DeWalt DCB115 vs DCB118 Charger: Which 20V MAX Charger Fits Your Needs?

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Quick answer

The DeWalt DCB115 is the sensible choice for most people charging 20V MAX batteries overnight or between jobs. It charges more slowly, but it is smaller and works with DeWalt 12V MAX and 20V MAX slide batteries. The DCB118 is a better fit when fast turnaround matters: it adds fan-assisted cooling and can charge compatible DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries as well as 12V MAX and 20V MAX packs.

Neither charger makes a battery last longer on the tool. The main differences are charging speed, cooling, battery compatibility, and price. Check the label on your battery and charger before buying; DeWalt has several charger variants, and a listing’s headline may not spell out every compatibility detail.

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#1 Pick

DEWALT 12V MAX/20V MAX Lithium Ion Battery Charger, 4 Amp (DCB1104)

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#2 Pick

DEWALT 20V MAX Battery Charger (DCB112)

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#3 Pick

DeWalt DCB1102 12V/20V Max Lithium-Ion 2 Amp Multi-Volt Charger

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#4 Pick

DeWALT DCB107 12V/20V MAX Lithium Ion Charger (Bulk Packed)

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DCB115 vs DCB118 at a glance

Exact charging times depend on battery capacity, temperature, and pack condition. DeWalt’s published times are tied to specific batteries, so don’t assume one figure applies to every 20V MAX pack. A larger amp-hour battery takes longer than a compact one, and cold or overheated packs may be held back until they reach a suitable temperature.

What the DCB115 does well

The DCB115 is a basic single-port charger for DeWalt 12V MAX and 20V MAX slide batteries. It is a practical match for a drill-and-driver kit or a home workshop where batteries can charge while you do something else. It is also the cheaper option when you don’t need a FLEXVOLT charger or quick returns to work.

Its simplicity is useful: there’s no cooling fan to hear, and the charger takes up little room on a bench or shelf. The drawback is straightforward. If you run a high-capacity pack flat during a work shift, the wait can leave you short on usable batteries. That matters more if you own only one or two packs than if you have a rotation of charged spares.

Choose the DCB115 when charging speed is not holding up your work. For a budget replacement or an extra charger at home, search for the DeWalt DCB115 charger, and verify the seller’s listing describes the genuine charger and the battery platforms you use.

What the DCB118 adds

The DCB118 uses a fan to move air over the battery during charging. That supports faster charging and helps manage heat, particularly with batteries designed for high-rate charging. It is compatible with DeWalt 12V MAX and 20V MAX packs and compatible FLEXVOLT batteries. For a shop already using FLEXVOLT tools, that broader compatibility can make it a more useful shared charger.

Fast charging has practical limits. A fan cannot make every battery charge at the same rate, and a pack that is too hot or too cold may charge more slowly while the charger waits for safer conditions. The fan is audible and needs room for airflow, so don’t bury the charger under gear or press its vents against a wall. Dusty jobsite use also means keeping the intake and surrounding area reasonably clear.

If one depleted battery routinely stops a job, the DCB118’s faster turnaround can justify the extra cost. If your packs charge overnight, that speed may go unused. Compare current prices for a DeWalt DCB118 fan-cooled charger against the cost of another battery; depending on your workflow, a spare pack may be the more useful purchase.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the DCB115 if you mainly use compact or mid-size 20V MAX batteries, charge at home, and can plan around charging time. It is also a reasonable choice if the charger came with a kit and you only need a second one for another room or vehicle. The slower rate is not a problem when the battery is ready before the next job.

Choose the DCB118 if downtime has a cost, you cycle through batteries during the day, or you need to charge compatible FLEXVOLT packs. It is especially useful for crews with several tools drawing on the same battery pool. If the difference in price is modest and you expect to add FLEXVOLT tools, the extra compatibility may be worth it even if you don’t need maximum speed every day.

Before ordering, confirm the charger model number and battery platform printed on your pack. Don’t confuse a charger’s voltage label with a promise of universal compatibility: DeWalt chargers are designed for particular battery families, and other brands’ packs are not interchangeable. Also avoid charging a swollen, cracked, wet, or unusually hot battery. Take it out of service rather than trying a faster charger to revive it.

A practical buying check

Think about how many batteries you own and when you can charge them. With three charged packs, a slower charger may be perfectly adequate. With one pack and a tool that drains it before lunch, upgrading the charger alone may still leave you waiting; a second battery could solve the bottleneck. Compare the cost of both options, and buy only what fixes the actual delay.

For either charger, set it on a dry, stable surface with ventilation, use it indoors or in a protected area, and follow the battery’s temperature and charging instructions. A charger indicator that reports a fault, repeated charging interruptions, or a battery that will not take a charge calls for troubleshooting—not repeated attempts to force it through. In short: the DCB115 is enough for planned, ordinary charging; the DCB118 earns its keep when faster turnaround or FLEXVOLT compatibility changes how you work.