Features:

  • Integrated L.E.D. Battery charge level indicator allows user to monitor battery charge
  • Reaches full charge in 30 minutes or less
  • Compatible only with Star protection tools, Indicated by the Star symbol and/or Yellow battery receiver under the tool
  • Battery delivers consistent power and run time in extreme temperatures, even in winter (-4°f/-20°c)
  • Equipped with Star protection computer Controls to protect against overloading, over-discharging and over-heating
Heavy due to size

We didn't realize these would be heavier than the smaller output batteries, therefore making the entire drill heavier. But they last and are a great replacement for the original that came with the power device.

Strong durable batteries that last through multiple projects

Great replacements. Strong batteries that last as advertised. Take decent abuse and no concerns. I just hate the way they sit back on the charger but that is more a weird charger design than actual battery performance. These last through multiple projects and can sit for weeks or months and keep a charge. Great job by Makita. Only thing that would make them better is lower the price but I guess you get what you pay for.

Previously I opted for the off brand equivalent products. ...

Previously I opted for the off brand equivalent products. It was lower cost (cheaper) however I did end up ordering the name brand products after the generics failed. In the future, I will go directly to the name brand. The savings were not worth the effort.

Power to Spare

Bought as a back-up battery for my Makita Cordless Drill. These batteries seem to hold power forever, and I do mean power. I don't know if it is from upgrading from my old Craftsman 18V 2 Ah system to the Makita 18V 3 Ah system, or whether it is related to the old Craftsman Ni-Cd batteries vs. the updated Makita Lithium-Ion batteries. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to electronics. All I know is that these batteries provide a lot of power to my XFD10R Cordless Makita Drill (which was gifted to me for Christmas so not available for review). Never had a complaint about any Makita product. I'm extremely pleased with the drill and battery combo I have now and I would not hesitate to recommend the same to anyone that asks.

12/10/2018 Update: Using on NON-STAR older Makita tools.

The 3.0Ah batteries fit and work in the pre-Star System tools, specifically the LXT series just before Star was introduced. I have been challenged for months trying to find the answer regarding old model of 18v batteries that would claim to work in pre-Star tools and nobody could give me a definitive answer. Makita dealers couldn't or wouldn't even give me definitive answers. I'm not 100% certain but I don't believe the higher amperage models like 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah will work but I bought these 3.0Ah units because the ones I finally stumbled on locally with the identical model number BL-1830B-2 did NOT have any reference to the Star System, just LXT like my tools. Those were $219 for a pair at my local Ace Hardware!! I didn't think these in this Amazon ad were labeled for Star so I bought them but after receiving them, I saw they DID have the "Star Only" paper insert packed over the battery in the package. I was afraid to open them for fear of not being able to return them but sucked it up and tried. They fit and function even though my tool does NOT have the yellow plastic receiver or the black one with a Star insignia. It's just an LXT model with a DCRA18 charger. So, needless to say, I'm stoked these work and have now bought a second pack so I'll have 4 batteries for less than what 2 would have cost me locally. To reiterate, I have heard but can't confirm, the 4.0 and 5.0Ah cells may not work in my older tool application so try that at your own risk if you decide to go big. Hopefully this helps somebody going through the same conundrum as I did for so long trying to get answers. I should also throw in the Makita SUCKS for pulling this stunt on people that have run their tools for so many years. They could have taken the time to make this easier for their customers.

I love the button on the battery whoch shows you hoe ...

I work as a per time handy man in the citu and often have back-to-back jobs which require several hours of non-continuous drill use. One of these batteries will take me through the whole day on one charge, a real life saver. I am also able to use it on my cordless makuta circular saw, though it tends to need a charge after several passes do to the larger power draw. I love the button on the battery whoch shows you hoe much charge you have left. Great purchase.

Nice price on good batteries

At the hardware store they only had the 2 amp version of these batteries and they were twice as much per battery. Love that they have the battery indicator you can use to see how your charge is doing, makes it a lot easier to see what batteries need charging when you ahve them going to different areas all the time!

Most durable, best performing tools I’ve used.

Makita line of 18v cordless is extremely versatile and durable. I am a professional carpenter of 18 years. I’m not one of those sissy la la kinda guys that polish my tools and keep them hanging all pretty above a work bench. I’m out in the field, tools in and out of my truck, up and down every part of a house. I’ve worn out craftsman, rigid and Dewalt drill sets.... Makita is still ticking. My current company invested in the 18v Makita platform years ago and it is my opinion that is the true testing grounds. Have you ever heard of the saying: “drive it like you stole it”? Well these company owned tools are much like the saying, ask any business owner and they’ll tell you how hard employees are on equipment. I’ve watched the same Makita impact driver tumble down a roof pitch, bounce off scaffold and hit the ground on multiple occasions and the tool and battery are still hard at work with no ill effect. The charge time and duty cycle are superior to any system I’ve used. The array of tools available on the platform is also more numerous than any system I’ve used. Makita is a pioneer in cordless and the 18v platform is testament to a long history of quality performance, durability and longevity. By nature I’m cheap, I could never justify the investment into Makita until I witnessed the tools being subject to day in and day out abuse (at no cost of my own). Having personally worn out other brand tools I realized the benefits. For home owner or periodic use these tools are certain to fall into obsolescence long before the life of the tool would be consumed. Take it from me, a natural skeptic, cheapskate turned Makita convert, these tools are worth every penny and more.

the best quality and price on the market

the best quality and price on the market. Work with my old drill, LXT model. My two old batteries still work but don't have enough power to run. With these two new batteries, I can fix my fence for more than 4 hours and they still go on.

3.0Ah works great with older LXT tools

The 3.0Ah batteries have been working great with my 10 year-old LXT tools, and I love the charge indicator (which wasn't available on my original batteries.) I had been looking at the higher capacity batteries but was worried about compatibility with my old tools, especially due to the part of the product description where it says it's only compatible with "Star Protection" tools. I called Makita customer service and they told me that that the 3.0Ah capacity battery is the most compatible - it will work with all past, present and future 18V tools. They don't make the same promise about the other capacities. Obviously, though, the Star protection feature doesn't apply to older tools which don't have that capability built in).

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