DeWalt 20V Battery Charger Buying Guide: Five Chargers Worth Considering

Picture a framing crew at lunch: one charger on the tailgate, three drained packs in the bag, and an afternoon of cutting still ahead. The right DeWalt 20V charger is the one that matches how quickly you cycle packs, because a slow single-bay unit becomes the bottleneck long before the tools do. For a home garage, a compact single-port charger is plenty; for a job site, a faster or multi-port charger pays for itself in saved waiting time.

This guide covers five DeWalt chargers sold for the 20V MAX system and explains how to choose among them. It sticks to what the model names tell you, then gives buying rules you can check against any listing: charge-time behavior, port count, battery compatibility, and the practical details of mounting and cord length. Use the short comparison table to narrow things down, then read the reviews for the trade-offs.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Count how many packs you rotate in a day

A useful rule of thumb is one charger bay per two batteries for light work, and one bay per battery on a busy site. If you own more than four 20V packs, a multi-port charger saves swapping. Single-port chargers stay the better value for owners with one or two batteries, since a second bay would sit empty.

Compare charge time against battery size

Charge time scales with pack capacity. A 2.0 Ah pack may finish in under an hour on a fast charger, while a 5.0 Ah pack can take noticeably longer on a basic one. Look for a charger whose listing states time for the pack size you actually own, rather than a vague claim of fast charging, and be skeptical when no battery size is given at all.

Verify compatibility with your battery generation

Not every charger accepts every pack. Newer 20V MAX and 60V FLEXVOLT batteries have different requirements, and older NiCd-era DeWalt packs use a different system altogether. Check the charger listing for the exact battery families supported, and as of 2026 it is worth confirming whether the charger also handles 12V packs if you own a mixed tool set.

Think about mounting, cord, and indicator lights

A wall-mount slot, a cord of about 5 feet or more, and clear LED states for charging, full, and fault save daily friction. A charger that cannot hang on a stud or shelf ends up on a sawdust-covered bench, and a short cord limits where you can place it. Pay attention to a vent design that keeps dust out, since that extends service life.

Our Picks Reviewed

DEWALT DCB115

The DCB115 is a widely recognized single-bay model, usually the first charger people think of when a spare is needed. It works well as a baseline unit for a home workshop or truck bed.

• Pro: a single-port design is simple, with fewer parts to fail and an easy footprint on a shelf.
• Pro: because it is a common model number, finding accessories, replacement units, and compatibility notes is straightforward.
• Pro: the straightforward layout is easy to explain to a helper or family member, so nobody has to guess which light means a pack is ready.
• Con: one bay means only one pack charges at a time, which becomes a bottleneck when you alternate between several batteries during a long day.
• Skip it if: you run a full set of tools on a daily schedule and cycle more than three packs, or want to charge on the road with a spare unit nearby.

Owners who mainly drill, drive, and cut on weekends generally find this style of charger enough, and it makes a sensible backup in the truck even for people who already own a bigger multi-port unit at the shop.

DEWALT DCB107

The DCB107 belongs to the compact charger range, which is where DeWalt tends to place its lighter, more portable options. It suits people who store batteries in a tool bag.

• Pro: a compact housing is easy to pack, mount, and stash without taking up a large part of a workbench.
• Pro: a straightforward single-bay layout makes it a good fit for a first-time buyer with a small kit.
• Pro: a small unit stays out of the way in a cramped garage, a van cubby, or a camper, where every inch of counter space is spoken for.
• Con: compact usually means moderate charging speed, so larger packs will take noticeably longer than they would on a fast charger.
• Skip it if: you are an every-day tradesperson who needs a battery topped up in time for the next task, or you need a cord long enough to reach across a garage.

It is a sensible pick for weekend DIY owners, apartment dwellers, or anyone who values space over speed. For that audience, the slower rate is rarely a problem.

DEWALT DCB118

The DCB118 sits in DeWalt’s fast-charger family, which is aimed at users who care more about turnaround than footprint. Verify the listing for supported battery types before ordering.

• Pro: a fast-charging design shortens the gap between a drained pack and a ready one, which keeps a crew moving.
• Pro: buyers who own larger-capacity batteries get the most from faster charging, since waiting time scales with pack size.
• Pro: shorter waits make it easier to run with fewer batteries overall, which can offset part of the higher cost of a quicker charger.
• Con: faster charging usually means a larger body and more heat, so it needs ventilation and should not sit under a pile of gear.
• Skip it if: you only own one or two small packs and charge them overnight, in which case the extra speed adds little.

