Polisher type
Cordless polishers: battery platforms, bare tools and chargers
Cordless polishers run on closed battery platforms: Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT, FLEX and RUPES iBrid. Why the same voltage is not the same pack.
Also listed as battery polisher, cordless DA
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Short answer
A cordless polisher runs on its maker's battery platform, and the platforms are closed: Milwaukee M18 tools take M18 REDLITHIUM packs, Makita 18V LXT tools take LXT packs, and RUPES's mini and full-size iBrid packs differ even at 18 V. Many are sold as bare tools with no battery or charger. Milwaukee's manual says to recharge only with the charger the maker specifies, because the wrong charger may create a fire risk.
Key facts
- Motion
- Free-spinning (Milwaukee 2684-20/2685-20, FLEX XFE 15) or selectable forced/free (Makita XOP02Z)[1][2][3][4]
- Orbit throw
- Milwaukee 2684-20 15 mm; 2685-20 21 mm; FLEX XFE 15 15 mm; Makita XOP02Z 7/32 in; RUPES HLR75 12 mm[1][2][3][4][5]
- Backing plate / pad size
- Milwaukee 2684-20 5 in (6 in optional); 2685-20 6 in (5 in optional); Makita XOP02Z 5-inch/6-inch; RUPES HLR75 75 mm[6][4][5]
- Speed range
- Milwaukee 2684-20 2,650-5,100 rpm; 2685-20 2,400-4,500 rpm; Makita XOP02Z 0-780 RPM, 0-6,800 OPM[1][2][4]
- Power source
- Battery on a closed platform: Milwaukee M18, Makita 18V LXT, FLEX 18 V, RUPES iBrid[1][7][3][8]RUPES's HLR15 and HLR21 iBrid can also run corded.
- Example models
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2684-20 and 2685-20; Makita XOP02Z; FLEX XFE 15 (kit 459542); RUPES HLR15, HLR21 and HLR75 iBrid[1][2][4][3][8][5]
- Suited to
- Not confirmedNo source we checked compares corded and cordless polishers by job.
- Cautions
- Use only the maker's specified battery packs and charger; a charger for one battery type may create a fire risk with another[6]
Watch out for
- Same voltage is not the same pack. RUPES's HLR75 and HLR15/HLR21 iBrid packs are both 18 V but different systems; Makita says LXT, CXT and XGT batteries fit only their own platforms.
- 20V MAX is 18 V nominal. DEWALT says 20 V is the maximum initial voltage without load and 18 V is nominal, so the label alone shows neither more power nor cross-brand fit.
- Bare tool means no battery. Milwaukee's -20 tools and Makita's Tool Only XOP02Z ship without battery or charger.
- Knock-off packs are a fire risk. Makita USA warns that non-genuine Makita batteries may burst and cause fires, and says using them voids the warranty and the tool's UL/CSA approval.
- "Universal" chargers have caused fires. CPSC warned in 2024 about chargers sold as universal that could ignite incompatible 36 V lithium batteries. Those were micromobility chargers, cited here only as an analogy: use the charger your tool's maker specifies.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Cordless dual-action polisher (Makita 18V LXT)
Makita XOP02Z 18V LXT brushless 5 in/6 in dual action random orbit polisher (tool only)Choose the XOP02Z tool-only listing, which comes with 5 in and 6 in backing plates; no battery or charger.
Makita sells it tool only, with selectable random orbit with forced rotation or free spin, and its batteries fit only within each platform, so use Makita 18V LXT packs. Makita links an Amazon Brand Store, but that does not make every offer Makita's: check 'Ships from' and 'Sold by' on the Amazon offer before you buy.
Check price on Amazon Opens amazon.com15 mm cordless random orbital polisher (FLEX 24V)
FLEX FX3321-Z 24V brushless cordless random orbital polisher, 15 mm (tool only)Choose the FX3321-Z tool-only listing; battery and charger are sold separately.
It runs on FLEX 24V packs, so pair it with genuine FLEX batteries and a FLEX charger. As with any Amazon pick, check 'Ships from' and 'Sold by' on the Amazon offer before you buy.
Check price on Amazon Opens amazon.com
Prefer a cord? See corded polishers. For small cordless machines, see mini polishers.
Questions
Can I use any 18 V battery in my cordless polisher?
No. Makita says its batteries fit only within each platform, Milwaukee says its batteries are interchangeable within a system but not across systems, and RUPES's two 18 V iBrid packs are different systems.[7][9][5][8]
Is 20V MAX more powerful than 18V?
Not by the label. DEWALT says 20V MAX is the maximum initial voltage measured without a workload and that nominal voltage is 18.[10]