Will cordless power tools obsolete mains power tools?
UK-based provider of power tools and associated products Protrade shares its thoughts and experience from the front line of tool retail on the changes brought about by more efficient battery technology…
Will cordless power tools obsolete mains power tools?
UK-based provider of power tools and associated products Protrade shares its thoughts and experience from the front line of tool retail on the changes brought about by more efficient battery technology…
Perhaps to no surprise, the power tools market remains buoyant.
Global forecasts show that by 2027, more than 600 million tools will be sold across the commercial and residential market – more than double the number recorded in 2015. Statista data also shows the power-driven hand tools market will generate over $56 billion by 2025.
For more than 60 years, buyers have had a relatively simple choice on which type of power tool they want to purchase, namely mains or cordless.
But for how much longer will that be the case?
In recent years, the construction industry has witnessed a remarkable shift towards cordless power tools. The technology continues to get better with each passing year as professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike embrace the benefits of portability, efficiency, and enhanced safety.
Undoubtedly, mains-powered tools still have their place on the jobsite –particularly for heavy-duty jobs – but the momentum is also undeniably moving towards cordless solutions, particularly for portable tools used on site.
As cordless technology continues to advance, the question arises: When will mains power tools become a thing of the past?
Statista data also shows the power-driven hand tools market will generate over $56 billion by 2025.
Global forecasts show that by 2027, more than 600 million tools will be sold across the commercial and residential market – more than double the number recorded in 2015.
The numbers behind the cordless revolution
The growing popularity of cordless power tools is evident from market statistics.
Sticking with industry value, the cordless tools market is on track to hit just under $47 billion – more than doubling in value in just nine years. When we drill down (sorry) into the reasons behind that, the market shift towards cordless is clear.
Indeed, a recent study by Technavio showed that the UK's cordless tools accounted for over 81.1% of sales last year in the UK professional power tools market, with corded tools making up just 18.9%. That split was 50-50 in 2018, according to the European Power Tool Association. One of the fastest-growing global power tool brands even saw an overwhelming 99% of their tools sold from their battery-powered platforms.
Generally speaking, cordless tools have shaved off their reputation for not being as good as their mains equivalent. Acceptance has grown across all sectors. Coupled with that is the greater need for fastening tools and the booming construction industry across multiple developing nations.
As demand for power tools increases, and with the use of lithium-ion batteries becoming more widespread, the cordless tools segment is projected to dominate the market's growth from 2022 to 2027.
The cordless tools market is on track to hit just under $47 billion – more than doubling in value in just nine years.
Technavio showed that the UK's cordless tools accounted for over 81.1% of sales last year in the UK professional power tools market, with corded tools making up just 18.9%.
// As demand for power tools increases, and with the use of lithium-ion batteries becoming more widespread, the cordless tools segment is projected to dominate the market's growth from 2022 to 2027. //
Lithium-ion batteries: pioneering the cordless revolution
In the Autumn of 2003, the first lithium-ion battery-operated power tool was introduced to the market. It was the IXO cordless screwdriver by Bosch and it was powered by a single 3.6V lithium-ion cell.
A lot has changed since then.
As we alluded to, the early days of cordless power tools struggled to match the power and performance of their corded counterparts. However, the introduction of lithium-ion battery technology revolutionised the industry.
Developed by materials scientist, John Goodenough, in 1980, lithium-ion batteries offered a remarkable charge-to-weight ratio, making them ideal for portable, battery-powered tools.
The adoption of this technology by leading brands, like Milwaukee and Makita, propelled cordless power tools into the mainstream, but it had been slow. Battery anxiety was real and, as is the case with anything new, transitioning from the norm to the new power source on the block was difficult.
But the technology continues to develop. In 2023, there has been many breakthroughs in battery technology and the hope is that lithium battery technology will make more breakthroughs in the next three years. While reducing the cost of cordless power tools, improving their versatility, and further eliminating any residual battery anxiety will only continue to drive up the market share of cordless tools.
The other factor to consider here is the price point. While we watch before our very eyes as prices of materials and equipment go up, the price of lithium batteries comes down. According to data collected by Bloomberg, the volume-weighted average price of a typical lithium-ion battery plunged by over $1,000 since 2010 and continues to decrease incrementally each year.
The EV market is the biggest contributing factor to that. So too is its role in the power tools market.
// In 2023, there has been many breakthroughs in battery technology and the hope is that lithium battery technology will make more breakthroughs in the next three years. //
Everything else is going smart and so are cordless power tools
We have smartphones, smart homes, and every appliance you can think of that is adopting smart technology. It’s only natural that the same is happening with the power tools market.