It is best viewed as an upgrade for a busy work truck, where a reliable battery cycle keeps the day on schedule, and where a second pack is always waiting in the bag.

DEWALT DCB1104

The DCB1104 comes from DeWalt’s multi-pack line, intended for shops with many batteries. Confirm the port count and battery support in the product listing, since similar numbers cover different layouts.

• Pro: charging several packs from one outlet reduces clutter and cords on a crowded bench or van shelf.
• Pro: a central station keeps all batteries in one place, so they are easier to count and rotate.
• Pro: one cord and one outlet for the whole battery collection means a tidier shop and fewer tripped breakers from overloaded power strips.
• Con: a larger multi-bay unit takes more space and, if it fails, takes all your charging capacity down at once.
• Skip it if: you own just a couple of batteries, travel light, or want a charger you can toss in a tool bag.

It makes sense for a contractor, a maintenance shop, or a serious hobbyist with a full 20V collection, especially where one outlet is shared by several people who all swap packs through the day.

DEWALT DCB112

The DCB112 is positioned as a charger for owners who use more than one DeWalt battery voltage. Check the listing to confirm both 12V and 20V pack support, because compatibility is the entire point of this model.

• Pro: one charger for mixed voltage collections saves buying a second unit for smaller tools.
• Pro: a straightforward single-bay layout keeps the interface simple for casual users.
• Pro: owners who expand their tool collection over time avoid stranded chargers, since the same unit keeps working as new voltages enter the shop.
• Con: a single bay means a slow turnaround for owners with many packs, regardless of voltage.
• Skip it if: you only own 20V tools, in which case a dedicated 20V charger is a simpler purchase.

It suits people who started with a compact 12V drill and later added 20V tools, since one unit serves both without cluttering an outlet strip.

Which One Fits

• Weekend DIY owner: DEWALT DCB107 or DCB115, whichever is easier to find.
• Active contractor: DEWALT DCB118 for speed, plus a multi-port DCB1104 at the shop.
• Mixed 12V and 20V tools: DEWALT DCB112 keeps both families on one charger.
• Cordless-heavy van or garage: DEWALT DCB1104 gives each battery a place to charge.
• Road trip or remote site: pair a compact charger with a power source; see the electric car coolers guide for how 12V power is typically shared.

One last practical point: write the purchase date on the underside of each charger and battery with a marker. When a pack stops holding a charge, knowing whether the problem is the charger or the pack is much easier if you can swap units and compare results. A second charger is the quickest way to diagnose an apparent battery failure, and that diagnostic value alone often justifies keeping a cheap spare around.

It also helps to keep chargers off bare concrete in winter garages and away from open windows in humid summers. Condensation inside a charger housing is a slow, quiet cause of early failure, and a simple shelf at waist height avoids most of it. The same shelf keeps cords off the floor, where they get driven over or soaked by a wet floor mat.

Common Mistakes

1. Buying by model number alone without confirming the battery families the charger actually supports.
2. Choosing a single-port charger for a large collection of batteries, then spending the day waiting.
3. Placing a fast charger in a closed bag or under gear, which traps heat and shortens its lifespan.
4. Ignoring cord length, so the charger sits on the floor or in a hard-to-reach corner.
5. Leaving packs on a charger for weeks in an unheated garage without checking temperature limits in the manual.

FAQ

Can a DeWalt 20V charger charge any DeWalt battery?

No. Chargers support specific battery families, so check the model listing. Mixed-voltage chargers exist, but older systems may not be covered at all.

Is a faster charger worse for battery life?

Modern chargers manage temperature and current, so occasional fast charging is normal. Letting a pack cool before charging and avoiding extreme heat both help.

How many ports do I really need?

A good guideline is one port per two batteries for light work and one per battery for heavy use. A multi-port model removes constant swapping.

Should I get a spare charger for the truck?

For most tradespeople, yes. A backup avoids a stalled day if the main unit is left at the shop. Compact models make easy spares.

What else belongs in a work truck power kit?

A compact inflator is a common pairing; see our guide to an electric air pump for tires for options that run from a cordless platform or a vehicle outlet.