and cordless power tools so that you can decide for yourself!
Corded Power Tools
Pros
Although cordless power tools have came a long way power wise, corded tools still do tend to be more powerful. This is beneficial if you are working on bigger jobs or trying to drill and cut through tougher materials.
Another obvious advantage of corded power tools is that you don’t need to worry about them running out of charge – the power is constant. This is especially handy if you are forgetful and don’t remember to charge up your tools!
Corded tools also tend to be more lightweight than cordless power tools due to not having a battery built-in, so this may be preferable if you struggle to handle these tools.
Cons
Although the corded nature means you will never run out of charge, this also means you are a bit limited if you don’t have a power socket nearby, or if you plan on taking your tools with you in outdoor settings. You may need to use extension cords which some find annoying.
There are some power cools that you need to be careful not to cut through the cord with, such as saws and angle grinders. There is also the safety risk of someone accidentally tripping over the cord. This is of course something you don’t need to worry about with cordless tools.
Corded power tools also means that you are reliant on mains power, so if there is a power outage then this will disrupt your work.
Cordless Power Tools
Pros
You have more freedom to move around when using cordless power tools as of course, you aren’t tethered down by a cord.
Storing cordless tools also tends to be simpler as you don’t have wires to worry about, and nothing will get tangled.
There is also no risk of you accidentally cutting through any cords. This is particularly hazardous when using tools such as circular saws or chainsaws.
Many brands have compatible batteries across their power tool ranges, such as the Bosch Power 4 All range. This means that you can swap the batteries out and save money.
Cons
Cordless power tools do tend to be less powerful than corded, as they rely on a battery instead of being mains powered. With that being said, cordless tools have come a long way and you will likely find that cordless tools can tackle most of your DIY needs. But if you are doing a lot of hardy jobs like cutting through thick steel, then corded may be more suited.
Cordless tools also need to have their batteries charged up, how often this is depends on the tool and brand. This can be a bit annoying if your battery runs out half way through a task, so its important to make sure you remember to charge it up. Also batteries do degrade over time so you may need to re-purchase.
Batteries can be expensive – some power tools sell batteries separately which of course can add on to your costs so keep this in mind.
What’s the verdict? Corded or cordless?
Overall, both corded and cordless tools have their pros and cons. If you are going to always be in reach of a power socket and want consistent power for heavy-duty work, then you may prefer corded. But if you aren’t doing a lot of heavy-duty tasks then you will likely find cordless tools will do a good job and provide you with more freedom and mobility. Some of it does come down to personal preference, so just make sure you consider all of these points before you invest in some new power tools!
We hope that you have found this blog helpful when deciding between corded or cordless power tools. Check out our other blog post here where we discuss must-have power tools!
Tags: building, corded, cordless, diy, handtools, powertools, tools