Brands like Milwaukee are leaders in this space. They introduced their tool connectivity platform, One-Key, enabling users to control and monitor their equipment remotely through smartphone apps. By its own description, the IoT-connected smart tools are backed by the industry’s largest Bluetooth tracking community to help its users connect sites, people, and equipment – and crucially help locate stolen equipment.
In short, the power tools market is branching out beyond just the tool. These smart tools also offer features like security lockouts, inventory management, and tool customisation, all built to optimise performance and enhance safety on job sites.
While Milwaukee leads the way, others are following. Brands, such as Bosch and Festool, are also developing their own smart tool technology, creating a comprehensive range of connected cordless solutions that, in the words of Hilti’s GB vice-president, Thibaud Lefebvre, will reduce inefficiencies at a time the industry is battling tight schedules and labour shortages, defending margins, and managing risk.
// We have smartphones, smart homes, and every appliance you can think of that is adopting smart technology. It’s only natural that the same is happening with the power tools market. //
But as well as efficiency, improved safety is driving cordless uptake
Even above efficiency, and as briefly alluded to, improving safety while using power tools is at the forefront of technology advancements within cordless power tools.
One of the biggest advantages of cordless is the removal of the huge electrical current that flows through the mains alternative. Going back to 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 53% of all fatal electrical injuries were in the construction industry. Of course, not all of that can be attributed to power tools but they do factor into this conversation.
As well as the removal of the electric current, the absence of trailing cables, and the elimination of cumbersome 110V transformers, batteries are playing a major role in reducing workplace hazards and improving job site mobility.
In some cases, major construction sites have even banned corded power tools altogether due to safety concerns. Additionally, cordless tools do not require pre-use Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), streamlining equipment readiness.
There are a lot of positives but what is holding cordless tools back from a complete market takeover?
There is only one answer to this question: the battery.
There is no getting over the fact that moving to cordless means you’re constantly needing to keep on top of your battery charge. The standard lithium-ion battery will last up to eight hours on the job, depending how powerful the battery is and what tool is being used, of course.
And while every product has a lifespan, the average cordless power tool product – powered by a lithium-ion battery – will now last up to three years if frequently used, with experts citing that you can expect to get approximately 1,000 charge cycles out of the battery before it packs up. It is worth pointing out that this has improved significantly, with a research paper published in 2009 by Elsevier, a global analytics company, showing that lithium-ion battery-powered tools had an estimated 500 charge cycles.
Ultimately, it is my opinion that lifespan is one of the only factors why corded tools remain on the market today. Quality corded tools still outlast the battery alternative by at least a couple of years. Most people today will know someone that has still got a corded drill that they purchased in the ‘80s and it is still going strong.
While progress has been made on this front, once cordless tools overcome the issue of longevity, we are going to be looking at the rapid end of the corded tools.
// In some cases, major construction sites have even banned corded power tools altogether due to safety concerns. //
So, how long before mains power tools are a thing of the past?
With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.02% from 2022 to 2027, the cordless power tools market is set to continue its expansion, driven by the increasing demand for power tools, DIY building products, and advancements in lithium-ion battery technology.
The obvious prediction is that the collective shift towards cordless tools will persist, eventually phasing out mains power tools from the market entirely.
As of now, manufacturers like Milwaukee already offer an extensive range of cordless tools, and collaborative efforts like the Cordless Alliance System (CAS) showcase the industry's commitment to cordless innovation.
Given this rapid progress, it is only a matter of time before cordless power tools become the new standard for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
So, it’s prediction time. When will we see corded tools become a thing of the past?
The data shows we have seen a huge jump in just a matter of years. While there was once a 50-50 market split with those products just five years ago, that cordless has leaped ahead and now holds an 81% market share.
It is not inconceivable that by 2027, as the technology begins to develop and production on corded tools winds down, the gap will have widened to 90% in favour of cordless tools.
By the early 2030s, I’m not sure there will be a gap at all.
The sand timer is ticking. The construction industry is undeniably experiencing a monumental shift towards cordless power tools. With a plethora of advantages, including portability, enhanced battery runtimes, smart features, and improved safety, cordless tools have become the preferred choice for many.
And as technology continues to progress, the day when mains power tools disappear from shelves and becomes a relic of what the construction industry once was is just a matter of years away.
For more on battery technology and cordless tools, check out the forthcoming November-December print issue of Torque Magazine.